Question

The refractive index ($\mu$) of glass is found to have the values $1.49,1.50,1.52,1.54and1.48$. Calculate the absolute error in each measurement.

Answer 1

Mean value of the refractive index, $a_m=\frac{1.49+1.50+1.52+1.54+1.48}{5}=1.51$

Thus absolute error in each measurement,

$\Delta a_1=a_m-a_1=1.51-1.49=0.02$

$\Delta a_2=a_m-a_2=1.51-1.50=0.01$

$\Delta a_3=a_m-a_3=1.51-1.52=-0.01$

$\Delta a_4=a_m-a_4=1.51-1.54=-0.03$

$\Delta a_5=a_m-a_5=1.51-1.48=0.03$