paper 3 physics alevel

Define uncertainty

An uncertainty is the interval/range in which the (true) value can be considered to lie

Define error

The difference between a measured value and the true value.

what are different types of error

parallax error, zero error, human reaction time

what are causes of uncertainties

the instrument being used to make the measurement

the way in which the measurement is made

the quantity measured not being constant

Define zero error

An error that occurs due to the measuring instrument reading a non-zero output when there is no input

Define parallax error

This is the error caused by situating your eye above or below the meniscus

-From below, your reading is high. From above it is low.

how do you reduce percentage uncertainty

measure larger quantities or increase resolution

Define precision

how close measurements are to each other

Define accuracy

how close a measurement is to the true value

how do you improve accuracy?

By reducing sources of error in the method