Read the passage given below and answer the following questions from 1 to 5. In general, the errors in measurement can be broadly classified as (a) systematic errors and (b) random errors. Systematic errors: The systematic errors are those errors that tend to be in one direction, either positive or negative. Some of the sources of systematic errors are: (a) Instrumental errors that arise from the errors due to imperfect design or calibration of the measuring instrument, zero error in the instrument, etc. For example, the temperature graduations of a thermometer may be inadequately calibrated (it may read 104 °C at the boiling point of water at STP whereas it should read 100 °C); in a vernier calipers the zero mark of vernier scale may not coincide with the zero mark of the main scale, or simply an ordinary metre scale may be worn off at one end. (b) Imperfection in experimental technique or procedure to determine the temperature of a human body, a thermometer placed under the armpit will always give a temperature lowers than the actual value of the body temperature. (c) Personal errors that arise due to an individual’s bias, lack of proper setting of the apparatus or individual’s carelessness in taking observations without observing proper precautions, etc. For example, if you, by habit, always hold your head a bit too far to the right while reading the position of a needle on the scale, you will introduce an error due to parallax.Systematic errors can be minimized by improving experimental techniques, selecting better instruments and removing personal bias as far as possible. For a given set-up, these errors may be estimated to a certain extent and the necessary corrections may be applied to the readings.
Random errors:The random errors are those errors, which occur irregularly and hence are random with respect to sign and size. These can arise due to random and unpredictable fluctuations in experimental conditions (e.g. unpredictable fluctuations in temperature, voltage), personal (unbiased) errors by the observer taking readings, etc. For example, when the same person repeats the same observation, it is very likely that he may get different readings every time.
Least count error: The smallest value that can be measured by the measuring instrument is called its least count. All the readings or measured values are good only up to this value. The least count error is the error associated with the resolution of the instrument.
- The errors due to imperfect design or calibration of the measuring instrument:
- Instrumental error
- Random error
- Least count error
- None of the above
- The errors which occur irregularly
- Instrumental error
- Personal error
- Random error
- None of these
- Write a note on least count error
- Write a note on random error
- Write a note on systematic error
