MEASUREMENT AND UNCERTAINTY

A. PRACTICAL PURPOSE

1. Able to use some basic measuring tools

2. Able to determine uncertainty from single and repeat measurements
3. Understanding numbers means

B. BASIC THEORY

1. Introduction

The definition of measurement is the activity of comparing the physical size of

an object or symptom with its unit, using a measuring instrument. Each
measurement is always followed by uncertainty (error). The causes include the
value of the smallest scale (NST) measuring instrument, calibration error, zero
point error, spring error, friction, parallax error, fluctuations in measurement
parameters, environmental conditions in which measurements are made and
observer skills.

Measurement uncertainty affects the true value of a measured quantity. There is

still a small amount of uncertainty, the more meticulous the measurement done
means the closer the value is to the value of the measured amount.

The quality of the measurement results is also influenced by the way in which
the measurement results are delivered. In this guide will be presented how to
deliver measurement results and the uncertainty that accompanies it.

2. The Smallest Scale Value and Nonius

Each measuring instrument has a scale value that cannot be subdivided, this
Scale Value is called the Smallest Scale Value (NST) of the measuring
instrument. The accuracy of the measurements we do depends on this NST. In
Figure 1.1 the scale of a ruler is shown, usually referred to as the main scale.
Figure 1.1 main scale of the bar

The NST seen from the bar is 0.1 unit.

To help a more accurate measurement of some measuring devices such as

caliper and screw micrometers, equipped with a nonius scale. Generally there is
a main scale distribution with a nonius scale, as a result the zero point scale and
the maximum point of the nonius scale coincide with the main scale.

How to read the measurement results on a measuring instrument that has a

nonius scale are as follows:

Suppose the main scale and nonius scale of the measuring instrument are the
main scale (SU) and the nonius scale (SN) and the nonius scale position which
coincides with the main scale is N1 The results of the measurement readings are
searched by the following formula:

1. Result of reading = SU (mm) + Line to, NST (mm)

2. The reading result = SU (mm) + N1 / SN

Steps for measuring measurements with a measuring instrument that has a

nonius

1. Determine the NST of nonius

2. Determine SU and Sn by making the zero point position of the nonius scale
coincide with the main scale before measurement, such as Figure 2a.

Figure 1.2.a The nonius zero point position coincides with the main scale before
measurement

From picture 1.2.a is obtained:

NST = 0.1 unit
SU = 9 and SN = 10

Suppose when measuring nonius scale and nonius scale as shown in figure 2.b.
Observe the results of the main scale reading without nonius then observe the
nonius scale that coincides with the main scale, from here it is obtained N1

Figure 1.2.b The position of the nonius scale when measuring

From Figure 1.2.b, the result of reading the main scale without nonius is 3.1
units and N1 = 7. The result of reading the measurement is

The result of reading :

The result of reading :

(Ramli, 2017: 2-3)

3. Basic measuring instrument

The basic measuring tools that will be studied in this guide are calipers, screw
micrometers, engineering balance, ruler, protractor and stopwatch.

a. Rule

Ruler is a length measuring instrument, such as to measure the length of HVS

paper. The bar only has a main scale. There is a bar that has a measuring limit
of 30cm, 100cm (such as a plastic ruler and metal ruler) and 300 cm (like a
scroll ruler). The main scale on the ruler can be seen in Figure 1.1 above

b. Calipers

The shear term is a measuring instrument for long physical quantities that has a
primary scale and a nonius scale. Figure 1.3. The calipers are used to measure
the length of the test tube, outer diameter, and diameter in the test tube. To
determine the results of the measurement readings from the calipers, the
equation (1.1) above is used

Figure 1.3. Jangka Sorong

c. Micrometer Screw

Screw micrometers also have a main scale and a nonius scale as shown in
Figure 1.4. Screw micrometers are usually used to measure thickness of thin
objects such as thick paper, thick cardboard, and others. To determine the
reading from the screw micrometer, equation (1) above is used.

