Question

The length of the string of a simple pendulum is measured with a metre scale to be 90.0 cm. The radius of the bod plus the length of the hook is calculated to be 2.13 cm using measurements with a slide callipers. What is the effective length of the pendulum? (The effective length is defined as the distance between the point of suspension and the centre of the bob.)

Answer 1

Consider the figure shown below:

Actual effective length = (90.0 + 2.13) cm
However, in the measurement 90.0 cm, the number of significant digits is only two.
So, the effective length should contain only two significant digits.
i.e., effective length = 90.0 + 2.13 = 92.1 cm.