1.3-1.4 Scalar N Vector
1.3-1.4 Scalar N Vector
1.3-1.4 Scalar N Vector
120N
45 cm3
40W
Displacement,
AC
Chapter 1
1.4 Measurements
Understanding Measurements
Nature of Measurement
1 Measurements are trials to determine the true value
of a particular physical quantity.
Understanding Measurements
Understanding Measurements
Nature of Measurement
3 No measurement can be absolutely accurate;
there will be some sort of error in a measurement.
Thickness of book
1.5 cm
1.518 cm
1.52 cm
Errors in Measurement
Errors in Measurement
Systematic Errors
1 Systematic errors are cumulative errors
that can be compensated for, if the errors
are known.
Errors in Measurement
Systematic Errors
2 Systematic errors in measurement result from
(a) an incorrect position of the zero point, or known as
zero error, and
Errors in Measurement
Systematic Errors
2 Systematic errors in measurement result from
(a) an incorrect position of the zero point, or known as
zero error, and
(b) an incorrect calibration of the measuring instrument.
Errors in Measurement
Errors in Measurement
Errors in Measurement
Errors in Measurement
Errors in Measurement
Random Errors
Errors in Measurement
Random Errors
Errors in Measurement
Random Errors
3. A parallax error is an error caused by incorrect
positioning of the eye when reading a measurement.
Error = + 0.2ml
Error = + 0.1ml
Error = - 0.1ml
Errors in Measurement
Random Errors
4. If he repeats his reading several times, and takes the
average of the results, he will end up with an answer that
is closer to the true value; but repeating measurements
does nothing at all for the first observer.
Errors in Measurement
Random Errors
5 (a) To avoid parallax errors, the position of the eye
must be in line with the reading to be taken, as in position
C.
Errors in Measurement
Errors in Measurement
5 (b)
Eye
Eye
Consistency/Precision
2 A set of readings from identical instruments will have
a small relative deviation or no deviation from the mean
value.
Consistency/Precision
3 A deviation is the difference between a measured
value and its mean value or the average value.
Average reading of diameter = 3.24 cm
One of the reading = 3.26 cm
Deviation = 3.26 3.24 = 0.02 cm
Consistency/Precision
4 Relative deviation is defined by the
formula below.
Relative deviation =
Average deviation
Average value
x 100%
Consistency/Precision
Example 1
The diameter of an object was measured 5 times using vernier caliper.
The results are 3.14 cm, 3.15 cm, 3.12 cm, 3.09 cm and 3.05 cm.
Calculate the relative deviation.
3.15
3.12
3.09
3.05
Example 1:
0.03 0.04 0.01 0.02 0.06
Mean deviation =
5
Average deviation
Relative deviation =
x 100%
Average value
0.03
3.11
= 0.96%
x 100%
= 0.03 cm
Consistency/Precision
improved by:
(a) eliminating parallax errors during measurement.
Consistency/Precision
improved by:
(b) exercising greater care and effort when taking
readings.
Consistency/Precision
improved by:
(c) using an instrument which is not defective.
Accuracy
1 Accuracy is the degree to which a
measurement represents the actual value.
Gravity = 9.81 ms-2
Experimental value
A = 9.76 ms-2
B = 9.62 ms-2
9.62
9.76 9.81
Accuracy
2 An accurate instrument is able to give
readings close to or almost equal to the actual
value of a quantity.
9.62
9.76 9.81
Closer
Accuracy
3 An instrument with 100% accuracy does not
exist.
Accuracy
4 The error is the difference between the
measured value and the actual or true value
9.62
A.9.76 9.81
Error A = 0.05
Accuracy
5 The level of accuracy is related to the relative
error which is defined as the ratio of the error to
the actual value.
error value
Relative error =
actual value x 100%
B.9.62 A.9.76 9.81
Error A = 0.05
Error B = 0.19
R. Error A =
0.05
x100%
9.81
R. Error B =
0.19
x100% =1.9%
9.81
=0.5%
0.05
x100%
9.81
R. Error B =
0.19
x100% =1.9%
9.81
=0.5%
Accuracy
high
Sensitivity
Sensitivity
Sensitivity
Sensitivity
3 Results:
Ruler A: Length = 4.8 cm
Ruler B: Length = 4.5 cm
Ruler A is more sensitive as it can measure to an accuracy
of 0.1 cm compared to 0.5 cm for ruler B