CHAPTER

3 ERROR ANALYSIS

Recap of Early Classes

Experimental physics is concerned with observation of physical phenomena and experiments. In this
section we learn about measurement of physical quantities with adequate accuracy; recognition of factors that
could affect reliability of experiments; construction, working and principle of various instruments such as vernier
callipers, screw gauge etc. We also learn about error theory and some important experiments which based
upon the theoretical knowledge have grasped so far.

1.0 SIGNIFICANT FIGURES

2.0 ROUNDING OFF
3.0 ORDER OF MAGNITUDE
4.0 ERROR IN MEASUREMENTS
4.1 Classification of Errors
4.2 Representation of Errors
4.3 Relative or Fractional Error
4.4 Propagation of Errors in Mathematical Operations
EXERCISE-1

EXERCISE-2

EXERCISE-3
fgdf
 Error Analysis
1.0 SIGNIFICANT FIGURES

The significant figures (SF) in a measurement are the figures or digits that are known with certainty plus one that
is uncertain. Significant figures in a measured value of a physical quantity tell the number of digits in which we
have confidence. Larger the number of significant figures obtained in a measurement, greater is its accuracy and
vice versa.
Rules to find out the number of significant figures :
l I Rule : All the non-zero digits are significant e.g. 1984 has 4 SF.
l II Rule : All the zeros between two non-zero digits are significant. e.g. 10806 has 5 SF.
l III Rule : All the zeros to the left of first non-zero digit are not significant. e.g.00108 has 3 SF.
l IV Rule : If the number is less than 1, zeros on the right of the decimal point but to the left of the first
non-zero digit are not significant. e.g. 0.002308 has 4 SF.
l V Rule : The trailing zeros (zero to the right of the last non-zero digit) in a number with a decimal
point are significant. e.g. 01.080 has 4 SF.
l VI Rule : When the number is expressed in exponential form, the exponential term does not affect
the number of S.F. For Illustration in x =12.3=1.23 × 10 1= 0.123 × 102
= 0.0123 × 103=123 × 10–1 each term has 3 SF only.
l VII Rule : In a number without decimal, zeros to the right of non-zero digit are not significant, but
when same value is recorded on the basis of actual experiment, they becomes significant.
Ex. 15600 has 3 SF but 15600 mA has 5 SF

Illustration 1. Write down the number of significant figures in the following :

(a) 165 3SF (following rule I) (b) 2.05 3 SF (following rules I & II)
(c) 34.000 m 5 SF (following rules I & V) (d) 0.005 1 SF (following rules I & IV)
–1
(e) 0.02340 N m 4 SF (following rules I, IV & V)

2.0 ROUNDING OFF

To represent the result of any computation containing more than one uncertain digit, it is rounded off to
appropriate number of significant figures.
Rules for rounding off the numbers
l I Rule : If the digit to be rounded off is more than 5, then the preceding digit is increased by one. e.g.
6.87» 6.9
l II Rule : If the digit to be rounded off is less than 5, than the preceding digit is unaffected and is left
unchanged. e.g. 3.94 » 3.9
l III Rule : If the digit to be rounded off is 5 then the preceding digit is increased by one if it is odd and
is left unchanged if it is even. e.g. 14.35 » 14.4 and 14.45 » 14.4
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Illustration 2. The following values can be rounded off to four significant figures as follows :
(a) 36.879 » 36.88 ( Q 9 > 5 \7 is increased by one i.e. I Rule )
(b) 1.0084 » 1.008 ( Q 4 < 5 \8 is left unchanged i.e. II Rule )
(c) 11.115 » 11.12 ( Q last 1 is odd it is increased by one i.e. III Rule )
(d) 11.1250 » 11.12 ( Q 2 is even it is left unchanged i.e. III Rule )
(e) 11.1251 » 11.13 ( Q 51 > 50 \ 2 is increased by one i.e. I Rule )

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l If one digit is rounded off then compare with 5.
l If two digits rounded off then compare with 50.
Ex. 2.360 ® 2.4 , 2.350 ® 2.4 & 2.250 ®2.2
l If three digits rounded off then compare with 500.

Rules for arithmetical operations with significant figures

l Rule I : In addition or subtraction the number of decimal places in the result should be equal to the
number of decimal places of that term in the operation which contain lesser number of
decimal places. e.g. 12.587 – 12.5 = 0.087 = 0.1 (Q second term contain lesser i.e. one
decimal place)
l Rule II : In multiplication or division, the number of SF in the product or quotient is same as the
smallest number of SF in any of the factors. e.g. 5.0 × 0.125 = 0.625 = 0.62
Note : First carry out actual addition or subtraction then round off.

3.0 ORDER OF MAGNITUDE

Order of magnitude of a quantity is the power of 10 required to represent that quantity. This power is determined
after rounding off the value of the quantity properly. For rounding off, the last digit is simply ignored if it is less
than 5 and, is increased by one if it is 5 or more than 5.

