Experiment No : M0

Experiment Name: Measurement and Error Analysis

Objective: To recognise some measures and make brief inquiries about error analysis.
Keywords: Measuring instruments, uncertainty, error analysis

Theoretical Information
Vernier Callipers

The length scale is one of the oldest necessities. For this reason, the simplest methods of length
measurement are known very well. For instance, the narrow side of vernier is used for minor lengths.
This side of vernier has a millimeter ruler and an edge which is perpendicular to the ruler.
Furthermore, there is a second measurement edge which is fitted to the ruler. Zeros of both scales
should coincide if both scales contact each other.

Figure 0.1: Vernier Callipers

With the aid of two measurement jaws (internal and external jaws), measurements could be carried
out. While external jaws are used for outside measurements, internal jaws are used for inside
measurements. Moreover, the articulation component assists depth measurements (Figure 0.1).

Figure 0.2: While scale of the vernier is in the zero position (a), long lines on vernier specify length
of 3.90 mm. The distance between first long line and line of 4 mm is 0.10 mm. The distance between
second long line on vernier and line of 8 mm on graduated scale is 0.2 mm. For example, if it moves
0.40 mm from zero point (b), fourth long vernier line clashes with any line of ruler. In this manner,
accuracy of the measurement is 0.10 mm. In addition to long vernier lines, if short vernier lines are
used together with long lines, accuracy of the measurement increases twice and becomes 0.05 mm.

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 Figure 0.3: The value on main scale
28 mm together with the value of
vernier is 28.25 mm.

Micrometer

More accurate measurements are made with a micrometer. Micrometer consists of fixed heavy piece
on left and maneuverable piece (the ratchet) on right. (Figure 0.4) The ratchet is turned clockwise
until the object is ‘trapped’ between these two surfaces.
Each revolution of the ratchet moves the spindle face 0.50 mm towards the anvil face. When
measurement mouth is closed, micrometer shows zero. Some micrometers are provided with a vernier
scale on the sleeve in addition to the regular graduations in order to increase accuracy. This vernier
scale has 50 lines and each line equals 0.01mm displacement of spindle face.
The ratchet is used to conduct measurement in order for the specimen doesn’t get damage and making
the measurements under same conditions.

Figure 0.4: Micrometer

a: Anvil face Figure 0.5:
b: Spindle face c: represents a distance on rough
c: Sleeve with rough scale scale,
d: Thimble with vernier scale d: represents a distance on vernier
e: The ratchet scale.
f: Frame 0,50 mm+0,15 mm=0,65 mm

Error and Error Types

Error is defined as the difference between the measured and real value. Uncertainty of the experiment
is divided into two groups: systematic errors and random errors. The reasons for systematic errors
can be easily determined and fixed. Systematic errors can be classified as follows:

Errors originated from experimental set-up: These errors are mainly originated from calibration
faults of the testing apparatus. For example, non-precision scales, weighing incorrectly, and non-
calibrated thermometer, etc.

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Implementation errors: These types of errors are caused by the miss-use of instruments. Carrying
out of experiment thoroughly decreases these errors.

Personal errors: Physical disabilities of the person who performs an experiment such as color blind.

Method errors: Method used in experiment may not be the right method. Hence correction of errors
may be difficult.
Random errors originated from undefined reasons cannot be fixed. For example, inhomogeneous
specimens, technical problems of instrument and temperature etc.

Error Calculation

In most cases, the correct value is unknown and errors are originated from different reasons. If it is
possible, source of the error should be determined and fixed. Most of experiments give different and
approximate results since identifying the exact values from measurement is not possible in principle.
Hence, results are described within a range. For example, the mass of a specimen is in the range of
79 – 81 gr if measured as 80 gr. The absolute error between real value 𝑋 and experimental value 𝑋 ,
is calculated as follows:

𝐴𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = |𝑋 − 𝑋 | 0.1

Instead of absolute error, the accuracy of measurement is represented as relative error;

| | | |
𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = , 𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = × 100 0.2

Arithmetic mean

Arithmetic mean (𝑋 ) is described as the sum of all the measured values divided by the total number
of measurements (𝑁).

∑ 𝑋
𝑋 = 0.3
𝑁
Variance and Standard Deviation

σ is the variance of measurement and can be described as the spread or deviation of data from the
mean value.

