Question

Question about an uncertainty calculation

Answer 1

oops pressed enter to quickly

Answer 2

So I have obtained some data for a maximum energy. My data based on just the statistical error gives me an energy of \(0.390MeV\pm0.006MeV\). However I have also calculated the resolution of the spectrometer, so I know that the value is only accurate to within \(7.392\text{%} \pm 0.001\text{%}\). So how would I "combine" these two uncertainties to get a final uncertainty?

Answer 3

I'm not sure. That's why it's uncertain.

Answer 4

That's not a very science-y answer...... if you read academic papers, you generally see the following:
\[ 0.390 \pm 0.006 \pm 0.004_{sys}\space MeV\]where the subscript sys indicates a systematic uncertainty, i.e. an uncertainty not due to statistical fluctuation or noise but due to limitations on the experimental apparatus.

Answer 5

take 7.393% and 7.391% of 0.396MeV and 0.384MeV respectively you will have two answers that would be uncertainty of value. . .
well i am not also certain. . .