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Measurements

Objectives:

1.1.1. Estimate measurements to the correct level of

accuracy and precision.

1.1.2. Express in metric unit and metric prefix

1.1.3. Estimate the errors base on a measurement.

1.1.4. record lab measurements in an appropriate table

format.

Objective 1.1.1
Precision vs Accuracy

B
-
6

not accurate not precise

Not accurate precise
Accurate not precise
accurate precise

Plotting experimental data graphically

40

Systematic
errors
Systematic errors

Definition
6
m

4.1м
What is accuracy and precision
increase]
precision l
6.24m
Precision

1. the precision of a measurement is the degree to

which repeat measurements under the same conditions
shows the same results.

2. with instruments, the level of precision is the smallest

measurement that the instrument can make. (e.g.
metre, centimetre, millimetre etc.)
Accuracy

1. The accuracy of a measurement system is the

degree of closeness of measrement of a quantity to
that quatity's actual (true) value
Testing our understanding using number value data

I do an experiment to find a value for acceleration

caused by gravity. the true value is 9.81 ms-2.

which is more accurate? which is more precise?

a) Results of experiment are 9.7 ms-2 More accurate -

close to actual results

b) Results of experiment are 6.77546 ms-2 More

precise - result to a greater number of decimal place
r6.253 >00002
AE6.2554
B-16.25 12.05s

Class activity #1

See activity in google classroom

Objective 1.1.2

Metric Prefixes

this is a conversion system that is base on the power of

x10.

we will study this system in our next class

Assignment #1
look up the metric system of measuremnt and what
each prefixes in the system means (range 10^9 to 10^-
9)

research what is scientific notation

Objective 1.1.3.

Errors

this is the deviation of a measured value from the true

value of a measureble quantities.

Eg.

a man ask 2 carpenters to make a table of demension

16.85 cm length by 8.50 cm width.

Each carpenters results are as follow

Carpenter A - length 16cm

width 8cm
carpenter B - length 16.8 cm
width - 8.5cm
As a physics students you are aske to determine what
percentage error each carpenter made to advice the
man which is the better buy
Answer

step 1. make note of what you know

Actual deminisions : L = 16.85cm

W= 8.50cm - 16.85 cm

18.50cm

carpenter A design
16 cm
l
Dimensions: L: 16 cm
W: 8 cm
8cm
Carpenter B design
Dimensions: L- 16.8 cm
W - 8.5 cm

16.8cm
le

18.5cm

Step 2: Determine the formula's needed

Error = True Value - Accepted value

% Error = Error / True value * 100 Step 3.

a) Calculate the degree error for each person b)
calculate the percentage error for each person and
compare the two.
Carpenter A
Carpenter B

Degree of error
Degree of error

Error = True value - accepted value

Error = True value - accepted value

Error = 16.85 cm - 16 cm
Error = 16.85 cm - 16.8 cm

= 0.85cm
= 0.05cm

% Error = Error / Actual value * 100

% Error = Error / Actual value * 100

% Error = 0.85 cm / 16.85 cm * 100

% Error = 0.85 cm / 16.85 cm * 100

= 5.0 %
= 0.3 %

Final Answer
Percentage error of Carpenter A = 5.0% while that of
carpenter B = 0.3%. since carpenter B have a much
smaller percentage error margin there for carpenter b is
both more accurate in hsi work as well as more precise.
He is the better choice.
Types of Errors

Errors can be divided into three categories:

Personal errors

Systematic Error

Random Error
Personal Errors

This is the error of the person using the instruments.

such as incorrect reading, incorrect recording, incorrect
observation, not a perfect use of equipment etc. This
type of error can be removed by avoiding this bias.

Systematic Errors
This type of error arises due to a fault in the measuring
instrument.

This type of error can be removed by selecting a

suitable instrument for particular measurement
application.

Random Errors

This type of error may arise due to external condition

which are at a certain time beyond the control of the
experimenter.

Example: change in temperature, humidity, wind and

voltage etc.