Question

A common technique in analysis of scientific data is normalization. The purpose of normalizing data is to eliminate irrelevant constants that can obscure the salient features of the data. The goal of this experiment is to test the hypothesis that the flux of light decreases as the square of the distance from the source. In this case, the absolute value of the voltage measured by the photometer is irrelevant; only the relative value conveys useful information. Suppose that in Part 2.2.2 of the experiment, students obtain a signal value of 185 mV at a distance of 4 cm and a value of 82 mV at a distance of 6.2 cm. Normalize the students' data to the value obtained at 4 cm. (Divide the signal value by 185.) Then calculate the theoretically expected (normalized) value at 6.2 cm.

Answer 1

V₂ = 0.4432

Step-by-step explanation:

The normalize procedure is widely used in science, in this case we are going to normalize to the voltage value that exists 4 cm away

Vₙ= V_{measured} / V₀

where the voltage at the desired distance is V₀ = 185 mV = 0.185 V

the normalized voltage are

forr x = 4 cm

V₁ = 185/185

V₁ = 1

for x = 6.2 cm

V₂ = 82/185

V₂ = 0.4432