Question

Which of the following measurements has the highest index of correction?

• A. Measurement of speed of sound using resonance tube
• B. Measurement of resistance of a wire using meter bridge
• C. Measurement of gravitational acceleration using simple pendulum
• D. Measurement of focal length of lenses using optical bench

Hint:

Experiments involving oscillations usually require more corrections because several external factors influence the result.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:

• Index of correction refers to the extent of corrections required in an experiment to obtain accurate results.

• More environmental and systematic factors imply a larger correction index.

• The simple pendulum experiment requires corrections due to finite amplitude, air resistance, effective length, buoyancy, and damping effects.

Step 1: Examine the resonance tube experiment.
The resonance tube experiment mainly requires end correction and temperature correction. Hence the corrections are limited.

Step 2: Examine the meter bridge experiment.
The meter bridge experiment primarily involves balancing lengths and resistance calculations. Corrections required are comparatively small.

Step 3: Examine the optical bench experiment.
Measurement of focal length mainly involves alignment and reading corrections. These are fewer than those in a pendulum experiment.

Step 4: Examine the simple pendulum experiment.
The simple pendulum requires corrections for:

• Effective length

• Air resistance

• Finite amplitude

• Damping

• Buoyancy
Therefore it has the largest index of correction. \[ \boxed{\text{Option (C)}} \]