Uncertainties
Scholar Notes on Units, prefixes and uncertainties - pdf file
Knowledge and use of uncertainties, including systematic uncertainties, scale reading uncertainties, random uncertainties, and calibration uncertainties.
Systematic uncertainty occurs when readings taken are either all too small or all too large. This can arise due to faulty measurement techniques or experimental design.
Scale reading uncertainty is an indication of how precisely an instrument scale can be read.
Random uncertainty arises when measurements are repeated and slight variations occur. Random uncertainty may be reduced by increasing the number of repeated measurements.
Calibration uncertainty arises when there is a difference between a manufacturer’s claim for the accuracy of an instrument when compared with an approved standard.
Solve problems involving absolute uncertainties and fractional/percentage uncertainties.
Appropriate use of significant figures in absolute uncertainties. Absolute uncertainty should normally be rounded to one significant figure. In some instances, a second significant figure may be retained.