1. Measurement

Question 1

Define systematic error.

Answer 1

A systematic error is one that occurs according to some fixed rule or pattern such that they yield a consistent over-estimation or under-estimation of the true value of the measured quantity.

Question 2

Define random error.

Answer 2

A random error is one that occurs without a fixed pattern such that a set of measurements done under the same conditions have an equally likely chance of being greater or less than the true value.

Question 3

Define accuracy.

Answer 3

Accuracy refers to how closely a measured value agrees with the ‘true’ value.

Question 4

Define precision.

Answer 4

Precision refers to how closely individual measurements agree with each other without reference to any ‘true’ value.

Question 5

Define uncertainty.

Answer 5

Uncertainty is an estimate of systematic and/or random errors inherent in the measurement or calculation.

Question 6

Define absolute uncertainty. (Absolute error)

Answer 6

Absolute uncertainty indicates the magnitude of the uncertainty in a quantity in the same units.

Question 7

Define fractional uncertainty.

Answer 7

Fractional uncertainty is the uncertainty of a quantity expressed as a fraction of the quantity.

Question 8

Define percentage uncertainty.

Answer 8

Percentage uncertainty is the fractional uncertainty multiplied by 100% to express the fraction as a percentage.