PHYS 261 FINAL PAPER Q&A: 2026 STUDY
GUIDE 100% CORRECT TESTED QUESTIONS
◍ (Exp 1)Before the lab template will let you exit from EXCEL,
according to step 21, you must.... Ans: 1) enter your name in the
designated area of the spreadsheet
2) enter your section number in the designated area of the spreadsheet
3) save the file using the gray save button in the body of the
spreadsheet
◍ (Exp 2)"1/3" rule to determine the uncertainty ∆x. Ans: Error is
1/3 of the smallest unit
(Ex: ruler in mm, error=1/3mm)
◍ (Exp 2)estimate. Ans: sum of values/# of values
◍ (Exp 2)The smallest increment the scale can display is 0.1 g and
thus the uncertainty ∆M in a measurement of mass would be about.
Ans: 0.033 g
◍ (Exp 2)Using the ruler, and without using the vernier calipers,
estimate how precisely you can measure the length of one of the sides
of one of the blocks.. Ans: To the nearest mm with an error of 1/3mm
, ◍ (Exp 2)Volume error. Ans: ∆V =V*sqrt((∆c/c)^2 + (∆b/b)^2 +
(∆a/a)^2)
◍ (Exp 2)Density error. Ans: ∆ ρ =ρ sqrt((∆V/V)^2 + (∆M/M)^2)
◍ (Exp 2)Mean error. Ans: ∆〈x〉=∆x/sqrt(N)
◍ (Exp 2)χ2. Ans: =∑((xi-xtheory)/∆xi)^2
◍ (Exp 2)Determining if values are consistent. Ans: are within 2
error bars from the accepted value
◍ (Exp 2)Density consistent value. Ans: measured and accepted
density should differ by no more than twice the uncertainty.
◍ (Exp 2)"two-sigma rule". Ans: if your data point is no more than
two error bars from the accepted value then the disagreement is not
significant
◍ (Exp 2)reduced χ2 should equal (blank) for good fit. Ans: 1
◍ (Exp 2)reduced χ2 eqn. Ans: χ2/v
GUIDE 100% CORRECT TESTED QUESTIONS
◍ (Exp 1)Before the lab template will let you exit from EXCEL,
according to step 21, you must.... Ans: 1) enter your name in the
designated area of the spreadsheet
2) enter your section number in the designated area of the spreadsheet
3) save the file using the gray save button in the body of the
spreadsheet
◍ (Exp 2)"1/3" rule to determine the uncertainty ∆x. Ans: Error is
1/3 of the smallest unit
(Ex: ruler in mm, error=1/3mm)
◍ (Exp 2)estimate. Ans: sum of values/# of values
◍ (Exp 2)The smallest increment the scale can display is 0.1 g and
thus the uncertainty ∆M in a measurement of mass would be about.
Ans: 0.033 g
◍ (Exp 2)Using the ruler, and without using the vernier calipers,
estimate how precisely you can measure the length of one of the sides
of one of the blocks.. Ans: To the nearest mm with an error of 1/3mm
, ◍ (Exp 2)Volume error. Ans: ∆V =V*sqrt((∆c/c)^2 + (∆b/b)^2 +
(∆a/a)^2)
◍ (Exp 2)Density error. Ans: ∆ ρ =ρ sqrt((∆V/V)^2 + (∆M/M)^2)
◍ (Exp 2)Mean error. Ans: ∆〈x〉=∆x/sqrt(N)
◍ (Exp 2)χ2. Ans: =∑((xi-xtheory)/∆xi)^2
◍ (Exp 2)Determining if values are consistent. Ans: are within 2
error bars from the accepted value
◍ (Exp 2)Density consistent value. Ans: measured and accepted
density should differ by no more than twice the uncertainty.
◍ (Exp 2)"two-sigma rule". Ans: if your data point is no more than
two error bars from the accepted value then the disagreement is not
significant
◍ (Exp 2)reduced χ2 should equal (blank) for good fit. Ans: 1
◍ (Exp 2)reduced χ2 eqn. Ans: χ2/v
