Scribd
Upload
99 views

Error Analysis

This document discusses error analysis and different types of errors that can occur in measurements. It defines systematic error as being due to instruments used for measurement, while random error has an unknown cause but may be due to changing experimental conditions or personal error. The document provides steps for finding random error which include calculating the mean, absolute errors, mean absolute error, fractional error, and percentage error. It also defines precision as how close measured values are and accuracy as how close values are to the target. Formulas are provided for calculating errors in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and exponents. The document concludes by working through two examples to calculate percentage errors.

Uploaded by

Wika Prayogi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as RTF, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
99 views

Error Analysis

This document discusses error analysis and different types of errors that can occur in measurements. It defines systematic error as being due to instruments used for measurement, while random error has an unknown cause but may be due to changing experimental conditions or personal error. The document provides steps for finding random error which include calculating the mean, absolute errors, mean absolute error, fractional error, and percentage error. It also defines precision as how close measured values are and accuracy as how close values are to the target. Formulas are provided for calculating errors in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and exponents. The document concludes by working through two examples to calculate percentage errors.

Uploaded by

Wika Prayogi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as RTF, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Error Analysis

Error - Uncertainty in any measurement.

Types of Error :
1. Systematic Error
• It is due to the instruments used for measurement. Hence the reason for
error is known.
Eg. Zero error, bench error, etc.
2. Random Error
• The reason for this error is unknown. But it may be due to following
conditions :
• Change in experimental conditions
• Personal error

Steps for Finding Random Error :


1. Find mean value.
2. Find absolute error in each measurement.
ΔXn = xx̅ - Xn
3. Find Mean Absolute error
( lΔX1l + lΔX2l + lΔXnl ) / n
4. Fractional error
Mean Absolute error / mean
5. Percentage error
Fractional error x 100%

Precision - how close your measured value are with each other
- random error
Accuracy - how close your measured value is to the target
- systematic error
Absolute error - raw uncertainty or precision of your measurement
- (±) number

Addition and Subtraction


X ± ΔX Absolute
Measured error
Value

X=a+b
(X ± ΔX) = (a ± Δa) + (b ± Δb)
ΔX = Δa + Δb

+(±) = +
-(±) = ±

Multiplication and Division


X = a x b or a/b
(X ± ΔX) = (a ± Δa) x (b ± Δb) or (a ± Δa) / (b ± Δb)
ΔX = aΔb ± bΔa
ΔX/X = (aΔb ± bΔa)/ab
ΔX/X = Δb/b + Δa/a

Exponent
ΔX/X = mΔa/a + nΔb/b
where m and n are exponents
Uncertainty of Gradient and Intercepts
1. Draw the best fit line
2. Draw the error bar ( uncertainty ) on first and last points
3. Connect the bottom of first point to the top of last point
4. Connect the top of first point to bottom of last point

Mbest ± ΔM = Mbest ± [( Mmax - Mmin ) / 2] —> slope &


uncertainty
Bbest ± ΔB = Bbest ± [( Bmax - Bmin ) / 2] —> intercept &
uncertainty

B = intercept
M = gradient
Line that’s on top is max line
Line that’s on the bottom is min line

Question :
• In the measurement of thickness of a glass block, following readings
were taken :
Find the percentage error.
2.56 cm
2.55 cm
2.53 cm
2.55 cm
2.57 cm
1. 2.56 + 2.55 + 2.53 + 2.55 + 2.57 = 12.76 / 5 = 2.552 = 2.55 cm
2. 2.55 - 2.56 = -0.01
2.55 - 2.55 = 0
2.55 - 2.53 = 0.02
2.55 - 2.55 = 0
2.55 - 2.57 = -0.02
3. 0.01 + 0 + 0.02 + 0 + 0.02 = 0.05 / 5 = 0.01
4. 0.01 / 2.55 = 3.921568627 x 10^-3
5. 3.921568627 x 10^-3 x 100% = 0.39%

• In measurement of time period of simple pendulum, following readings


were taken :
Find percentage error in time period.
1.5 s
1.4 s
1.3 s
1.4 s
1.2 s
1. 1.5 + 1.4 + 1.3 + 1.4 + 1.2 = 6.8 / 5 = 1.36 = 1.4 s
2. 1.4 - 1.5 = -0.1
1.4 - 1.4 = 0
1.4 - 1.3 = 0.1
1.4 - 1.4 = 0
1.4 - 1.2 = 0.2
3. 0.1 + 0 + 0.1 + 0 + 0.2 = 0.4 / 5 = 0.1
4. 0.1 / 1.4 = 0.07142857143
5. 0.07142857143 x 100% = 7.1%

You might also like