The Culminating Lab (MidTerm Exam)

Experiments 1 4; pps. 84-87

Kens Solution Set
for Sections 0104, 0105, 0109
Experiment 1: Introduction to Error Analysis
1. Introduction to Error Analysis: This was a study of error propagation. The issue is
the precision with which one can test the consistency of physical triangles with
the mathematical requirements of the Pythagorean theorem. Please note that you
can never prove anything experimentally; the best that you can do is to
determine the consistency between experiment and theory. This consistency is
quantified with the reduced !2.
2. !XRuler ~ 0.5mm
3. !XVernier ~ 0.02mm
4. a=90mm, !a=0.2mm, b=180mm, !b=0.4mm
a. c " a 2 # b 2 " 201.2mm
2

1
+ ,c ( + ,c (
$a!a %2 # $b!b %2 " 0.4mm
b. !c " ) & # ) & "
,
a
,
b
c
* ' * '
,c a ,c b
i.
"
" ,
,a c ,a c
5. One technique for measuring the length of a slide more precisely would be
Interferometry, i.e. interference of light waves.
6. a=95mm, !a=0.2mm, b=160mm, !b=0.2mm, c=186mm, !c=0.2mm

a. d " a 2 # b 2 " 186.1mm

1
$a!a %2 # $b!b %2 " 0.2mm
b. !d "
d
c. If all of the uncertainties are identical, then the propagated uncertainty is
the same as the measured.
d. c-d=0.1mm; Yes! They are consistent with the Pythagorean Theorem
because they fall within their Range of Uncertainties
i. 185.9mm < d < 186.3mm
ii. 185.8mm < c < 186.2mm
7. This experiment cannot Prove the Pythagorean Theorem because experiments
can only at best demonstrate consistency with theory.

Experiment 2: The Pendulum

1. To determine the value for the acceleration due to gravity, g, using a pendulum.
We learned (1) error propagation, (2) error estimation, (3) plotting, (4) best fit
slopes, and (5) why the mass should be independent of the pendulums period.
2. 2mm < !L < 5mm depending on the actual length of the pendulum and the size of
the bob.
a. Note that because L " Lstring # 1 2 D , we have a propagated uncertainty of
2

+ !D (
!L " $!Lstring % # )
&
* 2 '
3. Given T20 and !T20, then
T
a. T1 " 20
20
!T20
b. !T1 "
20
4. We expect a more precise result for a longer pendulum because both L and T
increase while their uncertainties !L and !T remain constant; hence, the relative
errors are smaller for a longer pendulum.
L
a. g " 4- 2 2
T
2

5.

6.

7.

8.

+ !L ( + 2!T (
b. !g " g )
& #)
&
* L ' * T '
We need the small angle approximation in order to solve the equation of motion
for the pendulum. If the angle is not small, 5. < /, our frequency will have other
dependencies. Another way to say this is that the approximation that the period is
independent of amplitude is only valid for small angles, and a correction for this
!g
1 10 03 .
error is required for angles larger than 5. if we hope for
g
The weight of the bob provides the Restoring Force on the pendulum system as
well as how much tension the string must provide. Although you can use any
weight you desire, to exclude the weight of the string, the weight of the bob must
be significantly heavier.
Using a understanding of errors from Appendix A, p. 91, we can easily give
examples of systematic and random errors in this experiment
a. Random Errors:
i. Estimating where and when the bob swings past the vertical;
ii. Hand-eye coordination in using the Timer;
iii. Measuring the length of the pendulum;
iv. random air currents
v. the stability of the table
b. Systematic Errors:
i. Calibration of the Timerwhich you did perform.
Calibration error in the Timer is a Systematic Error. No. You cannot overcome
this error by making more measurements with the same timer.

L
" 1.8s
g
10. / = 5. = 0.08 rad; 2o = 2- rad/s; / = /ocos(2ot)

9. L=1m, g=9.8m/s2 then T1 " 2-

Experiment 3: The Forced Harmonic Oscillation

1. The purpose of this experiment was to study the phenomenon of Resonance in
mechanical systems by measuring the amplitude and phase of a driven oscillator
and determining its resonant frequency and quality factor.
2. !f " 0.02 Hz
3. !X " 31mm
4. 2.5 ! 1 !/ 1 10 !
5. / vs. f, see p. 32

180.

/.
90.

0.

2/2o
6. Xo vs. f, see p. 32

X
!2

2/2o

7. To find the resonant frequency using just the mass bar with no other attached
masses, follow these steps
a. Make sure all the magnets are retracted (there is no dampening);
b. Turn the machine and set the dial to Period (do not start the oscillator);
c. Lightly pull on the mass bar and wait for it to stop moving;
d. Read the final value of the period, T
e. f = 1/T or 2o = 2-/T
m g
8. How to measure k " w
z
a. Find zinitial
b. place the mw = 50g mass on the holder
c. Find zfinal
d. Determine z = zfinal - zinitial
e. g = 9.80102 m/s2, but this will be on the board
9. To reduce the resonant frequency, you can
a. Stretch the spring out which will reduce k;
k
b. We can add more mass 2 o "
m
10. To increase the Quality Factor, we can remove the Dampening Magnets.

Experiment 4: Vibrating String

1. The purpose of this experiment was to find the relationship between the Tension
and the Resonant Frequency of a string and compare this to theory. This was
accomplished by measuring the different resonant frequencies for a given tension.

2. v " f4 5

v"

f "

4
v

; where v is the speed of the wave and is constant. Also

; where T is the tension in the string, and 6 is the mass density

3. If the spacing between the nodes is L, then the wavelength is 4 = 2L

4. !X = 2mm
5. !fRPM = 25rpm so that !fHZ = 25rpm/60 = 0.42Hz
T
mg
6. Recall that v "
and T=mg so that v "
. The velocity is proportional to

the square-root of the mass hanging off of the end

7. The Third Harmonic n=3, m=4 looks like

8. With m = 200g and L=1.5m, I expect to measure f = 1500rpm = 25Hz

a. with uncertainty !f = 25rpm = 0.42Hz
b. for n = 1 and m = 2
9. Use your imagination. For example a more accurate measurement can be obtained
by placing a very precise grid behind the vibrating string.
10.
n
1
2
3
4

fn (Hz)
12
25
35
50

L (m)
2
1
0.67
0.5

4 = 2L
(m)7
4
2
1.34
1

v = 4f
48
50
46.9
50

11.
v (m/s)

T (N)
5
7
10
15

1
2
4
9

Log v
0.69897
0.845098
1
1.176091

Log T
0
0.30103
0.60206
0.954243

Slope =
0.501429