Uncertainties Absolute Some common instruments found in the laboratory Ruler 1mm Vernier callipers 0.

0.1mm Micrometer screw gauge 0.01mm Thermometer 1 (or ) Stopwatch 0.1s or 0.2s (reaction time) Protractor 1 (or ) Digital meters last dp, (eg 2.46V 0.01V) Analogue meters probably 1 A for a 0 100 A range, 0.1mA for a 0 10 mA range Percentage uncertainty For a single value: For repeated readings: Example: consider the following current readings: 0.50 A, 0.54 A, 0.46 A Percentage uncertainty = Combining Uncertainties When multiplying/dividing quantities add percentage errors Examples: if percentage uncertainty in I is 8%, percentage error in I2 = 8% + 8% = 16% if percentage uncertainty in I is 8%, percentage error in I3 = 3 x 8% = 24% if percentage uncertainty in I is 8%, percentage error in I = x 8% = 4% Uncertainties in tables on paper 5 There are often large numbers of calculations to do. It is possible to work out percentage uncertainties and then work out the absolute uncertainty The absolute uncertainty is calculated by 1. Uncertainty = maximum value value 2. Uncertainty = value minimum value 3. Uncertainty = (maximum value minimum value) Determining absolute uncertainties in quotients Care needs to be taken with the use of maximum and minimum quantities. In general, if r = p/q, then the largest and/or smallest value of R needs to be determined first. A. largest r = largest p / smallest q B. smallest r = smallest p / largest q The absolute uncertainty is calculated by 1. Uncertainty = maximum value value 2. Uncertainty = value minimum value 3. Uncertainty = (maximum value minimum value) Example Determine resistance R when V = 3.6 0.2 V and I = 0.23 0.1 A R = 3.6 / 0.23 = 15.7 (since both V and I are to 2sf, R should be to 2 or 3 sf at this stage) A largest R = 3.8 / 0.22 = 17.3 B smallest R = 3.4 / 0.24 = 14.2 1. Uncertainty = 17.3 15.7 = 1.6 2. Uncertainty = 15.7 14.2 = 1.5 3. Uncertainty = (17.3 14.2) = 1.6 Therefore R = 16 2 or 15.7 1.5 or 15.7 1.6, 15.7 2 All of these would be credited in a table of results on paper 5. Uncertainties in logarithms in tables on paper 5 For logarithms to base 10, the absolute uncertainty is calculated by 1. Uncertainty = lg (maximum value) lg (value) 2. Uncertainty = lg (value) lg (minimum value)

3. Uncertainty = (lg (maximum value) lg (minimum value) For natural logarithms, the absolute uncertainty is calculated by 1. Uncertainty = ln (maximum value) ln (value) 2. Uncertainty = ln (value) ln (minimum value) 3. Uncertainty = (ln (maximum value) ln (minimum value) Example: Consider V having the value of 3.6 0.2 V. ln V = ln 3.6 = 1.28 or 1.281 Since V is to two significant figures, ln V should be to two (or three) decimal places. Absolute uncertainty is either: 1. ln 3.8 ln 3.6 = 0.05(4) 2. ln 3.6 ln 3.4 = 0.05(7) 3. x (ln 3.8 ln 3.4) = 0.05(6) Therefore ln 3.6 0.2 = 1.28 0.05 Significant figures in the uncertainties would not penalised in table of results . Uncertainties in gradients and y-intercepts Gradient 1. Uncertainty = gradient of line of best fit gradient of worst acceptable line 2. Uncertainty = (steepest worst line gradient shallowest worst line gradie nt) y-intercept 1. Uncertainty = y-intercept of line of best fit y-intercept of worst accep table line 2. Uncertainty = (y-intercept of steepest worst line y-intercept of shallow est worst line) Note: If there is a false origin, the y-intercept will need to be calculated by substi tuting a plot on the line into y = mx + c. To determine the y-intercept of the worst acceptable line by this method, a plot is taken from the worst acceptable line and substituted into y = mx + c and the gradient is from the worst acceptab le line. Uncertainties in quantities of the form lg k = y-intercept To determine the value for k k = 10 y-intercept Uncertainty in k 1. Uncertainty = 10 best y-intercept - 10 worst y-intercept 2. Uncertainty = (10 max y-intercept of shallowest line - 10 y-intercept of steepest line) Uncertainties in quantities of the form ln k = y-intercept To determine the value for k k = e y-intercept Uncertainty in k 1. Uncertainty = e best y-intercept - e worst y-intercept 2. Uncertainty = (e max y-intercept of shallowest line - e y-intercept of st eepest line)