Understanding Measurement Errors

The video tutorial explains the differences between systematic and random errors. Systematic errors are consistent and repeatable, often caused by faulty equipment or incorrect calibration. Examples include a stretched tape measure or a miscalibrated scale. Random errors, however, are unpredictable and cannot be replicated, lacking any discernible pattern. The tutorial also covers specific types of systematic errors, such as offset errors, where instruments are not set to zero, and scale factor errors, where measurements are proportionally incorrect.

What is a key characteristic of systematic errors?

• They are always positive.

• They occur only once.

• They are unpredictable.

• They are consistent and repeatable.

Which of the following is a common cause of systematic errors?

• Sudden power outages.

• Random fluctuations in temperature.

• Human error in data entry.

• Incorrectly calibrated instruments.

What might cause a plastic tape measure to give incorrect measurements over time?

• It becomes heavier.

• It becomes more flexible.

• It gets stretched slightly.

• It changes color.

How do systematic errors typically affect measurements?

• They are always in the same direction.

• They are always too high.

• They vary randomly.

• They cancel each other out.

What is a defining feature of random errors?

• They are caused by faulty equipment.

• They are unavoidable and unpredictable.

• They have a clear pattern.

• They are consistent.

Why is it difficult to identify the source of random errors?

• They are caused by human error.

• They are always positive.

• They have no pattern.

• They occur only once.

What is an offset error?

• An error that is always positive.

• An error due to incorrect zero setting.

• An error that occurs only once.

• An error that occurs randomly.

What is a scale factor error?

• An error that occurs randomly.

• An error that is always negative.

• An error that occurs due to human mistakes.

• An error that is proportional to the true measurement.

How does a stretched measuring tape affect measurements?

• It gives results that are less than the true value.

• It gives results that are more than the true value.

• It gives results that are exactly the true value.

• It gives results that are random.

What happens if a scale is not properly tared before use?

• It will give random errors.

• It will give offset errors.

• It will give no errors.

• It will give scale factor errors.