Illustration 3. Order of magnitude of the following values can be determined as follows :

(a) 49 = 4.9 × 101 » 101 \ Order of magnitude = 1
1 2
(b) 51 = 5.1 × 10 » 10 \ Order of magnitude = 2
–2 –2
(c) 0.049 = 4.9 × 10 » 10 \ Order of magnitude = –2
–2 –1
(d) 0.050 = 5.0 × 10 » 10 \ Order of magnitude = –1
–2 –1
(e) 0.051 = 5.1 × 10 » 10 \ Order of magnitude = –1

Illustration 4. The length, breadth and thickness of a metal sheet are 4.234 m, 1.005 m and 2.01 cm respectively.
Give the area and volume of the sheet to correct number of significant figures.
Solution l Length (l) = 4.234 m l Breadth (b) = 1.005 m
–2
l Thickness (t) = 2.01 cm = 2.01 × 10 m
Therefore area of the sheet = 2 ( l × b + b × t + t × l )
= 2 ( 4.25517 + 0.0202005 + 0.0851034)
= 2 ( 4.255 + 0.0202 + 0.0851)
= 2 (4.360) = 8.7206 = 8.721
Since area can contain a maximum of 3 SF (Rule II of article 2) therefore, rounding off, we get :
Area = 8.72 m2
Like wise volume = l × b × t = 4.234 × 1.005 × 0.0201 m3 = 0.0855289 m3
Since volume can contain 3 SF, therefore, rounding off, we get : Volume = 0.0855 m 3
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Question based on Significant Figures

1. The error in the measurement of volume of sphere is 1.5%. the error in the measurement of its diameter is
(A) 1% (B) 2% (C) 0.5% (D) 1.5 %

2. In arithmetic 17.8 × 3.1143 = 55.4354. But as a result of experimental measurements the best way to
express the product is–
(A) 55.3454 (B) 55.4 (C) 55.44 (D) 55.435

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 Error Analysis

3. Write the following in scientific notation :

(a) 3256 g (b) .0010 g (c) 50000 g (5 SF) (d) 0.3204

4. Give the number of significant figures in the following :

(a) 0.165 (b) 4.0026 (c) 0.0256 (d) 165
(e) 0.050 (f) 2.653 × 10 4
(g) 6.02 × 1023 (h) 0.0006032

5. Calculate area enclosed by a circle of diameter 1.06 m to correct number of significant figures.

6. Subtract 2.5 × 104 from 3.9 × 105 and give the answer to correct number of significant figures.

7. The mass of a box measured by a grocer's balance is 2.3 kg. Two gold pieces of masses 20.15 g and
20.17 g are added to the box. What is (a) total mass of the box (b) the difference in masses of gold pieces to
correct significant figures.

4.0 ERROR IN MEASUREMENTS

The difference between the true value and the measured value of a quantity is known as the error of measurement.

4.1 Classification of Errors

Errors may arise from different sources and are usually classified as follows :-
Systematic or Controllable errors
Systematic errors are the errors whose causes are known. They can be either positive or negative. Due to the
known causes these errors can be minimised. Systematic errors can further be classified into three categories :
(i) Instrumental errors : These errors are due to imperfect design or erroneous manufacture or misuse of
the measuring instrument. These can be reduced by using more accurate instruments.
(ii) Environmental errors : These errors are due to the changes in external environmental conditions such
as temperature, pressure, humidity, dust, vibrations or magnetic and electrostatic fields.
(iii) Observational errors : These errors arise due to improper setting of the apparatus or carelessness in
taking observations. Ex. parallax error.
l Random Errors : These errors are due to unknown causes. Therefore they occur irregularly and are variable
in magnitude and sign. Since the causes of these errors are not known precisely they can not be eliminated
completely. For Illustration, when the same person repeats the same observation in the same conditions, he may
get different readings at different times.
Random errors can be reduced by repeating the observation a large number of times and taking the arithmetic
mean of all the observations. This mean value would be very close to the most accurate reading.
Note :- If the number of observations is made n times then the random error reduces to (1/n) times.
Ex. : If the random error in the arithmetic mean of 100 observations is 'x' then the random error in the arithmetic
mean of 500 observations will be x/5.
l Gross Errors : Gross errors arise due to human carelessness and mistakes in reading the instruments or
calculating and recording the measurement results.
For Illustration : (i) Reading instrument without proper initial settings.
(ii) Taking the observations wrongly without taking necessary precautions.
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(iii) Exhibiting mistakes in recording the observations.

(iv) Putting improper values of the observations in calculations.
These errors can be minimised by increasing the sincerity and alertness of the observer.

4.2 Representation of Errors

Errors can be expressed in the following ways :-

Absolute Error (Da) : The difference between the true value and the individual measured value of the quantity
is called the absolute error of the measurement. Suppose a physical quantity is measured n times and the
measured values are a1, a2, a3 ........an.

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a1 + a2 + a 3 + ..............a n 1 n
The arithmetic mean (am) of these values is a m = = å ai
n n i =1
If the true value of the quantity is not given then mean value (a m) can be taken as the true value.
Then the absolute errors in the individual measured values are –
Da1 = am – a1
Da2 = am – a2
......................
......................
Dan = am – an
The arithmetic mean of all the absolute errors is defined as the final or mean absolute error (Da)m or Da of the
Da1 + Da 2 + ........... + Da n 1 n
value of the physical quantity a, ( Da ) m =
n
= å Da i
n i =1
So, if the measured value of a quantity be 'a' and the error in measurement be Da, then the true value (at) can
be written as at = a ± Da

4.3 Relative or Fractional Error

It is defined as the ratio of the mean absolute error ((Da)m or Da) to the true value or the mean value (am or a )
of the quantity measured.

