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3811
Experimental Methods and Analysis (ME220)
IV semester B. Tech Examination, 2006-2007 (Mechanical Engineering)
Credits – 04,
Duration: Three hours
• Attempt all questions
• Assume any suitable data, if necessary
Maximum Marks: 60
Q1.1. Describe the following in brief:
a. Accuracy and precision
b. Fixed error and random error (2
Q1.2. Two resistors R1 and R2 are connected in parallel. The values of the resistances are
R1=100.0 + 0.1 ohm
R2=50.0 + 0.03 ohm
Calculate the uncertainty in the combined resistance. (2
Q1.3. In testing a certain kind of truck tire over a rugged terrain, it is found that 25% of the
trucks fail to complete the test run without a blow-out. Of the next 15 trucks tested, find
the probabilities that
a. From 3 to 6 have blowouts;
b. Fewer than 4 have blowouts;
c. More than 5 have blowouts (4
Q1.4. If two independent samples of size n1=9 and n2 = 16 are taken from a normal population,
what is the probability that the variance of the first sample will be at least four times large
as the variance of the second sample? (4
Or
Q1'.1. What are the conditions in which Poisson approximation to Binomial distribution is used?
(2
Q1'.2. What is the definition of discrete probability distribution? (2
Q1'.3. One bag contains 4 white balls and 3 black balls, and a second bag contains 3 white balls
and 5 black balls. One ball is drawn from the first bag and placed unseen in the second
bag. What is the probability that a ball now drawn from the second bag is black? (4
Q1'.4. A soft drink machine is regulated so that it discharges an average of 200 millilitres per
cup. If the amount of drink is normally distributed with a standard deviation equal to 15
millilitres,
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a. What fraction of the cups will contain more than 224 millilitres:
b. What is the probability that a cup contains between 191 and 209 millilitres?
c. How many cups will probably overflow if 230 millilitre cups are used for the next
1000 drinks? (4

Q2.1. An electric firm manufactures light bulbs that have a length of life that is approximately
normally distributed with a standard deviation of 40 hours. If a sample of 30 bulbs has an
average life of 780 hours, find a 95% confidence interval for the population mean of all
bulbs produced by this firm. (3
Q2.2. Raw material used in the production of a synthetic fibre is stored in a place which has no
humidity control. Measurements of the relative humidity in the storage place and the
moisture content of a sample of the raw material (both in %age) on 12 days yielded the
following results:

Humidity (x) 4 3 5 4 4 6 3 3 4 3 5 48
2 5 0 3 8 2 1 6 4 9 5
Moisture content (y) 1 8 1 9 1 1 7 9 1 1 1 11
2 4 1 6 2 0 3

a. Plot a scattergram to verify that it is reasonable to assume that the regression of Y on

x is linear
b. Fit a straight line by the method of least squares.
c. Find a 99% confidence interval for the mean moisture content of the raw material
when the humidity of the storage place is 40%. (7
Q2.3. Explain the procedure to test the data for normality. (2

Q3. Answer any two (2) of the following: (12

Q3.1. Draw a schematic diagram of a generalized measurement system consisting of Basic and
Auxiliary functional elements. Also differentiate between:
a. Static and Dynamic performance characteristics of instruments
b. Accuracy and Precision
c. Static sensitivity of measurement and Sensitivity to disturbance
Q3.2. Formulate the system equation for “Liquid in glass thermometer” relating the output
signal in the form of displacement of liquid in the capillary tube and the input temperature
of the fluid, surrounding the bulb of thermometer.
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Q3.3. An unmanned submarine is equipped wit temperature and depth measuring instruments
and has radio equipment which can transmit the output readings of these instruments back
to the surface. The submarine is initially floating on the surface of the sea with the
instrument output readings in steady state. The depth measuring instrument is
approximately zero order and the temperature transducer first order with a time constant
of 50 seconds. The water temperature on the sea surface, To is 20o C and the temperature
Tx at a depth of x meters is given by the relation: Tx = To – 0.01x
a. If the submarine starts diving at time zero, and thereafter goes down at a velocity of
0.5 m/sec, construct a table showing the temperature and depth measurements
reported at intervals of 100 seconds over the first 500 seconds of travel. Show also in
the table, the error in each temperature reading.
b. What temperature does the submarine report at a depth of 1000 meters?

Q4. Answer any three (3) of the following: (12

Q4.1. Explain with the help of a diagram, how Nozzle Flapper Transducer translates
displacements into pressure variation.
Q4.2. A quartz crystal with piezoelectric properties has a diameter of 10 mm and thickness 2
mm. its voltage sensitivity constant is 4500 V / μm. Find the voltage output due to a force
of 100 N. Young’s Modulus = 1011 N / m2.
Q4.3. List four practical applications of LVDT supported with neat diagrams.
Q4.4. Describe the working of CRO (Cathode Ray Oscilloscope) with the help of diagram.

Q5.1. Describe working of the following measurement devices:

a. Hot wire anemometer
b. Optical pyrometer
c. Pirani Thermal Conductivity gage (4
Q5.2. Explain the basic principle on which electrical strain gages works? (4
Q5.3. What parameters must be observed to measure torque? Explain the procedure of
calculating torque using those parameters. (4