2.1 Systematic Errors And Random Errors

Question 1

What is an error?

Answer 1

• a mistake or wrongdoing

Question 2

What are random errors?

Answer 2

• caused by unknown and unpredictable changes during the experiment e.g. Environmental conditions or changes in equipment

Question 3

Example of random errors

Answer 3

• variable heating in circuits causing variations in the current
• unexpected large extension of a metal wire due to fault in structure

Question 4

What is a systematic error?

Answer 4

• an error that doe snot happen by chance but by an inaccuracy in the apparatus used or the person collecting results

Question 5

What is a zero error?

Answer 5

• a type of systematic error caused when an instrument is not properly calibrated or adjusted and so gives a non-zero value when the true value is zero

Question 6

Examples of systematic errors?

Answer 6

• faulty instruments

- instruments used wrongly by person