Spring constant and uncertainty in spring constant calculation

  • Thread starter vcooper28
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  • #1
vcooper28
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Homework Statement



The spring constant (k) and uncertainty in the spring constant(sigma_k) have to be calculated with the values available for: period (T), number of oscillations (N), mass (m), time, slope and uncertainty in slope. The spring constant can be done with the first equation but I have no idea how to calculate the uncertainty in the spring constant.

Homework Equations


k=[4(pi)^2]/slope

[k+/- (sigma_k)] = [4(pi)^2]/[slope +/- (sigma_k)]


The Attempt at a Solution

 

Answers and Replies

  • #2
LowlyPion
Homework Helper
3,115
6

Homework Statement



The spring constant (k) and uncertainty in the spring constant(sigma_k) have to be calculated with the values available for: period (T), number of oscillations (N), mass (m), time, slope and uncertainty in slope. The spring constant can be done with the first equation but I have no idea how to calculate the uncertainty in the spring constant.

Homework Equations


k=[4(pi)^2]/slope

[k+/- (sigma_k)] = [4(pi)^2]/[slope +/- (sigma_k)]


The Attempt at a Solution


The only uncertainty you have in k - given your formula - is the uncertainty in the slope.
There is no uncertainty in the constants like π, so you use the percentage uncertainty of the slope as the percentage uncertainty of k.
 

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