Uncertainties and Deviations in Measurement

Question 1

-quantifying a property of an object

-it can be the object’s length, mass, or temperature

Answer 1

Measurement

Question 2

the difference between the true value and the measured value.

Answer 2

Error

Question 3

-the net effect of error produces this

• it quantifies the doubt that exists in any reported value of the measurement.

Answer 3

Uncertainty

Question 4

-indicates how close the measured value is to the true value

-it is usually reported
starting with the best estimate of the measurement, followed by the symbol ±

Answer 4

Accuracy

Question 5

the number of meaningful digits

Answer 5

Significant Figures

Question 6

describes the scatter or the variability of a set of measurements made.

Answer 6

Precision

Question 7

smallest division / increment marked on the measuring division or device

Answer 7

Precision

Question 8

-gives an estimate of the ‘true’ value

-It is usually symbolized by a symbol with a bar above, such as or called “x-bar,’ which represents the mean value of x.

Answer 8

Mean or Arithmetic Mean

Question 9

indicates how different a specific value is from the average of the whole set.

Answer 9

Standard Deviation

Question 10

-symbolized by “s”

• If there is only a moderate set of values, what can be calculated is this

Answer 10

Estimated Standard Deviation