Figure 1.4 Micrometer Screw Gauge

How to read the Micrometer Screw measurement results

1. Determine the NST micrometer screw

2. Observe the main scale shown, for example N1

3. Observe the nonius scale that coincides parallel to the horizontal line on the
main scale, Suppose N2

So, the measurement results are

N1 + (N2 * NST)

(Tim Fisika Dasar, 2008: 3-4)

d. Technical Balance Sheet

Technical balance sheet is a mass measuring instrument. The technical balance

used in this Guide is the Ohaus type balance: 320 g, or 3610 g. The scheme is
shown in Figure 1.5

In the technical balance sheet type 310 g there are four loads that can be shifted,
namely: 0 to 1 gram; 0 to 100 grams; 0 to 200 grams

(Ramli, 2017: 5)
e. Stopwatch

Stopwatch is a time measurement tool, more precisely the time interval between
two events or physical events observed. The stopwatch can be activated and
deactivated (turned off). When starting something the stopwatch measurement
is activated and after the measurement is complete the stopwatch is deactivated.
The time indicated by the stopwatch is the time interval from our
measurements.

Figure 1.6 Analog stopwatch (left) and digital stopwatch (right)

Stopwatch is divided into two types: analog stopwatch and digital stopwatch.
Analog stopwatches have short needles and long needles. Long needle
movement shows the time in seconds while the short needle shows the time in
minutes. The reader time on the digital stopwatch is immediately read in the
form of a number that appears on the display in the stopwatch body.

Digital stopwatch has better accuracy than an analog stopwatch. Analog

stopwatch has an accuracy of 0.1 seconds while the digital stopwatch has an
accuracy of 0.01 seconds.

For each time you take measurements, the measuring instrument must be
calibrated first

4. Measurement uncertainty

a. Single measurement
If the measurement is done once or single, the measurement results are reported
by:
X = .................. 1.2
With
X: physical quantity measured (eg length, mass time and physical quantity)
X: the number read on the measuring instrument
Ax: absolute uncertainty

Uncertainty Absolute on a single measurement is

Ax = ....... 1.3

b. Repeated measurements
Repeated measurements are more measurements
from one time, but can be distinguished between measurements taken
several times (2 or 3 times) with fairly frequent measurements (10 times
or more. The average measurement value can be reported as X while
the biggest deviation or deviation is reported as ΔX.

Deviation is the difference between each measurement result from the average
value

(Herman, 2014: 10-11)

Repeated measurements will produce a set of data. Therefore the results of

repeated measurements are reported in the following manner:
X = x ...... 1.4
With
X = Average of data collections
AX = Measurement uncertainty
The average of the data set is searched by:
X: the amount of all data / lots of data
....... 1.5
If the measurement is done by the number of repetitions, then the uncertainty is
determined from
....... 1.6
With: Range of data = highest data-lowest data
In the measurement with the number of repetitions often enough uncertainty is
determined by the standard devision (S) and the finished data set
(Ramli, 2017: 7-8)
c. Direct Measurement
Direct measurement is a measurement of a quantity that does not depend on
measurements of other quantities:
Example: Measuring the length of a stick with a crossbar

d. Indirect measurement
Indirect measurement is the measurement of a quantity by comparing it directly
with the reference quantity
(Wirasasmita, 1989: 8-11)

5. Meaningful Numbers
The number means (AB) shows the number of digits that will be reported in the
final result of the measurement. Meaningful number related to Relative Error
(KR). The rule of thumb that connects between KR and AB is
AB
The AB value is rounded according to the rounding rules.

