Solving Uncertainty in Lab Report Calculation

  • Thread starter Thread starter AstroKeith
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Uncertainty
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on expressing uncertainty in lab report calculations, specifically for the volume of a cylindrical disk. The calculated volume is V = 4.76×10^-4 m³ with an uncertainty of ± 3.09×10^-6 m³. Participants suggest that the uncertainty should be rounded to match the significant figures of the volume, recommending formats like V = 4.76×10^-4 ± 0.03×10^-4 m³ or V = (4.76 ± 0.03) × 10^-4 m³ for clarity. Properly expressing uncertainty ensures consistency and accuracy in scientific reporting. Clear communication of uncertainty is essential in lab reports.
AstroKeith
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hello, I am working on a lab report and am unsure about how to express the uncertainty of one of my calculations.

I am calculating the volume of a cylindrical disk with
height = 0.0258 ± 0.0001 m
radius = 0.0767 ± 0.0002m
Using V=π(r^2)h and the upper/lower bound method, I find:
V= 0.000476205
Uncertainty = ± 0.00000309393
V =4.76⋅10^-4 ± 3.09⋅10^-6

How would I properly express this uncertainty since it is out more decimal places than my answer?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
AstroKeith said:
V =4.76⋅10^-4 ± 3.09⋅10^-6

How would I properly express this uncertainty since it is out more decimal places than my answer?
I would use
V = 4.76×10-4 ± 0.03×10-4 m3
or (even better in my opinion)
V = (4.76 ± 0.03) × 10-4 m3
 
So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
Back
Top