An object is released from rest and falls in free fall motion. The speed v of the object after it has fallen a distance y is given by v2 = 2gy. In an experiment, v and y are measured and the measured values are used to calculate g. If the percent uncertainty in the measured value of v is 3.69% and the percent uncertainty in the measured value of y is 5.00%, what is the percent uncertainty in the calculated value of g?

8.91 %

Explanation:

Since v² = 2gy

By the relative error formula,

2Δv/v = Δg/g + Δy/y multiplying by 100%, we have

2Δv/v × 100% = Δg/g × 100 % + Δy/y × 100%

2(Δv/v × 100%) = Δg/g × 100 % + Δy/y × 100%

Δg/g × 100 % = 2(Δv/v × 100%) - Δy/y × 100%

Since Δv/v × 100% = 3.69 % and Δy/y × 100% = 5 %

Since we have a difference for the percentage error in g, we square the percentage errors and add them together. So,

[Δg/g × 100 %]² = [2(Δv/v × 100%)]² + [Δy/y × 100%]²

[Δg/g × 100 %]² = [2(3.69)]² + [5%]²

[Δg/g × 100 %]² = [4)(3.69 %)² + [5%]²

[Δg/g × 100 %]² = 54.4644 %² + 25%²

[Δg/g × 100 %]² = 79.4644 %²

taking square-root of both sides, we have

[Δg/g × 100 %] = 8.91 %

So, the percent uncertainty in the calculated value of g is 8.91 %

when the velocity of a mass on a spring is zero, the acceleration is at a maximum .