Chapter 1 Introduction, Measurement, Estimating

(d) 4.76 × 10 2 = 476

(e) 3.62 × 10 −5 = 0.0000362

0.25 m
5. % uncertainty = × 100% = 4.6%
5.48 m

0.2 s
6. (a) % uncertainty = × 100% = 4%
5s
0.2 s
(b) % uncertainty = × 100% = 0.4%
50 s
0.2 s
(c) % uncertainty = × 100% = 0.07%
300 s

7. To add values with significant figures, adjust all values to be added so that their exponents are all the
same.
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) (
9.2 × 103 s + 8.3 × 10 4 s + 0.008 × 106 s = 9.2 × 103 s + 83 × 103 s + 8 × 103 s ) ( )
= ( 9.2 + 83 + 8 ) × 103 s = 100.2 × 103 s = 1.00 × 105 s
When adding, keep the least accurate value, and so keep to the “ones” place in the last set of
parentheses.

8. ( 2.079 × 10 m )( 0.082 × 10 ) = 1.7 m . When multiplying, the result should have as many digits as
2 −1

the number with the least number of significant digits used in the calculation.

9. θ (radians) sin(θ ) tan(θ )

0 0.00 0.00 Keeping 2 significant figures in the angle, and
0.10 0.10 0.10 expressing the angle in radians, the largest angle that has
0.12 0.12 0.12 the same sine and tangent is 0.24 radians . In degrees,
0.20 0.20 0.20 the largest angle (keeping 2 significant figure) is 12°.
0.24 0.24 0.24 The spreadsheet used for this problem can be found on
0.25 0.25 0.26 the Media Manager, with filename
“PSE4_ISM_CH01.XLS,” on tab “Problem 1.9.”

10. To find the approximate uncertainty in the volume, calculate the volume for the minimum radius and
the volume for the maximum radius. Subtract the extreme volumes. The uncertainty in the volume
is then half this variation in volume.
= 43 π ( 0.84 m ) = 2.483m 3
3
Vspecified = 43 π rspecified
3

= 43 π ( 0.80 m ) = 2.145 m 3
3
Vmin = 43 π rmin
3

= 43 π ( 0.88 m ) = 2.855 m 3
3
Vmax = 43 π rmax
3

ΔV = 1
2 (Vmax − Vmin ) = 12 ( 2.855 m3 − 2.145 m 3 ) = 0.355 m 3
ΔV 0.355 m 3
The percent uncertainty is = × 100 = 14.3 ≈ 14 % .
Vspecified 2.483 m 3

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