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2020/21 Academic Year1st Quarter Physics Lesson Note Two for Grade 11

Uncertainty lies
- Every measurement we take will have an uncertainty associated with it.
- Uncertainty is a doubt in a measurement
True = Measured uncertainity
Value value
Example
The length of a desk is measured as
98.6 0.1cm measuring the length is between 98.5cm and 98.7

Percentage uncertainties
- Is the uncertainty in percentage form
- Is calculated by taking the ratio of uncertainty to the measured value.
Example
What is the percentage uncertainty in the measurement 2.54 0.02cm?

Percentage = x 100% = 0.79%

uncertainty
Exercise
A rectangular plate has a length of (21.3 0.2) cm and a width of (9.8 0.1) cm.
calculate the area of the plate including its uncertainty.

1.1. Errors in measurement

- Measurements always have uncertainties. The uncertainty in every measurement is called
an error. If indicates the maximum difference between true value and measured value.
The error of a measured value depends on the measurement technique used.

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Physics Lesson Note Two for Grade 11

 Types of Errors
Random Error
Are errors that are caused by unpredictable factors often due to environment factors (changes in
temperature and weather conditions).
Random Error can be reliably estimated by taking repeated readings and finding the average
value of the reading.
Systematic error
Systematic error are usually caused by measuring instrument (incorrectly calibrated device) or a
measuring technique, which makes the measured values to be always larger or always smaller
than the actual or true value. Systematic errors cannot be estimated by repeating the experiment
with the same device.
Parallex error
- This error comes from the angle at which an instrument is read.
- Is the apparent shift in the position of an object when it is viewed from different angles when
taking measurements?
Zero error
- Zero error is caused by an instrument giving a nonzero reading for a true zero value.
- This error can easily be corrected by adjusting the pointer on the scale to start on the zero mark.
1.2. Precision, accuracy and significance
Experimental results can be characterized by their precision and their accuracy.
Precision- describes the degree of exactness of a measurement. It depends on the instrument used
to make the measurement. Generally the device that has finest divisions on its scale produces the
most precise measurement.
Accuracy of a measurement is how close the measurement is to the true value of the quantity
being measured. Although it is possible to make precise measurement with an instrument, those
measurements still may not be accurate. The accuracy of a measurement can be indicated by the
number of significant figure, or by a stated uncertainty.
Instrumental precision
The precision of an instrument is given by the smallest scale division on the instrument. A
normal ruler may have a precision of 1mm but a screw gauge micrometer has a precision of
0.01mm.

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Physics Lesson Note Two for Grade 11