Propagation of uncertainties using spreadsheets

We propose a methodology for uncertainty propagation by finite differences for teaching laboratory activities. The public for the proposed approach is students who already have some maturity in measurement theory and experimental uncertainty propagation. The students themselves may implement the methodology in electronic spreadsheets for data analysis and uncertainty propagation. This way, we hope to increase student control and sophistication in data processing, and to decrease their cognitive load and time spent in the task. Thus, other also important parts of the laboratory assignments, such as planning, analysis, and understanding the results and limitations of the experiment, may be more carefully developed.

Keywords
Experimental uncertainties; Propagation of uncertainties; Teaching laboratory