#$&*
course PHY 122
2/21/13
Most queries in this course will ask you questions about class notes, readings, text problems and experiments. Since the first two assignments have been lab-related, the first two queries are related to the those exercises. While the remaining queries in this course are in question-answer format, the first two will be in the form of open-ended questions. Interpret these questions and answer them as best you can.
Different first-semester courses address the issues of experimental precision, experimental error, reporting of results and analysis in different ways and at different levels. One purpose of these initial lab exercises is to familiarize your instructor with your work and you with the instructor 's expectations.
Comment on your experience with the three lab exercises you encountered in this assignment or in recent assignments.
*********************************************
Question: This question, related to the use of the TIMER program in an experimental situation, is posed in terms of a familiar first-semester system.
Suppose you use a computer timer to time a steel ball 1 inch in diameter rolling down a straight wooden incline about 50 cm long. If the computer timer indicates that on five trials the times of an object down an incline are 2.42sec, 2.56 sec, 2.38 sec, 2.47 sec and 2.31 sec, then to what extent do you think the discrepancies could be explained by each of the following:
The lack of precision of the TIMER program.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
Given that there is a difference of a quarter of a second between the fastest and slowest time trials, I dont believe the precision of the TIMER program is to blame.
#$&*
The uncertain precision of human triggering (uncertainty associated with an actual human finger on a computer mouse)
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
I believe this is much more likely to be the cause of the differences in times.
#$&*
Actual differences in the time required for the object to travel the same distance.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
Assuming that the system is well secured, and the test in setup in a consistent manner, this would be the least significant cause of the discrepancies.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
If the system is set up in a way that does not guarantee the balls release from the same spot, this would certainly distort the data.
#$&*
Human uncertainty in observing exactly when the object reached the end of the incline.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
This is likely to be one of the most inaccurate portions of any test.
#$&*
*********************************************
Question: How much uncertainty do you think each of the following would actually contribute to the uncertainty in timing a number of trials for the ball-down-an-incline lab?
The lack of precision of the TIMER program.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
Given that the runs are not separated by very small time deltas, I dont think this contributed to the uncertainty.
#$&*
The uncertain precision of human triggering (uncertainty associated with an actual human finger on a computer mouse)
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
This would be one of the two most likely causes of inconsistent data
#$&*
Actual differences in the time required for the object to travel the same distance.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
Assuming the experiment allows placement of the steel ball at an exact position and the surface of the wooden plank is not damaged, this would not affect the results by much.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
If the ball is not placed properly at the start of each run, small time differences would come up. However, I think human imprecision in the starting and stopping of each trial would cause a greater impact.
#$&*
Human uncertainty in observing exactly when the object reached the end of the incline.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
This would be the other most likely cause of uncertainty in the experiment.
#$&*
*********************************************
Question: What, if anything, could you do about the uncertainty due to each of the following? Address each specifically.
The lack of precision of the TIMER program.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
The only way would be to improve the accuracy of the TIMER program by rewriting it to use a higher resolution timer.
#$&*
The uncertain precision of human triggering (uncertainty associated with an actual human finger on a computer mouse)
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
Without automating the experiment, I dont see how you could eliminate the human error.
#$&*
Actual differences in the time required for the object to travel the same distance.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
Given that the wood could possibly have imperfections in its surface, a change to another material might improve the accuracy slightly. However, I dont believe this would lead to a substantial improvement.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
Place an object on the ramp to act as a stop that the ball could consistently be positioned against at the start of each trial run.
#$&*
Human uncertainty in observing exactly when the object reached the end of the incline.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
A quick way to improve this would be to position the mouse at the end of the ramp so when the ball reaches the end of the run, it will automatically click the mouse for you.
#$&*
"
Self-critique (if necessary):
------------------------------------------------
Self-critique rating:
#$&*
course PHY 122
2/21/13
Most queries in this course will ask you questions about class notes, readings, text problems and experiments. Since the first two assignments have been lab-related, the first two queries are related to the those exercises. While the remaining queries in this course are in question-answer format, the first two will be in the form of open-ended questions. Interpret these questions and answer them as best you can.
Different first-semester courses address the issues of experimental precision, experimental error, reporting of results and analysis in different ways and at different levels. One purpose of these initial lab exercises is to familiarize your instructor with your work and you with the instructor 's expectations.
Comment on your experience with the three lab exercises you encountered in this assignment or in recent assignments.
*********************************************
Question: This question, related to the use of the TIMER program in an experimental situation, is posed in terms of a familiar first-semester system.
Suppose you use a computer timer to time a steel ball 1 inch in diameter rolling down a straight wooden incline about 50 cm long. If the computer timer indicates that on five trials the times of an object down an incline are 2.42sec, 2.56 sec, 2.38 sec, 2.47 sec and 2.31 sec, then to what extent do you think the discrepancies could be explained by each of the following:
The lack of precision of the TIMER program.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
Given that there is a difference of a quarter of a second between the fastest and slowest time trials, I dont believe the precision of the TIMER program is to blame.
#$&*
The uncertain precision of human triggering (uncertainty associated with an actual human finger on a computer mouse)
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
I believe this is much more likely to be the cause of the differences in times.
#$&*
Actual differences in the time required for the object to travel the same distance.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
Assuming that the system is well secured, and the test in setup in a consistent manner, this would be the least significant cause of the discrepancies.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
If the system is set up in a way that does not guarantee the balls release from the same spot, this would certainly distort the data.
#$&*
Human uncertainty in observing exactly when the object reached the end of the incline.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
This is likely to be one of the most inaccurate portions of any test.
#$&*
*********************************************
Question: How much uncertainty do you think each of the following would actually contribute to the uncertainty in timing a number of trials for the ball-down-an-incline lab?
