1.4:
Types of Errors: Detection and Minimization
Error is the deflection of an obtained result from the expected or true results of an experiment. This happens due to the uncertainty associated with the measurement.
Errors can be expressed in absolute or relative terms.
While absolute error is the difference between the measured and the true value, the relative error is the percentage of absolute error to the actual value.
Errors can be classified based on the source, magnitude, and sign into systematic, random, and gross errors.
Systematic errors are reproducible as they originate from defective equipment, flawed experiment design, and personal bias.
Random errors arise from uncontrollable variables in the measurement, making them irreproducible and randomly scattered around a central value.
Gross errors occur due to human mistakes and are of larger magnitude.
Systematic errors can be detected and minimized by using standard reference materials, independent analysis, blank determinations, and varying the sample size.
1.4:
Types of Errors: Detection and Minimization
Error is the deviation of the obtained result from the true, expected value or the estimated central value. Errors are expressed in absolute or relative terms.
Absolute error in a measurement is the numerical difference from the true or central value. Relative error is the ratio between absolute error and the true or central value, expressed as a percentage.
Errors can be classified by source, magnitude, and sign. There are three types of errors: systematic, random, and gross.
Systematic or determinate errors emerge from known sources and are reproducible during replicate measurements. Defective equipment and experiment design flaws are familiar sources of these errors. These errors can be minimized by employing standard reference materials, independent analysis, or varying the sample size.
Random errors or indeterminate errors are difficult to reproduce by repeating measurements. These errors originate from uncontrolled variables like electronic noise in the circuit of an electrical instrument and irregular changes in the heat loss rate from a solar collector due to changes in the wind.
Gross errors are caused by human mistakes. The magnitude of these errors is often high. The origin of such errors is entirely based on the observer.