MCQEasyJEE 2023Significant Figures & Error Analysis

JEE Physics 2023 Question with Solution

A cylindrical wire of mass (0.4±0.01)g\left(0.4 \pm 0.01\right)\,\text{g} has length (8±0.04)cm\left(8 \pm 0.04\right)\,\text{cm} and radius (6±0.03)mm\left(6 \pm 0.03\right)\,\text{mm}. The maximum error in its density will be:

  • A

    4%4\%

  • B

    1%1\%

  • C

    3.5%3.5\%

  • D

    5%5\%

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: mass m=(0.4±0.01)gm = \left(0.4 \pm 0.01\right)\,\text{g}, length =(8±0.04)cm\ell = \left(8 \pm 0.04\right)\,\text{cm}, radius r=(6±0.03)mmr = \left(6 \pm 0.03\right)\,\text{mm}.

Find: maximum percentage error in density ρ\rho.

For a cylindrical wire,

ρ=mπr2\rho = \frac{m}{\pi r^2 \ell}

Using maximum error propagation for products and powers,

Δρρ=Δmm+Δ+2Δrr\frac{\Delta \rho}{\rho} = \frac{\Delta m}{m} + \frac{\Delta \ell}{\ell} + 2\frac{\Delta r}{r}

Substitute the given values:

Δρρ=0.010.4+0.048+2(0.036)\frac{\Delta \rho}{\rho} = \frac{0.01}{0.4} + \frac{0.04}{8} + 2\left(\frac{0.03}{6}\right)

Now simplify:

Δρρ=0.025+0.005+0.01=0.04\frac{\Delta \rho}{\rho} = 0.025 + 0.005 + 0.01 = 0.04

Therefore, the maximum percentage error is

0.04×100=4%0.04 \times 100 = 4\%

Therefore, the maximum error in density is 4%4\%. The correct option is A.

Common mistakes

  • Using Δρρ=Δmm+Δ+Δrr\frac{\Delta \rho}{\rho} = \frac{\Delta m}{m} + \frac{\Delta \ell}{\ell} + \frac{\Delta r}{r} and forgetting that rr is squared in the density formula. This is wrong because the power of rr contributes a factor of 22 in relative error. Use 2Δrr2\frac{\Delta r}{r} instead.

  • Subtracting errors because rr and \ell are in the denominator. This is wrong for maximum error calculation, where relative errors are added irrespective of numerator or denominator. Add all fractional errors.

  • Converting the final fractional error 0.040.04 directly into the answer without multiplying by 100100. This is wrong because the options are in percentage. Convert to percentage to get 4%4\%.

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