Introduction to Experimental Error
Errors 1 1/9/03 Introduction to Experimental Error Susan Cartwright 1. What is Experimental Error ? The number that we quote as Experimental Error might be more accurately described as Experimental precision . It is an estimate of the inherent uncertainty associated with our Experimental procedure, and is not dependent on any presumed right answer . Example: Suppose we are asked to measure the length of a block of glass. Our Experimental Error depends on the method of measurement. Method Typical Error cheap ruler mm draughtsman s ruler mm calipers with vernier mm travelling microscope mm interferometer mm (if n known accurately) Which of these methods we should actually use depends on how accurately we need to know the length of the block: is it just used as a support, or is it part of a precision optical device?
For single measurements, the only guide we have is our knowledge of the experimental setup and our own capabilities. This is unlikely to lead to a particularly accurate estimate of the error, because we may not have sufficiently accurate knowledge of all the relevant factors (for
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