Example;

Imagine having a large cube of plastic. This particular plastic has a determined density of 1.15 g/cm3 0.05
g/cm3. The edge of the cube has a length of 0.87m 0.01m. What is the mass (in kg) of this cube of plastic
with the overall uncertainty expressed both as overall absolute uncertainty and overall percent uncertainty?

Absolute Percent
Uncertainty Uncertainty
0.05 g/cm3 x 100 = 4%
Density 1.15 g/cm3 0.05 g/cm3 1.15 g/cm3

0.01m x 100 = 1%
Edge length 0.87m 0.01m 0.87 m

Find uncertainty in this

V=lxwxh V=lxwxh Calculation not needed volume calculation.
for this problem.
V = (0.87m)3 =
Volume = (edge 0.66m3 Rule for multiplying;
length)3 Add percent uncertainties =
1% + 1% + 1% = 3%

mass
Density = therefore; mass = Density x volume
volume

1.15 g 1 x 106 cm3 0.66 m3 1 kg

Mass = x x x 1000 g = 760 kg
1 cm3 1 m3 1

Density has an Volume has an Mass has a an overall

uncertainty of 4% uncertainty of 3% uncertainty of 7%

Answer to Problem Overall Percent Overall Absolute

Uncertainty Uncertainty

Mass = 760 kg Rule for multiplying; (0.07) (760kg) = 50 kg

Add percent uncertainties;
4% + 3% = 7%

710 kg 760 kg 810 kg

7% = 50 kg +7% = +50 kg

The mass of the plastic cube = 760 kg 7% or 760 kg 50kg

Page 23