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    Unit - 3: Uncertainty

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    Mishka Gamage
    Every measuring instrument has uncertainty that is added or subtracted from readings. Uncertainty depends on the instrument's precision - its smallest division. For single measurements, uncertainty equals precision. As measurements increase, uncertainty increases. There are three ways to represent uncertainty - absolute, fractional, and percentage. Common instruments and their precisions include metre rules (1 mm), vernier calipers (0.1 mm), micrometer screw gauges (0.01 mm), and stopwatches (0.01 s). Total uncertainty for multiple instruments equals the sum of individual uncertainties. Experimental errors include random errors from variations and systematic errors from instruments. Taking repeated measurements and averaging can reduce random errors.

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    Unit - 3: Uncertainty

    Uploaded by

    Mishka Gamage
    21 views5 pages
    Every measuring instrument has uncertainty that is added or subtracted from readings. Uncertainty depends on the instrument's precision - its smallest division. For single measurements, uncertainty equals precision. As measurements increase, uncertainty increases. There are three ways to represent uncertainty - absolute, fractional, and percentage. Common instruments and their precisions include metre rules (1 mm), vernier calipers (0.1 mm), micrometer screw gauges (0.01 mm), and stopwatches (0.01 s). Total uncertainty for multiple instruments equals the sum of individual uncertainties. Experimental errors include random errors from variations and systematic errors from instruments. Taking repeated measurements and averaging can reduce random errors.

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    Every measuring instrument has uncertainty that is added or subtracted from readings. Uncertainty depends on the instrument's precision - its smallest division. For single measurements, uncertainty equals precision. As measurements increase, uncertainty increases. There are three ways to represent uncertainty - absolute, fractional, and percentage. Common instruments and their precisions include metre rules (1 mm), vernier calipers (0.1 mm), micrometer screw gauges (0.01 mm), and stopwatches (0.01 s). Total uncertainty for multiple instruments equals the sum of individual uncertainties. Experimental errors include random errors from variations and systematic errors from instruments. Taking repeated measurements and averaging can reduce random errors.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    21 views5 pages

    Unit - 3: Uncertainty

    Uploaded by

    Mishka Gamage
    Every measuring instrument has uncertainty that is added or subtracted from readings. Uncertainty depends on the instrument's precision - its smallest division. For single measurements, uncertainty equals precision. As measurements increase, uncertainty increases. There are three ways to represent uncertainty - absolute, fractional, and percentage. Common instruments and their precisions include metre rules (1 mm), vernier calipers (0.1 mm), micrometer screw gauges (0.01 mm), and stopwatches (0.01 s). Total uncertainty for multiple instruments equals the sum of individual uncertainties. Experimental errors include random errors from variations and systematic errors from instruments. Taking repeated measurements and averaging can reduce random errors.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 5

    UNIT – 3

    Uncertainty
    Every measuring instrument has some uncertainty. This uncertainty is always added or subtracted
    from the reading that we receive. It means if the measuring instrument has an uncertainty of 0.1
    units, and the reading which is found is 10 units, then the absolute uncertainty is 10±0.1.

    The length of the an object AB is measured by a measuring instrument which has smallest division of
    1cm. The object is placed close to the measuring instrument and parallel to it to minimize
    experimental error.

    Maximum Minimum

    𝑅! = 4 + 1 𝑅! = 4 − 1
    𝑅" = 20 + 1 𝑅" = 20 − 1

    There are two types of readings, the maximum reading and minimum reading.

    𝐿#$% = 𝑅" – 𝑅! = (20 + 1) − (4 − 1) = 18


    𝐿#&' = 𝑅" – 𝑅! = (20 − 1) − (4 − 1) = 14

    The smallest division of a measuring instrument is called precision. If a physical quantity is measured
    by using a measuring instrument, it gives a range of values of measurement rather than a particular
    magnitude. This range depends on the precision of the measuring instrument. Usually, this range is
    equal to twice the smallest division of the measuring instrument. A fraction of the smallest division
    of the measuring instrument cannot be determined using the particular instrument. For a single
    measurement, uncertainty is equal to its precision. As the number of measurement increases,
    uncertainty also increases.
    Uncertainty of measuring instruments can be represented in three different ways:

    1. Absolute uncertainty
    2. Fractional uncertainty
    3. Percentage uncertainty

    Absolute uncertainty

    Absolute uncertainty is represented with unit. For example,

    (𝑥 + 𝛥𝑥) cm or 𝑥 cm ±𝛥𝑥 cm

    Fractional uncertainty

    The ratio of uncertainty and the measured value is called fractional uncertainty. For example,

    2𝑥 ± 3 cm
    ∆%
    %

    Percentage uncertainty

    Fractional uncertainty multiplied by 100 gives the percentage uncertainty.

