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Errors and Common Laboratory Equipment Notes

The document outlines key concepts related to measurements, including types of errors such as systematic, random, zero, and parallax errors. It also defines important terms like sensitivity, range, precision, accuracy, and calibration, and describes common laboratory equipment like vernier calipers and micrometer screw gauges. To reduce experimental errors, it suggests taking multiple observations, using appropriate instruments, and ensuring proper reading techniques.

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3 views

Errors and Common Laboratory Equipment Notes

The document outlines key concepts related to measurements, including types of errors such as systematic, random, zero, and parallax errors. It also defines important terms like sensitivity, range, precision, accuracy, and calibration, and describes common laboratory equipment like vernier calipers and micrometer screw gauges. To reduce experimental errors, it suggests taking multiple observations, using appropriate instruments, and ensuring proper reading techniques.

Uploaded by

paris.hibbert1117
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Please read and copy the following notes in preparation for the next class. Thank You.

TOPIC: Measurements

SUB-TOPIC: Errors and Common Laboratory Equipment

- Systematic error: Error that occurs consistently in the same direction.

- Random error: Error that varies in an unpredictable manner.

- Zero error: Error due to the instrument not reading zero when it should.

- Parallax error: The error that occurs due to incorrect positioning of the eyes while taking a

reading on a measuring scale.

-Sensitivity: Measures the response of an instrument to the smallest change in input.

-Range: the size of the interval between the maximum and the minimum quantities that a

measuring instrument can measure. Some instruments have more than one range. E.g. a ruler.

- Precision: How small an uncertainty the measuring instrument will give.

- Accuracy: Closeness of measurement to the true value.

-Calibration: the act of checking or adjusting (by comparison with a standard) the accuracy of a

measuring instrument. “the thermometer needed calibration”.

- Vernier caliper: Tool for measuring internal and external dimensions.

- Micrometer screw gauge: Instrument for precise measurement of small dimensions.

- Beam balance: Instrument for measuring mass.

Numbers obtained from a measurement may be inexact or inaccurate to some degree due to

errors such as:

I. Limitations of the measuring instruments


II. Variations in how the measurements are made during different trials.

III. The condition of the experiment

IV. The experimenter

How do we reduce experimental errors?

 Take several observations of the same events. Find the mean if necessary.

 Use instruments with appropriate range and sensitivity. Would you use a micrometer

screw gauge or a vernier caliper to measure the diameter of a wire?

 Read measurements at eye level where necessary.

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