The lack of precision of the TIMER program.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
Given that the runs are not separated by very small time deltas, I dont think this contributed to the uncertainty.
#$&*
The uncertain precision of human triggering (uncertainty associated with an actual human finger on a computer mouse)
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
This would be one of the two most likely causes of inconsistent data
#$&*
Actual differences in the time required for the object to travel the same distance.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
Assuming the experiment allows placement of the steel ball at an exact position and the surface of the wooden plank is not damaged, this would not affect the results by much.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
If the ball is not placed properly at the start of each run, small time differences would come up. However, I think human imprecision in the starting and stopping of each trial would cause a greater impact.
#$&*
Human uncertainty in observing exactly when the object reached the end of the incline.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
This would be the other most likely cause of uncertainty in the experiment.
#$&*
*********************************************
Question: What, if anything, could you do about the uncertainty due to each of the following? Address each specifically.
The lack of precision of the TIMER program.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
The only way would be to improve the accuracy of the TIMER program by rewriting it to use a higher resolution timer.
#$&*
The uncertain precision of human triggering (uncertainty associated with an actual human finger on a computer mouse)
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
Without automating the experiment, I dont see how you could eliminate the human error.
#$&*
Actual differences in the time required for the object to travel the same distance.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
Given that the wood could possibly have imperfections in its surface, a change to another material might improve the accuracy slightly. However, I dont believe this would lead to a substantial improvement.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
Place an object on the ramp to act as a stop that the ball could consistently be positioned against at the start of each trial run.
#$&*
Human uncertainty in observing exactly when the object reached the end of the incline.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
A quick way to improve this would be to position the mouse at the end of the ramp so when the ball reaches the end of the run, it will automatically click the mouse for you.
#$&*
"
Self-critique (if necessary):
------------------------------------------------
Self-critique rating:
#*&!
#$&*
course PHY 122
2/21/13
Most queries in this course will ask you questions about class notes, readings, text problems and experiments. Since the first two assignments have been lab-related, the first two queries are related to the those exercises. While the remaining queries in this course are in question-answer format, the first two will be in the form of open-ended questions. Interpret these questions and answer them as best you can.
Different first-semester courses address the issues of experimental precision, experimental error, reporting of results and analysis in different ways and at different levels. One purpose of these initial lab exercises is to familiarize your instructor with your work and you with the instructor 's expectations.
Comment on your experience with the three lab exercises you encountered in this assignment or in recent assignments.
*********************************************
Question: This question, related to the use of the TIMER program in an experimental situation, is posed in terms of a familiar first-semester system.
Suppose you use a computer timer to time a steel ball 1 inch in diameter rolling down a straight wooden incline about 50 cm long. If the computer timer indicates that on five trials the times of an object down an incline are 2.42sec, 2.56 sec, 2.38 sec, 2.47 sec and 2.31 sec, then to what extent do you think the discrepancies could be explained by each of the following:
The lack of precision of the TIMER program.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
Given that there is a difference of a quarter of a second between the fastest and slowest time trials, I dont believe the precision of the TIMER program is to blame.
#$&*
The uncertain precision of human triggering (uncertainty associated with an actual human finger on a computer mouse)
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
I believe this is much more likely to be the cause of the differences in times.
#$&*
Actual differences in the time required for the object to travel the same distance.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
Assuming that the system is well secured, and the test in setup in a consistent manner, this would be the least significant cause of the discrepancies.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
If the system is set up in a way that does not guarantee the balls release from the same spot, this would certainly distort the data.
#$&*
Human uncertainty in observing exactly when the object reached the end of the incline.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
Your answer:
This is likely to be one of the most inaccurate portions of any test.
#$&*
*********************************************
Question: How much uncertainty do you think each of the following would actually contribute to the uncertainty in timing a number of trials for the ball-down-an-incline lab?
The lack of precision of the TIMER program.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
Given that the runs are not separated by very small time deltas, I dont think this contributed to the uncertainty.
#$&*
The uncertain precision of human triggering (uncertainty associated with an actual human finger on a computer mouse)
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
This would be one of the two most likely causes of inconsistent data
#$&*
Actual differences in the time required for the object to travel the same distance.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
Assuming the experiment allows placement of the steel ball at an exact position and the surface of the wooden plank is not damaged, this would not affect the results by much.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
If the ball is not placed properly at the start of each run, small time differences would come up. However, I think human imprecision in the starting and stopping of each trial would cause a greater impact.
#$&*
Human uncertainty in observing exactly when the object reached the end of the incline.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
Your answer:
This would be the other most likely cause of uncertainty in the experiment.
#$&*
*********************************************
Question: What, if anything, could you do about the uncertainty due to each of the following? Address each specifically.
The lack of precision of the TIMER program.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
The only way would be to improve the accuracy of the TIMER program by rewriting it to use a higher resolution timer.
#$&*
The uncertain precision of human triggering (uncertainty associated with an actual human finger on a computer mouse)
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
Without automating the experiment, I dont see how you could eliminate the human error.
#$&*
Actual differences in the time required for the object to travel the same distance.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
Given that the wood could possibly have imperfections in its surface, a change to another material might improve the accuracy slightly. However, I dont believe this would lead to a substantial improvement.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
Place an object on the ramp to act as a stop that the ball could consistently be positioned against at the start of each trial run.
#$&*
Human uncertainty in observing exactly when the object reached the end of the incline.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
Your answer:
A quick way to improve this would be to position the mouse at the end of the ramp so when the ball reaches the end of the run, it will automatically click the mouse for you.
#$&*
"
Self-critique (if necessary):
------------------------------------------------
Self-critique rating:
#*&!#*&!
&#Very good responses. Let me know if you have questions. &#