Q. A student measures the distance traversed in free fall of a body, initially at rest in a given time. He uses this data to estimate g, the acceleration due to gravity. If the maximum percentage errors in measurement of the distance and the time are e1 and e2 respectively, the percentage error in the estimation of g is
A) e₂ − e₁
B) e₁ + 2e₂
C) e₁ + e₂
D) e₁ − 2e₂
Explanation
[Solution from source] For free fall from rest h = ½gt², so g = 2h/t². Maximum relative errors add with their powers: Δg/g = Δh/h + 2Δt/t, giving e₁ + 2e₂. Subtracting errors (e₁ − 2e₂) is wrong because maximum errors always add. Answer (2).
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.