LESSON 2 TYPES OF ERRORS o The errors occur in the instrument because of the
fault of the operator.
Types of Error in Measurement o A good instrument is used in an unintelligent way
1. Gross Error may give an enormous result.
2. Systematic Error
3. Random Error o The improper practices may cause permanent
damage to the instrument,
1. Gross Errors Remedies:
o Proper steps to be followed while handling the
- The gross error occur because of the human
instrument.
mistakes.
- Gross: blunder because of lack of knowledge,
Loading Error
lack of focus, misuse of laboratory instrument.
Cause:
- For example: consider a person using the
instruments take the wrong reading or they can o It is the most common type of error which caused by
record the incorrect data. the instrument in measurement work.
- Remedies: The reading should be take very o The program is loading which causes error or fast
carefully. change of data.
o The error caused by the loading effect can be
overcome by using meter intelligently.
2. Systematic Error
- Mainly classified into three categories: Remedies:
Instrumental Error o Use of the calibrated instrument can reduce this
type of error.
Causes:
o Such type of errors is inbuilt in instruments because Enviromental Error
of their mechanical structure.
Cause:
o They may be due to manufacturing, calibration or
operation of the device. o These errors are due to the external condition of the
measuring devices.
o These errors may cause the error to read too low or
too high. o Such type of error mainly occur due to the effect of
temperature, pressure, humidity, dust vibration or
because of the magnetic or electrostatic field.
Remedies:
o If the instrument uses the weak spring then it gives
the high value of measuring quantity. Remedies:
o The arrangement should be made to made keep the
o The error occurs in the instrument because of the
condition as constant as possible.
friction or hysterises.
o Place
Misuse of Instrument
Cause: Observational Error
Causes: Precision
o Such type of errors are due to wrong o The closeness with which results of replicate
observations of the reading. analyses of a sample agree. It is a measure of
dispersion or scattering around the mean value and
o There are many sources of observational error. usually expressed in terms of standard deviation,
standard error or a range (difference between
o Thus an error occurs (because of the parallax) highest and lowest result).
unless the line of vision of the observer is
exactly above the pointer.
Remedies:
o To minimize the parallax error, highly accurate
meters are provided with mirrored scales.
3. Random Error
Causes:
o The error which is caused by sudden change in the
atmosphere conditions, such as type of error is
called random error.
o These type of error remain even after the removal of
the systematic error. Hence, such type id called
residual.
Remedies:
o Taking two or more reading for the measured value
can reduce this type of error.
Accuracy
o The "trueness" or the closeness of the analytical
result to the "true" value. It is constituted by a
combination Of random and systematic errors
(precision and bias) and cannot be quantified
directly.
o The level of success in your experiments mainly
relies on your ability to make accurate
measurements. Preferably, the measurement
gathered from laboratory activities must be both
correct and reproducible.