#$&*
course Phy 122
Many of the questions seem to be redundant in nature. Also, are the queries something you want to see turned in like this? I noticed that the overall grade for the course consist only of the tests. Are the homework and experiments graded as well Sir? The order of precedence on what to do first is a bit confusing on which cd topic and which video to watch because the time table titles and the titles on the cd's don't match each other.
ph2 query 0Most 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: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Discrepancies exist in most experiments when involving humans. There are many factors that can possibly effect the timer totals, different lines of travel on the ramp, spin in the balls motion affecting speed, whether the timer is started or stopped by a human. The timer, if started and stopped, at the same time should show the same consistent reading so there would be little room for discrepancy there. My guess is that it would come from another area within the experiment where the margin for error is a higher probability.
#$&*
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: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
To a very large factor when determining time to 2 or 3 significant figures to the right of the decimal.
#$&*
Actual differences in the time required for the object to travel the same distance.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
your answer: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
If were a definite distance measured either by a high speed camera or laser trip wire, the distance traveled would have a lot less error than using the eyeball on a fast moving object. The result based on cognitive recognition are always uncertain to the finite point.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
your answer: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Release point, if it is not a fixed point, and done by eyeball and ruler alone will always produce more probability for error.
#$&*
Human uncertainty in observing exactly when the object reached the end of the incline.
To what extent to you think the discrepancies are explained by this factor?
your answer: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
The room for error here is high. Not only will the eyeball differ from a fixed point but also the reaction time for the finger to stop the timer will be affected.
#$&*
*********************************************
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: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
A medium factor of uncertainty because the timer will only be as accurate as the person using it. So, if you had the perfect timer, it still would only be as accurate as the person using it as well.
#$&*
The uncertain precision of human triggering (uncertainty associated with an actual human finger on a computer mouse)
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
your answer: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Same as the similar question above. The uncertainty level would be very moderate, as experienced in the initial timer exercise.
#$&*
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: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
As stated above. The line of travel will always effect the time of the travel, even if minutely.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
To what extent to you think this factor would contribute to the uncertainty?
your answer: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Same as stated above. Without a fixed point of release, the uncertainty will be great when relying on the eyeball.
#$&*
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: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Stated above. Again, our heads are not a fixed position. A slight tilt could alter the point of reference, even slightly and alter the results.
#$&*
*********************************************
Question: What, if anything, could you do about the uncertainty due to each of the following? Address each specifically.
The lack of precision of the TIMER program.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
your answer: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Having a fix point where the ball is released and automatically starts the timer, and have a finish point that trips the timer to stop.
#$&*
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: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
With the instruments stated in the above question, I think that the uncertainty involving the human could be eliminated.
#$&*
Actual differences in the time required for the object to travel the same distance.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
your answer: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
The ball and the ramp would have to be perfect. The ball can travel only down the perfect line of travel and the ball would have to be perfectly round with no flaws to speak of.
#$&*
Differences in positioning the object prior to release.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
your answer: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Having a dock or fixed position as stated above would eliminate this.
#$&*
Human uncertainty in observing exactly when the object reached the end of the incline.
What do you think you could do about the uncertainty due to this factor?
your answer: vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
I dont believe that there is any one way that this can be done without either years of practice or eliminating the human factor entirely.
#$&*
"
&#Very good responses. Let me know if you have questions. &#