Error Analysis

Repeating Measurements
Calculation of Mean and Standard
Deviation
The Gaussian distribution
Propagation of Errors
Significant Figures

Review quiz

A.
B.
C.
D.

E.

Kirk is sitting in the right-hand passenger

seat of a car. The car makes a right-hand
turn at constant speed. If Kirk stays in his
seat as the car turns, there is
no force on Kirk.
a horizontal force directed forward on Kirk.
a horizontal force directed to the left on Kirk.
a horizontal force directed to the right on
Kirk.
a horizontal force in a direction between
forward and left on Kirk.

About the Mechanics Test

Test average was 64%.

You will receive your marked test near the END of
tutorial this week.
If you find a mistake in the marking you must notify
Dr. Savaria in MP129 before next Friday, November
16 by 5:00PM.

This guy is
responsible
for calculating
your mark!

Test 1 Histogram
Percentage with A

19%

Percentage with B

16%

Percentage with C

28%

Percentage with D

23%

Percentage with F

14%

Two Kinds of Statements

1.

2.

Exact
2 + 3 = 5 (math)
K = m v2 (definition)
Approximate
F
spring = k x (any physical law)

g = 9.80 m/s2 (all numerical measures

of the universe)

Today: approximate statements

Period of a Pendulum

A.
B.

C.

Procedure: Measure the time for 5

oscillations, t5.
The period is calculated as T = t5 / 5.
Did Harlow do anything wrong when
measuring t5?
No
Yes, he should have counted Zero when he
started the stopwatch.
Yes, he should have started the stopwatch
when it was at the bottom of its swing, not at
the top.

The t5 data
7.53 s
7.38 s
7.47 s
7.43 s

Repeated Measurements of
Period
Consider a single measurement, in a group

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

of measurements that follow a normal

distribution. What is the probability that this
measurement lies within + or one standard
deviation of the mean?
0%
50%
68%
95%
100%

Here were Harlows

7.53 s
measurements
of t5:
7.38 s
7.47 s
7.43 s

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Which of the following might be

a good estimate for the error in
Harlows first measurement of
7.53 seconds?
0.005 s
0.05 s
0.5 s
5s
Impossible to determine

7.53 s
7.38 s
7.47 s
7.43 s

7.53 s
7.38 s
7.47 s
7.43 s
7.44 s
7.56 s
7.48 s
7.40 s

The Gaussian

68% of data
between the
dotted lines on
the graph.

Heights of some People

(London, 1886)

inches

Random Walk

Where does an object end up, if it takes

N steps randomly left or right?
The final distribution is described by a
Gaussian function!

The t5 data

7.53 s
7.38 s
7.47 s
7.43 s

+
+
+
+

0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06

s
s
s
s

Numerically:

Propagation of Errors

z = A x

z = A x

Repeated Measurements

Repeated n times
Each individual measurement has an
error of precision x

Significant Figures

Discussed in Section 1.9 of Knight Ch.1

Rules for significant figures follow from error
propagation

Assume error in a quoted value is half the value of

the last digit.
Errors should be quoted to 1 or 2 significant
figures
Error should be in final displayed digit in number.

Example: If a calculated result is (7.056 +/0.705) m, it is better to report (7.1 +/- 0.7) m.