Initial Lecture15.10.2024
Initial Lecture15.10.2024
Evaluation of uncertainty
in measurements
Rafał Tarakowski
[email protected]
Laboratory of Physics I
Faculty of Physics
Warsaw University of Technology
https://docs.pw.edu.pl/3/clfpw/SitePages/Home.aspx
Regulations of the Central Laboratory of Physics
I. General rules
1. The laboratory aims to experimentally verify the fundamental physical laws, practical
familiarization with the basic techniques of taking measurements and measuring instruments,
analysis of measurement results, and their presentation methods.
2. There are 3 class hours for one laboratory.
3. Each experiment has its position in the laboratory with the necessary equipment.
4. The supervisor's permission and presence are required to turn on the electrical devices and
turn them off after completing the experiment.
5. Leaving the stand during classes is prohibited without the supervisor's permission.
6. The student bears full financial responsibility for damage to the instruments caused by their
fault.
1. You have to be on time. Students coming late (more than 15 minutes) must consider that they may
not get permission to admit the laboratory.
2. It is prohibited to enter the laboratory rooms in outer clothing and bring large bags, backpacks and
suitcases. Students should leave their outer clothes, large luggage, umbrellas, etc. in the cloakroom.
3. Eating, drinking, and smoking in the laboratory are prohibited.
4. The use of mobile devices is allowed only for purposes related to the experiment.
5. It is prohibited to modify measuring systems.
6. It is not allowed to close electrical circuits before the supervisor checks them.
7. Students may start the exercise only after obtaining the supervisor's permission.
8. After completing the measurements, turn off the power and tidy up the workplace. The measuring
set may be disassembled only after the supervisor approves the results.
9. The computer equipment in the laboratory can be used only for experiments. Any other actions
(e.g., using your storage device and programs other than those indicated) are prohibited.
10. Students who perform exercises with radiation sources must familiarize themselves with the
relevant regulations.
11. In exceptional cases not covered by these regulations, the supervisor in consultation with the head
of the laboratory makes decisions.
I. General rules
1. The Central Laboratory of Physics order regulations define the basic formal laws, rules of conduct
and health and safety requirements when using the laboratory's resources.
2. It is prohibited to enter the laboratory rooms in outer clothing and bring large bags, backpacks and
suitcases. Students should leave their outer clothes, large luggage, umbrellas, etc. in the cloakroom.
3. It is prohibited to bring or consume meals and drinks in the laboratory.
4. Students whose condition indicates the consumption of alcohol or other intoxicants will be removed
from the laboratory.
• The aim of the measurement is to determine the measured value. Thus, the
measurement begins with specifying the quantity to be measured, the
method used for measurement (e.g. comparative, differential, etc.) and the
measurement procedure (set of steps described in detail and applied while
measuring with the selected measuring method).
• In general, the result of a measurement is only an approximation or estimate
of the value of the specific quantity subject to measurement, that is, the
measurand. Thus, the result of measurement is complete only when
accompanied by a quantitative statement of its uncertainty.
• International Standard Organization (ISO) prepared „Guide to the Expression
of Uncertainty in Measurement”, which is definitive document describing norms
and procedures in the measurements uncertainty evaluation. Based on the
international ISO standard, Polish norm „Wyrażanie niepewności pomiaru.
Przewodnik” was accepted in the 1999.
Measurement uncertainty -
parameter associated with the result of measurement characterizing dispersion
of the values attributed to the measured quantity
1 ( − x) 2
( x) = exp − 2
2 2
μ – expected value
σ – standard deviation
+
( x)dx = 1
−
+
Gauss distribution for finite Type A standard uncertainty for a series
− ( x)dx = 0.683 number of points: expected of measurements is equal to standard
+3
value is equal to mean value, deviation of a mean value
standard deviation is equal to
−3 ( x)dx = 0.997 standard deviation of a mean
value 1 n
+2
u ( x) = = s = 2
( xi − x ) 2
( x)dx = 0.954 n(n − 1) i =1
x
− 2
x (x) 2
u ( x) = =
3 3
Combination of uncertainties ( x ) 2
( x ) 2
u ( x) = s x2 + + e
3 3
Physics Laboratory, Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology
Uniform distribution
1
( x) = − 3 x − 3
2 3 x
Analoge devices x
u ( x) =
3
Calibration uncertainty:
class range x
x = u ( x) =
100 3
Investigator uncertainty:
range xe
xe = u ( x) =
2 number of scale intervals 3
Measurement range
Type A uncertainty
1 n
⚫ Measurement result – mean value x x = xi
n i =1
⚫ Standard uncertainty – standard deviation n
1
of the mean value u ( x) = s = 2
n(n − 1) i =1
x ( xi − x ) 2
Type B uncertainty
⚫ Calibration uncertainty x x (x) 2
⚫ Investigator uncertainty xe u ( x) = =
3 3
( x ) 2
( x ) 2
Combination of uncertainties u ( x) = s x2 + + e
3 3
U ( x) = k u ( x)
⚫ Standard uncertainty
t = 21.364 s. u(t) = 0.023 s
t = 21.364(23) s, recommended notation
t = 21.364(0.023) s
⚫ Expanded uncertainty
t = 21.364 s. U(t) = 0.046 s (k = 2) n = 11 not required
t = (21.364±0.046) s, recommended notation
a = 321.735 m/s; u(a) = 0.24678 m/s a = 321.74 m/s; u(a) = 0.25 m/s
a = 321.74(0.25) m/s
a = 321.74(25) m/s
Graphical
Statistical tests
xi yi
~
1 n a n
a= i =1
n
b = y i − xi
i
~ 2 n i =1 n i =1
x
i =1
n
~ 1
di = yi − ax~i − yi
n i =1
2
n
~2 n
i
d n
xi
xi2 + i =1
1 1
sa =
n−2
i =1
n
sb = s a ~
n
~x 2 n i =1
i
i =1
Physics Laboratory, Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology
Least squares method(3)
Test function 2 n
⚫ Definition =
2
w (y
i =1
i i − y ( xi )) 2 wi = [u ( yi )]−2
⚫ Statistical weight n
i =1
Critical value χ2critical (listed in the table for every significance value and
number of degrees of freedom)
Test function
⚫ χ2 χ2critical– there are no arguments to reject the hypothesis
⚫ χ2 > χ2kcritical – hypothesis should be rejected