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15 Systematic and Random Errors

The document summarizes key concepts around systematic uncertainty, random uncertainty, accuracy, precision, and significant figures. It defines systematic and random errors, and explains how they differ in terms of their effect on measurements and their ability to be eliminated. It also distinguishes between accuracy, which measures closeness to the true value, and precision, which measures the closeness of repeated measurements. Finally, it outlines the general rules for determining the number of significant figures in measurements and calculations.

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Samata Luintel
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140 views12 pages

15 Systematic and Random Errors

The document summarizes key concepts around systematic uncertainty, random uncertainty, accuracy, precision, and significant figures. It defines systematic and random errors, and explains how they differ in terms of their effect on measurements and their ability to be eliminated. It also distinguishes between accuracy, which measures closeness to the true value, and precision, which measures the closeness of repeated measurements. Finally, it outlines the general rules for determining the number of significant figures in measurements and calculations.

Uploaded by

Samata Luintel
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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29 th Sep.

2020
Systematic uncertainty and Random uncertainty
Broadly the errors can be categorized into two categories:

Systematic error: Random error


[Link] systematic uncertainty will result in all readings 1. The random uncertainty is scattered around the
being either above or below the accepted value. accepted value so it has both signs ( +ve and –ve)
2. It can’t be removed by taking repeated readings and 2. It can’t be removed completely but can be
averaging it. minimized by taking repeated readings and
3. The cause behind this uncertainty is generally averaging them.
known. 3. The exact cause of it is generally unknown so it
4. It can be eliminated by finding the amount of and sign can’t be eliminated.
of errors. e.g. Zero error, calibration error, parallax error (
if scale reading taken from the same non-normal angle)
e.g. parallax error, reaction time etc.
Accuracy and Precision
Though they appear similar but they are different.

Accuracy Precision
1. Degree to which the measurement 1. Degree to which the measurement approaches
approaches the true value. the mean value of measured data.
2. It is concerned with deviation of true value 2. It is concerned with scattering of measured
from the measured value. values from their average value.
3. It is affected by systematic error 3. It is affected my random error
Example:
Significant figures(S.F.)
• Significant figures are the meaningful digits in measured or calculated
values of any physical quantities.
• Examples: Thickness of a book is (L) = 2 cm.
(i) If meter rule is used, (L) = 2.0 cm ± 0.1𝑐𝑚, L.C.= 0.1 cm ( 2 S.F.)
(all 2 digits are important)
(ii) If Vernier calipers is used,(L) = 2.00 cm ± 0.01𝑐𝑚,
L.C.= 0.01 cm( 3 S.F.)
(all 3 digits are important)
(iii) If Micrometer Screw gauze is used, (L) = 2.000 cm ± 0.001𝑐𝑚,
L.C.= 0.001 cm (4 S.F.)
(all 4 digits are important)
General rules to find the number of Significant figures.
1. All non zero digits are significant figures. E.g. 7825364 ( 7 S.F.)
2. All zeros in between non zero digits are significant figures.
e.g. 12009564 ( 8 s.f.)
3. All zeros to the right of non zero digits are not significant figures. 123000 ( 3 s.f.)
4. All zeros to the right of a decimal point and to the left of non zero
digit are never significant. e.g. 0.0045 ( 2 s.f.)
Click to add text
5. All zeros to the right of the last non zero digits after the decimal
point are significant figures. e.g. 30.00 ( 4 s.f.)
6. All zeros to the right of the last non zero digit are significant , if they come
from a measurement. e.g. 2020 m ( measured nearest to meter has 4 s.f.)
S.F is not changed due to change in units:
2020 m= 2.020 km= 2.020x 105cm = 2.020x 106mm ( All have 4 s.f.)
How to decide the number of significant figures in calculated value.

• Number of S.F. for calculated value is determined, by the least


number of s.f. involved in measured values.
• Example: According to Ohm’s law

𝑉
• R= , measured values V= 10.0 V and I = 5.0 A
𝐼

10.0
• R= = 2.0 Ω ( only2 S.F., as I has two s. f., least number of s.f.)
5.0
Thank you for your patience
and have a good day.

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