Uncertainty/Error in Measurement Year 11 Chemistry R. Slider

Uncertainty and Error All experimental measurements contain some amount of uncertainty because we are limited by the precision of the instruments that we are using. Error in measurement is introduced when instruments are calibrated incorrectly or used incorrectly.

Random vs. Systematic Random UncertaintiesSystematic Error Random uncertainty comes from fluctuations in measurements that can be greater or less than the actual result. These often stem from the limitations of the equipment being used or limitations of the experimenter (e.g. how precisely you can read a scale) These errors can never be eliminated completely, but can be reduced by using repeats Systematic error always affects the measurement in one direction only These are due to either flaws in an instrument that is calibrated incorrectly (giving readings that are too high for example) or from experimenter error such as in parallax error where, for example, the readings are consistently too low These are reduced by good experimental design

Reporting Uncertainty Analogue instrumentsDigital instruments Instruments such as thermometers and measuring cylinders have various divisions and we can estimate an additional digit between those divisions. The uncertainty of an analogue scale is up to +/- half of the smallest division. 20% of the smallest unit is also commonly used, but is up to the investigator to decide and justify. Digital readouts such as electronic balances have various precision levels or resolutions. The uncertainty of a digital scale is +/- the smallest scale division because the last digit is uncertain

Precision and Accuracy PrecisionPrecision refers to how close repeated measurements are to one another (has the least uncertainty/random errors) AccuracyAccuracy refers to how close a value is to an accepted (true) value. Small systematic errors lead to accurate measurements.

Precision and Accuracy Example: Two groups are determining the gas constant value (8.314 J/mol K). Results are: Group A: 8.537; 8.487; 8.598; 8.492; (Avg=8.517) Group B: 8.13; 7.94; 8.44; 8.54; 8.22 (Avg =8.25) Which group is more precise? Group A (less variation/uncertainty) Which group is more accurate? Group B (closer to accepted value)

Significant Figures Significant figures (s.f.) establish the precision of a number. The rules: 1.All non-zero numbers are ALWAYS significant (e.g. 1, 2, 3...) 2.Zeroes between 2 non-zero or 2 significant numbers are ALWAYS significant. 3.Zeros used to locate a decimal point (placeholders) are NOT significant 4.Zeroes which are SIMULTANEOUSLY to the right of the decimal point AND at the end of the number are ALWAYS significant 5.The last significant figure on the right is the one which is somewhat uncertain For operations: When adding/subtracting, the number of digits to the right of the decimal is the same as the number with the fewest digits to the right When multiplying/dividing, the number of s.f. in the answer is the same as the least number of s.f. in any of the original numbers.

Significant Figures Examples Determine the number of s.f. in each of these numbers and the rule # that led you to that conclusion. Tabulate results. a)48,923 b)3.967 c) d) e) f) g)3,000,000 h)10.0

Significant Figures Examples Number# Significant figuresRule 48, , , , ,2,4 3,000,000unspecified1, ,2,4

Absolute and % Uncertainty Once you have determined the uncertainty of a single measurement (as a ± value) you can easily determine % uncertainty. For example: You determine the mass of a sample to be ±0.01g. Your absolute uncertainty is 0.01g and % uncertainty = (o.o1÷24.56) x 100 = o.04%

Propagating uncertainty When multiple readings are combined, the following rules apply: 1.Addition/subtraction – add the absolute uncertainties 2.Multiplication/division – add the % uncertainties 3.Exponents – multiply the exponent by the % uncertainties

Exercises 1. Find the % uncertainty of the following: a.25.0 ml ± 0.5 b C ± Find the absolute and percentage uncertainties of the following, expressing your answer with the correct number of significant figures. a.(5.3 ± 0.2) + (3.2 ± 0.2) b.(8.45 ± 0.05) - (0.015 ± 0.001) c.[(3.2 ± 0.2) – (1.6 ± 0.1)] ÷(7.43 ± 0.05) Find more practice problems in your text book, pp