Random Errors (DONE) Flashcards
Describe what is meant by a random error and how we can reduce the effect of them.
What is a random error and what is an example of a random error?
A random error is an error that can occur anytime you take a measurement.
An example of a random error is a parallax error and this is where there’s an incorrect positioning of the eyes while taking a reading on a measuring scale.
eg. a thermometer viewed from different angles can lead to inaccurate readings.
How can we mitigate the risk of a parallax error when using a thermometer?
We can mitigate the risk of a parallax error when using a thermometer by using a digital thermometer. So we are reading the number from a display and there’s no parallax error. Or we can make sure the liquid within the thermometer is align with our eye level.
How can a random error occur when using a stop watch to measure the time taken for different chemicals to reaact?
Different students have different reaction times so some students may start and stop the stopwatch at different points, leading to a random error
How can we reduce the effect of random errors after an experiment which we’ve already got the results of and a calculated mean?
We can reduce the effect of random errors after an experiment which we’ve already got the results of and a calculated mean by repeating the experiment and calculating a new mean.
How can we eliminate random errors?
Trick Question - we cannot eliminate random errors but reduce their effect.
What is meant by accuracy?
How close something is to the true value.
What can random errors cause in our results?
Random errors can cause random variations within our results.
