Question

[panicatthelunchbar]

Hey guys, when you measure something with a ruler/light gates etc. and calculate uncertainties in the measurement, how do you know the limitations of the piece of measuring device? So if I decide that for a ruler, the uncertainty is plus/minus 0.5cm...how do I decide that??

Hope that makes sense :/

Thanks!

[queendaisy]

I think the rule of thumb is that the uncertainty is half of the smallest division of ruler/whatever you're using.
E.g. if your ruler only has 1.0 cm markings, then the uncertainty is plus or minus 0.5cm.