Experiment 1: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements

Laboratory Report
Praiseus Acao, Aime Rose Alberto, Aldrin Agawin, Samuelle John Aquino
Department of Math and Physics
College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
Espaa, Manila Philippines

Abstract
The main objectives of this
experiment is basically to study errors and
how they propagate in a simple experiment,
to determine the average deviation and mean
of a set of experimental values, to familiarize
students with the different measuring
instruments such as the vernier caliper
micrometer caliper, and foot rule and
compare the accuracy of these devices, and
to determine the density of an object given its
mass and dimensions. The instrument that
gave the most precise measurement was the
micrometer caliper. Foot rule yields a 4.1%
error while vernier caliper and micrometer
caliper with 0.120% & 0.0300% error
respectively.
1. Introduction
As the human civilization advanced, the need
for measurements also emerged. Whether it
is to measure the amount of items traded, the
length of a piece of wood, or the time it takes
for a train to arrive at a certain location, there
is no doubt that measurements are important
in our daily lives.
In earlier times, the inch had been
represented by the thumb, the foot by the
foot, the yard by the human pace, but also
from two cubits (the measure of the forearm),
the mile by the Roman mille passus (a
'thousand paces'; the Romans define a pace as

two steps). For more precise measurements,

a rod or a bar of exact length (with the king
as the basis) had been used as a standard.
These were usually copied and distributed
throughout the community. (Gascoigne,
From 2001, ongoing)
As for weight, grains of wheat which
were more reasonably standard in size than
humans were used. Weight had been
expressed in terms of the number of grains. A
lump of metal had also been used as a
standard for a given number of grains.
(Gascoigne, From 2001, ongoing)
In physics, measurements are
important because this is how physical
quantities (as well as those that are derived
from it) are described. (Serway & Vuille,
2015) These measurements are important for
the development and improvement of
theories that can help in the development of
the world. For these measurements to take
place, instruments that are both accurate and
precise must be used. The ones using these
instruments must also be careful so that errors
would be minimized.
The objectives of this experiment are
as follows:
1. To study errors and how they are
shown in simple experiments
2. To determine the average deviation of
a set of experimental values

3. To determine the mean of a set of

experimental values as well as the set
of average deviations of the mean
4. To familiarize with the Vernier
caliper. micrometer caliper, and foot
rule
5. To compare the accuracy of these
measuring devices
6. To determine the density of an object
given its mass and dimensions
2. Theory
Whenever a physical process is
quantified, uncertainties associated with
simulation and or measurements can arise.
But when a single measurement is conducted,
a number would be assigned as the magnitude
of the observed physical variable. Because
the measurement system is inherently flawed,
an error would be associated with that
number. When the measurement is repeated
it may have an outcome that would not have
been the same as the former measured
variable, This is because small, imperceptible
changes in variables that affect the
measurement have occurred, To remedy this
a consistent framework would be needed
that identifies the types of uncertainties and
how to quantify them.
To
better
understand
the
measurement system, the formulas for
measuring objects have been standardized to
be more coherent and perspicuous. The
formulas that were used in the experiments
are:

. . =

Where in the average deviation (a.d.)

is the summation of the deviations (d) divided
by the number of observations (n).

. . =

. .

The formula to compute the average

deviation of the mean diameter is given as the
average deviation (a. d.) is divided by the
square root of the number of observations (n).

The volume of the sphere is defined

as four third of pi times the radius squared.
When you calculate results that are
aiming for known values, the percent error
formula is useful tool for determining the
precision of your calculations. The formula
given:
% =

The experimental value is your

calculated value, and the theoretical value is
your known value. A percentage very close
to zero would imply having close to the
targeted value. Having a very large percent
error would imply to have commited multiple
errors. Common errors usually correlates to
malfunctions in the system, such as whether
it is due to the imprecision of the equipment,
the own estimations, or a mistake in the
experiment.
% =

. .

The percent error of the diameter for

each of the measuring devices was
computated by dividing the average deviation
and the mean variables in each of the devices.
3. Methodology

The materials used in this experiment are the

Vernier caliper, the micrometer caliper, the
foot rule, the electronic gram balance, and a
sphere.

