54 Facts About Experimental Error


Facts about experimental error
1.     Measurement errors mean deviation from actual result.
2.     Error in interpretation occur because some factors considered negligible may not be negligible.
3.     No matter how precise an experiment may be, values interpreted may be incorrect because some theories are over-idealized.
4.     Error in measurement occurs because some tools may alter the value of parameter to be measured.
5.      Inappropriate tools of measurement tools may cause experimental errors.
6.     Error can be classified into random, erratic and systematic error.
7.     Measurement at atomic level is limited due to the facts that small interaction can alter the whole system.
8.     It is advisable to use potentiometer to measure circuit p.d instead of voltmeter.
9.     A micrometer screw gauge may alter the diameter of thin wire when used.
10.                             Error should be look and corrected except where it is practically impossible.
11.                             Wrong calibration of   scale can lead to error.
12.                             Error due to calibrations of scale can be corrected by addition or subtraction.
13.                             It is advisable to use travelling microscope to measure diameter of thin wire.
14.                             Experimental error can be corrected by adding, subtracting multiplying or dividing by a whole number or fraction.
15.                             Wrong use of value of standards can lead to lead to overall increase or decrease in final result , that’s a systematic error
16.                             Faults in instrument can lead to recurring error in the measurement, that’s a systematic error.
17.                             Systematic error increase or decrease the overall value.
18.                             Using alternative method or instrument can reduce error.
19.                             Comparing measured value with theoretically predicted values can help check experimental error.
20.                             Random errors are difficult to eliminate because they occur irregularly.
21.                             Inhomogeneity of materials measured can lead o random error.
22.                             Irregularities in shape of materials can lead to error.
23.                              Random error seems to be systematic in a sufficiently large number of readings.
24.                             Erratic errors are accidental errors that occur once in a while.
25.                             Erratic errors occur due one or two mistake in the cause of the experiment.
26.                             Erratic errors are not always common in an experiment.
27.                             Erratic errors are mostly very large.
28.                             Large electrical or magnetic interference can cause erratic error.
29.                             Miscounting of period of pendulum oscillation, arithmetical mistake can cause erratic.
30.                             Faulty electrical contacts can lead to error.
31.                             Accuracy of measurement means closeness to exact value.
32.                             Accuracy means absent of systematic error
33.                             Precision of measurement means absence of random and erratic error.
34.                             No systematic error means reliability of experiment final result.
35.                             No random and erratic error means reliability of measurement method.
36.                             The closeness of experiment result to exact value is a measure of accuracy.
37.                             The standard of experiment is a measure of the precision of the techniques of measurement.
38.                             Experimental errors can be represented as either estimated standard or maximum error.
39.                             Estimated maximum error gives the outside value an error will lie.
40.                             Maximum error gives two values one very high and one very low.
41.                             Standard error is the root mean square error that will occur in large number of measurement.
42.                             Random error varies from one measurement to another.
43.                             Miscounting of number of oscillation of a pendulum can lead to erratic error.
44.                             Erratic errors are easy to correct.
45.                             Repeating measurement and using alternate tools can help check error.
46.                             Difference between two measured values are said to be significant if their difference is greater than the sum of their standard error.
47.                             Ensure all precautions are taken
48.                             In experiment involving pendulum ensure that air resistance are checked
49.                             Environmental factors like temperature may affect measurement.
50.                             Always re-zero instrument before using them.
51.                             Ensure all pointing instrument are stable and at equilibrium before taking your readings. E.g. thermometer.
52.                             Misreading a scale, forgetting a digit in reading, recording wrong values amount to erratic error.
53.                             Random errors are caused by unknown and unpredictable change in experiment.
54.                             Avoid zero setting error by ensuring instrument measures zero point when quantity measures zero.

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