Error Analysis

Error - Uncertainty in any measurement.

Types of Error :
1. Systematic Error
• It is due to the instruments used for measurement. Hence the reason for
error is known.
Eg. Zero error, bench error, etc.
2. Random Error
• The reason for this error is unknown. But it may be due to following
conditions :
• Change in experimental conditions
• Personal error

Steps for Finding Random Error :

1. Find mean value.
2. Find absolute error in each measurement.
ΔXn = xx̅ - Xn
3. Find Mean Absolute error
( lΔX1l + lΔX2l + lΔXnl ) / n
4. Fractional error
Mean Absolute error / mean
5. Percentage error
Fractional error x 100%

Precision - how close your measured value are with each other
- random error
Accuracy - how close your measured value is to the target
- systematic error
Absolute error - raw uncertainty or precision of your measurement
- (±) number

Addition and Subtraction

X ± ΔX Absolute
Measured error
Value

X=a+b
(X ± ΔX) = (a ± Δa) + (b ± Δb)
ΔX = Δa + Δb

+(±) = +
-(±) = ±

Multiplication and Division

X = a x b or a/b
(X ± ΔX) = (a ± Δa) x (b ± Δb) or (a ± Δa) / (b ± Δb)
ΔX = aΔb ± bΔa
ΔX/X = (aΔb ± bΔa)/ab
 ΔX/X = Δb/b + Δa/a

Exponent
ΔX/X = mΔa/a + nΔb/b
where m and n are exponents
Uncertainty of Gradient and Intercepts
1. Draw the best fit line
2. Draw the error bar ( uncertainty ) on first and last points
3. Connect the bottom of first point to the top of last point
4. Connect the top of first point to bottom of last point

Mbest ± ΔM = Mbest ± [( Mmax - Mmin ) / 2] —> slope &

uncertainty
Bbest ± ΔB = Bbest ± [( Bmax - Bmin ) / 2] —> intercept &
uncertainty

B = intercept
M = gradient
Line that’s on top is max line
Line that’s on the bottom is min line

Question :
• In the measurement of thickness of a glass block, following readings
were taken :
Find the percentage error.
2.56 cm
2.55 cm
2.53 cm
2.55 cm
2.57 cm
1. 2.56 + 2.55 + 2.53 + 2.55 + 2.57 = 12.76 / 5 = 2.552 = 2.55 cm
2. 2.55 - 2.56 = -0.01
2.55 - 2.55 = 0
2.55 - 2.53 = 0.02
2.55 - 2.55 = 0
2.55 - 2.57 = -0.02
3. 0.01 + 0 + 0.02 + 0 + 0.02 = 0.05 / 5 = 0.01
4. 0.01 / 2.55 = 3.921568627 x 10^-3
5. 3.921568627 x 10^-3 x 100% = 0.39%

• In measurement of time period of simple pendulum, following readings

were taken :
Find percentage error in time period.
1.5 s
1.4 s
1.3 s
1.4 s
1.2 s
1. 1.5 + 1.4 + 1.3 + 1.4 + 1.2 = 6.8 / 5 = 1.36 = 1.4 s
2. 1.4 - 1.5 = -0.1
1.4 - 1.4 = 0
1.4 - 1.3 = 0.1
1.4 - 1.4 = 0
1.4 - 1.2 = 0.2
3. 0.1 + 0 + 0.1 + 0 + 0.2 = 0.4 / 5 = 0.1
4. 0.1 / 1.4 = 0.07142857143
5. 0.07142857143 x 100% = 7.1%