A length is measured as 15.0 m with an uncertainty of ±0.3 m. What is the fracti
Practice Questions
Q1
A length is measured as 15.0 m with an uncertainty of ±0.3 m. What is the fractional error in this measurement?
0.02
0.03
0.01
0.005
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
A length is measured as 15.0 m with an uncertainty of ±0.3 m. What is the fractional error in this measurement?
Step 1: Identify the measured value, which is 15.0 m.
Step 2: Identify the absolute error, which is ±0.3 m.
Step 3: Use the formula for fractional error: fractional error = absolute error / measured value.
Step 4: Substitute the values into the formula: fractional error = 0.3 m / 15.0 m.
Step 5: Calculate the result: 0.3 divided by 15.0 equals 0.02.
Fractional Error – The fractional error is the ratio of the absolute error to the measured value, indicating the relative uncertainty in a measurement.
Absolute Error – The absolute error is the uncertainty in a measurement, representing the range within which the true value is expected to lie.
Measurement Uncertainty – Measurement uncertainty quantifies the doubt about the result of a measurement, often expressed as a ± value.