UNCERTAINTY WORKSHEET

1. In the diagram at right, 4 targets are shown. If the goal is to hit the centre of the bulls-eye, a) Which show a precise aim? I & III b) Which show an accurate aim? I & II. The dots in II average out to the centre

2. a) Calculate the average and the uncertainty for each set of data: AVG UNCERT. SET A: 15.32, 15.37, 15.33, 15.38, 15.35 15.35 + 0.03 SET B: 16.30, 16.18, 16.25, 16.29, 16.23 16.25 + 0.06 b) The true value that we were attempting to measure was: 16.26 Which set of data is most precise? A Which is most accurate? B

3. In which of the following examples would the precision of a thermometer be more important than its accuracy? a) determining the identity of an unknown compound by comparison of its measured melting point to a reference table b) measuring the temperature change when a chemical is added to water. If the thermometer is consistently off by 5 degrees, it wont affect our readings for CHANGE in temperature.

4- In an experiment, you are measuring the mass of water by difference. You use 2 different balances to measure mass, and your data looks like this: *NOTE: in this problem, we are looking at differences between readings from two balances. We are not looking at balance-reading error but there WOULD be an uncertainty that came from reading this scale. Balance A Empty Beaker Beaker + 50mL water 50 mL water alone 207.2g 257.2g 50.0g Balance B 210.4g 260.4g 50.0g Avg. with uncertainty 208.8 g 1.6 g 258.8 1.6 g 50.0 g 3.2 g

Do you think your main source of error is random or systematic? Systematic If you believe one of the balances is off, how would you determine which one? Test it using a standard mass of known weight. What happens to your uncertainty after youve done the calculations? The uncertainties add up.

5. In an experiment, you are measuring the mass of water by difference. You use only one balance, but ask 2 friends to help you make measurements. Your data looks like this. You Empty Beaker Beaker + 50mL water 50 mL water alone 207.2g 257.3g 50.1g Friend A 207.1g 257.0g 49.9g Friend B 207.3g 257.5g 50.2g Avg. with uncertainty 207.2 g 0.1 g 257.3 g 0.3 g 50.1 g 0.4 g

Complete the table. Might random error be present? YES. What is causing it? READING THE SCALE. If so, how would you correct for it? PRACTICE & IMPROVE YOUR MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE error will never be totally eliminated. 6. Use the following scales to measure the quantities required. Be sure to list the appropriate # of digits, as well as the uncertainty that goes along with each measurement V = 36.5 + 0.5 mL V = 47 + 5 mL V = 20.38+0.05mL

M = 373.34 + 0.05 g. 7. You need to measure the length of a table using either a meter-stick or a 30-cm ruler. Both have smallest division = 0.5 cm. Which method has greater uncertainty? The 30 cm ruler will require you to measure in multiple segments, whereas the meter-stick will measure all in one go. Each measurement you take has an uncertainty of + 0.05cm. If you take 3 measurements & add them, your total will have an uncertainty of + 0.15cm.