M2: Experimental Errors

Question 1

is consistent, repeatable error associated with faulty equipment or a flawed experiment design.

Answer 1

systematic error

Question 2

varies within the inherent uncertainty of a measuring device: a meter stick (± 0.05 cm) or human reaction time (at worst ± 0.2 s).

Answer 2

random error

Question 3

TRUE OR FALSE

Errors made in experiments are avoidable and can be reduced.

Answer 3

true

Question 4

in experimental measurements are caused by unknown and unpredictable changes in the experiment

Answer 4

Random errors

Question 5

These changes may occur in the measuring instruments or in the environmental conditions.

Answer 5

Random errors

Question 6

in experimental observations usually come from the measuring instruments.

Answer 6

Systematic errors

Question 7

They may occur because:

there is something wrong with the instrument or its data handling system, or

because the instrument is wrongly used by the experimenter.

Answer 7

Systematic errors

Question 8

can be reduced by repeating the readings.

Answer 8

Random errors

Question 9

can be reduced by calibrating the equipment.

Answer 9

Systematic errors

Question 10

is used when comparing the data gathered from experiments with the accepted or true value.

Answer 10

percentage error

Question 11

%_____= |(𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 −𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆)/(𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆)|(𝟏𝟎𝟎

Answer 11

error

Question 12

does not rely on true value. It compares how the measure values of the same method varies.

Answer 12

Percentage difference

Question 13

%_________= |(𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 −𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆)/(𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆)|(𝟏𝟎𝟎)

Answer 13

difference

Question 14

is the experimenter’s best estimate of how far an experimental measurement might be from the “true value.“

Answer 14

uncertainty

Question 15

Experimental uncertainties should be rounded to ____ significant figure.

Answer 15

one

Question 16

Always round the e________ measurement to the same decimal place as the uncertainty.

Answer 16

experimental

Question 17

in experimental measurements are caused by unknown and unpredictable changes in the experiment.

Answer 17

random errors

Question 18

in experimental observations usually come from the measuring instruments.

Answer 18

systematic errors

Question 19

describes the nearness of a measurement to the standard or true value.

Answer 19

accuracy

Question 20

is the experimenter’s best estimate of how far an experimental quantity might be from the “true value.”

Answer 20

uncertainty

Question 21

One way to increase your confidence in experimental data is to repeat the same m__________ many times.

Answer 21

measurement