Question

The actual value of the acceleration of the gravity is $9.8m/s^2$. Physics students in a laboratory experiment use a pendulum to determine the acceleration of the gravity. Their experimental value is $9.2m/s^2$. What is their percent error?

• A. 0.60 %`
• B. 60 %
• C. 6.5 %
• D. 61 %
• E. 6.1 %

Answer 1

The correct option is E 6.1 %

Actual value of acceleration due to gravity $g=9.8$ $m/s^2$

Absolute error in acceleration due to gravity $\Delta g=|9.8-9.2|=0.6$ $m/s^2$

Thus percentage error $=\frac{\Delta g}{g}\times 100=\frac{0.6}{9.8}\times 100=6.1$ %