Mean absolute error ( Da)m Da

Relative or fractional error = = or
Mean value am a
When the relative error is expressed in percentage, it is known as percentage error,
mean absolute error Da
Percentage error = relative error × 100 Þ percentage error= ´ 100% = ´ 100%
true value a
4.4 Propagation of Errors in Mathematical Operations

(a) If x = a + b, then the maximum possible absolute error in measurements of x will be

Dx = Da + Db
(b) If x = a – b, then the maximum possible absolute error in measurement of x will be Dx = Da + Db

a Dx Da Db
(c) If x = then the maximum possible fractional error will be = +
b x a b
Dx Da
(d) If x = a n then the maximum possible fractional error will be = n
x a
a n bm Dx Da Db Dc
(e) If x = then the maximum possible fractional error will be =n +m +p
cp x a b c

Illustration 5. Following observations were taken with a vernier callipers while measuring the length of a cylinder :
3.29 cm, 3.28 cm, 3.29 cm, 3.31 cm, 3.28 cm, 3.27 cm, 3.29 cm, 3.30 cm. Then find :
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(a) Most accurate length of the cylinder. (b) Absolute error in each observation.
(c) Mean absolute error (d) Relative error (e) Percentage error
Express the result in terms of absolute error and percentage error.
Solution (a) Most accurate length of the cylinder will be the mean length ( l ) = 3.28875 cm = 3.29 cm
(b) Absolute error in the first reading = 3.29 – 3.29 = 0.00 cm
Absolute error in the second reading = 3.29 – 3.28 = 0.01 cm
Absolute error in the third reading = 3.29 – 3.29 = 0.00 cm
Absolute error in the forth reading = 3.39 – 3.31 = –0.02 cm
Absolute error in the fifth reading = 3.29 – 3.28 = 0.01 cm
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 Error Analysis
Absolute error in the sixth reading = 3.29 – 3.27 = 0.02 cm
Absolute error in the seventh reading = 3.29 – 3.29 = 0.00 cm
Absolute error in the last reading = 3.29 – 3.30 = –0.01 cm
0.00 + 0.01 + 0.00 + 0.02 + 0.01 + 0.02 + 0.00 + 0.01
(c) Mean absolute error = Dl = = 0.01 cm
8
Dl 0.01
(d) Relative error in length = = = 0.0030395 = 0.003
l 3.29
Dl
(e) Percentage error = × 100 = 0.003 × 100 = 0.3%
l
So length l = 3.29 cm ± 0.01 cm (in terms of absolute error )
Þ l = 3.29 cm ± 0.30% (in terms of percentage error )

Illustration 6. The initial and final temperatures of water as recorded by an observer are (40.6 ± 0.2)°C and
(78.3 ± 0.3)°C. Calculate the rise in temperature.
Solution Given q1 = (40.6 ± 0.2)°C and q2 =(78.3 ± 0.3)°C
Rise in temperature q = q2 – q1 = 78.3 – 40.6 = 37.7°C. Dq = ± (Dq1 + Dq2) = ± (0.2 + 0.3)
= ± 0.5°C
\ Rise in temperature = (37.7 ± 0.5)°C

Illustration 7. The length and breadth of a rectangle are (5.7 ± 0.1) cm and (3.4 ± 0.2) cm.
Calculate area of the rectangle with error limits.
Solution Given l = (5.7 ± 0.1) cm and b = (3.4 ± 0.2) cm
Area A = l × b = 5.7 × 3.4 = 19.38 cm2
DA æ D l Db ö æ 0.1 0.2 ö æ 0.34 + 1.14 ö 1.48
= ±ç + ÷ = ±ç + ÷ = ±ç ÷ =±
A è l bø è 5.7 3.4 ø è 5.7 ´ 3.4 ø 19.38

1.48 1.48
Þ DA = ± ´A =± ´ 19.38 = ±1.48 \ Area = (19.38 ± 1.48) sq/cm
19.38 19.38

Illustration 8. A body travels uniformly a distance (13.8 ± 0.2) m in a time (4.0 ± 0.3) s. Calculate its velocity
with error limits. What is the percentage error in velocity ?
Solution Given distance s = (13.8 ± 0.2) m and time t=(4.0 ± 0.3) s,
s 13.8
velocity v = = =3.45ms–1=3.5 ms–1
t 4.0
Dv æ Ds Dt ö æ 0.2 0.3 ö æ 0.8 + 4.14 ö 4.49
= ±ç + ÷ = ±ç + ÷ø = ± çè ÷ø = ± = ± 0.0895
v è s t ø è 13.8 4.0 13.8 ´ 4.0 13.8 ´ 4.0
Þ Dv = ± 0.0895 × v = ± 0.0895 × 3.45 = ± 0.3087 = ± 0.31
\ v = (3.5 ± 0.31) ms–1
Dv
Percentage error in velocity = × 100 = ± 0.0895 × 100 = ± 8.95% = ± 9%
v
Illustration 9. A thin copper wire of length L increase in length by 2% when heated from T 1 to T2. If a copper cube
having side 10 L is heated from T1 to T2 what will be the percentage change in
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(i) area of one face of the cube (ii) volume of the cube.
Sol. (i) Area A=10L × 10 L = 100 L2,
DA DL
% change in area = × 100 = 2 × × 100 = 2 × 2% = 4%
A L
(ii) Volume V=10 L × 10 L × 10L=1000 L3
DV DL
% change in volume = × 100 = 3 × × 100 = 3 × 2% = 6%
V L
Conclusion : The maximum percentage change will be observed in volume, lesser in area and
the least (minimum) change will be observed in length or radius.

