Maximum Error in Density Calculation – Rankers Physics
Topic: Unit And Dimensions
Subtopic: Error Analysis

Maximum Error in Density Calculation

A certain body weighs 22.42 g and has a measured volume of 4.7 cc. The possible, error in the measurement of mass and volume are 0.01 g and 0.1 cc. Then maximum error in the density will be:

[1991]

22%
2%
0.2%
0.02%

Solution:

Density \(\rho = M/V\). Fractional error \(\Delta\rho/rho = (\Delta M/M) + (\Delta V/V)\). Given \(M=22.42\text{ g}\), \(\Delta M=0.01\text{ g}\). \(V=4.7\text{ cc}\), \(\Delta V=0.1\text{ cc}\). So, \(Delta M/M = 0.01/22.42 \approx 0.000446\). \(\Delta V/V = 0.1/4.7 \approx 0.02127\). Total fractional error \(\approx 0.021716\). Percentage error \(\approx 2.17%\), which is closest to 2%.

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