Experiment E1 ERROR IN EXPERIMENTAL DATA

I. Objective

To investigate sources of error in measurements and to apply the equations provided to

analyze the error.

II. Hypothesis

III. Variables

 Manipulated
o Part A: Rb
o Part B: Rb
 Responding
o Part A: E0
o Part B: Rb (Actual Value)
 Controlled
o Part A: Ein

IV. Materials

 1 DC Power Supply
 1 High-Input-Impedance Voltmeter
 10 Composition Resistors, 2.2kΩ
 1 Composition Resistor, 1kΩ

V. Procedure

Part A – Error Caused by Component Tolerance

(Perform this part immediately)
1. Set up the experimental circuit shown in Figure E1-1
2. Connect the voltmeter across Rb and adjust the input voltage until the output is
exactly 10%. Record the value of Ein in the data table provided. Do not change Ein
throughout the remainder of the experiment.
3. Replace the decade resistor with one of the 2.2kΩ composition resistors and
again record the value of E0 in the data table provided.
4. Place each of the remaining 2.2kΩ resistors in the circuit, one at a time, and
record the value of E0 for each resistor.
5. Use equation 4 to compute the value of Rb for each of the ten resistors.
6. Compute the average value of Rb. Enter in the data table.
 7. Compute the range of errors in the values for Rb. Enter in the data table.
8. Compute the percentage of error for the average value of Rb computed in step 6
against the color-coded value of the resistors. Enter in the data table.

Part B – Error Reading

(Perform whenever Rx is available)
1. Each student measures and records the value of the resistor provided by the
instructor, using the meter provided by the instructor.

Data Table for Experiment E1

Component Error in Reading,

Tolerance E1B
Error, E1A Resistance Values Average Resistance
E0 Rb Values Ein 1.9kΩ
10.010V 2kΩ 1.8kΩ
10.010V 2kΩ Average Rb 2.1kΩ Rave = 2.03kΩ
10.005V 2kΩ 2.1kΩ
10.015V 2kΩ RbAve = 2kΩ 2.15kΩ
10.015V 2kΩ 2.05kΩ
10.030V 2kΩ Range of Errors 2.09kΩ Range of Errors
10.003V 2kΩ Range of Error = 0 2kΩ
10.025V 2kΩ 2.1kΩ
10.035V 2kΩ Percentage of error 2kΩ Range of Error = 175
10.017V 2kΩ
% of error = 9.09%

Percentage of Error

% of Error = 7.73%

Actual Value of R

Actual Value = 2.2kΩ

2. The instructor or a designated student will record the student’s readings on the
blackboard, after all readings have been made. The students will enter these
values in the data table.
 3. Compute the average of the readings from step 2, using equation 1. Enter in the
data table.
4. Compute the range of errors in the readings from step 2, using equation 2. Enter
in the data table.
5. Compute the percentage of error of the average resistance computed in step 3
compared to the actual value of the resistor as measured by the instructor on a
resistor bridge. Enter in the data table.

VI. Observations

VII. E0 Rb Values E0 Rb Values

10.010 V 2 kΩ 10.010 V 1.9kΩ
10.010 V 2 kΩ 10.033 V 1.8kΩ
10.005 V 2 kΩ 10.005 V 2.1kΩ
10.015 V 2 kΩ 10.015 V 2.1kΩ
10.015 V 2 kΩ 10.015 V 2.15kΩ
10.030 V 2 kΩ 10.030 V 2.05kΩ
10.003 V 2 kΩ 10.003 V 2.09kΩ
10.025 V 2 kΩ 10.025 V 2kΩ
10.035 V 2 kΩ 10.035 V 2.1kΩ
10.017 V 2 kΩ 10.017 V 2kΩ

Table A: Ein = 15 V Table B: Actual Value - 2.2 kΩ

VIII. Analysis (Discussion)

An error is a deviation of a reading from the accuracy or correctness of the

expected measured value. When we make measurements some error is unavoidable
because no measurement can get the exact value of any amount. There are numerous
causes of error in any experimental data. The primary concerns about analyzing
experimental data are the sources of error and the extent to which the error has
affected the validity of the data.
This experiment consists of two parts. Part 1 is concerned with error introduced
by component tolerances. Although there are other sources of error in our data, such as
instrument errors or observational errors, the experimental data will be treated as
though the only source of error is due to deviations in resistance values owing to
manufacturing tolerances.
 Part 2 covers errors in reading, which may be classified as gross error or
observational error. Our instructor provides a single resistor of unknown value Rx. Each
student in turn, measures and records on a piece of paper his or her value of the
resistor. All readings should be made with the same ohmmeter. Students should not
disclose their measurement to their classmates until our instructor or a designated
student has recorded all measurements on the blackboard.

IX. Conclusion

X. Errors
 Component Tolerances
 Readings

XI. References