Re: [Phys-L] Inference Lab Design

[Bernard Cleyet <bernardcleyet@redshift.com>]

Is this relevant?

Qtz. tuning fork clocks are not quite a dime a dz.  at thrift stores.  Obtain 30 and do the stats.

Off the thread's subject:   I've a rather accurate clock timer** and threatened to vary the P/S of one of my qtz's to measure the variation.

bc has a Russian clock w/ a cap. padder to adjust "spot on". (~ 1ppm)

** obtainable w/ a TCXO:   http://www.bmumford.com/mset/access/access.html


On 2012, Aug 15, , at 08:05, John Denker wrote:

> Alas on 08/14/2012 03:38 PM, I wrote:
> > As a lesson that does not involve inference so much as scientific
> > prediction, consider this:  Get two quartz-regulated clocks (or 
> > watches), accurate to the nearest second (or better).  Set clock A
> > it as a signal to pay attention to the clocks.  Predict that clock 
> > A will read 11:01:00 when clock B reads 11:00:00.  Observe again 
> > tomorrow.  Note that one second accuracy is one part in 86400, which 
> > is rather more precise than anything they did in high school physics
> > lab.
>
> An entire line vanished somehow.  That was supposed to say
>
>  As a lesson that does not involve inference so much as scientific
>  prediction, consider this:  Get two quartz-regulated clocks (or 
>  watches), accurate to the nearest second (or better).  Set clock A
>      one minute ahead of clock B.  Set its alarm and use
>  that as a signal to pay attention to the clocks.  Predict that clock 
>  A will read 11:01:00 when clock B reads 11:00:00.  Observe again 
>  tomorrow.  Note that one second accuracy is one part in 86400, which 
>  is rather more precise than anything they did in high school physics
>  lab.
>
> One might add:  
>
> a) If you want, use a stopwatch to obtain sub-second precision.
>
> b) The importance of super-accurate timing in modern science and technology
> can hardly be overstated.  As a familiar example, GPS satellites carry 
> clocks accurate to a nanosecond, short-term and long-term.