(Tim Fisika Dasar, 2015: 1-8)

Examples of the use of AB in measurement are given in the table below:

Regular value
Writing Results

As for some important number rules, namely:

1. All non-zero numbers are important numbers
2. All zeros located in the last row of numbers written behind the decimal point
are important numbers
3. A zero number that lies between two non-zero numbers is an important
number
4. The zeros used only for the decimal point are not important numbers
(Abadi, 2012: 2)
C. TOOLS AND MATERIALS

Tools:

Rule

Calipers

Micrometer Screw

Neraca Ohauss

Stopwatch (analog and digital)

Material :

Test tube

Aluminum / Cardboard Plate

D. PROCEDURES AND EXPERIMENTS

1. Determine the NST of the measuring instrument below:

a. Rule

b. Janga Sorong

c. Micrometer Screw

d. Neraca Ohauss

e. Stopwatch

And recording the results in Table 1

2. Measuring each one time with the right measuring instrument for objects and
stating the measurement results along with the absolute uncertainty and relative
uncertainty and important numbers used.
a. The length of the term box used

b. Diameter in the test tube

c. Test tube outer diameter

d. Depth of the test tube

e. Aluminum plate thickness

And recording the results in Table 2

3. Measure 5 times for the objects below, and state the measurement results
along with their absolute uncertainty and relative uncertainty and the important
numbers used

a. The length of the slide box

b. Diameter in the test tube

c. Test tube outer diameter

And recording the results in Table 3

4. Measuring 10 times for the objects below, state the measurement results
along with their absolute uncertainties and relative uncertainties and the
important numbers used

a. In the test tube

b. Aluminum plate thickness

And recording the results in Table 4

E. Data Table

Table 1. NST some measuring tools

Measuring instrument

Nst

Rule

Calipers

Screw micrometer

Neraca Ohaus

Stopwatch

Single measurement

Object

The right measuring instrument

NST measuring instrument

Measurement results

Number of important numbers

KM

KR

The length of the slide box

Diameter in the test tube

Test tube outer diameter

Depth of the test tube

Aluminum plate thickness

Table 3 Repeated measurements

Data 1

Measurement object

The length of the slide box

Diameter in the test tube

Test tube outer diameter

Table 4. Repeated measurements

The object being measured

Depth of the test tube

Aluminum plate thickness

F. DATA PROCESSING

G. DISCUSSION

H. FINAL ASSIGNMENT
1. Compare the NST between the ruler, the caliper range and the micrometer
screw. State your conclusions

NST ruler: NST shovel term: NST micrometer screw

1 mm: 0.1 mm: 0.01 mm

So, the micrometer screw is more precise than the slide rule and the calipers.

2. Compare the results of a single measurement with the results of repeated

measurements for the same measurement object, state your conclusions

between single measurements and repeated measurements, which are closer to

accurate or accurate are repeated measurements, because repeated
measurements show many conclusions to consider measurement results and
correct errors that may occur in previous measurements.

3. State the errors that might occur during the measurement

a. Zero point error

b. Parallax error
c. Fluctuating errors
d. Kalibrsi Error
e. There is friction
f. Circumstances

I. CONCLUSION

(gak boleh ada rumus)

REFERENCES

Abadi, Rinawan. 2012. Fisika Dasar. Kiaten: Intan Prawira

Herman, asisten LFD. 2014. Penuntun Praktikum Fisika Dasar 1. Makassar:

Unit Laboratorium Fisika Dasar Jurusan Fisika FMIPA UNM

Ramli, 2017. Penuntun Praktikum Fisika Umum. Padang:UNP

Tim Fisika dasar. 2015. Modul Praktikum Fisika Umum. Padang:UNP

Tim Fisika Dasar. 2008. Mekanika. Padang:UNP

Wirasasmita, Omang. 1989. Pengantar Laboratorium Fisika. Jakarta :

Depdikbud Dirjen Pt

PRELIMINARY TASK ARCHIMEDES

1. Explain why an object dipped in liquid undergoes an upward force!

2. Prove that:

a. If Pb>, then the object sinks

b. If, then the object floats in the fluid

c. If, then the object floats