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Discussion 3

1) All measurements contain uncertainty regardless of who performs them or their profession. 2) Errors in measurements can be random, caused by uncontrolled external factors, or systematic, due to limitations of instruments or experimenters. 3) Accuracy describes how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision describes how consistent repeated measurements are. The most ideal is to have both high accuracy and precision.

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Krisha Delapena
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48 views

Discussion 3

1) All measurements contain uncertainty regardless of who performs them or their profession. 2) Errors in measurements can be random, caused by uncontrolled external factors, or systematic, due to limitations of instruments or experimenters. 3) Accuracy describes how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision describes how consistent repeated measurements are. The most ideal is to have both high accuracy and precision.

Uploaded by

Krisha Delapena
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Uncertainty in

Measurement

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 1


There is no such thing as perfect
measurement. Every
measurement, whether made by a
student or a professional scientist,
contains a certain degree of
uncertainty.

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 2


Measurement and Uncertainty
• Most experiments require scientists to make
measurements.

• Measurements are rarely exactly the same.

• Measurements are always somewhat


different from the “true value.”

• These deviations from the true value are


called errors.
Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 3
• Errors are often classified as:
– Random
– Systematic

www.nabis.govt.nz
Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 4
Random Errors

• Random errors (indeterminate) are


caused by external factors beyond
the control of the experimenter such
as vibrations, noise, changes in
atmospheric pressure and friction.

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 5


Systematic Errors

• Systematic errors (determinate) are


due to the limitations of the
measuring instruments and the skill or
carefulness of the experimenter.

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 6


Precision and Accuracy in
Measurements

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 7


• How to report uncertainty in
measurements?

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 8


Accuracy

 Accuracy – Compares a measurement to


the true value
.
Example: Accuracy

 Who is more accurate when measuring a book


that has a true length of 17.0 cm?
Susan:
17.0 cm, 16.0 cm, 18.0 cm, 15.0 cm

Amy:
15.5 cm, 15.0 cm, 15.2 cm, 15.3 cm
Precision

 Precision = describes how closely


measurements are to each other and
how carefully measurements were
made
 Which set is more precise?
18.2 , 18.4 , 18.35
17.9 , 18.3 , 18.85
16.8 , 17.2 , 19.44
Example: Precision

Who is more precise when measuring the same


17.0 cm book?

Susan:
17.0 cm, 16.0 cm, 18.0 cm, 15.0 cm

Amy:
15.5 cm, 15.0 cm, 15.2 cm, 15.3 cm
Accuracy vs. Precision

High Accuracy High Precision


High Precision Low Accuracy
Can you hit the bull's-eye?

Three
targets with
three
arrows each
to shoot.
How do Both Precise Neither
accurate but not accurate
they
and accurate nor
compare?
precise precise

Can you define accuracy vs. precision?


Exit Quiz: Evaluate whether the
following are precise, accurate or both.

High
Low Accuracy Low Accuracy Accuracy
Low Precision High Precision High
Scientific Data
Scientists always want the
most precise and accurate
experimental data.
The precision and
accuracy are
limited by the
instrumentation
and data gathering
techniques.

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 17


Dealing with Errors
• Identify the errors and their magnitude.

• Try to reduce the magnitude of the


error.

HOW?
– Better instruments
– Better experimental design
– Collect a lot of data

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 18


Bad news…
• No matter how good
you are… there will
always be errors.

• The question is…


How to deal with
them?

STATISTICS

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 19


Using variance, you can
numerically describe the
consistency or precision of
measurements.
Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 20
Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 21
Formula of Variance

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 22


Sample Problem:
• Five of your classmates measured the
diagonal length of the blackboard.
Classmate A measured it as 2.54 m;
classmate B as 2.46 m; classmate C as
2.65 m; classmate D as 2.55 m; and
classmate E as 2.39 m. Find the variance
and standard deviation of the
measurements. Also, express the average
measurement in a form that includes
uncertainty.
Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 23
Solution:

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 24


Solution:
• Then make a table for the calculation of
deviations (x - Ẋ) and the square of
deviations (x - Ẋ)2 for each measurement.
Classmate x (x - Ẋ) (x - Ẋ)2

A 2.54 m 0.022 m 0.000484 m2

B 2.46 m -0.058 m 0.003364 m2

C 2.65 m 0.132 m 0.017424 m2

D 2.55 m 0.032 m 0.001024 m2

E 2.39 m -0.128 m 0.016384 m2


Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 25
Solution:

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 26


Solution:

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 27


Solution:

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 28


Solution:
• Then, you can write the average
measurement in the following form:

• Average measurement = mean ± SEM


• Average measurement = 2.518 ± 0.039 m

Science, Measurement, Uncertainty and Error 29

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