Measurement Errors and Uncertainty

Start with the key terms

Begin with the Error flashcards to work through random error, systematic error, zero error and anomalies. The Practical Skills flashcards also cover accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility. Use the questions and descriptions in each deck to practice telling these terms apart.

For a wider set of practical topics, the AS Level Physics Practical (2016) flashcards include measuring instruments as well as accuracy and uncertainty.

Use the mind maps to connect ideas

Practical Skills - Uncertainty is a useful next step. It sets out how to find uncertainty for single and multiple readings. For a single reading, it refers to the precision of the measuring instrument; for multiple readings, it uses half the range of results.

The mind map on errors in measurements brings together sources of error, including uncalibrated instruments and zero error, with ways to address them. Another mind map looks at questions about repeating measurements, including anomalous results. Compare these maps with the terms in the flashcards as you study.

Check your understanding

No quizzes are listed on this topic page, but you can use your own quiz questions alongside a mind map. For example, ask yourself how random and systematic errors differ, then return to the error resources to check the distinction. You could also use the uncertainty map to check how you would approach single and multiple readings.

Explore the practical skills context

Measurement Errors and Uncertainty is part of Scientific Method and Practical Skills in Physics. On this page, the Practical mind maps list measuring tools, while the Experiments and other flashcards cover uncertainty and errors. The notes on short experiments offer another resource to explore. Choose a map or flashcard deck and work through it at your own pace.