The following five mass readings (in g) were recorded for the same object using a…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Measurements and their errors · Measurements and their errors
Problem
The following five mass readings (in g) were recorded for the same object using a digital balance with a least count of 0.005g:
12.375, 12.365, 12.380, 12.370, 12.355
(i) Calculate the mean mass of the object.
(ii) For each reading determine its absolute deviation from the mean and hence find the mean absolute deviation.
(iii) Express the result for the mass of the object in the form mˉ±Δm, where mˉ is the mean mass and Δm is the mean absolute deviation.
(iv) Round the mean mass to the number of significant figures justified by the balance’s least count. Show clearly whether the “even-digit” rule is required in this case and state the final rounded value.