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Error Analysis
1. The pressure P and volume V of a gas are related as PV3/2 = K where K is a constant. The percentage increase in
the pressure for decreasing the volume by 0.5% :-
(A) 0.25% (B) 0.75% (C) 1.50% (D) 0.50%

A 3B 3
2. A physical quantity Q is calculated according to the expression Q = . If percentage errors in A, B, C and
C D
D are 2%, 1%, 3% and 4% respectively then maximum percentage error in Q is :-
(A) 8% (B) 10% (C) 14% (D) 12%

3. In an experiment to determine the specific resistance r of a material, the following data was obtained. Resistance,
pr 2R
R = (64 + 2)W, length, l =(156.0 + 0.1) cm, radius, r = (0.26 + 0.02) cm. Given r = , find the
l
percentage error in r.
(A) 18.52% (B) 18.00 % (C) 17.52 % (D) 19.52%

4. A wire has a mass (0.3 ± 0.003) g, radius (0.5 ± 0.005) mm and length (6 ± 0.06) cm. The maximum
percentage error in the measurement of its density is–
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4

5. A student measures the distance traversed in free fall of a body, initially at rest in a given time. He uses this data
to estimate g, the acceleration due to gravity. If the maximum percentage errors in measurement of the distance
and the time are e1 and e2 respectively, the percentage error in the estimation of g is:-
(A) e1 + 2e2 (B) e1 + e2 (C) e1 – 2e2 (D) e2 – e1

6. A physical quantity X is related to four measurable quantities a, b, c and d as follows

X = a 2b 3c 5 / 2 d –2
The percentage error in the measurement of a, b, c and d are 1%, 2%, 2% and 4% respectively. What is
the percentage error in quantity X?
(A) 15% (B) 17% (C) 21% (D) 23%

MgL
7. The Young modulus (Y) of a material is given by the relation Y = . If the percentage errors in W(=Mg), L,
p r 2l
r and l are 0.5%, 1%, 3% and 4% respectively, what is the percentage error in Y?
(A) 10.53% (B) 16.50% (C) 11.5% (D) 4.5 %

8. Calculate the focal length (f) of a spherical mirror from the following calculations : u =(50.1 + 0.5)cm,
1 1 1
v = (20.1 + 0.2)cm. Given = +
f u v
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(A) (14.3 + 0.4)cm (B) (15.3 + 1.4)cm (C) (12.5 + 0.3)cm (D) (13.3 + 0.2)cm

9. The heat generated in a circuit is dependent upon the resistance, current and time for which the current is flown.
If the error in measuring the above are as 1%, 2% and 1% the maximum error in measuring heat will be
(A) 2% (B) 3% (C) 6% (D) 1%

10. The percentage errors in the measurement of mass and speed are 2% and 3% respectively. How much will be the
maximum error in the estimate of kinetic energy obtained by measuring mass and speed ?
(A) 11 % (B) 8 % (C) 5 % (D) 1 %

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l To avoid the confusion regarding the trailing zeros of the numbers without the decimal point the best way is to
report every measurement in scientific notation (in the power of 10). In this notation every number is expressed
in the form a × 10b, where a is the base number between 1 and 10 and b is any positive or negative exponent of
10. The base number (a) is written in decimal form with the decimal after the first digit. While counting the
number of SF only base number is considered (Rule VI).

l The change in the unit of measurement of a quantity does not affect the number of SF.

For Illustration in 2.308 cm = 23.08 mm = 0.02308 m each term has 4 SF.

l When a number is divided by 10x (where x is the order of the number) the result will always lie between 0.5 and
5, i.e. 0.5 £ N/10x < 5

l Systematic errors are repeated consistently with the repetition of the experiment and are produced due to
improper conditions or procedures that are consistent in action whereas random errors are accidental and their
magnitude and sign cannot be predicted from the knowledge of the measuring system and conditions of
measurement. Systematic errors can therefore be minimised by improving experimental techniques, selecting
better instruments and improving personal skills whereas random errors can be minimised by repeating the
observation several times.

l Mean absolute error has the units and dimensions of the quantity itself whereas fractional or relative error is
unitless and dimensionless.

l Absolute errors may be positive in certain cases and negative in other cases.
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SOME WORKED OUT ILLUSTRATIONS

Illustration 1.
The side of a cube is (2.00 ± 0.01) cm. The volume and surface area of cube are respectively :–
(A) (8.00 ± 0.12) cm3, (24.0 ± 0.24) cm2 (B) (8.00 ± 0.01) cm3, (24.0 ± 0.01) cm2
(C) (8.00 ± 0.04) cm3, (24.0 ± 0.06) cm2 (D) (8.00 ± 0.03) cm3, (24.0 ± 0.02) cm2
Ans. (A)
Solution

DV Da æ Da ö æ 0.01 ö
Volume V=a3=8 cm3 . Also =3 Þ DV = 3V ç ÷ = ( 3) ( 8) ç = 0.12 cm3
V a è a ø è 2.00 ÷ø
Therefore V = (8.00 ± 0.12) cm3; Surface Area A = 6a2 = 6 (2.00)2 = 24.0 cm2.

