Physics - 3271 Words

Measurement and Measurement Error PHYS 1313 S06 Prof. T.E. Coan Version: 16 Jan ’06 Introduction Physics makes both general and detailed statements about the physical universe and these statements are organized in such a way that they provide a model or a kind of coherent picture about how and why the universe works the way it does. These sets of statements are called â€Å"theories† and are much more than a simple list of â€Å"facts and figures† like you might find in an almanac or a telephone book (even though almanacs and telephone books are quite useful). A good physics theory is far more interested in principles than simple â€Å"facts.† Noting that the moon appears regularly in the night sky is far less interesting than†¦show more content†¦Understanding and quantifying measurement error is important in experimental science because it is a measure of how seriously we should believe (or not believe) our theories abut how the physical universe works. If I measure my mass to be 120.317 kilograms, that is a very precise measurement because it is very specific. It also happens to be a very inaccurate measurement because I am not quite that fat. My mass is considerably less, something like 85 kilograms. So, when we say that we have made a precise measurement we can also say that we have made a very specific measurement. When we say we have made an accurate measurement we are saying that our answer is close to the true value of the quantity. When we make measurements in the laboratory we should therefore distinguish between the precision and the accuracy of these measurements. The so-called number of significant figures (â€Å"sig figs†) that a measurement contains indicates its the precision. In our mass example, the quantity 120.317 kilograms has 6 significant figures. This is rather precise as measurements go and is considerably more precise than anything you will ever measure in this course. Again, the fact that a measurement is precise does not make it accurate, just specific. In any event, it is useful to be familiar with how to recognize the number of significant figures in aShow MoreRelatedPhysics And Physics Of Molecular Levels1109 Words   |  5 Pagesconsider interaction within a molecule, which had three bodies at least, in terms of quantum and relativistic laws. Facing the fascinating, but, daunting goal, I would have to take step by step to find a practical path. Even I had taken theoretical physics courses and was familiar with special relativity, I did not know much about micro-scale theoretical work. â€Å"Define a problem is the first step for any project. If you are able to define the problem precisely, you are a half way to solve it,† professorRead More Physics in Sports Essay1462 Words   |  6 PagesPhysics in Sports nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;When many people think of sports, the topic of physics doesnt always come to mind. 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Kaku1468 Words   |  6 PagesThe book â€Å"Physics of the Impossible† was written by Japanese American theoretical physicist Michio Kaku. Kaku generally writes books about physics or physics related topics. Among his three New Work Times best seller, Physics of Impossible is one in which Kaku utilizes discourse of theoretical advancements to acquaint themes of basic material science with the reader. In this book, Kaku represents physics in various ways so that the reader understands the significance of physics and implement in his/herRead MorePhysics by Aristotle Essay547 Words   |  3 PagesPhysics by Aristotle Aristotle begins by describing the meaning of the words â€Å"nature† and â€Å"natural.† He identifies the meaning of each, and also explains some common phrases which include each of the words. He says all natural things have a principle of motion and of stationariness. He also says that natural things are composed of stone, earth, or a mixture of the two. According to him, artificial products do not possess the source of their own production. For example, the natureRead MoreThe Physics Of Albert Einstein1284 Words   |  6 Pageswould also think that one who drops out of high school may not go anywhere in life. Einstein won a Nobel Prize in Physics, a Gold Medal of The Royal Astronomical Society, and many other awards. Even if Einstein never even finished high school, his creation of the equation E = mc2, theory of relativity, and theory of light led the way to him becoming known as the father of modern physics. Albert Einstein was Born in Ulm, Wà ¼rttemberg, Germany in 1879. He was the son of Hermann Einstein, a salesman andRead MoreReflection On Physics1032 Words   |  5 Pageshave always loved physics. I didn’t. In fact, I hated physics in the 9th and 10th grades, not because I didn’t like doing science or was bad at mathematics, but because I was unable to understand the equations, that appeared to come from nowhere. According to my physics teacher, both of the equations for a vertically thrown ball y = 1/2gt 2 + v 0 t and y = −1/2gt 2 + v 0 t were correct, which didn’t make much sense to me because the signs were different! However, my view on physics changed dramaticallyRead MoreEssay on A Century of Physics3573 Words   |  15 PagesA Century of Physics By the end of the nineteenth century after more than two thousand years of intellectual struggle that began with the Greek philosophers, physical scientists had reason to believe that they were beginning to understand the universe. Their theories of matter and energy, of electricity and magnetism, of heat and sound and light were confirmed in laboratories throughout the world with increasing precision. Experimentation was the method and mathematics the language of aRead MorePhysics Of String Theory Of Physics1543 Words   |  7 Pagesnumber of excitation modes - that are the elementary particles observed. the strings have tension of 1/(2 p a’) strings are approximately the planck length (smallest possible size of black hole) 10^(-33) cm A quantum Theory of Gravity is needed In physics there are two main central theories. The first is Einstein’s theories of relativity. The second is quantum mechanics. Einstein’s theories of relativity describe gravity but does not include quantum effects. Quantum mechanics describes the universeRead MoreEssay about Physics in Cartoons555 Words   |  3 PagesPhysics in Cartoons The cartoon that was analyzed by our group was the Disney movie The Emperors New Groove. This movie is very entertaining and comical, however when a closer look is taken at the use (or lack thereof) of Physics Laws, many errors can be found. The following are four examples of situations in The Emperors New Groove where the laws of physics were over looked and ignored in the creation of the scene. #1 (19:05-19:48) After Emperor Kusko is