The Peony Experiment Revisited: An illustration of Significant Figures, Accuracy, Precision, and Data Analysis

摘要

The penny experiment has frequently been used to calculate density (1-5). These experiments compared the penny minted before and after 1982, showing two objects similar in material and shape but having different densities. The discontinuous density can be used as a discovery laboratory process for students. Some investigations describe the origin of this difference, such as comparing the melting points and visual observations of pennies cut in half. Other investigations focused on data collection and error analysis (6-9).