Uncertainty in Measurement

p4, Figure R.3

Person

Result of Measurement

1
2
3
4
5

20.15 mL
20.14 mL
20.16 mL
20.17 mL
20.16 mL

Uncertainty in Measurement
These results show that the first three
numbers (20.1) remain the same regardless of
who makes the measurement; these are called
certain digits. (p5, 3)
The digit to the right of the 1 must be
estimated and therefore varies; it is called an
uncertain digit.

Reporting a Measurement
We customarily report a measurement by
recording all the certain digits plus the first
uncertain digit. (p5, 3)
In our example it would not make any sense
to try to record the volume of thousandths of
a milliliter, because the value for hundredths
of a milliliter must be estimated when using
the buret.

Uncertainty in Measurement
A measurement always has some degree of
uncertainty. (p5, 4)
The uncertainty of a measurement depends on
the precision of the measuring device.

Grapefruit 1
Grapefruit 2

Bathroom Scale

Balance

1.5 lb
1.5 lb

1.476 lb
1.518 lb

Significant Figures
Measurement = certain digits + the first
uncertain digit (the estimated number) (p5,
r3)
These numbers are called the significant
figures of a measurement.

Uncertainty in the Last Number

The uncertainty in the last number (the
estimated number) is usually assumed to be
1 unless otherwise indicated. (p5, r2)
The measurement 1.86 kilograms can be
taken to mean 1.86 0.01 kilograms.

Precision and Accuracy

Two terms often used to describe the
reliability of measurements are precision and
accuracy. (p6, 2)
Accuracyrefers to the agreement
of a particular value with the true value.

Precision and Accuracy

Precisionrefers to the degree of
agreement among several measurements of
the same quantity. (p6, 2)
Precision reflects the reproducibility
of a given type of measurement.

Precision and Accuracy

p6, Figure R.4

Low accuracy

Low accuracy

High accuracy

Low precision

High precision

High precision

Error
Random erroroccurs in
estimating the value of the last digit of a
measurement. (p6, 3)
Systematic erroroccurs in the
same direction each time; it is either always
high or always low.

10

Error
p6, Figure R.4

Large random

Small random

Small random

Large systematic No systematic

11

Average
In quantitative work, precision is often used
as an indication of accuracy.
We assume that the average of a series of
precise measurements (which should
average out the random errors) is accurate,
or close to the true value.
This assumption is valid only if systematic
errors are absent.

12

Significant Figures and Calculations

Calculating the final result for an experiment
usually involves adding, subtracting,
multiplying, or dividing the results of
various types of measurements. (p7, r2)
We have developed rules for counting the
significant figures in each number and for
determining the correct number of
significant figures in the final result.

13


pp7-8


1.
0.00000025
2. 1008

14


p8, 1
3.

100
100.00
2
1.00 10

100.

15

Exact Numbers
p8, 1
3
1 in = 2.54 cm
Exact Number

16

Round Off
p9, 4

4.348 4.3
4.348 4.35 4.4

17


p9, 1

4.56 1.4 = 6.384 6.4

18


p9, 1

12.11

18.0

+) 1.013

31.123 31.1

19