Sarah Sherman Measuring Motion and Uncertainty
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Clemson University *
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Course
1030
Subject
Astronomy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
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5
Uploaded by EarlBraveryPrairieDog8
Measuring Motion and Uncertainty Worksheet
Student Name:_Sarah Sherman_______________
Lab Section:____10______
II. Measuring by Hand
1.
What is the inherent uncertainty of the ruler provided? (Denote which units you are using
(inches or centimeters) and the uncertainty in that unit.
2.
Fill in the table with your hand made measurements for the motion of Mars and Jupiter.
Planet
First
Measureme
nt
Second
Measureme
nt
Third
Measureme
nt
Average of
Measureme
nts
Mars
5.4 cm
5.5 cm
Jupiter
1.4 cm
1.5 cm
3.
What is the deviation of your measurements from the average? (this is experimental
uncertainty)
(Use the same units you used in question 1)
4.
Which of your uncertainties is larger (inherent or experimental)?
(Denote which method
and the value)
5.
Write your answer for the distance each planet traveled with uncertainty attached.
(Example: 5.2 +/- 0.2 cm)
Mars:
Jupiter:
6.
When measuring distances in the sky we use units of degrees to denote changes in
position on the celestial sphere. Using the scale provided for the images determine the
conversion factor from centimeters (or inches) to degrees.
Mars conversion:
Jupiter conversion:
7.
Using the uncertainties in your measurements, determine the range of possible distances
traveled by completing the table.
Planet
Min
distance
(cm or
inch.)
Min
distance
(degrees)
Max
distance
(cm or
inch)
Max
distance
(degrees)
Mars
Jupiter
8.
Write the distance traveled with uncertainty attached in units of degrees for each planet.
Mars:
Jupiter:
9.
Which planet traveled farther during the time period from August 24th to September
10th?
10. What is the minimum difference in travel distance between the two planets considering
the uncertainties in measurements?
11. Is the difference in travel distance consistent with what you know about these planets?
(Think about Keplers 3rd law, write at least 3 sentences of explanation and reference the
data you collected to support your answer)
12. Calculate the travel distance in degrees per day for each planet. Include uncertainty in
each answer.
Mars:
Jupiter:
III. Measuring in Starry Night
13. Record the information about the moon’s closest approach to Earth.
Date
Time
Distance (km)
14. Complete the table as you find the average angular radius of the moon at its closest
approach to the Earth.
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Top
Right
Bottom
Left
Average
Angular
radius
15. What is the angular radius of the moon with uncertainty when it is closest to the Earth?
16. What is the angular diameter of the moon with uncertainty when it is closest to the Earth?
17. Record the information about the moon’s furthest distance from the Earth.
Date
Time
Distance (km)
18. Complete the table as you find the average angular radius of the moon at its furthest
distance from the Earth.
Top
Right
Bottom
Left
Average
Angular
radius
19. What is the angular radius of the moon with uncertainty when it is furthest from the
Earth?
20. What is the angular diameter of the moon with uncertainty when it is furthest from the
Earth?
21. What is the minimum change in angular size of the moon from closest to furthest distance
from the Earth?
22. What is the maximum change in angular size of the moon from closest to furthest
distance from the Earth?
23. Does this activity support the hypothesis that the angular size of the moon changes based
on its distance from the Earth? (Write at least 3 sentences using the data you collected to
justify your answer)