Errors and uncertainties
 

Errors and uncertainties problem 29


  • Define density.


  • A smooth pebble, made from uniform rock, has the shape of an elongated sphere as shown in the figure below.




    The length of the pebble is . The cross-section of the pebble, in the plane perpendicular to , is circular with a maximum radius .


    A student investigating the density of the rock makes measurements to determine the values of , and the mass of the pebble as follows:








    • State the name of a measuring instrument suitable for making this measurement of L.

    • Determine the percentage uncertainty in the measurement of r.


  • The density of the rock from which the pebble in (b) is composed is given by




    where is an integer and is a constant, with no units, that is equal to .


    • Use SI base units to show that is equal to .

    • Calculate the percentage uncertainty in .

    • Determine with its absolute uncertainty. Give your values to the appropriate number of significant figures.


 

main author and content editor: Noble Menedi Firima