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Calculating Uncertainties (DP IB Physics: SL)

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Uncertainties

Precision

  • Precise measurements are ones in which there is very little spread about the mean value, in other words, how close the measured values are to each other
  • If a measurement is repeated several times, it can be described as precise when the values are very similar to, or the same as, each other
    • Another way to describe this concept is if the random uncertainty of a measurement is small, then that measurement can be said to be precise

  • The precision of a measurement is reflected in the values recorded – measurements to a greater number of decimal places are said to be more precise than those to a whole number

Accuracy

  • A measurement is considered accurate if it is close to the true value
    • Another way to describe this concept is if the systematic error of a measurement is small, then that measurement can be said to be accurate

  • The accuracy can be increased by repeating measurements and finding a mean of the results
  • Repeating measurements also helps to identify anomalies that can be omitted from the final results

Accuracy and Precision, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

The difference between precise and accurate results

Graph Accuracy Precision, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Representing precision and accuracy on a graph

Types of Uncertainty

  • There is always a degree of uncertainty when measurements are taken; the uncertainty can be thought of as the difference between the actual reading taken (caused by the equipment or techniques used) and the true value
  • Uncertainties are not the same as errors
    • Errors can be thought of as issues with equipment or methodology that cause a reading to be different from the true value
    • The uncertainty is a range of values around a measurement within which the true value is expected to lie, and is an estimate

  • For example, if the true value of the mass of a box is 950 g, but a systematic error with a balance gives an actual reading of 952 g, the uncertainty is ±2 g
  • These uncertainties can be represented in a number of ways:
    • Absolute Uncertainty: where uncertainty is given as a fixed quantity
    • Fractional Uncertainty: where uncertainty is given as a fraction of the measurement
    • Percentage Uncertainty: where uncertainty is given as a percentage of the measurement

  • To find uncertainties in different situations:
    • The uncertainty in a reading: ± half the smallest division
    • The uncertainty in repeated data: half the range i.e. ± ½ (largest - smallest value)
    • The uncertainty in digital readings: ± the last significant digit unless otherwise quoted

Calculating Uncertainties, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

How to calculate absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainty

 

  • Always make sure your absolute or percentage uncertainty is to the same number of significant figures as the reading

Propagating Uncertainties

Combining Uncertainties

  • When combining uncertainties, the rules are as follows:

Adding / Subtracting Data

  • Add together the absolute uncertainties

Combining Uncertainties (1), downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Multiplying / Dividing Data

  • Add the percentage or fractional uncertainties

Combining Uncertainties (2), downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Raising to a Power

  • Multiply the percentage uncertainty by the power

Combining Uncertainties (3), downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Worked example

Consider two lengths:

A = 5.0 ± 0.1 cm and B = 2.5 ± 0.1 cm

Which of the following has the smallest percentage uncertainty

A.  A + B

B.  A – B

C.  A × B

D.  A

Step 1: List the known quantities

    • A = 5.0 cm
    • Uncertainty in A, ΔA = 0.1 cm
    • B = 2.5 cm
    • Uncertainty in B, ΔB = 0.1 cm

Step 2: Check the percentage uncertainty of option A

A + B = 5.0 + 2.5 = 7.5 cm

    • The rule for propagating uncertainties for adding data (A + B) is ΔA + ΔB
    • The combined uncertainties are:

0.1 + 0.1 = ± 0.2 cm

    • Therefore, the percentage uncertainty is:

(0.2 ÷ 7.5) × 100 ≈ 2.7%

Step 3: Check the percentage uncertainty of option B

A − B = 5.0 − 2.5 = 2.5 cm

    • The rule for propagating uncertainties for subtracting data (A – B) is ΔA + ΔB
    • The combined uncertainties are:

0.1 + 0.1 = ± 0.2 cm

    • Therefore the percentage uncertainty is:

(0.2 ÷ 2.5) × 100 = 8%

Step 4: Check the percentage uncertainty of option C

A × B = 5.0 × 2.5 = 12.5 cm

    • The rule for propagating uncertainties for multiplying data (A × B) is ΔA/A + ΔB/B
    • The combined uncertainties are:

(0.1 ÷ 5.0) + (0.1 ÷ 2.5) = 0.02 + 0.04 = 0.06

    • Therefore the percentage uncertainty is:

0.06 × 100 = 6%

Step 5: Check the percentage uncertainty of option D

    • A = 5.0 cm and the uncertainty is 0.1 cm
    • Therefore the percentage uncertainty is:

(0.1 ÷ 5.0) × 100 = 2%

Step 6: Compare and select the answer with the smallest percentage uncertainty

    • Comparing the four options, option D is the correct answer as it has a value of 2% which is the smallest percentage uncertainty

Worked example

For the value B = 3.0 ± 0.1, if B is square rooted (√B) what is the answer along with the absolute uncertainty?

Step 1: Find what the value of the quantity will be

√B = √3.0 ≈ 1.73

Step 2: Find the percentage uncertainty of the original

(0.1 ÷ 3.0) × 100 ≈ 3.33%

Step 3: The percentage uncertainty needs to be multiplied by the power of the operation

3.33 × (1 ÷ 2) ≈ 1.67%

Step 4: Apply the percentage uncertainty to the absolute answer

1.67% in decimal form is 0.0167. Therefore: 0.0167 × 1.73 ≈ 0.03

Step 5: State the complete answer

√B = 1.73 ± 0.03

Examiner Tip

Remember:

  • Absolute uncertainties (denoted by Δ) have the same units as the quantity
  • Percentage uncertainties have no units
  • The uncertainty in constants, such as π, is taken to be zero

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.