Question:

In order to measure the period of a single pendulum using a stop clock, a student repeated the experiment for 10 times and noted down the time period for each experiment as $5.1, 5.0, 4.9, 4.9, 5.1, 5.0, 4.9, 5.1, 5.0, 4.9$ s. The correct way of expressing the result for the period is

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Always match the decimal precision of the final answer with the least count of the measuring instrument.
Updated On: May 1, 2026
  • $4.99$ s
  • $5.0$ s
  • $5.00$ s
  • $4.9$ s
  • $5.1$ s
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation


Concept:
The best estimate of a measured quantity is the arithmetic mean of repeated observations, expressed with appropriate significant figures.

Step 1:
Calculate the mean.
Sum of values: \[ 5.1+5.0+4.9+4.9+5.1+5.0+4.9+5.1+5.0+4.9 = 49.9 \] \[ \text{Mean} = \frac{49.9}{10} = 4.99 \]

Step 2:
Apply significant figure rule.
Measurements are taken up to one decimal place, so result must be reported to one decimal place. \[ 4.99 \approx 5.0 \text{ s} \]
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