Figure 1: Labeled Vernier Caliper

Figure 2: Labeled Micrometer Caliper

For the first activity, the first thing
that was done is to determine if the measuring
devices have errors. The least count of the
instruments were also determined. Ten
independent measurements of the spheres
diameter were then made throughout the
group members using each of the three
instruments. The mean of the diameter of the
sphere was then computed. The deviation (d)
of each measurement of the diameter was
calculated from the mean diameter and the
average deviation (a.d.) for each instrument
was determined as well. Then, the average
deviation of the mean (A.D.) was calculated.
Next, the % error for the diameter was
calculated by using the A.D. as the error and
the mean diameter as the standard value. The
volume of the sphere was calculated (r as the
mean radius) and the sphere was weighed
using the gram balance. The density of the
sphere was calculated and its accepted value
as given by the instructors. With these, the %
error
for
density
was
computed.
For the second activity, the width of the

thumb of each of the groups members was

measured in inches using their desired
instrument.
4. Results and Discussion
The given sets of data shown in table
I was the measurement of the sphere
accumulated using Foot rule, Vernier caliper
and micrometer caliper. There was a total of
ten trials using different measuring device in
order to acquire precise measurements.
Based on the results the instrument
that gave the most precise measurement was
the micrometer caliper. Precise measurement
denotes that gathered data shows the nearness
of one another but not implicating that it is
the exact value. Accuracy on the other hand
indicates how close the data are to the true
value, thus making the micrometer caliper the
most accurate and precise instrument used for
sphere. Other instruments like foot rule and
vernier caliper garner a data which were less
precise than micrometer caliper.
Sources of error like the consistency
of the reader on each of the instruments, the
instruments itself were they calibrated
properly, the technique on measuring the
sphere gave a percent error on each of the
measurement. Foot rule yields a 4.1% error
while vernier caliper and micrometer caliper
with 0.120% & 0.0300% error respectively.
The errors identified when using a single
measurement would be the systematic and
random errors. Sytematic errors determine
the accuracy (how close the measured value
is to the true value) of the measurement and
can be minimized through calibration while
the random errors are more associated to the
scattered data obtained under controlled
conditions, and they determine the
precision(closeness to one another) of the
measurement. Random errors could be

Trial
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Mean Diameter
Average Deviation
Average Deviation of
the mean (A.D.)
Percent error of
Diameter
Volume (cm3)
Mass (g)
Experimental value of
density (g/cm3)
Accepted value of
density (g/cm3)
Percent error for
density

Foot Rule
Vernier Caliper
1.6
0.1
1.8
0.1
1.645
0.001cm
1.6
0.1
1.660
0.001cm
1.7
0.0
1.665
0.004cm
1.7
0.0
1.665
0.001cm
1.8
0.1
1.665
0.001cm
1.8
0.1
1.660
0.001cm
1.6
0.1
1.665
0.004cm
1.7
0.0
1.665
0.001cm
1.6
0.1
1.660
0.001cm
1.7
1.664cm 1.6641cm 0.004cm
0.07cm
0.002cm
0.02cm
0.001cm

Micrometer Caliper
1.665
1.665cm 0.0009cm
1.6645cm 0.0004cm
1.6630
0.0011cm
1.6640
0.0001cm
1.6640
0.0001cm
1.6645
0.0004cm
1.6640
0.0001cm
1.6645
0.0004cm
1.6630
0.0011cm
1.6645
0.0004cm
0.0005cm
0.0002cm

4.1%

0.120%

0.0300%

2.57 cm3
18.85 g
7.33 g/cm3

2.412 cm3
18.85 g
7.815 g/cm3

2.4129 cm3
18.85 g
7.8122 g/cm3

7.874 g/cm3

7.874 g/cm3

7.874 g/cm3

6.9%

0.749%

0.7849%

Table 1.Measurements for each of the measuring devices for 10 trials and the computed results.
quantified using the deviations of all the
samples against the mean measurement
(measurement of the diameter of the ball),
then computing the average deviation of the
system to get the percent error of the sample
as stated in the formula:

. . =

*where (d) is the summation of the

values and (n) is the number of samples
In the experiment using the foot ruler,
the computed average deviation of the
number of measurements incurred by the
students were 0.07cm, 0.002cm, and

0.0005cm. The mean diameter was also

computed to be 1.7 centimeters in difference
and the percent error for the diameter was
computed to be 4.11%. The computed
volume was 2.57 cm3 and the experimental
value of density and accepted value of
density was 7.33 g/cm3 and 7.874 g/cm3
respectively. Using the value of density
variables, the % error of density was
computed to be 6.910% when using a foot
ruler.
When using the vernier caliper the
computed mean diameter was 1.664 cm and
the average deviation of the number of
observations was computed to be 0.002 cm.

Group member

Width of thumb

0.68

0.73

0.54

0.71

Table 1.1 Measurements for the width of thumb of each of the group members.
The average deviation of the mean
was 0.006 cm and using the formula, the
percent error
was calculated to be 0.120%. The
volume was 2.41 cm3 and the experimental
value of density and accepted value of
density was 7.815 g/cm3 and 7.874 g/cm3
respectively. Using the density variables, the
% error of density was computed to be 0.749
% when using a vernier caliper.
Using the micrometer caliper the
values of the mean diameter of the number of
observations were computed to be 1.6642 cm
and the average deviation was 0.0005, The
average deviation of the mean therefore was
computed to be 0.0002 cm the percent error
of diameter was the smallest, giving only
0.0300%. The volume was 2.4239 cm3. The
experimental value of density and accepted
value of density was 7.8122 g/cm3 and 7.874
g/cm3 respectively. The percent error for
density was 0.7849%
The weight of the ball was constant
and was used as a variable by the three
measuring devices.
5. Conclusion
All throughout the experiment
random error will always occur because of its
relationship with precise measurement which
refers on how near the gathered data to the
true value. Systematic errors states that it is
present due to the imperfect calibration on
measuring device used in the experiments, it
also includes the human error or the system
used by the experimenter, the methods and
procedure used. With the aid of foot ruler,
vernier caliper and micrometer caliper, group