∑ (𝑋 − 𝑋 )
𝜎 = 0.4
𝑁−1

Standard deviation is equal to square root of the variance and can be described as follows;

∑ (𝑋 − 𝑋 )
𝜎= 0.5
𝑁−1

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 T.C.
GEBZE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
PHYSICS DEPARTMENT

PHYSICS LABORATORY I
EXPERIMENT REPORT

THE NAME OF THE EXPERIMENT

Measurement and Error Analysis

PREPARED BY
NAME AND SURNAME :
STUDENT NUMBER :
DEPARTMENT :
GROUP NO :
TEACHING ASSISTANT :
DATE OF THE EXPERIMENT : ….. / ….. / ……….
DATE : ….. / ….. / ……….

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Experimental Procedure:

The aim of this experiment is to determine the density of an object and calculation of uncertainties.
Each measuring instrument has its own uncertainty (generally written in somewhere on the
instrument) and it must be indicated next to the value obtained from any measurement or calculation.
A commonly used technique to reduce the errors is making repetitive measurements and calculation
of the mean value for the determination of the absolute value.

Figure 0.6: Measurement object

A) Measurements:
Record the accuracies (AC) of the measuring instruments and measured data in Table 0.1.
1. Using the micrometer, measure the edges a and b of the object shown in Figure 0.6 at 5
different points. Be careful to use the ratchet mechanism of the micrometer when squeezing
the object between the measuring openings.
2. Measure the edge c of prism, depth d and diameter e of the hole 5 times using the appropriate
parts of the caliper.
3. Measure the mass (m) of the object using a digital scale.

Table 0.1: Measurement data

Measuring Accuracy Meas. Meas. Meas. Meas. Meas.
instrument and Unit 1 2 3 4 5
Micrometer a
Micrometer b
Caliper c
Caliper d
Caliper e
Digital Scale m

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Mean value calculations:
Make the calculations of the mean values and percentage uncertainties (%U) of the measured lengths
in the place given below and record the results in Table 0.2.

𝒂=

𝒃=

𝒄=

𝒅=

𝒆=

Use the formula given below for calculating the percentage uncertainty.

𝐴𝐶
%𝑈 = × 100
𝑋

%𝑈 =

%𝑈 =

%𝑈 =

%𝑈 =

%𝑈 =

Table 0.2 Mean values and percentage uncertainties of measured lengths

Mean value with accuracy Percentage
(mm) Uncertainty (%)
𝒂
𝒃
𝒄
𝒅
𝒆

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 B) Volume and uncertainty calculations
The total volume (𝑉 ) of the object is equal to the difference between rectangular prism volume (𝑉 )
and cylindrical hole volume (𝑉 ). Calculate whole volumes and corresponding uncertainties using
the equations given below.

𝑉 𝑃 = 𝑎 . 𝑏. 𝑐 =

%𝑈 = %𝑈 + %𝑈 + %𝑈 =

𝑈 = 𝑉 × %𝑈 =

𝑉𝐻 = 𝜋(𝑒̅⁄2)2 . 𝑑 =

%𝑈 = %𝑈 + 2(%𝑈 ) =

𝑈 = 𝑉 × %𝑈 =

𝑉𝑇 = 𝑉𝑃 − 𝑉𝐻 =

𝑈𝑉𝑇 = 𝑈𝑉𝑃 + 𝑈𝑉𝐻 =

C) Density, uncertainty and error calculations

1. Density is defined as the mass per unit volume. Calculate the density in CGS unit system and
corresponding uncertainty of measured object made by Castamide®.
2. The density of Castamide® is 1.15 gr/cm3, calculate relative percentage error of your
measurements.
𝑚
𝜌 = ± 𝑈 (𝑔𝑟/𝑐𝑚 )
𝑉
𝑚
𝜌 = =
𝑉

%𝑈 = %𝑈 + %𝑈 =

𝑈 = 𝜌 × %𝑈 =

𝜌 −𝜌
𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = × 100 =
𝜌

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Conclusion, Comment and Discussion:
(Tips: Give a detailed explanation about what you've learned in the experiment and also explain
the possible errors and their reasons.)
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Questions:
1) How to find the precision of a measuring instrument?
2) Classify the determinable errors and explain them giving an example for each type of error?
3) What the accuracy of a measurement depends on?
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