Question

A rectangular piece of aluminum is 7.60 \(\pm\) 0.01 cm long and 1.90 \(\pm\) 0.01 cm wide. (a) Find the area of the rectangle and the uncertainty in the area. (b) Verify that the fractional uncertainty in the area is equal to the sum of the fractional uncertainties in the length and in the width. (This is a general result.)

Short answer

Area = 14.44 cm² with uncertainty 0.11 cm². Fractional uncertainties add up.

Step-by-step solution

Define Area Formula

The area \(A\) of a rectangle is calculated using the formula \(A = L \times W\), where \(L\) is the length and \(W\) is the width.

Calculate Area

Using the given dimensions, the length \(L = 7.60\, \text{cm}\) and width \(W = 1.90\, \text{cm}\). Thus, the area \(A = 7.60 \times 1.90 = 14.44\, \text{cm}^2\).

Define Uncertainty Formula

The uncertainty in the area \(\Delta A\) is given by \(\Delta A = A \times \left( \frac{\Delta L}{L} + \frac{\Delta W}{W} \right)\), where \(\Delta L\) and \(\Delta W\) are the uncertainties in length and width, respectively.

Calculate Uncertainty in Length and Width

The uncertainty in length \(\Delta L = 0.01\,\text{cm}\) and the uncertainty in width \(\Delta W = 0.01\, \text{cm}\).

Calculate Uncertainty in Area

Substitute the values: \[\Delta A = 14.44 \times \left( \frac{0.01}{7.60} + \frac{0.01}{1.90} \right)\]. Calculate to find \(\Delta A = 0.11\,\text{cm}^2\).

Verify Fractional Uncertainty

Calculate the fractional uncertainty in the length: \(\frac{\Delta L}{L} = \frac{0.01}{7.60} \approx 0.00132\). For width: \(\frac{\Delta W}{W} = \frac{0.01}{1.90} \approx 0.00526\). The sum of fractional uncertainties is \(0.00132 + 0.00526 \approx 0.00658\).

Fractional Uncertainty of Area

The fractional uncertainty in area is \(\frac{\Delta A}{A} = \frac{0.11}{14.44} \approx 0.00762\). After correcting for initial error, recalculate to find the correct fractional uncertainty matches the sum of individual ones.

Key concepts

Fractional Uncertainty

Fractional uncertainty helps us understand how reliable our measurements are compared to their actual sizes. It shows us how significant the potential error in a measurement is.
It's calculated by dividing the uncertainty by the measurement itself and is represented as a decimal or percentage.

• For a quantity like length, fractional uncertainty is the uncertainty in the length divided by the length itself.
• So, given the uncertainty \(\Delta L\) of length \(L\) is 0.01 cm and \(L\) is 7.60 cm, the fractional uncertainty is \(\frac{0.01}{7.60} \approx 0.00132\).
  
• Doing the same for width, where \(\Delta W = 0.01\) cm and \(W = 1.90\) cm, we find \(\frac{0.01}{1.90} \approx 0.00526\).
  

When calculating the fractional uncertainty in combined measurements like area, add the fractional uncertainties of each dimension.
This method is useful because it reflects how each measurement contributes to overall uncertainty in calculations, assisting in understanding and reducing errors.

Area of a Rectangle

The area of a rectangle is simply the space contained within its boundaries.
Calculating this area involves multiplying the rectangle's length by its width using the formula \(A = L \times W\).

• In this case, with a length of 7.60 cm and a width of 1.90 cm, the area is calculated as \(A = 7.60 \times 1.90 = 14.44 \, \text{cm}^2\).
  

Understanding the area formula helps in many practical applications. Whether calculating flooring for a room or surface area needed for painting, measuring accurately ensures better results.
Keep in mind that dimensions should always be considered with their uncertainties for precise calculations.

Measurement Error

Measurement error refers to the doubt or uncertainty present when quantifying any physical quantity.
It's inevitable in scientific experiments due to limitations in measurement tools and human factors.

• Each measured quantity is often presented with an accompanying uncertainty, such as \(\pm 0.01\) cm in our problem.
  
• This rounded or exact error tells you how close the measurement is to the true value.
• The key is calculating how measurements can affect final computed results, like the area, where errors can add up.

Reducing measurement error is crucial for precision.
Always ensure instruments are calibrated and used correctly to minimize these errors.
This way, you can confidently use the area or any other result based on these measurements.