DA Da æ Da ö æ 0.01ö
=2 Þ DA = 2A ç ÷ = 2 ( 24.0) ç = 0.24 . Therefore A = (24.0 ± 0.24) cm2
Also
A a è a ø è 2.00 ÷ø

Illustration 2.
Two clocks A and B are being tested against a standard clock located in the national laboratory At 10:00 AM
by the standard clock, the readings of the two clocks are shown in following table

Day ClockA Clock B

Ist 10:00 : 06 8:1 5:00
IInd 10:01:13 8:1 5:01
IIIrd 9:59:08 8:1 5:04
IV th 10:02:15 8:1 4:58

V th 9:58:10 8:1 5:02

If you are doing an experiment that requires precision time interval measurements, which of the two clocks will
you prefer?
(A) clock A (B) clock B
(C) either clock A or clock B (D) Neither clock A nor clock B
Ans. (B)
Solution
The average reading of clock A is, closure to the standard time and the variation in time is smaller for clock B.
As clock's is zero error is not significant for precision work because a zero error can always be easily corrected.
Hence clock B is to be preferred.

Illustration 3.
Write number of significant digits
(i) 62.3 cm (ii) 6.23 × 101 cm (iii) 20.000 (iv) 0.02 × 10–19
(v) 500.000 (vi) 0.5210 (vii) 896.80 (viii) 201
(ix) 1200 (x) 1200 N
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Ans. (i) 3 (ii) 3 (iii) 5 (iv) 1 (v) 6 (vi) 4 (vii) 5 (viii) 3 (ix) 2 (x) 4

Illustration 4.
Round off the following numbers to 3 significant digits-
(i) 899.68 (ii) 987.52 (iii) 2.0082 (iv) 336.5
(v) 335.5
Ans. (i) 900 (ii) 988 (iii) 2.01 (iv) 336 (v) 336

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Illustration 5.
Solve with regards to significant figure
(i) 908 + 2.76 (ii) 999 – 989 (iii) 4.0 × 10–4 – 2.5 × 10–6
–4 –5
(iv) 4.0 × 10 – 2.5 × 10 (v) 6.75 × 103 + 4.52 × 102
(vi) 625 ÷ 125
Ans. (i) 911 (ii) 10.0 (iii) 4.0 × 10–4 (iv) 3.8 × 10–4 (v) 7.20 × 103 (vi) 5.00

Illustration 6.
A scale is calibrated to centimeters and the following measurements are estimated by the scale. Find out the
significant digits.
(i) 200 m (ii) 92.80 m (iii) 80.26 m (iv) 8.23 cm
(v) 8.921 mm (vi) 6.001 m
Ans. (i) 3 (ii) 4 (iii) 4 (iv) 2 (v) 1 (vi) 4

Illustration 7.
An object covers (16.0 ± 0.4) m distance in (4.0 ± 0.2) s. Find out its speed.
Ans. (4.0 ± 0.3) ms–2
Solution

distance 16.0
Speed v = = = 4.0 m/s;
time 4.0

æ Ds Dt ö æ 0.4 0.2 ö (
Error in speed Dv = ± ç + ÷v =ç + 4.0) = ±0.3 m/s
è s tø è 16.0 4.0 ÷ø

Illustration 8.
The length of a cylinder is measured with a metre rod having least count 0.1 cm. Its diameter is measured with
vernier callipers having least count 0.01 cm. Given the length is 5.0 cm and diameter is 2.00 cm. Find the
percentage error in the calculated value of volume.
Ans. 3
Solution

pD 2 h DV 2DD Dh DV é æ 0.01 ö æ 0.1 ö ù

V = pr2h = Þ = + ´ 100 = ê2 ´ ç + ´ 100 = 3%
4 V D h V ë è 2.00 ÷ø çè 5.0 ÷ø úû
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ANSWERS

BEGINNER'S BOX-1
1. (A) 2. (B)
3. (a) 3.256×103 g, (b) 1.0×10–3 g (c) 5.0000×104 g, (d) 3.204×10-1
4. (a) 3, (b) 5, (c) 3, (d) 3, (e) 2, (f) 4, (g) 3, (h) 4
5. 0.882 m2 (3 SF)
6. 3.6×105
7. (a) Total mass = 2.3 kg, (b) Difference in masses = 0.02g

BEGINNER'S BOX-2
1. (B) 2. (C) 3. (A) 4. (D) 5. (A) 6. (C)
7. (C) 8. (A) 9. (C) 10. (B)

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SINGLE CHOICE CORRECT QUESTIONS

1. Significant figures in 3400 are-

(A) 2 (B) 5 (C) 6 (D) 7

2. The percentage errors in the measurement of mass and speed are 2% and 3% respectively. How much will be
the maximum error in the estimate of kinetic energy obtained by measuring mass and speed ?
(A) 11% (B) 8% (C) 5% (D) 1%

3. The density of a cube is measured by measuring its mass and the length of its side. If the maximum errors
in the measurement of mass and length are 4% and 3% respectively, the maximum error in the measurement
of the density is -
(A) 9% (B) 13% (C) 12% (D) 7%

ab2
4. An experiment measures quantities a, b and c, and X is calculated from X = . If the percentage error in a,
c3
b and c are ±1%, ±3% and ±2% respectively, the percentage error in X will be –
(A) ±13% (B) ±7% (C) ±4% (D) ±1%

5. If error in measuring diameter of a circle is 4%, the error in the radius of the circle would be
(A) 2% (B) 8% (C) 4% (D) 1%

6. If a, b, c are the percentage errors in the measurement of A, B and C, then percentage error in ABC would be
approximately -

a b c
(A) abc (B) a + b + c (C) ab + bc + ac (D) + +
b c a

7. The diameter of a wire is measured with a screw gauze having least count 0.01 mm. Which of the following
correctly expresses the diameter –
(A) 0.20 cm (B) 0.002 m (C) 2.00 mm (D) 0.2 cm

