p6

error

error is defined as the difference between the true

value and the measured value and in most sources

uncertainty

error is used interchangeably with

Systematic error

Random error

There are two main types of errors

Random errors

This is a short-term variation of values around a mean value.

It is caused by unknown and unpredictable changes in the environment.

Fundamental noise

affected by the laws of physics

Technical noise

it can also operate with a higher than average noise known as

Johnson noise

is the random variation of voltage due to the thermal agitation of electrons within an electrical conductor.

systematic error

is related to a particular measuring instrument or an experimental technique.

parallax error

It occurs when the user reads an instrument at an angle that results in a slightly lower or slightly higher measurement