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Re: induced emf and eddy currents




Hi,

Most of the time I deal with labs, so uncertainties are a big
part of my mind set. Last night it occurred to me that I could not
remember see uncertainties on fundametal constants in most introductory
physics textbooks. This morning, I check, Haliday and Resnick(3rd) had
no uncertainties inside the cover ( and no disclaimer) but did have
uncertainities hidden in the appendix on the constants. Of the 4-5 other
books on my shelf, none seemed presented these constants as anything
other than absolute.

I worry that this is sending mixed messages to the students, in
that in the lab we tell them that all measurements have uncertainities.
I have found students in our junior/senior labs still thinking that
the fundamental constants can be measured perfectly.

Thanks
roger