How do I do uncertainties properly?

All uncertainties show you is the range your answer will fall in. First off, when you do the experiment, any analogue scales will have an uncertainty of half their lowest unit and digital scales will be their lowest unit. This is your absolute uncertainty. When adding and subtracting, sum up the absolute uncertainties. You get relative uncertainty by dividing your uncertainty by the value. When multiplying or dividing values, add up the relative uncertainties - don't multiply them! Don't forget to convert all your uncertainties to the same - absolute or relative.

OP
Answered by Oliver P. Physics tutor

1896 Views

See similar Physics IB tutors

Related Physics IB answers

All answers ▸

The diagram below represents a balloon just before take-off. The balloon’s basket is attached to the ground by two fixing ropes.Calculate the tension in either of the fixing ropes.


What is the difference between a vector and a scalar?


Sue's brother is on a sled on top of ice (assume no friction). Sue is pulling her brother with 15 N of force at a 38 degree angle above the horizontal. Calculate the work done if she pulls him for 50 meters.


What are elastic and inelastic collisions? After a head on elastic collision of two balls of mass m1 and m2, deduce an equation relating the final and initial velocities of both balls.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences