Query 01

#$&*

course Phy 201

2/2/13 at 9:21 PM

ph1 query 1 x

delim #$&*

*********************************************

Question:  `qExplain in your own words how the standard deviation of a set of numbers is calculated.

 

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

 To calculate the standard deviation you first need to find the mean of you set of numbers, which can be found by adding up all of the numbers and dividing that answer by the number of numbers mean of the set of numbers. To do this you can find the difference of the numbers and the answer an absolute value so you will never get a negative deviation. Next you have to find the mean of all of those deviations. To do that you can add up all of the deviations and divide that answer by the number of deviations you started with. Then you have to square each one of the deviations. Next you have to find the average of the squared deviations which can be found by adding up all of the squared deviations and then dividing that answer by one less than the number of squared deviations that you started with. So for example if you started with 6 squared deviations then you would divide it by 5. However you only do this is you have less than 30 squared deviations that you are using. If you have more than 30, you can divide it with the number of squared deviations that you started with. The last step is to take the square root of the average of the squared deviations which gives you the standard deviation.

 

 

confidence rating #$&*: 3

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

#$&*

*********************************************

Question:  State the given definition of the average rate of change of A with respect to B.

Briefly state what you think velocity is and how you think it is an example of a rate of change.

In reference to the definition of average rate of change, if you were to apply that definition to get an average velocity, what would you use for the A quantity and what would you use for the B quantity?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

 The definition of the average rate of change of A with respect to B is:

Average rate of change of A with respect to B = (Change in A) / (Change in B)

Velocity is the speed of something in a given direction. It is an example of a rate of change because to calculate it you do change in position (distance) / change in time (time it took to go that distance).

Quantity A = change in distance

Quantity B = change in time

 

 

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3

.............................................

Given Solution: 

A rate is a change in something divided by a change in something else. 

This question concerns velocity, which is the rate of change of position: change in position divided by change in clock time. **

NOTE ON NOTATION

Students often quote a formula like v = d / t.  It’s best to avoid this formula completely. 

The average velocity on an interval is defined as the average rate of change of position with respect to clock time.  By the definition of average rate, then, the average velocity on the interval is v_ave = (change in position / change in clock time). 

 One reason we might not want to use v = d / t:  The symbol d doesn’t look like a change in anything, nor does the symbol t.  Also it’s very to read ‘d’ and ‘distance’ rather than ‘displacement’.

 Another reason:  The symbol v doesn’t distinguish between initial velocity, final velocity, average velocity, change in velocity and instantaneous velocity, all of which are important concepts that need to be associated with distinct symbols.

In this course we use `d to stand for the capital Greek symbol Delta, which universally indicates the change in a quantity.  If we use d for distance, then the ‘change in distance’ would be denoted `dd.  It’s potentially confusing to have two different d’s, with two different meanings, in the same expression.

We generally use s or x to stand for position, so `ds or `dx would stand for change in position.  Change in clock time would be `dt.  Thus

v_Ave = `ds / `dt

(or alternatively, if we use x for position, v_Ave = `dx / `dt).

With this notation we can tell that we are dividing change in position by change in clock time.

For University Physics students (calculus-based note):

If x is the position then velocity is dx/dt, the derivative of position with respect to clock time. This is the limiting value of the rate of change of position with respect to clock time. You need to think in these terms.

v stands for instantaneous velocity. v_Ave stands for the average velocity on an interval.

If you used d for position then you would have the formula v = dd / dt. The dd in the numerator doesn’t make a lot of sense; one d indicates the infinitesimal change in the other d.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Self-critique (if necessary):

 I said that quantity A would be the change in distance and the answer said that it was the change in position. ???? Does these two statements mean the same thing????

 

 

------------------------------------------------

Self-critique rating:

@&

Position is position, and it is position that changes.

Distance is the magnitude of the change in position.

*@

3

#$&*

*********************************************

Question:  Given average speed and time interval how do you find distance moved?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

 If you are given the average speed and time interval, then you can find distance by multiplying speed times the time interval.

 

 

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3

.............................................

Given Solution: 

**  You multiply average speed * time interval to find distance moved.

 

For example, 50 miles / hour * 3 hours = 150 miles. **

 

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Self-critique (if necessary):

 OK

 

 

------------------------------------------------

Self-critique rating:

OK

#$&*

*********************************************

Question:  Given average speed and distance moved how do you find the corresponding time interval?

 

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

 If you are given the average speed and distance moved, then you can find the corresponding time interval by dividing the distance moved by the average speed.

 

 

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3

.............................................

Given Solution: 

** time interval = distance / average speed.  For example if we travel 100 miles at 50 mph it takes 2 hours--we divide the distance by the speed.

 

In symbols, if `ds = vAve * `dt then `dt =  `ds/vAve.

 

Also note that (cm/s ) / s = cm/s^2, not sec, whereas cm / (cm/s) = cm * s / cm = s, as appropriate in a calculation of `dt. **

 

 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Self-critique (if necessary):

 OK

 

 

------------------------------------------------

Self-critique rating:

OK

#$&*

*********************************************

Question:  Given time interval and distance moved how do you get average speed?

 

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

 If you are given the time interval and distance moved, then you can find the average speed by dividing the distance moved by the time interval.

 

 

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3

.............................................

Given Solution: 

** Average speed = distance / change in clock time.  This is the definition of average speed. 

 

For example if we travel 300 miles in 5 hours we have been traveling at an average speed of 300 miles / 5 hours = 60 miles / hour. **

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Self-critique (if necessary):

 OK

 

 

------------------------------------------------

Self-critique rating:

OK

#$&*

*********************************************

Question:  A ball rolls from rest down a book, off that book and onto another book, where it picks up speed before rolling off the end of that book.  Consider the interval that begins when the ball first encounters the second book, and ends when it rolls of the end of the book. 

For this interval, place in order the quantities initial velocity (which we denote v_0), and final velocity (which we denote v_f), average velocity (which we denote v_Ave).

During this interval, the ball’s velocity changes.  It is possible for the change in its velocity to exceed the three quantities you just listed?  Is it possible for all three of these quantities to exceed the change in the ball’s velocity?  Explain.

Note that the change in the ball’s velocity is denoted `dv.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

 For this interval the quantities in order would be the initial velocity, average velocity, and then the final velocity.

No, because the change in velocity can not exceed the final velocity in this interval. It could be possible for the change in velocity to exceed the initial velocity and average velocity if the initial velocity was very small and the final velocity was very big, but it would not exceed the final velocity. An example could be: Initial velocity = 1 m/s, Average velocity = 10.5 m/s, Final velocity = 20 m/s so from this the change in velocity would be 20 - 1 =19 m/s so the change in velocity would be bigger than the initial velocity and the average velocity, but not the final velocity.

Yes, it is possible for all three of these quantities to exceed the change in the ball’s velocity. One way this could happen is if the initial velocity was pretty big to start with and then the final velocity wasn’t much higher than that then all three of those quantities could exceed the change in the ball’s velocity. An example could be: Initial velocity = 30 m/s, Average velocity = 35 m/s, Final velocity = 40 m/s so from this the Change in velocity would be 40 - 30 = 10 m/s which is smaller than all three of those quantities.

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3

*********************************************

Question:  If the velocity at the beginning of an interval is 4 m/s and at the end of the interval it is 10 m/s, then what is the average of these velocities, and what is the change in velocity?

List the four quantities initial velocity, final velocity, average of initial and final velocities, and change in velocity, in order from least to greatest.

Give an example of positive initial and final velocities for which the order of the four quantities would be different.

For positive initial and final velocities, is it possible for the change in velocity to exceed the other three quanities?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

Average velocity = 4 m/s + 10 m/s = 14 m/s

Average velocity = 14 m/s / 2 = 7 m/s

Average velocity = 7 m/s

The change in velocity is 10 m/s - 4 m/s = 6 m/s 

The four quantities in order from least to greatest is: Initial velocity 4 m/s, Change in velocity 6 m/s, Average velocity 7 m/s, Final velocity 10 m/s

An example of positive initial and final velocities for which the order of the four quantities would be different could be Initial velocity = 30 m/s, Final velocity = 40 m/s so from this the Change in velocity would be 40 - 30 = 10 m/s, and the Average velocity would be (30 + 40) / 2 = 35 m/s Given this example, the order from least to greatest would be: Change in velocity 10 m/s, Initial velocity 30 m/s, Average velocity 35 m/s, Final velocity 40 m/s

No, because the change in velocity can not exceed the final velocity if the initial and final velocities are positive. It could be possible for the change in velocity to exceed the initial velocity and average velocity if the initial velocity was very small and the final velocity was very big, but it would not exceed the final velocity. An example could be: Initial velocity = 1 m/s, Average velocity = 10.5 m/s, Final velocity = 20 m/s so from this the change in velocity would be 20 - 1 =19 m/s so the change in velocity would be bigger than the initial velocity and the average velocity, but not the final velocity.

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3

#$&*

*********************************************

Question:  If the position of an object changes by 5.2 meters, with an uncertainty of +-4%, during a time interval of 1.3 seconds, with an uncertainty of +-2%, then

What is the uncertainty in the change in position in meters>

What is the uncertainty in the time interval in seconds?

What is the average velocity of the object, and what do you think ia the uncertainty in the average velocity?

(this last question is required of University Physics students only, but other are welcome to answer):  What is the percent uncertainty in the average velocity of the object, and what is the uncertainty as given in units of velocity?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

The uncertainty in the change in position in meters is = + or - .04 (or 4%). So the change in the position is probably between 5.16 to 5.24. The percent uncertainty = (.04 / 5.2) * 100 = .77%

The uncertainty in the time interval in seconds is = + or - .02 (or 2%). So the time interval is probably between 1.28 to 1.32. The percent uncertainty = (.02/1.3) * 100 = 1.5%

The average velocity of the object is 5.2 meters / 1.3 seconds = 4 meters/second

I think the uncertainty in the average velocity would be (+ or - .04) + (+ or - .02) = + or - .06 (or 6%). The percent uncertainty would be = (.06 / 4) * 100 = 1.5%

 

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 2

 

 

#$&*

 

 

"

Self-critique (if necessary):

------------------------------------------------

Self-critique rating:

OK

#$&*

*********************************************

Question:  A ball rolls from rest down a book, off that book and onto another book, where it picks up speed before rolling off the end of that book.  Consider the interval that begins when the ball first encounters the second book, and ends when it rolls of the end of the book. 

For this interval, place in order the quantities initial velocity (which we denote v_0), and final velocity (which we denote v_f), average velocity (which we denote v_Ave).

During this interval, the ball’s velocity changes.  It is possible for the change in its velocity to exceed the three quantities you just listed?  Is it possible for all three of these quantities to exceed the change in the ball’s velocity?  Explain.

Note that the change in the ball’s velocity is denoted `dv.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

 For this interval the quantities in order would be the initial velocity, average velocity, and then the final velocity.

No, because the change in velocity can not exceed the final velocity in this interval. It could be possible for the change in velocity to exceed the initial velocity and average velocity if the initial velocity was very small and the final velocity was very big, but it would not exceed the final velocity. An example could be: Initial velocity = 1 m/s, Average velocity = 10.5 m/s, Final velocity = 20 m/s so from this the change in velocity would be 20 - 1 =19 m/s so the change in velocity would be bigger than the initial velocity and the average velocity, but not the final velocity.

Yes, it is possible for all three of these quantities to exceed the change in the ball’s velocity. One way this could happen is if the initial velocity was pretty big to start with and then the final velocity wasn’t much higher than that then all three of those quantities could exceed the change in the ball’s velocity. An example could be: Initial velocity = 30 m/s, Average velocity = 35 m/s, Final velocity = 40 m/s so from this the Change in velocity would be 40 - 30 = 10 m/s which is smaller than all three of those quantities.

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3

*********************************************

Question:  If the velocity at the beginning of an interval is 4 m/s and at the end of the interval it is 10 m/s, then what is the average of these velocities, and what is the change in velocity?

List the four quantities initial velocity, final velocity, average of initial and final velocities, and change in velocity, in order from least to greatest.

Give an example of positive initial and final velocities for which the order of the four quantities would be different.

For positive initial and final velocities, is it possible for the change in velocity to exceed the other three quanities?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

Average velocity = 4 m/s + 10 m/s = 14 m/s

Average velocity = 14 m/s / 2 = 7 m/s

Average velocity = 7 m/s

The change in velocity is 10 m/s - 4 m/s = 6 m/s 

The four quantities in order from least to greatest is: Initial velocity 4 m/s, Change in velocity 6 m/s, Average velocity 7 m/s, Final velocity 10 m/s

An example of positive initial and final velocities for which the order of the four quantities would be different could be Initial velocity = 30 m/s, Final velocity = 40 m/s so from this the Change in velocity would be 40 - 30 = 10 m/s, and the Average velocity would be (30 + 40) / 2 = 35 m/s Given this example, the order from least to greatest would be: Change in velocity 10 m/s, Initial velocity 30 m/s, Average velocity 35 m/s, Final velocity 40 m/s

No, because the change in velocity can not exceed the final velocity if the initial and final velocities are positive. It could be possible for the change in velocity to exceed the initial velocity and average velocity if the initial velocity was very small and the final velocity was very big, but it would not exceed the final velocity. An example could be: Initial velocity = 1 m/s, Average velocity = 10.5 m/s, Final velocity = 20 m/s so from this the change in velocity would be 20 - 1 =19 m/s so the change in velocity would be bigger than the initial velocity and the average velocity, but not the final velocity.

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3

#$&*

*********************************************

Question:  If the position of an object changes by 5.2 meters, with an uncertainty of +-4%, during a time interval of 1.3 seconds, with an uncertainty of +-2%, then

What is the uncertainty in the change in position in meters>

What is the uncertainty in the time interval in seconds?

What is the average velocity of the object, and what do you think ia the uncertainty in the average velocity?

(this last question is required of University Physics students only, but other are welcome to answer):  What is the percent uncertainty in the average velocity of the object, and what is the uncertainty as given in units of velocity?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

The uncertainty in the change in position in meters is = + or - .04 (or 4%). So the change in the position is probably between 5.16 to 5.24. The percent uncertainty = (.04 / 5.2) * 100 = .77%

The uncertainty in the time interval in seconds is = + or - .02 (or 2%). So the time interval is probably between 1.28 to 1.32. The percent uncertainty = (.02/1.3) * 100 = 1.5%

The average velocity of the object is 5.2 meters / 1.3 seconds = 4 meters/second

I think the uncertainty in the average velocity would be (+ or - .04) + (+ or - .02) = + or - .06 (or 6%). The percent uncertainty would be = (.06 / 4) * 100 = 1.5%

 

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 2

 

 

#$&*

 

 

"

Self-critique (if necessary):

------------------------------------------------

Self-critique rating:

#*&!

@&

The uncertainty in the change in position is 4% of the change in position, or .04 * 5.2 meters = .2 meters, approximately.

So the change in position is 5.2 meters +- .2 meters, meaning that the change in position is between 5 meters and 5.4 meters.

A similar analysis shows that the time interval is 1.3 seconds +- .026 seconds so that the time interval is between 1.274 seconds and 1.326 seconds.

There are two ways to calculate the uncertainty in the velocity.

The first way:

One is to use the rule that the uncertainties in multiplied or divided quantities are added to get the uncertainty in the product or quotient.

So when we divide the change in position with its 4% uncertainty by the time interval with its 2% uncertainty, we get an uncertainty of 4% + 2% = 6%. Thus the average velocity, which in this case would be 5.2 m / (1.3 s) = 4 m/s, would be uncertain by +- 6%.

6% of 4 m/s being .24 m/s, the calculated velocity would thus be 4 m/s +- .24 m/s.

The velocity would therefore be between 3.76 m/s and 4.24 m/s, a range of .48 m/s.

The second way:

The second way, which provides insight into why the 'rule' used in the preceding solution works, is to find the maximum and minimum possible velocities, within the range of the given uncertainties.

We've already seen that the change in position is between 5 m and 5.4 m, while the time interval is between 1.274 sec and 1.326 sec.

The maximum possible velocity, within these ranges, would be found by dividing the maximum displacement by the minimum time interval, obtaining

v_max = 5.4 m / (1.274 s).

The minimum would be found by dividing the minimum displacement by the maximum time interval, obtaining

v_min = 5 m / (1.326 s).

You should do these calculations and confirm that the results are very close to those obtained by the first solution.

*@

OK

#$&*

*********************************************

Question:  A ball rolls from rest down a book, off that book and onto another book, where it picks up speed before rolling off the end of that book.  Consider the interval that begins when the ball first encounters the second book, and ends when it rolls of the end of the book. 

For this interval, place in order the quantities initial velocity (which we denote v_0), and final velocity (which we denote v_f), average velocity (which we denote v_Ave).

During this interval, the ball’s velocity changes.  It is possible for the change in its velocity to exceed the three quantities you just listed?  Is it possible for all three of these quantities to exceed the change in the ball’s velocity?  Explain.

Note that the change in the ball’s velocity is denoted `dv.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

 For this interval the quantities in order would be the initial velocity, average velocity, and then the final velocity.

No, because the change in velocity can not exceed the final velocity in this interval. It could be possible for the change in velocity to exceed the initial velocity and average velocity if the initial velocity was very small and the final velocity was very big, but it would not exceed the final velocity. An example could be: Initial velocity = 1 m/s, Average velocity = 10.5 m/s, Final velocity = 20 m/s so from this the change in velocity would be 20 - 1 =19 m/s so the change in velocity would be bigger than the initial velocity and the average velocity, but not the final velocity.

Yes, it is possible for all three of these quantities to exceed the change in the ball’s velocity. One way this could happen is if the initial velocity was pretty big to start with and then the final velocity wasn’t much higher than that then all three of those quantities could exceed the change in the ball’s velocity. An example could be: Initial velocity = 30 m/s, Average velocity = 35 m/s, Final velocity = 40 m/s so from this the Change in velocity would be 40 - 30 = 10 m/s which is smaller than all three of those quantities.

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3

*********************************************

Question:  If the velocity at the beginning of an interval is 4 m/s and at the end of the interval it is 10 m/s, then what is the average of these velocities, and what is the change in velocity?

List the four quantities initial velocity, final velocity, average of initial and final velocities, and change in velocity, in order from least to greatest.

Give an example of positive initial and final velocities for which the order of the four quantities would be different.

For positive initial and final velocities, is it possible for the change in velocity to exceed the other three quanities?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

Average velocity = 4 m/s + 10 m/s = 14 m/s

Average velocity = 14 m/s / 2 = 7 m/s

Average velocity = 7 m/s

The change in velocity is 10 m/s - 4 m/s = 6 m/s 

The four quantities in order from least to greatest is: Initial velocity 4 m/s, Change in velocity 6 m/s, Average velocity 7 m/s, Final velocity 10 m/s

An example of positive initial and final velocities for which the order of the four quantities would be different could be Initial velocity = 30 m/s, Final velocity = 40 m/s so from this the Change in velocity would be 40 - 30 = 10 m/s, and the Average velocity would be (30 + 40) / 2 = 35 m/s Given this example, the order from least to greatest would be: Change in velocity 10 m/s, Initial velocity 30 m/s, Average velocity 35 m/s, Final velocity 40 m/s

No, because the change in velocity can not exceed the final velocity if the initial and final velocities are positive. It could be possible for the change in velocity to exceed the initial velocity and average velocity if the initial velocity was very small and the final velocity was very big, but it would not exceed the final velocity. An example could be: Initial velocity = 1 m/s, Average velocity = 10.5 m/s, Final velocity = 20 m/s so from this the change in velocity would be 20 - 1 =19 m/s so the change in velocity would be bigger than the initial velocity and the average velocity, but not the final velocity.

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3

#$&*

*********************************************

Question:  If the position of an object changes by 5.2 meters, with an uncertainty of +-4%, during a time interval of 1.3 seconds, with an uncertainty of +-2%, then

What is the uncertainty in the change in position in meters>

What is the uncertainty in the time interval in seconds?

What is the average velocity of the object, and what do you think ia the uncertainty in the average velocity?

(this last question is required of University Physics students only, but other are welcome to answer):  What is the percent uncertainty in the average velocity of the object, and what is the uncertainty as given in units of velocity?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution: 

The uncertainty in the change in position in meters is = + or - .04 (or 4%). So the change in the position is probably between 5.16 to 5.24. The percent uncertainty = (.04 / 5.2) * 100 = .77%

The uncertainty in the time interval in seconds is = + or - .02 (or 2%). So the time interval is probably between 1.28 to 1.32. The percent uncertainty = (.02/1.3) * 100 = 1.5%

The average velocity of the object is 5.2 meters / 1.3 seconds = 4 meters/second

I think the uncertainty in the average velocity would be (+ or - .04) + (+ or - .02) = + or - .06 (or 6%). The percent uncertainty would be = (.06 / 4) * 100 = 1.5%

 

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 2

 

 

#$&*

 

 

"

Self-critique (if necessary):

------------------------------------------------

Self-critique rating:

#*&!

@&

The uncertainty in the change in position is 4% of the change in position, or .04 * 5.2 meters = .2 meters, approximately.

So the change in position is 5.2 meters +- .2 meters, meaning that the change in position is between 5 meters and 5.4 meters.

A similar analysis shows that the time interval is 1.3 seconds +- .026 seconds so that the time interval is between 1.274 seconds and 1.326 seconds.

There are two ways to calculate the uncertainty in the velocity.

The first way:

One is to use the rule that the uncertainties in multiplied or divided quantities are added to get the uncertainty in the product or quotient.

So when we divide the change in position with its 4% uncertainty by the time interval with its 2% uncertainty, we get an uncertainty of 4% + 2% = 6%. Thus the average velocity, which in this case would be 5.2 m / (1.3 s) = 4 m/s, would be uncertain by +- 6%.

6% of 4 m/s being .24 m/s, the calculated velocity would thus be 4 m/s +- .24 m/s.

The velocity would therefore be between 3.76 m/s and 4.24 m/s, a range of .48 m/s.

The second way:

The second way, which provides insight into why the 'rule' used in the preceding solution works, is to find the maximum and minimum possible velocities, within the range of the given uncertainties.

We've already seen that the change in position is between 5 m and 5.4 m, while the time interval is between 1.274 sec and 1.326 sec.

The maximum possible velocity, within these ranges, would be found by dividing the maximum displacement by the minimum time interval, obtaining

v_max = 5.4 m / (1.274 s).

The minimum would be found by dividing the minimum displacement by the maximum time interval, obtaining

v_min = 5 m / (1.326 s).

You should do these calculations and confirm that the results are very close to those obtained by the first solution.

*@

#*&!

&#Good responses. See my notes and let me know if you have questions. &#