surface, denoted by “g”. In this imaginary experiment, you have measured g three times. The values you obtain are:
g1 = 10.2 meters per second squared (m/s2)
g2 = 10.4 m/s2
g3 = 10.0 m/s2
To find the Average Value of g, denoted by gav, simple add up the
experimental values and divide by the number of experimental values you have:
g1 + g2 + g3 10.2 + 10.4 + 10
gav = __________ = ____________ = 10.2 m/s2 .
3 3
Percent Error (PE)
To find the Percent Error (PE), you compare the average experimental value to the standard or handbook value of the physical quantity you are measuring. The Standard Value of gravitational acceleration at Earth’s surface , gst, is 9.8 m/s2.
Mathematically, PE is defined as:
(Average - Standard)
PE = 100 _________________ .
Standard
If you have only one experimental value, that will be your average.
For our measurements of g, gst = 9.8 m/s2 and gav = 10.2 m/s2.
Therefore, PE can be calculated :
(10.2- 9.8)
PE = 100 _________________ ≈ 4%
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