8. While measuring acceleration due to gravity by a simple pendulum a student makes a positive error of 1% in
the length of the pendulum and a negative error of 3% in the value of the time period. His percentage error in
the measurement of the value of g will be -
(A) 2% (B) 4% (C) 7% (D) 10%

9. A student measured the diameter of a wire using a screw gauge with least count 0.001 cm and listed the
measurements. The correct measurement is –
(A) 5.3 cm (B) 5.32 cm (C) 5.320 cm (D) 5.3200 cm

10. The pressure on a square plate is measured by measuring the force on the plate and the length of the sides of
251\D\Allen (IIT-JEE Wing) 2020-21\PHYSICS\Enthusiast\Unit-10\03-Error Analysis

the plate. If the maximum error in the measurement of force and length are respectively 4% and 2%, the
maximum error in the measurement of pressure is –
(A) 1% (B) 2% (C) 6% (D) 8%

11. When a copper sphere is heated, maximum percentage change will be observed in–
(A) radius (B) area (C) volume (D) none of these

12. The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum in the experiment is recorded as 2.63s, 2.56s, 2.42s, 2.71s and
2.80s respectively. The average absolute error is
(A) 0.1s (B) 0.11s (C) 0.01s (D) 1.0s

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JEE-Physics
13. The significant digits in 200.40 are
(A) 4 (B) 5 (C) 2 (D) 3

14. A scientist performs an experiment in order to measure a certain physical quantity and takes 100 observations.
He repeats the same experiment and takes 400 observations, by doing so
(A) The possible error remains same (B) The possible error is doubled
(C) The possible error is halved (D) The possible error is reduced to one fourth

15. A quantity is represented by X = Ma Lb Tc. The percentage error in measurement of M, L and T are a%, b
% and g % respectively. The percentage error in X would be
(A) (a a + bb + gc) % (B) (aa – bb + gc) % (C) (a a – bb– gc) % (D) None of these

16. If error in measuring diameter of a circle is 4 %, the error in circumference of the circle would be :-
(A) 2% (B) 8% (C) 4% (D) 1%

17. A wire has a mass (0.3±0.003) g, radius (0.5±0.005) mm and length (6 ± 0.06) cm. The maximum
percentage error in the measurement of its density is –
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4

18. The length of a cylinder is measured with a metre rod having least count 0.1 cm. Its diameter is measured
with vernier callipers having least count 0.01 cm. Given the length is 5.0 cm and diameter is 2.00 cm. The
percentage error in the calculated value of volume will be –
(A) 2% (B) 1% (C) 3% (D) 4%

19. The volume of a sphere is 1.76 cm 3. The volume of 25 such spheres taking into account the significant figure
is-
(A) 0.44 × 102 cm3 (B) 44.0 cm3 (C) 44 cm3 (D) 44.00 cm3

l
20. What is the fractional error in g calculated from T = 2p ? Given that maximum fractional errors in T and
g
l are ± x and ± y respectively.
(A) x + y (B) x – y (C) 2x + y (D) 2x – y)

21. The resistance is R = V where V = 100 ± 5 Volts and I = 10 ± 0.2 amperes. What is the total error in R ?
I
æ 5ö
(A) 5% (B) 7% (C) 5.2% (D) çè ÷ø %
2

22. The length, breadth and thickness of a strip are (10.0 ± 0.1)cm, (1.00 ± 0.01) cm and (0.100 ± 0.001)cm
respectively. The most probable error in its volume will be
251\D\Allen (IIT-JEE Wing) 2020-21\PHYSICS\Enthusiast\Unit-10\03-Error Analysis

(A) ± 0.03 cm3 (B) ± 0.111 cm3 (C) ± 0.012 cm3 (D) None of these

23. The external and internal radius of a hollow cylinder are measured to be (4.23 ± 0.01) cm and (3.89 ± 0.01) cm.
The thickness of the wall of the cylinder is :-
(A) (0.34 ± 0.02)cm (B) (0.17 ± 0.02)cm (C) (0.17 ± 0.01)cm (D) (0.34 ± 0.01)cm

24. The radius of a disc is 1.2 cm. Its area according to idea of significant figures, will be given by:-
(A) 4.5216 cm2 (B) 4.521 cm2 (C) 4.52 cm2 (D) 4.5 cm2

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 Error Analysis
25. The length l, breadth b and thickness t of a block of wood were measured with the help of a measuring scale.
The results with permissible errors are l = 15.12 ± 0.01 cm, b = 10.15 ± 0.01 cm, t = 5.28 ± 0.01 cm. The
percentage error in volume upto proper significant figures is –
(A) 0.28% (B) 0.36% (C) 0.48 % (D) 0.64%

26. The following observations were taken for determining surface tension of water by capillary tube method:
Diameter of capillary D = 1.25 × 10–2 m Rise of water in capillary, h = 1.45 × 10–2 m. Taking
g = 9.80 m/s2 and using the relation T = (rhg/2) × 103 N/m, what is the possible error in surface tension. T–
(A) 0.16% (B) 1.6% (C) 16% (D) 2.4%

27. The least count of a stop watch is 1/5 sec. The time of 20 oscillations of a pendulum is measured to be 25 s.
What is the maximum percentage error in this measurement
(A) 8% (B) 1% (C) 0.8% (D) 16%

