Question

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use the following information to answer the next question.
bo measured the length of a pipe to be 37.2 cm using a ruler marked in 0.1 cm increments.

1. a) determine the precision of the measurement

b) determine the uncertainty of the measurement
c) determine the range (maximum and minimum) of possible measurements of the pipe.

Explanation:

Step1: Determine precision

Precision is based on the smallest measurement unit of the ruler. The ruler is marked in \(0.1\) cm increments.

Step2: Determine uncertainty

Uncertainty for a measurement is \(\pm\frac{1}{2}\) of the smallest measurement unit. Here, the smallest unit is \(0.1\) cm. So, uncertainty \(=\pm\frac{1}{2}\times0.1=\pm0.05\) cm.

Step3: Determine range

The measured value is \(37.2\) cm. Using the uncertainty \(\pm0.05\) cm.
Maximum value \(=37.2 + 0.05=37.25\) cm
Minimum value \(=37.2- 0.05 = 37.15\) cm

Answer:

a) \(0.1\) cm
b) \(\pm0.05\) cm
c) Maximum: \(37.25\) cm, Minimum: \(37.15\) cm