Answer the following in brief:
Two students measure the time period of the same pendulum. Student \(A\) records the time for \(one\ oscillation\), while Student \(B\) records the time for \(10\ oscillations\) and divides the total time by \(10\). Which student is likely to get a more reliable result? Give a reason.
is likely to obtain a more reliable value.
Student B measures the and then to calculate the time period:
Measuring only, as Student A does, can lead to a relatively because the stopwatch must be started and stopped . Small delays in starting or stopping the stopwatch can significantly affect the result.
In contrast, when Student B measures , the total measured time . The effect of small timing errors becomes , and dividing the total time by \(10\) gives a more reliable estimate of the time period.