What is the total error in calculating resistance using a Manganin wire?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Acuben
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Error
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 11K views
Acuben
Messages
61
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



First of all, I do not know if I am asking a complex question or easy question... since I haven't covered this in detail, but my physics teacher requires the class to use it in the lab

1. When you have one value value how do you calculate for total error?
Here I find the R, the Resistance of Manganin wire with has
[tex]\rho[/tex]=44x10^-8 (neglecting error)

l=30.30 [tex]\pm[/tex] 0.05 inches
r= 0.02185 [tex]\pm[/tex] 0.00005 cm
R=[tex]\rho[/tex]l/A

A= [tex]\pi[/tex][tex]r^{2}[/tex]


2. Must this final error be in percentage?

Homework Equations


R=[tex]\rho[/tex]l/A
A= area so pi times radius squared
so...
R=[tex]\frac{\rho l}{\pi r^{2}}[/tex]


[tex]\Delta[/tex]f = [tex]\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}[/tex]*[tex]\Delta[/tex]t + [tex]\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}[/tex]*[tex]\Delta[/tex]y

I never used this formula and I have no idea how to use it O.o partial x and delta x?


The Attempt at a Solution



since for [tex]\pm[/tex] errors are multiplied, squared, divided, etc...
I can try changing to percent error so..

since R=[tex]\frac{\rho l}{\pi r^{2}}[/tex]

and let's say I converted to % error
a= percent error of l
b= percent error of r
would total % error be a-2b ?

or must I get partial derivatives involved? O_o
treat me like I don't know anything xD

edit1: give me time to edit my post, the symbols are not coming out as I wanted to it to be
edit2: done editing!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Find the % error in each of your measurements.
Rule 1
If the quantities are multiplied or divided (as is the case in your equation) add the percentage errors to get the total % error in the answer.
Rule 2
If a number is squared take 2 times the % error. (This is the case with the radius)
From the total % error, convert this back to an actual error in the final result.