one yielded an average mean of 0.07 cm,

0.002 cm, 0.0005 cm within ten trials
correspondingly. In those ten trials of
measuring the sphere made out of metal, the
mean diameter of the sphere were 1.7 cm,
1.664 cm and 1.6641 cm.
6. Applications
1.
Which among the three measuring
devices give you the least % error? Is the
accuracy of a measurement affected by the
least count of the measuring device?
The micrometer caliper whose least
count is 0.01mm gave the least % error. Yes,
the accuracy of a measurement is affected by
the least count of the device. This was
exhibited in the experiment as the foot rule
whose least count is 1mm also gave the
highest % error compared to the other two.
2.
What do you mean by error? What are
the types of errors? What are the errors you
encountered in this experiment?
Error, according to the dictionary, is a
measure of the estimated difference between
the observed or calculated value of a quantity
and its true value. There are two types of
error: systematic errors which usually comes
from the measuring instruments or due to the
techniques of the experimenter, and random
errors
which
usually
come
from
unpredictable changes in factors of the
experiment and are always present.
Some of the errors that we
encountered during the experiment are, one,
the difference in judgement of the members
in interpreting the read out of the instrument.

Another source of error is the point in which

the sphere was measured.

Solution
(2.2046 2.2)
100
2.2046

3.
Sketch (a) a vernier caliper that reads
3.48cm (b) a micrometer caliper that reads
7.05mm.

=0.2087
5.
In an experiment on determination of
mass of sample, your group consisting of 5
students obtained the following results:
14.34g, 14.32g, 14.33g, 14.30 and 14.23 g.
Find the mean, a.d. and A.D. Suppose that
your group is required to make only four
determinations for the mass sample. If you
are the leader of the group, which data will
you omit? Recalculate the mean, a.d. and
A.D. without this data. Which results would
you prefer.

(a)

Tabulation:
(b)

4.
A student weigh himself using a
bathroom scale calibrated in kilograms. He
reported his weight in pounds. What is the
percentage error in his reported weight if he
uses this conversion: 1kg = 2.2 pounds? The
standard kilogram is equal to 2.2046 pounds.
Percent error
|( ) |
100

Where:
Vtrue is the true value
Vused is the value used

Student

Mass of
sample

1
2
3
4
5

14.34
14.32
14.33
14.30
14.23

Deviation
from the
mean(d)
0.04
0.02
0.03
0
0.07

The mean of the sample is computed

through the summation of the mass of the
sample divided by the number of samples (n).
=

14.30

While the average deviation would be

the summation of the deviations (d) divided
by the number of samples (n).
. . =
. =

0.16
0.032
5

Then divide the a.d. with the square

of the number of samples to get the average
deviation of the mean (A.D.).
. . =
. . =

0.32
5

. .

0.0143

% =

a. d.
mean

History
World:
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/
PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac
07
How to read a vernier caliper. (n.d.).
Retrieved from Mini physics:
https://www.miniphysics.com/howto-read-a-vernier-caliper.html

= 0.032/14.30 x 100
= 0.2237 %

Serway, R., & Vuille, C. (2015). College

Physics (10th ed.). Pasig, Philippines:
Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd
(Philippine Branch).

But if we could omit a data, I would

omit the one from student 5. Because it is
apparent that it is far from most of the data
and is the farthest from the mean. The % error
equation would go as:

Dealing with error and uncertainty in

measured values. Retrieved on
November
25,
2010
from
http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext
/pre/mm2.html

Mean= 14.32
a.d. =0.225
% =

0.225
14.32

= 0.0157 %

The % error is a lot lesser than the

prior, which would be a more favorable set of
data because it shows that there is less errors
that have been committed in observing the
system.

7. References
Buffler, A. (2003, September 12). Using the
vernier calipers and micrometer
screw gauge. Retrieved from
University of Cape Town Department
of Physics Undergraduate Physics
Laboratory
:
http://www.phy.uct.ac.za/courses/ph
ylab1/current/vernier1.html
Gascoigne, B. (From 2001, ongoing). History
of measurement. Retrieved from

Melissinos and Napolitano. 2003.

Experiments in modern physics.
Academic
Press,
USA:
Elsevier Science.