Topic: Uncertainty Grade: 11AS
AO1 Knowledge and Understanding
1.3 Errors and uncertainties Candidates should be able to:
1 understand and explain the effects of systematic errors (including zero errors) and random
errors in measurements
2 understand the distinction between precision and accuracy 3 assess the uncertainty in a
derived quantity by simple addition of absolute or percentage uncertainties
NOTES:
There is always a degree of uncertainty when measurements are taken; the
uncertainty can be thought of as the difference between the actual reading
taken (caused by the equipment or techniques used) and the true value
Uncertainties are not the same as errors
o Errors can be thought of as issues with equipment or methodology that
cause a reading to be different from the true value
o The uncertainty is a range of values around a measurement within which
the true value is expected to lie, and is an estimate
For example, if the true value of the mass of a box is 950 g, but a systematic
error with a balance gives an actual reading of 952 g, the uncertainty is ±2 g
These uncertainties can be represented in a number of ways:
o Absolute Uncertainty: where uncertainty is given as a fixed quantity
o Fractional Uncertainty: where uncertainty is given as a fraction of the
measurement
o Percentage Uncertainty: where uncertainty is given as a percentage of
the measurement
To find uncertainties in different situations:
The uncertainty in a reading: ± half the smallest division
The uncertainty in a measurement: at least ±1 smallest division
The uncertainty in repeated data: half the range i.e. ± ½ (largest -
smallest value)
The uncertainty in digital readings: ± the last significant digit unless
otherwise quoted
Example: Find out the following:
1-Absolute uncertainty 2-Fractional uncertainty 3- Percentage uncertainty
Answer:
Absolute Uncertainty (∆I) = ½ X 0.2mA
=0.1mA
I=1.6+-0.1mA
Absolute Uncertainty 0.1
Fractional Uncertainty = = = 1/16 mA
Value 1.6
I=1.6+-1/16mA
Absolute Uncertainty
Percentage Uncertainty % = Value
x 100% = 6.2 % mA
I=1.6+-6.2 % mA
Combining Uncertainties
The rules to follow
Adding / subtracting data – add the absolute uncertainties
Multiplying / dividing data – add the percentage uncertainties
Raising to a power – multiply the uncertainty by the power
Raising to a Power
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Examiner comment
A common mistake was to use cos 68 ° instead of sin 68 ° or to completely omit sin 68° from the
calculation
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Suggested answer:
Value of current is taken as an average value of the two values varies between 3.04 A and 3.08 A.
I = (3.04 + 3.08) / 2 = 3.06 A
Uncertainty for the current is considered in two cases.
One; when the current is not fluctuating or remains constant at 3.06 A which will have an uncertainty
of ±1%.
Uncertainty 1 = ±1% x 3.06 = 0.0306 A
Two; when the current is fluctuating or varies between 3.04 A and 3.08 A where the uncertainty may
be calculated using the half range method as follows.
Uncertainty 2 = (3.08 - 3.02) / 2 = 0.02 A
Thus, the uncertainty is considered in taking into account of both cases where
uncertainty in I = uncertainty 1 + uncertainty 2 = 0.0306 + 0.02 = 0.0506 A = 0.05 A (1sf)
Absolute uncertainty in current is taken in 1 significant figure (sf) as 0.05 A.
I = (3.06 ± 0.05) A
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