405 Physics Spring 2006 Homework Assignment #2 (due 2/8/06 at beginning of class) 1. We report absolute uncertainties in our experimental results (x x), but usually relative uncertainties (x/x) are more meaningful. We want to know whether the result is accurate to 1%, 10% or whatever. This is particularly true when we are trying to analyze which measured quantity is contributing the most to the final uncertainty. When suitable, the error analysis in your lab reports should always include a discussion of this topic. Consider a time-of-flight mass spectrometer that determines the mass m of an ion by measuring the time the ion takes to travel a known distance d and then measures its kinetic energy K at end the of the path. Using the non-relativistic formula, express m as a function of the measured quantities. Express the relative uncertainty in m as a function of the relative uncertainties in , d, and K. If the measured values are d = 10.0 0.1 cm = 48.2 0.3 ns K = 81.1 5.2 keV calculate the relative uncertainty in the mass and determine which measurement you would try to improve first in order to obtain a more accurat...