When is experimental error used

This section of the website is being actively developed between September and April , and new content will be added on a day-to-day basis during that period. Experimental errors and uncertainties Study Text: Sections 1. The uncertainty in an experimental result often just called the experimental error is an estimate of the unknown possible error. The magnitude of this possible error is described by the precision of the measurement. The magnitude of this possible error is described by the bias in the measurement.

Many chemists use the term accuracy to describe bias separately from precision. Good experimental design is used to reduce the bias in the experiment, possibly by using standards for comparison and by making measurements under different conditions to convert systematic errors into random errors. Replicate measurements repeated measurements under the same conditions and their analysis by statistical methods are used to quantify and counteract the effect of random errors.

In reporting experimental results, a distinction should be made between "accuracy" and "precision. A highly accurate measurement has a very small error associated with it. Note that in experimental work the true value is often not known, and thus what is reported must be an estimated accuracy or error. Precision is a measure of the repeatability and resolution of a measurement -- the smallest change in the measured quantity that can be detected reliably.

Highly precise experimental equipment can consistently measure very small differences in a physical quantity. Note that a highly precise measurement may, nevertheless, be quite inaccurate. High precision in a measurement is a necessary but insufficient condition for high accuracy. Suppose that in measuring a voltage an engineer obtains an average reading of Thus, the precision is approximately volts in absolute terms.

What is the difference between experimental error and percent error? When Should percent difference be used? What is a good percent error? How do you interpret percent error? What does percent error tell you about accuracy? What is the difference between percent error and percent difference?

How do you calculate random error? How do you calculate errors? What is the maximum error? Can a random error in collected data be corrected? Is random error the same as standard deviation? Previous Article What happens if you wake someone in a deeper stage of sleep? Next Article Who is the father of Indian philosophy?