I have attached a graph that was generated from an experiment. I would like some

Question

I have attached a graph that was generated from an experiment.

I would like some feedback to see if I am correct with the speed of light calculation. I have included the actual question and the graph.

My answer is as a result taking the inverse of 3.1429x 10^-9which gives 3.18x10^8.

The y axis for the grpah is time in nano seconds. The x axis is distance in metres. Determine the time difference between the reference beam and the reflected beam with the use of the calibrated time base of the oscilloscope. There are a number of unknown phase shifts in this experiment, namely, the phase shifts in the electronics involved in the laser modulation and in the detector and also in the connecting cables. These unknowns will remain constant for each of the distances over which the experiment is performed and a plot of the time difference versus distance will produce a straight line. A least squares fit produces the line of best fit and the speed of light is provided from the inverse of the slope

Explanation / Answer

Your answer is perfectly right. We'll have to take the inverse of slope of the line. The slope is 3.1429 nano seconds/m. Its inverse will give the speed of light.

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