28. The area of a rectangle of size 1.23 × 2.345 cm is

(A) 2.88 cm2 (B) 2.884 cm2 (C) 2.9 cm2 (C) 2.88435 cm2
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JEE-Physics

1. The 'rad' is the correct unit used to report the measurement of : [AIEEE - 2006]
(1) the ability of a beam of gamma ray photons to produce ions in a target
(2) the energy delivered by radiation to a target
(3) the biological effect of radiation
(4) the rate of decay of a radioactive source

2. The respective number of significant figures for the numbers 23.023, 0.0003 and 2.1 × 10–3 are:-
[AIEEE - 2010]
(1) 4, 4, 2 (2) 5, 1, 2 (3) 5, 1, 5 (4) 5, 5, 2

3. The amount of heat produced in an electric circuit depends upon the current (I), resistance (R) and time
(t). If the error made in the measurements of the above quantities are 2% 1% and 1% respectively then
the maximum possible error in the total heat produced will be [AIEEE 2012, Online]
(1) 3% (2) 6% (3) 2% (4) 1%

4. A student measured the length of a rod and wrote it as 3.50 cm. Which instrument did he use to meaure it?
(1) A meter scale [JEE(Main) - 2014]
(2) A vernier calliper where the 10 divisions in vernier scale matches with 9 division in main scale and main
scale has 10 divisions in 1 cm
(3) A screw gauge having 100 divisions in the circular scale and pitch as 1mm
(4) A screw gauge having 50 divisions in the circular scale and pitch as 1mm

5. The current voltage relation of diode is given by I = (e 1000 V/T – 1) mA, where the applied voltage V is in volts
and the temperature T is in degree Kelvin. If a student makes an error measuring ±0.01 V while measuring
the current of 5 mA at 300 K, what will be the error in the value of current in mA ? [JEE(Main) - 2014]
(1) 0.2 mA (2) 0.02 mA (3) 0.5 mA (4) 0.05 mA

6. An experiment is performed to obtain the value of acceleration due to gravity g by using a simple pendulum
of length L. In this experiment time for 100 oscillations is measured by using a watch of 1 second least count
and the value is 90.0 seconds. The length L is measured by using a meter scale of least count 1 mm and
the value is 20.0 cm. The error in the determination of g would be : [JEE(Main) 2014, Online]
(1) 1.7% (2) 2.7% (3) 4.4% (4)2.27%

7. In the experiment of calibration of voltmeter, a standard cell of e.m.f. 1.1 volt is balanced against 440 cm
of potentiometer wire. The potential difference across the ends of resistance is found to balance against
220 cm of the wire. The corresponding reading of voltmeter is 0.5 volt. The error in the reading of voltmeter
will be : [JEE(Main) 2014, Online]
(1) – 0.15 volt (2) 0.5 volt (3) 0.15 volt (4) – 0.05 volt

L
251\D\Allen (IIT-JEE Wing) 2020-21\PHYSICS\Enthusiast\Unit-10\03-Error Analysis

8. The priod of oscillation of a simple pendulum is T = 2p . Measured value of L is 20.0 cm known to 1mm
g
accuracy and time for 100 oscillations of the pendulum is found to be 90 s using a wrist watch of 1s resulution.
The accuracy in the determination of g is [JEE(Main) - 2015]
(1) 2% (2) 3% (3) 1% (4) 5%

9. A student measures the time period of 100 oscillations of a simple pendulum four times. The data set is 90 s,
91 s, 95 s and 92 s. If the minimum division in the measuring clock is 1 s, then the reported mean time should be:
[JEE(Main) - 2016]
(1) 92±2 s (2) 92 ±5.0 s (3) 92 ±1.8 s (4) 92 ± 3 s

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 Error Analysis
10. The following observations were taken for determining surface tension T of water by capillary method :
diameter of capillary, D = 1.25 × 10–2 m rise of water, h = 1.45 × 10–2 m.
rhg
Using, g = 9.80 m/s2 and the simplified relation T = ´ 103 N / m, the possible error in surface tension is
2
closest to : [JEE(Main) - 2017]
(1) 1.5% (2) 2.4% (3) 10% (4) 0.15%

11. A physical quantity P is described by the relation

1
P=a 2
b 2 c 3 d -4
If the relative errors in the measurement of a, b, c and d respectively, are 2%, 1%, 3% and 5%, then the
relative error in P will be : [JEE(Main) 2017, Online]
(1) 32% (2) 12% (3) 25% (4) 8%

12. The density of a material in the shape of a cube is determined by measuring three sides of the cube and its
mass. If the relative errors in measuring the mass and length are respectively 1.5% and 1%, the maximum
error in determining the density is: [JEE(Main) - 2018]
(1) 2.5% (2) 3.5% (3) 4.5% (4) 6%

13. The diameter and height of a cylinder are measured by a meter scale to be 12.6 ± 0.1 cm and
34.2 ± 0.1 cm, respectively. What will be the value of its volume in appropriate significant figures ?
[JEE(Main) 2019, Online]
(1) 4260 ± 80 cm3 (2) 4300 ± 80 cm3 (3) 4264.4 ± 81.0 cm3 (4) 4264 ± 81 cm3

14. In the density measurement of a cube, the mass and edge length are measured as (10.00 ± 0.10) kg and
(0.10 ± 0.01) m, respectively. The error in the measurement of density is : [JEE(Main) 2019, Online]
(1) 0.10 kg/m3 (2) 0.31 kg/m3 (3) 0.07 kg/m3 (4) 0.01 kg/m3

