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25 views8 pages

Module 3

Uploaded by

lalallywonzue
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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GENERAL PHYSICS 1

Name: Grade Level:


Date: Score:

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET 3


Experimental Errors and Uncertainty
Background Information for the Learners (BIL)
No physical quantity can be measured with perfect certainty; there are
always errors in any measurement. This means that if we measure some
quantity and, then, repeat the measurement, we will almost certainly measure
a different value the second time.

Types and Sources of Experimental Errors

When scientists refer to experimental errors, they are not referring to


what are commonly called mistakes, blunders, or miscalculations. Sometimes
also referred to as “illegitimate”, “human”, or “personal” errors, these types of
errors can result from measuring a width when the length should have been
measured. Experimental errors, on the other hand, are inherent in the
measurement process and cannot be eliminated simply by repeating the
experiment no matter how carefully.

There are two types of experimental errors: systematic errors and random
errors.

Random Errors and Systematic Errors

In physics, error does not mean mistake. It means uncertainty in physical


measurements. Thus, error analysis is the study of uncertainty in physical
measurements. If you were to count the number of desks in your classroom,
you would obtain an exact value. But if you were to measure the length of your
room using a tape measure, your measurement would be an approximation.
All experimental uncertainty is due to either random errors or systematic
errors.
Systematic errors are errors caused due to the error in the instrument, and
usually can be corrected by simple calculation of improved experiment
technique.
These effects result from:
• an incorrectly adjusted measuring instrument (such as stopwatch that
runs too fast and so give greater time)
• use of an instrument that has a zero error. That is, it does not read zero
for zero measurements (such as an ammeter used to measure current)
the needle may point to 0.1, even when not connected in a circuit.

Other examples of systematic error are the following:


(1) a meter ruler with worn ends,
(2) a dial instrument with a needle that is not properly zeroed, and
(3) human reaction time that is always either too late or too early.

Example 1:
The cloth tape measure that you use to measure the length of an
object had been stretched out from years of use. (As a result, all of your
length measurements were too small), hence thee is systematic error.

Common sources of systematic errors are faulty calibration of measuring


instruments, poorly maintained instruments, or faulty reading of instruments by
the user. A common form of this last source of systematic error is called
“parallax error” which results from the user reading an instrument at an angle
resulting in a reading which is consistently high or consistently low.

Random (irregular or accidental error) are errors of observation which


measurement is just as likely to be larger or smaller than the true or accepted
value. Random error occurs when the same quantity is measured several times
and is estimated to the nearest division on a measuring instrument and or
measuring instrument not being particularly sensitive.
Imagine a student using a stopwatch to measure the time for a pendulum
for ten complete swings. Assuming that the students have a good reaction time,
the measurements may be slightly high on some trials and slightly low in others.
In other words there will be a variation in results about an average value.

Example 2:
You measure the mass of a ring three times using the same
balance and get slightly different values: 17. 46 g, 17.42 g, 17.44 g, the
differences of masses are the random errors.

Common sources of random errors are problems estimating a quantity


that lies between the graduations (the lines) on an instrument and the inability
to read an instrument because the reading fluctuates during the measurement.

Learning Competency:
Differentiate random errors from systematic errors (STEM_GP12EU-Ia-3)
Activity 1. GIVING EXAMPLES!
Directions: List down at least three (3) examples of Random and Systematic
errors.

Random:
1.

2.

3.

Systematic:
1.

2.

3.

Activity 2. COMPARE ME NOT!

Directions: Using a Venn diagram compare and contrast Systematic and


Random Errors
Activity 3. GIVE ME THE SOURCE!

Directions: Identify the different sources of Random and Systematic Errors

RANDOM ERROR SYSTEMATIC ERROR

S S
O O
U U
R R
C C

Activity 4. RESEARCH TIME!


How to reduce systematic and random errors?
Activity 5. RANDOM ERRORS AND SYSTEMATIC ERRORS

A. Choose the correct answer. Write your answer on the blank before the
number.
1. Which type of errors occurs in measurements of temperature due to
poor thermal contact between the thermometer and the substance
whose temperature is to be found?
a. systematic errors
b. random errors
c. both systematic and random errors
d. neither systematic nor random errors
2. Which type of errors occurs in the fluctuations in line voltage,
temperature, or mechanical vibrations of equipment?
a. systematic errors
b. random errors
c. both systematic and random errors
d. neither systematic nor random errors
3. Which of the following are examples of systematic errors?
I. Weighing a precipitate on an electronic balance.
II. Consistently reading burette volumes from the top of meniscus.
III. Using an incorrectly labelled standard solution in a titration.
a. I and II only
b. I, II, and III
c. II and III only
d. I and III only
4. Which kind of error is parallax error or the viewing consistently from
the wrong angle for all readings?
a. systematic errors
b. random errors
c. both systematic and random errors
d. neither systematic nor random errors
5. Which of the following statements about systematic errors is false?
a. Repeating an experiment many times and averaging the result
minimizes systematic error and increases accuracy.
b. Systematic errors always bias the result in the same direction.
c. Systematic errors may be associated with technique or equipment.
d. Poorly calibrated instruments may be cause of systematic errors.
SUMMARY

• All experimental uncertainty is due to either random errors or systematic


errors.
• Systematic errors are errors caused due to the error in the instrument,
and usually can be corrected by simple calculation of improved
experiment technique.
• Random (irregular or accidental error) are errors of observation which
measurement is just as likely to be larger or smaller than the true or
accepted value.

Reflection:

1. I learned that

2. I enjoyed most on _

3. I want to learn more on


_
References:

Arevalo, Ryan L. General Physics 1: Diwa Learning


System Inc., 2007. Quexbook Appl General Physics 1

John R. Taylor, An Introduction to Error Analysis: The


Study of Uncertainties in Physical Measurements, 2d
Edition, University Science Books, 1997

Philip R. Bevington and D. Keith Robinson, Data


Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical
Sciences, 2d Edition, WCB/McGraw-Hill, 1992

8
NOTE: Practice personal hygiene protocols at all times

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