Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 8
Experimental Activities
The physical concepts presented in this topic can be explored through experimental
activities, performed with specific materials in a teaching laboratory or with
alternative materials in the classroom. Here we have made a choice for alternative
materials.
8.1 Objectives
for a better understanding and memory retention of the concepts.
8.2
Introduction
Before the presentation of the proposals for experimental activities related to the
chapters of this topic, we have to learn how to write correctly the results of a
measurement.
8.2.1 Significant Digits
The first difficulty in an experimental activity is the measurement itself. When a
measurement is performed, employing the same methods and instruments in
conditions considered to be the same, in general, discordant results are obtained.
Such fact is justified, by noting that measurements are affected by observational
uncertainties due to factors such as the quality of the apparatus and the skill of the
experimenter. In these circumstances, one need to answer which number should be
adopted as a measure of the quantity and which value will best represent it.
