Understanding Percentage Uncertainties in Physics

What is the absolute uncertainty when measuring 21.4 cm with a standard ruler?

• ±1.0 cm

• ±0.1 cm

• ±0.05 cm

• ±0.5 cm

How do you calculate percentage uncertainty?

• Multiply absolute uncertainty by the value

• Divide absolute uncertainty by the value and multiply by 100

• Add absolute uncertainty to the value

• Subtract absolute uncertainty from the value

When adding quantities, how do you find the total absolute uncertainty?

• Divide the total value by the number of uncertainties

• Subtract the smallest uncertainty from the largest

• Add all absolute uncertainties

• Multiply all uncertainties

In the Young's double slit experiment, how do you calculate the absolute uncertainty in wavelength?

• Subtract percentage uncertainties

• Add percentage uncertainties

• Multiply absolute uncertainties

• Add absolute uncertainties

What is the formula for total capacitance when capacitors are added in series?

• C1 + C2

• 1 / (1/C1 + 1/C2)

• C1 * C2

• C1 - C2

How do you determine the range of a measurement?

• Multiply the smallest value by the largest value

• Add the smallest value to the largest value

• Divide the largest value by the smallest value

• Subtract the smallest value from the largest value

What is the percentage uncertainty in a measurement of 30157 ± 0.01 m?

• 0.02%

• 0.03%

• 0.04%

• 0.01%

How do you calculate the mean of a set of values?

• Subtract the smallest value from the largest

• Multiply all values together

• Add the largest value to the smallest

• Add all values and divide by the number of values

What is the absolute uncertainty in a measurement if the range is 0.72?

• 0.18

• 0.72

• 0.54

• 0.36

How do you find the total percentage uncertainty when multiplying quantities?

• Divide the percentage uncertainties

• Subtract the percentage uncertainties

• Multiply the percentage uncertainties

• Add the percentage uncertainties