Science Homework Help

Help me do Lab 3: Thermal Expansion.

4 Data Analysis
1. Derive a symbolic expression for the uncertainty in the expansion coefficient (δα) using the partial
derivative method (Equation 2).
• Your expression should be in terms of the following quantities: L, ∆L, ∆T, δL, δ(∆T), δ(∆L).
2. To determine the temperature values that correspond with the measured resistance values, assume the
relationship between between R and T is linear (this is a good assumption only over small temperature
ranges), and interpolate between the adjacent data points.
• The uncertainty stated by Pasco for the thermistor values is ±0.2
◦C.
• Assume 3 sigfigs for given temperature values. For example, assume the temperature value listed
as 25◦C is actually 25.0
◦C
3. Calculate ∆T ± δ(∆T). Recall that the uncertainty in a sum or difference is given by Equation 3 in
the introduction.
4. Use Equation 1 to find α.
5. Use the expression derived in step 1 of the data analysis instructions to find δα.
6. Compare with the theoretical α value.