Absolute Uncertainty of Measurements in the Test Fire:

For every measured variable there is absolute uncertainty. For time, the uncertainty comes
mostly from the reaction speed of the user, as the stopwatch has a resolution to .01 seconds. On Earth,
time is rather universal and there were no outside conditions that would affect our ability to measure
time, therefore the main source of absolute uncertainty for time is the ability of the individual making
the measurement. The displacement in the x direction has similar sources, the resolution is .001 meters,
there is no warping issues that affect the displacement, and external conditions are satisfactory, thus
making the main source of uncertainty the individual’s skill. The manner in which we measured
displacement from the shot has two difficulties involved; the obvious one is properly locating the impact
site, as the ball’s momentum keeps it moving after it hits the ground, causing an issue with both parallax
and depth perception. On the opposite end of the measuring tape, lining the tape up perfectly below
where the ball rested in the launcher is rather difficult, though this adds much less error than properly
locating where the ball hits. The displacement in the Y direction should have very little absolute
uncertainty because the measuring apparatus (meter stick) has a resolution to .001; there are no
warping or external issues, so the only significant error is caused by parallax. Theta (the angle) has a
different main source of error, while human error is always present; the resolution of the instrument
plays a key role. As the measuring device had a scale resolution to 1 degree, most of the uncertainty
would come from the poor resolution, as there is no difficulty reading where the string lines up on the
protractor, and there are no external forces that would noticeably change the reading. All of these
sources of error could attest to inaccuracies in the measurements.

Factor Measured Main Source of Uncertainty

Time Ability of individual making measurements. (Reaction time to firing and landing)
Displacement Ability of individual making measurements. (Ability to recall the impact site and
parallax)
Angle Quality of measuring instrument (the scale resolution was only 1 degree)

Absolute Uncertainty of Measurements in the Live Fire:

The only unique absolute uncertainty in the measurements during the live fire, and indeed the
only measurements we made during the live fire, are the displacements in the X and Y directions, and
the new angle we were given. The new angle we were given uses the same instrument and therefore
retains the exact same issues for absolute uncertainty as the test fire. Displacement in the X refers to
our placement of the launching mechanism in reference to the target. The main source of uncertainty is
again going to be the skill of the individual placing the tape measure and launching mechanism. There is
some difficulty in the nature of the quantity measured, as discussed in the test fire, as it is difficult to line
up the ends of the measuring tape while it rests on a different plane than the target and the mechanism.
The resolution is still .001m and there are no noticeable factors that limit our ability to read the
instrument, so the main absolute uncertainty is probably originating from the difficulty of the quantity
being measured. Displacement in the Y direction has the exact same sources of error as the test fire,
namely it originates mostly from the skill of the individual measuring due to parallax.
Factor Measured Main Source of Uncertainty

Displacement in the X Nature of Quantity being Measured (The points to be measured and the
instrument lie on different planes)
Displacement in the Y Ability of individual making measurements. (Parallax)
Angle Quality of measuring instrument (the scale resolution was only 1 degree)