    Some Common Instruments and Their Precision

    Measuring Instrument Description Precision


    It is suitable for measuring lengths from 0 to
    Metre Rule 1 mm
    1m. For large length, measuring tape is used.
    It is suitable for measuring diameters, and
    Vernier Caliper 0.1 mm
    lengths from 0 to 2.5cm.
    It is suitable for measuring diameters, and
    Micrometer Screw Gauge 0.01 mm
    lengths from 0 to 2.5cm.
    It is used to measure time. A large
    uncertainty is produced due to human
    Stopwatch 0.01 s
    reaction. The average human reaction time
    is 0.25s.
    Protractor It is used to measure angles. 10
    Thermometer It is used to measure temperature. 1 0C
    Uncertainty of Multiple Instruments/Readings

    For Length,

    𝐿! = 𝑎 ± 𝛥𝑎
    𝐿" = 𝑏 ± 𝛥𝑏

    Total Length,
    𝐿!)" = (𝑎 ± 𝛥𝑎) + (𝑏 ± 𝛥𝑏)

    𝐿!)" = (𝑎 + 𝑏) ± (∆𝑎 + ∆𝑏)

    𝐿!)" = 𝐿* ± ∆𝐿

    Difference between lengths,

    𝐿!+" = (𝑎 ± 𝛥𝑎) − (𝑏 ± 𝛥𝑏)

    𝐿!+" = (𝑎 − 𝑏) ± (∆𝑎 + ∆𝑏)

    𝐿!+" = 𝐿* ± ∆𝐿

    For Area,

    Area,
    𝐴 = (𝑥 ± 𝛥𝑥)(𝑦 ± 𝛥𝑦)
    𝐴 = 𝑥𝑦 ± 𝑥𝛥𝑦 ± 𝑦𝛥𝑥 ± 𝛥𝑥𝛥𝑦
    𝐴 = 𝑥𝑦 ± (𝑥𝛥𝑦 + 𝑦𝛥𝑥 + 𝛥𝑥𝛥𝑦)
    𝐴 = 𝐴 ± 𝛥𝐴
    Errors

    Experimental Errors

    Reliability of an experiment decreases due to experimental errors. There are two types of
    experimental error.

    Random Error:

    These errors are produced due to variation in performance of instruments or the operator of the
    experiment. During this error, readings are shifted along both side of the actual value.

    Some sources of random error are:

    • Variations of temperature
    • Readings taken under lack of concentration
    • Parallax error

    Random errors can be minimized by:

    • Taking large number of measurements.


    • Producing a best fit curve with graphical method.

    Systematic Error:

    These errors are produced due to measuring apparatuses. For this error, the reading may be shifted
    to a particular side only. The reading will either be increased or decreased from the actual value.
    This error cannot be minimized by taking several readings and calculating average. It can only be
    reduced by using more precise instruments. Thus, systematic error is also known as instrumental
    error.

    Some sources of systematic errors are:

    • Zero error of instrument


    • Poor calibration of instrument
    • Instrumental parallax error
    Some Common Techniques to Improve an Experiment

    • Check zero error of instrument.


    • Repeat the measurement at appropriate position.
    • Different method of measurement should be used.
    • Readings should be taken from eye level to avoid parallax error.
    • Use set square to ensure vertical position where necessary.
    • Using trigonometric calculations to measure angle.
    • All readings must have same precision.
    • Sufficient number of readings should be taken for graph plotting purposes (at least 6 for a
    straight line and 9 for a curve).
    • Each reading should be repeated and the average should be taken.
    • There must be consistent gap between readings.

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