When carrying out a practical investigation it is always helpful to know what sorts of results are expected. In other words, before starting an experiment it is a good idea to consider what theory tells us should be the outcome. The predicted findings form the basis of an hypothesis, which is developed by considering an … Continue reading Hypothesis and Analysis
Experimental Errors (part 2)
The previous post (Experimental Errors, https://physbang.com/2023/11/12/experimental-errors/) ended with an invitation to "consider whether there are any other, previously unidentified, sources of uncertainty" in the method used to derive the specific heat capacity of an iron block. As it happens, there are (at least) three possibilities that weren't covered in the original article. Firstly, there is … Continue reading Experimental Errors (part 2)
Experimental errors
Experiments are often used to confirm (or, more usefully, refute) particular ideas but their impact is limited by measurement errors that can compromise the results. The obvious answer is to reduce the uncertainties as much as possible but what do you do if this causes the result to move further away from the expected value? … Continue reading Experimental errors
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