Question

EXPERIMEN T 2 Experimental Uncertainty (Error) and Data Analysis T Advance Study Assignment Read the experiment and answer the following questions. I. Do experimental measurements give the true value of a physical quantity? Explain. 2. Distinguish between random (statistical) error and systematic error. Give an example of each. 3. What is the difference between measurement accuracy and precision? Explain the general dependence of these properties on the various types of errors.

Answer 1

No, because any measurement is subject to instrument limitation and experiment errors. All you can do is getting increasingly close to the true value through measurement technique improvement. The main difference b/w systematic and random errors is that random errors lead to fluctuations around the true value as a result of difficulty taking measurements. Ex: - a spring balance might show some variation in measurement due to fluctuations. Loading & un loading Where as systematic errors lead to predictable and consistent departures from true value due to problems with the calibration of your equipment. Ex: If your stop watch shows 100 seconds for an actual time of 99 sec. Accuracy refers to the closeness of a measured value to a standard or known value. Precision refers to the closeness of two (or) more measurements to each other.