Error Analysis
Expressing uncertainty in
measurements of physical
properties
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Types of Errors
•
Systematic Errors
–
All Errors in Same Direction
–
Instrumental bias
–
Misreading/misuse of instrument
– Miscalibration
– Contamination
•
Random Errors
–
Errors in Different Directions
–
Intrinsic limitations of instrument/measurement sensitivity
–
Limitations of ability to interpret output
–
Mechanical/electronic limitations –e.g., stability
•
Model Errors
–
Flawed assumption in experimental design
Examples
•
Balance not tared
•
Reading wrong scale on gauge
•
Determine molar mass (MM) of a gas from
the relationship MM = (m/V)(RT/P)
•
Stopwatch timing of events
•
Unsuspected background peak in
spectrum
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