PROBLEM 1.11
KNOWN: Calibration data of Table 1.5
FIND: K at x = 5, 10, 20 cm
SOLUTION:
The data reveal a linear relation on a log-log plot suggesting y = bxm. That is:
log y = log (bxm) = log b + m log x or
Y = B + mX
From the plot, B = 0, so that b = 1, and m = 1.2. Thus, we find from the calibration the
relationship
y = x1.2
Because K = [dy/dx]x = 1.2x0.2, we obtain
x [cm] K [V/cm]
5 1.66
10 1.90
20 2.18
We should expect that errors would propagate with the same sensitivity as the data. Hence for y=f(x), as sensitivity increases, the influence of the errors on y due to errors in x between would increase.
COMMENT
A common shortcut is to use the approximation that
dy/dx = lim x→0 Δy/Δx
This approximation is valid only for very small changes in x, otherwise errors result. This is a
common mistake. An important aspect of this problem is to draw attention to the fact that
many measurement systems may have a static sensitivity that is dependent on input value.