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-   -   Uncertainty Measurments (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=55771)

  • Jan 19, 2007, 06:16 AM
    Net_Man
    Uncertainty Measurments
    Hello, I'm conducting an extended essay in which glass gas syringes, accurate to (± 1.0 cm^3), are used. I have conducted two trials, and obtained volumes which each carry an uncertainty of (± 1.0 cm^3). My question is: When I average my results from two trials, does the uncertainty remain (± 1.0 cm^3), or does it become (± 2.0 cm^3)? Thanks very much for your help!
  • Jan 20, 2007, 03:12 PM
    Capuchin
    when you average a number of measurements, in general the error decreases, this is because your result becomes more accurate over many measurements (the fluctuations are minimised). Very roughly, for n measurements, the error is 1/root(n) of the error of one measurement.

    so in the case of 2 measurements it would be ± 1/1.4 * 1.0 cm^3

    hope this helps

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