i am measuring for the speed of light,
what errors should i look out for
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/212/13869569ph2.png
about is a link to a photo of the experiment set up.
please list errors, that i should account for.
2007-04-11 02:08:04 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
i can't see how it would be by a factor of 4.
because, if you look at chance it is 50/50 + or -
so using probability, there is a 1/8 chance that it would be off by a factor of 4.
2007-04-11 02:26:35 · update #1
1. Possible sources of light other than laser interfering with light sensor. (unlikely)
2. Glass in mirrors causing light to slow due to refraction. (very small, but definitely present)
3. Distance measurement errors (highly likely, largest source of error)
4. Resistance of circuits in light detector causing a delay in the timer being stopped (definitely present, but again minuscule)
2007-04-11 09:58:08 · answer #1 · answered by cake_taken 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Measurement error. Your setup makes the distance crucial as 1 fraction multiplies by 4.
2007-04-11 09:16:41 · answer #2 · answered by Puppy Zwolle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dimensional errors, and measurement errors.
2007-04-11 09:10:26 · answer #3 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