Introduction To Error Analysis: The Study of Uncertainties in Physical Measurements, second edition - Softcover

Taylor J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 093570275X ISBN 13: 9780935702750

Publisher: University Science Books, 1997

Synopsis

”This text provides a rational, step-by-step introduction to understanding and estimating random uncertainties in physical measurements. Although the text is intended primarily for undergraduate students, I find it useful as well at the research level, to introduce graduate students to unfamiliar topics in the study of experimental uncertainties... a high-quality resource [students] can continue to learn from, even after they graduate.”
Physics Today


”Score a hit! The book reveals the exceptional skill of the author as lecturer and teacher. A valuable reference work for any student (or instructor) in the sciences and engineering.”
The Physics Teacher

This best-selling text by John Taylor, now released in its second edition, introduces the study of uncertainties to lower division science students. Assuming no prior knowledge, the author introduces error analysis through the use of familiar examples ranging from carpentry to well-known historic experiments. Pertinent worked examples, simple exercises throughout the text, and numerous chapter-ending problems combine to make the book ideal for use in physics, chemistry and engineering lab courses. This book has been translated into nine languages and has more adoptions than we can count.

Contents

1. Preliminary Description of Error Analysis
2. How to Report and Use Uncertainties
3. Propagation of Uncertainties
4. Statistical Analysis of Random Uncertainties
5. The Normal Distribution
6. Rejection of Data
7. Weighted Averages
8. Least-Squares Fitting
9. Covariance and Correlation
10. The Binomial Distribution
11. The Poisson Distribution
12. The Chi-Squared Test for a Distribution

About this title

Review

"Score a hit! The book reveals the exceptional skill of the author as lecturer and teacher. A valuable reference work for any student (or instructor) in the sciences and engineering." -- The Physics Teacher Book Review "The Physics Teacher"

Synopsis

The need for error analysis is captured in the book's arresting cover shot - of the 1895 Paris train disaster (also available as a wall poster). The early chapters teach elementary techniques of error propagation and statistical analysis to enable students to produce successful lab reports. Later chapters treat a number of more advanced mathematical topics, with many examples from mechanics and optics. End-of-chapter problems include many that call for use of calculators or computers, and numerous figures help readers visualize uncertainties using error bars. "Score a hit! ...the book reveals the exceptional skill of the author as lecturer and teacher...a valuable reference work for any student (or instructor) in the sciences and engineering." The Physics Teacher "This is a well written book with good illustrations, index and general bibliography...The book is well suited for engineering and science courses at universities and as a basic reference text for those engineers and scientists in practice." Strain, Journal of the British Society for Strain Measurement

Edition details

• Publisher: University Science Books
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 093570275X
• ISBN 13: 9780935702750
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 327