Lesson 3.

Errors in Measurements

General Chemistry 1
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
All measurement, regardless of its accuracy and precision,
are subject to a certain degree of uncertainties.

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These uncertainties
may be brought
about by the
limitations of the
instrument used or
due to the lack of
skill of the reader.
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A better
understanding of
such uncertainties is
essential to help
ensure accuracy and
precision in
measurements.
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Why are all measurements
uncertain?

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Learning Competency
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

Differentiate between accuracy and precision

(STEM_GC11MT-Ib-13).

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 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Define errors in measurements.

● Identify the different sources of errors in

measurements.

● Describe ways to address errors in measurements.

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 Uncertainties in Measurements

Uncertainties
● expression of the doubt of the result of measurement
● always present in science
● does not mean that the measurement obtained or the
experimental procedure in obtaining such
measurement is wrong
● an acceptable range of uncertainty is established
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 Uncertainties in Measurements

● the lower meniscus of the

liquid is between 31 and
32 mL
● can be assumed to be
approximately 31.5 mL
● ± 0.5 mL uncertainty
The liquid in the graduated cylinder
measures 31.5 mL. 9
What are the different types
of errors in measurements?

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 Measurement Errors

Error
● disparity between the measured value and the “true
value” of the object being measured.
● has different types depending on how it is acquired
○ systematic error
○ gross error
○ random error
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 Measurement Errors

Systematic Errors
● associated with instruments used to obtain
measurements
● consistent in terms of magnitude and direction
● may be further classified: observational,
environmental, and instrumental

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 Systematic Errors

Observational Errors
● due to the following:
○ an incorrect setting of the
instrument being used;
○ carelessness; and
○ bias of the operator when
A parallax error happens when
making observations the reading of measurement is
obtained at a different angle.
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 Systematic Errors

Environmental Errors
● due to the external factors that
may affect the condition of the
measuring instruments
○ temperature
○ moisture Rust is an environmental factor
that may affect the performance
○ dirt of an instrument, which may lead
○ vibrations to inaccurate measurements.14
 Systematic Errors

Instrumental Errors
● due to the inherent limitation of
an instrument
● improper calibration of the
instrument
A weighing scale may result in
errors in measurement due to its
inherent limitations.
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 Measurement Errors

Random Errors
● due to random and unpredictable fluctuations in
experimental conditions
● occur irregularly
● affects precision
○ results obtained may be too high or low
○ inconsistent in both magnitude and direction
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 Measurement Errors

Gross Errors
● due to mistakes in the analysis of the instrument used
as well as in recording the measurement outcomes
● human error
● errors so serious that the experiment has to be
repeated

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How are errors in
measurements calculated?

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 Calculations of Measurement Errors

Absolute Error
● the absolute value of the difference between actual
and obtained measurements

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 Calculations of Measurement Errors

Relative Error
● the ratio of the absolute error to the measured value

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 Calculations of Measurement Errors

Percentage Error
● shows the extent to which a measurement deviates
from the actual value

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 Let’s Practice!

The actual height of a rookie basketball player is 5.80

feet. But when his height was measured prior to the
drafting of players, his recorded height was 5.71 feet.
Compute for the absolute error of the rookie
basketball player’s height.

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 Let’s Practice!

The actual height of a rookie basketball player is 5.80

feet. But when his height was measured prior to the
drafting of players, his recorded height was 5.71 feet.
Compute for the absolute error of the rookie basketball
player’s height.

The absolute error of the rookie basketball player’s

height is 0.09 ft.
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 Let’s Practice!

A balikbayan box, with an actual mass of 58.0 kg,

approximately weighs 57.8 kg on the airport’s
weighing scale. What is the relative error in the mass
of the balikbayan box?

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 Let’s Practice!

A balikbayan box, with an actual mass of 58.0 kg,

approximately weighs 57.8 kg on the airport’s weighing
scale. What is the relative error in the mass of the
balikbayan box?

The relative error in the mass of the balikbayan box is

0.0003.
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 Let’s Practice!

The computed percentage error of the voltage

reading shown by a voltmeter is 1.42 %. If the actual
voltage of the battery connected to the voltmeter is
7.85 volts, what is its measured value?

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 Let’s Practice!

The computed percentage error of the voltage reading

shown by a voltmeter is 1.42 %. If the actual voltage of
the battery connected to the voltmeter is 7.85 volts, what
is its measured value?

The measured value of the battery connected to the

voltmeter is 7.96 volts.
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 Ways to Reduce Measurement Errors

● care and self-discipline in performing experiments

● regular maintenance of instruments
● calibration of instruments
● use of standard reference materials to check
performance of a method
● blank determinations

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Why is it important to reduce
measurement errors?

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 Check Your Understanding

Identify the kind of measurement error that occurred

in the given situation

1. The voltmeter recorded a 0.91% error in the

measurement of the battery’s voltage.
2. There is a disparity in the reading of the actual volume
due to parallax error
3. The experimenter accidentally wrote 23 oC instead of
28 oC in the data of the experiment.
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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Uncertainty in measurement refers to the expression

of the doubt of the result of a measurement.
● Error in measurement is the disparity between the
measured value and the “true value” of the object being
measured.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Systematic errors are errors that, at least in principle,

can be ascribed to definite causes.
○ Observational errors are errors that arise due to an
incorrect setting of the instrument being used or
carelessness and bias of the operator when making
observations.

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Let’s Sum It Up!

○ Environmental errors are due to the external

factors that may affect the condition of the
measuring instruments.
○ Instrumental errors happen because of the
inherent limitation of an instrument that results in
errors during its operation.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Random errors are those that occur irregularly due to

random and unpredictable fluctuations in experimental
conditions. They affect precision.

● Gross errors are physical errors so serious the that

experiment has to be repeated.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● There are several ways to quantify measurement errors.

These are absolute error, relative error, and percentage
error.
○ The absolute error is the absolute value of the
difference between the actual and obtained
measurements.

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Let’s Sum It Up!

○ The relative error is the ratio of the absolute value

to the measured value.

○ The percentage error shows the extent to which a

measurement deviates from the actual value. This is
another way of expressing relative error but in
percentage form.
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 Key Formula

Concept Formula Description

Use this
Absolute
formula to
error
determine the
difference
between the
actual and
obtained
measurements
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 Key Formula

Concept Formula Description

Relative Use this formula to

error determine the ratio
of the absolute
value to the
measured value.

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 Key Formula

Concept Formula Description

Percentage Use this formula

error to compute the
extent to which a
measurement
deviates from
the actual value.

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Challenge Yourself

How should one consider the position

of the instrument used in obtaining
measurements?

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 Photo Credit Bibliography
Buckley, Don. Interactive Science: Chemistry. United
● Slides 2 & 3: This file, Digi-keukenweegschaal1284, States of America.: Pearson Education, 2011. Print.
by Algont is licensed under CC BY 3.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.
Handwerker, Mark J. Science Essentials. San Francisco,
CA.: Jossey-Bass, 2005. Print.

Hawe, Alan., Davies, Dan., McMahon, Kendra., Towler,

Lee., Collier, Christopher., and Scott, Tonie. Science
5 - 11: A Guide for Teachers. 2nd Edition. New
York, NY: David Fulton Publishers, 2009. Print.

Petrucci, Ralph H. General Chemistry: Principles and

Modern Applications. Toronto, Ont.: Pearson
Canada, 2011. Print.

Wolf, Jonathan S. Easy Physics: Step-by-step. United

States of America.: The McGraw Hill Companies,
2013. Print.
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