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Different Types of Errors: Blunders Gross Errors Measurement Errors

This document discusses different types of errors that can occur in measurement. It identifies gross errors and blunders as errors caused by mistakes in using instruments or recording data. It describes measurement error as consisting of random and systematic errors. It provides examples of systematic errors such as instrumental errors from incorrect instrument construction, environmental errors from external conditions, observational errors from wrong observations, and theoretical errors from oversimplified models. Random errors are caused by sudden changes in experimental conditions, noise, and human fatigue.

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Christine Joy Sulib
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50 views

Different Types of Errors: Blunders Gross Errors Measurement Errors

This document discusses different types of errors that can occur in measurement. It identifies gross errors and blunders as errors caused by mistakes in using instruments or recording data. It describes measurement error as consisting of random and systematic errors. It provides examples of systematic errors such as instrumental errors from incorrect instrument construction, environmental errors from external conditions, observational errors from wrong observations, and theoretical errors from oversimplified models. Random errors are caused by sudden changes in experimental conditions, noise, and human fatigue.

Uploaded by

Christine Joy Sulib
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Christine Joy A.

Sulib STEM 12 – EINSTEIN Practical Research II

Different Types of Errors

Gross Measurement Errors Blunders


Errors

Systematic Errors Random Errors

Instrumental Environmental Observational Instrumental

Gross errors - are caused by mistake in using instruments or meters, calculating measurement and
recording data results. 
Blunders - are final source of errors and these errors are caused by faulty recording or due to a wrong
value while recording a measurement, or misreading a scale or forgetting a digit while reading a scale.

Measurement error - is the result of the variation of a measurement of the true value. Usually,
Measurement error consists of a random error and systematic error. The best example of the
measurement error is, if electronic scales are loaded with 1kg standard weight and the reading is 10002
grams, then the measurement error is = (1002 grams-1000 grams) = 2 grams

Systematic errors that occur due to fault in the measuring device are known as systematic errors. Usually
they are called as Zero Error – a positive or negative error. These errors can be detached by correcting the
measurement device. These errors may be classified into different categories.

1. Instrumental errors occur due to wrong construction of the measuring instruments. These errors
may occur due to hysteresis or friction. These types of errors include loading effect and misuse of
the instruments.
2. Environmental errors occur due to some external conditions of the instrument. External
conditions mainly include pressure, temperature, humidity or due to magnetic fields. In order to
reduce the environmental errors
3. Observational errors occur due to wrong observations or reading in the instruments particularly
in case of energy meter reading. The wrong observations may be due to PARALLAX. In order to
reduce the PARALLAX error highly accurate meters are needed: meters provided with mirror
scales.
4. Theoretical errors are caused by simplification of the model system. For example, a theory
states that the temperature of the system surrounding will not change the readings taken when it
actually does, then this factor will begin a source of error in measurement.

Random errors - are caused by the sudden change in experimental conditions and noise and tiredness in
the working persons. These errors are either positive or negative. An example of the random errors is
during changes in humidity, unexpected change in temperature and fluctuation in voltage. These errors
may be reduced by taking the average of a large number of readings.

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