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Any instrument with which you measure can only have a finite degree of specificity, and you will always have error within that degree of specificity.

For example, using a meter stick that includes centimeters and millimeters, and the human eye a person can measure the length a stick, and by looking at the millimeter marks decide if the length is closer to 3.4 centimeters or 3.3 centimeters. In actuality, the length is something in between, but the person can only report what they see, so if the end of the stick is closer to 3.4 than 3.3, they will say 3.4. In this case, the error is .05 cm (or .5 mm) because you can only detect lengths as being more or less than halfway between two mm marks.

A better ruler might have marks between the mm marks. You could imagine someone with really great vision who could see .1 mm on this special ruler. So they might be able to tell that the stick is closer to 3.43 cm than 3.44 cm, but that's as precise of a decimal as they could report, because the measuring instrument (the ruler) only includes marks for .1 mm (or .01 cm). The maximum error in this case would be .005 cm (or .05 mm) because the person can tell the stick is less than halfway between 3.43 and 3.44, but cannot decipher more than that.

Any measuring instrument, not jut rulers, comes with a finite level of specificity. The maximum error is half of that level of specificity. A scale that reports weight only in whole pounds would have maximum error of .5 lbs, while a scale that reports weight in tenths of a pound would have a maximum error (or uncertainty of measurement) of .05 lbs.

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How do you calculate uncertainty?

There are several ways to calculate uncertainty. You can round a decimal place to the same place as an uncertainty, put the uncertainty in proper form, or calculate uncertainty from a measurement.


Does a measurement of 23.56mL has more uncertainty than a measurement of 23.5mL?

No, its more certain than 23.5 mL


What is a doubt or uncertainty in measurement?

Basically your uncertainty is the innaccuracy or your measurement. For instance if you had a yard ruler that was marked only in inches and the length of the object you were measuring lied somewhere between 12 and 13 inches; you could state that the objects length is 12 1/2 inches ± 1/2 inch. The ± 1/2 part is your uncertainty, it means the measurement could be either 1/2 inch longer or shorter than your stated measurement.


What is zero correction?

the correction which is made to get correct measurement after zero error


How do you calculate the uncertainty of data?

When involving in scientific experiments, it is very important to make measurement. In each and every measurement we take, say a length, time, angle etc. we have to use a particular instrument. As every instrument has a least count (also known as the minimal reading), there will be an uncertainty left. As an example, consider a measurement using a vernier caliper as at 10.00 cm, there will be an error of 0.01cm. If we do the same measurement by a meter ruler, there'll be an error of 0.1 cm, or 1 mm. Therefore the uncertainty of a particular measurement is dependent on the instrument it has been taken. As a convention we take the 1/2 of the least count for analog instruments and the least count for digital instruments as its uncertainty.

Related Questions

How can one determine the relative uncertainty in a measurement?

To determine the relative uncertainty in a measurement, you can calculate the ratio of the uncertainty in the measurement to the actual measurement itself. This ratio gives you a percentage that represents the level of uncertainty in the measurement.


How to find the uncertainty in a measurement?

To find the uncertainty in a measurement, you need to consider the precision of the measuring instrument and the smallest unit of measurement it can detect. This uncertainty is typically expressed as a range around the measured value, indicating the potential error in the measurement.


What is a zero error in an instrument?

A zero error in an instrument occurs when the instrument does not read zero when there is no input or measurement applied to it. This can lead to inaccuracies in measurements as the instrument's zero point is not aligned correctly. Zero errors need to be corrected to ensure accurate readings.


What is the ISO formula for calculating the uncertainty of a measurement?

The ISO formula for calculating the uncertainty of a measurement is U k SD, where U is the uncertainty, k is the coverage factor, and SD is the standard deviation.


How do you calculate uncertainty?

There are several ways to calculate uncertainty. You can round a decimal place to the same place as an uncertainty, put the uncertainty in proper form, or calculate uncertainty from a measurement.


What is the percent uncertainty for the measurement given as 4.19m?

When giving the result of the measurement, its important to state the precision or estimated uncertainty, in the measurement. The percent uncertainty is simply the radio of the uncertainty to the measured value, multiplied by 100. 4.19m take the last decimal unit, is 9 but with value of 1/100 .01 is the uncertainty Now, .01/4.19 x 100 % = 0.24%


Why is uncertainty of measurement important?

Uncertainty of measurement is important because it provides a way to understand the limitations of a measurement, allowing for a more accurate interpretation of the data. It helps to quantify the range of values within which the true value of a measurement is likely to lie. By knowing the uncertainty, decision-makers can make informed choices based on the reliability of the measurement.


What is the 1 sigma uncertainty associated with the measurement of this keyword?

The 1 sigma uncertainty is a measure of the range within which the true value of the measurement is likely to fall.


How do you indicate uncertainty in a measurement?

You can indicate uncertainty in a measurement by reporting the measurement value along with an estimated error margin or range. This can be expressed as a ± value or a range within which the true value is likely to fall with a certain level of confidence. Additionally, using significant figures to reflect the precision of the measurement can also convey uncertainty.


How does quantum uncertainty differ from the uncertainty involved in a coin flip?

Quantum uncertainty is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, wherein certain properties of particles cannot be precisely determined simultaneously. In contrast, the uncertainty involved in a coin flip is related to the outcome of the random event and is typically attributed to insufficient information or control over the initial conditions of the coin flip.


Does a measurement of 23.56mL has more uncertainty than a measurement of 23.5mL?

No, its more certain than 23.5 mL


What is the zero error and the reading uncertainty (error) for a meter rule?

The zero error for a meter rule is when the ruler's zero marking is not aligned with the starting point of the measurement scale. The reading uncertainty for a meter rule can typically be within ±0.5 mm due to parallax errors or imperfections in the ruler.