Graphical Analysis and Uncertainty of Measurement

Gerald Pacaanas, Benhur Panganiban, Aira Pery, John Benedict Raz

Group?
Friday/ 7-9 pm /OZ309
Physics Department, Adamson University, Ermita, Manila

Abstract
This experiment aims to investigate and reduce the uncertainty of
measurements by measuring the dimension, mass, volume and density of
cylinder and sphere. The results unveiled the margin of doubt in every
measurement. Thus, such uncertainties may come from the measuring
instrument, from the item being measured, from the environment, from the
operator, and from other sources. Moreover, to reduce the risk of making a
mistake, the operator calculated the mean, average deviation and standard
deviation of each dimension for us to get the better estimate we will have of
the true value.

1. Introduction

2. Theory

Every
measurement
is
subject to some uncertainty.
Measurement uncertainties is
the doubt that exists about the
result of any measurement. It
can come from the measuring
instrument, from the item being
measured,
from
the
environment, from the operator,
and from other resources.
Nonetheless, these study aims
to reduce the uncertainty of the
measurements by taking a
number of readings and carrying
out
some
basic
statistical
calculation such as the average
or arithmetic mean, and the
standard deviation for a set of
numbers.

Such uncertainties can be

estimated
by
using
basic
statistical calculation such as
the average or arithmetic mean,
standard deviation and average
deviation for a set of numbers.
Mean
or
Average
represents
the
best
value
obtainable from a series of
observation.
x =

x 1 + x 2+ x n
n

Deviation is the difference

between an observation and the
arithmetic mean.
d= x x /

Average
Deviation
is
a
measure of
the
accuracy of
the

Trial

Cylinder
ho(cm
)

6.40

6.30

6.30

6.40

6.37

a.m
d.m

6.37
.
036
0
.
016
0

hi(cm
)

6.0
7
5.8
3
5.7
0
6.0
5
6.0
5
5.9
3

do(cm
)

Sphe
re
di(cm)

3.70 3.60
3.70 3.50
3.50 3.60
3.80 3.60
3.70 3.60
3.74 3.56

d(cm)

a . d .=

1.90
1.80
1.85
1.90
1.92
1.87
.172

1.3
2

.480 .160

.
590

.
017
9

.
071
6

.0769

observation.

d
n

Standard
Deviation
is
known
from
the theory of
probability that
an arithmetic
mean
computed
from an
equally
observation is
on the average
more accurate
than any one
observation of
n .
1

Table 1.1 Results of Measurement

a. d
n

Where:

m = mass of the
object
v =volume of the object

Volume

V cylinder = r 2o ho r 2i hi
4
V sphere = r 3
3

Density

m
v

3. Methodology
The group used a metal
cylinder, sphere, ruler and platform
balance. Using the ruler, they
measured the dimensions of the
objects five times as well as mass
of the objects measured by
platform
balance.
Then
they
calculated the mean, average
deviation, and standard deviation.
Moreover, from the arithmetic
means, the students computed for
the volume and density of the said
objects.

4. Results and Discussion

This part shows and discusses
the result of the experiment. The
result was shown in the table
below.