GREGORY UNIVERSITY UTURU

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
HOLIDAY ASSIGNMENT ON ERRORS AND GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
COURSE TITLE: GENERAL PHYSICS PRACTICAL I
COURSE CODE: PHY 107
1. The following data were obtained in an experiment. V represents the potential difference, L represents
the Length and I is the current.
I(A) 20.3 16.4 12.5 7.3 3.2
L(cm) 8.0 6.4 5.0 3.0 1.2
Plot a graph of V-1 on the ordinate and L-1 on the abscissa.
Assume V and L is related thus:
1 R R +r
= +
V KEL Er
(i). Deduce the rate of change of voltage with respect to length in Vm-1 (volt per meter).
(ii). Deduce the value of K and r from the graph
(iii). Determine the error in the slope
(iv) How would you express the slope?
[(R = 2.0±0.1Ω), (E = 3.0±0.5V), k = constant]

2. The period of a simple pendulum, T = 2π

√ L . Assume L = 50.0±0.2cm (S.e). If time for 20
g
oscillations t are recorded as follows: 24.2, 24.2, 24.7, 24.5, 24.2, 24.2, 24.2, 24.2, 24.3 and 24.6.
Deduce the following:
(i) The mean of the values of “t” above
(ii) The standard derivation of the values of “t” above
(iii) The standard derivation of the mean of the values of “t” above.
(iv) The value of “g” from the values above
(v) the standard error in “g”.

3. At the end of successive intervals of 2 seconds, the speed recorded by the speedometer of a car in
Kmh-1 are 35.6, 50.7, 61.3, 72.5, 78.9, 84.0, 88.1 and 91.5. Plot the velocity- time graph for this journey.
Determine the following from your graph.
(i) Distance covered in meters when the speed increased from 77 to 88Kmh -1
(ii) The acceleration in ms-2 if the speeds are 48, 69, and 89Kmh-1.

4. In an experiment to verify the relation between two quantities a and b, the following readings were
obtained:
a 4.00 4.75 5.25 6.00 6.75
b 1.75 3.00 3.50 3.75 5.00
Plot a graph of a against b
(i) Measure the gradient of the graph
(ii) Estimate the error in the gradient
(iii) if a and b are related by the equation a = x2b, determine the value of x and the standard error in x.
(iv) Estimate the error in the Y-intercept.
5. (i) Briefly explain the principle of the operation of the vernier callipers.
(ii) Read the measurement as obtained for the diameter of a wire below.
2

0 5 10
(iii) Calculate the percentage uncertainty in this measurement
(iv) Calculate the percentage uncertainty for the cross sectional area of the wire
(v) Give two reasons why it is better to take several readings for the diameter than depending on a single
reading.

6. (a) The following measurements were obtained in an experiment. a = 50.0±2.0, b = 10.0±1.0.

Using their percentage errors, compute the following:
1 2
2 b
(i) ab (ii) a (iii) a (iv) 3
2

3b a
(b) Assume the standard error in a and b are 4 and 5 respectively, estimate the standard error in the
following:
b 3a
(i) a+b (ii) a = b (iii) a = (iv) ab (v)
2 b
7. The values below were obtained in an experiment
T(°c) 77.2 54.2 38.5 30.1 24.0
R(°Cmin )
-1
5.2 3.2 2.0 1.5 1.1

If R = bTa, Plot a suitable graph for the values above and determine the values of a and b

xP S Y
8.(a) If X = Kyp, Show that the standard error in X is given by Sx =
y
(b) If P = X+Y, Show that the standard error in P is given by
Sp = √(S +S ).
2
x
2
y

►NOTE THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS◄

1. All tables of value, graphs, calculations and deductions from graph are to be answered in the graph
booklet.
2. Other questions should be answered in a 60 or 80 leaves exercise book.
3. Date of submission is 5th OF JANUARY, 2022.

GOODLUCK