Types of Errors
An error in measurement is the difference between the actual value of the quantity being
measured and the value obtained from the reading.
Errors can be classified as either:
Random Errors- these are due to limitations on the part of the experimenter. Two persons asked
to read an instrument will most likely produce different readings. Example if I ask A and B to
record the period of a simple pendulum using a stopwatch or read the meniscus from a measuring
cylinder. The reading they see depends on their experience and skill in using the instrument.
Examples of Random Errors are Parallax errors and reaction errors.
Parallax Error-Parallax is the change in the apparent position of an object when the position of
the observer changes. A parallax error occurs when the experimenter looks at a reading at an
incorrect angle.
Reaction Error- Reaction or response time is the time it takes for a person to see, hear, touch
smell or hear something, process the encounter in their mind and respond to it. Reaction Error
occurs when an experimenter responds too fast or too slow to an encounter.
Example: time interval
Random errors can be reduced by taking repeated measurements and finding the average.
Systematic Errors- these are due to built-in defects within the instrument.
Example is the Zero Error
The zero error is caused when the instrument fails to display zero when it is supposed to i.e when
it is empty. This error is corrected by zeroing the instrument.
Taking multiple readings has no effect on systematic errors. They are corrected by either fixing
the fault in the instrument or replacing the instrument.
Measuring Instruments
A measuring instrument is a device used for the measurement of a physical quantity. Measuring
Instruments can either be analogue or digital.
Analogue Instruments- are instruments with markings or graduations along them and they are
said to be calibrated devices.
Digital Instruments- these have no markings or graduations, but instead they use digital scales.
The reading on digital devices appear on digital monitors or screens.
The ‘limits of error’ or the ‘limits of uncertainty’, of a reading are plus or minus one-half of the
degree of precision of the instrument used to take the reading.
Measuring Instrument Degree of Precision Limits of Uncertainty
Ruler 1 mm
Clock 1 second
Vernier Caliper 0.1 mm
Micrometer Screw Gauge 0.01 mm
Triple Beam Balance 0.1 g
An instrument gives reading accurately to the nearest “degree of precision”
The Vernier Caliper
Consists of the main scale which is calibrated to the nearest mm and can give to about and over
100 mm = 10 cm. The sliding scale has ten equal intervals, each measuring 0.1 mm
The Micrometer Screw Gauge
Consists of the stem/sleeve is graduated in ½ mm. The barrel/ thimble has 50 equal
measurements, each measuring 0.01 mm.
Triple Beam Balance