15. If the screw on a screw-gauge is given six rotations, it moves by 3 mm on the main scale. If there are 50
divisions on the circular scale the least count of the screw gauge is : [JEE(Main) 2020, Online]
(1) 0.001 mm (2) 0.001 cm (3) 0.02 mm (4) 0.01 cm
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JEE-Physics

1. The edge of a cube is a = 1.2 × 10–2 m. Then its volume will be recorded as [IIT-JEE 2003]
–6 3 –6 3 –6 3
(A) 1.7 × 10 m (B) 1.70 × 10 m (C) 1.73 × 10 m (D) 1.732 × 10–6 m3

2. A wire has a mass (0.3 ± 0.003)g, radius (0.5 ± 0.005) mm and length (6 ± 0.06) cm. The maximum
percentage error in the measurement of its density is – [IIT-JEE 2004]
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4

æ 4p2l ö
3. A student performs an experiment for determination of ç g = 2 ÷ , l » 1m, and he commits an error
è T ø
of Dl. For T he takes the time of n oscillations with the stop watch of least count DT and he commits a
human error of 0.1 s. For which of the following data, the measurement of g will be most accurate ?
(A) DL = 0.5, DT = 0.1, n = 20 (B) DL = 0.5, DT = 0.1, n = 50 [IIT-JEE 2006]
(C) DL = 0.5, DT = 0.01, n = 20 (D) DL = 0.1, DT = 0.05, n = 50

4. A student performed the experiment of determination of focal length of a concave mirror by u-v method using
an optical bench of length 1.5 meter. The focal length of the mirror used is 24 m. The maximum error in the
location of the image can 0.2 m. The 5 sets of (u, v) values recorded by the student (in cm) are : (42, 56), (48,
48),(60, 40), (66, 33), (78, 39). The data set(s) that connot come from experiment and is (are) incorrectly
recorded is (are ) [IIT-JEE 2009]
(A) (42, 56) (B) (48, 48) (C) (66, 33) (D) (78, 39)

5. Using the expression 2d sin q = l, one calculates the values of d by measuring the corresponding angles
q in the range 0 to 90°. The wavelength l is exactly known and the error in q is constant for all values
of q. As q increases from 0° :- [JEE (Adv.) 2013]
(A) the absolute error in d remains constant (B) the absolute error in d increases
(C) the fractional error in d remains constant (D) the fractional error in d decreases

6. A person measures the depth of a well by measuring the time interval between dropping a stone and receiving
the sound of impact with the bottom of the well. The error in his measurement of time is dT = 0.01 seconds
and he measures the depth of the well to be L = 20 meters. Take the acceleration due to gravity (g = 10 ms –2)
dL
and the velocity of sound is 300 ms–1. Then the fractional error in the measurement, , is closest to
L
[JEE (Adv.) 2017]
(A) 0.2% (B) 5% (C) 3% (D) 1%

Paragraph “A”
If the measurement errors in all the independent quantities are known, then it is possible to determine the
error in any dependent quantity. This is done by the use of series expansion and trucating the expansion at the
first power of the error. For example, consider the relation z = x/y. If the errors in x, y and z are Dx, Dy and Dz,
respectively, then
-1
x ± Dx x æ Dx ö æ Dy ö
251\D\Allen (IIT-JEE Wing) 2020-21\PHYSICS\Enthusiast\Unit-10\03-Error Analysis

z ± Dz = = ç1 ± ÷ ç 1±
y ± Dy y è x øè y ÷ø
-1
æ Dy ö
The series expansion for ç 1 ± , to first power in Dy/y, is 1 m (Dy / y) . the relative errors in independent
è y ÷ø
variables are always added. So the error in z will be
æ Dx Dy ö
Dz = z ç +
è x y ÷ø .
the above derivation makes the assumption that Dx/x << 1, Dy/y<<1. therefore, the higher powers of these
equantities are neglected. [JEE(Adv.) - 2018]

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 Error Analysis

(1 - a)
7. Consider the ratio r = to be determined by measuring a dimensionless quantity a. If the error in the
(1 + a)
measurment of a is Da(Da/a<<1), then what is the error Dr in determining r ?
Da 2D a 2 Da 2aDa
(A) (B) (C) (D)
(1 + a)2 (1 + a) 2
(1 - a)2 (1 - a)2

8. In an experiment the initial number of radioactive nuclei is 3000. It is found that 1000 ± 40 nuclei decayed in
the first 1.0s. For |x| << 1, ln(1 + x) = x up to first power in x. The error Dl, in the determination of the
decay constant l, in s–1, is
(A) 0.04 (B) 0.03 (C) 0.02 (D) 0.01

9. An optical bench has 1.5 m long scale having four equal divisions in each cm. While measuring the focal
length of a convex lens, the lens is kept at 75 cm mark of the scale and the object pin is kept at
45 cm mark. The image of the object pin on the other side of the lens overlaps with image pin that is
kept at 135 cm mark. In this experiment, the percentage error in the measurement of the focal length
of the lens is________. [JEE(Adv.) - 2019]
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JEE-Physics

ANSWERS
EXERCISE-1
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. A B B A C B C C C D C B B D A
Que. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Ans. C D C D C B A A D B B C A

EXERCISE-2
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. 3 2 2 2 1 2 4 2 1 1 1 3 1 2 2

EXERCISE-3
1. (A) 2. (D) 3. (D) 4. (CD) 5. (D) 6. (D) 7. (B) 8. (C)
9. (0.69)

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110