Error and uncertainty

in measurement
Ms. Wang
 Learning objectives
Carry out error propagation calculations for an
experiment
 Recap accuracy and precision
1. Accuracy verses precision
The accuracy of a measurement is an expression of how
close the measured value is to the “correct” or “true” value.

The precision of a set of measurements refers to how

closely the individual measurements agree with one
another.
Accuracy:_________
poor
Accuracy:_________
poor High
Accuracy:_________

poor
Precision:_________ High
Precision:_________ Precision:_________
High
 Errors and mistakes
• Mistakes are not the same as errors.
• Mistakes can be avoided
• Whereas Errors can only be minimized but not entirely avoided
because they are part of the process of measurement.

Mistakes Errors

Very hard to be
parallel to the
bottom
minescus
Overlook

Look up
 Experimental errors

The experimental error in a result is the difference

between the recorded value and the generally
accepted or literature value.
Errors can be categorized as random or systematic
Key concepts
Accuracy is how close a measurement is close to the correct or accepted value.
Precision is a measurement of the consistency of a data.
Best measurement is both accurate and precise.

Systematic errors reduce accuracy of measurements which is constant in a series of

repetitions of the same experiment. It causes the results deviating to one side.

Random errors make a measurement less precise which are caused by unknown and
unpredictable changes in the experiment. These changes may occur in the measuring
instruments or in the environmental conditions. It causes the results fluctuated.
precision and accuracy

• Accuracy is how close a measurement is

. close to the true value
• Precision is a measurement of _______________data.
the consistency of
In other words, the measured values are how close to
each other.
• Best measurement is both accurate and precise.
 Quantitative data
Table 1: The volume of 0.135 mol Table 1: The volume of NaOH
dm-3 NaOH required to titrate 25cm3,
unknown concentration of HCl till
VS required to titrate against H2SO4

phenolphthalein indicator changes

colour from colourless to pale pink Key words/sentence:
1 volume concentration
2 NaOH
Volume Actual volume Color 3 titrate /titration
(cm3 + 0.05 cm3) (cm3 + 0.1 cm3) 4. concentration of acid
Final initial 4 end point/
phenolphthalein, colorless,
pale pink
Rough 31.75 12.35 19.4 dark pink

1 35.10 15.80 19.3 pale pink

2 37.15 17.95 19.2 pale pink
3 38.55 19.35 19.2 pale pink
4 35.60 16.60 19.0 light pale pink
 Choosing concordant result

1. The first trail is rough trail (not accurate) ,so the first data
is not considered.
2. Biggest-smallest = falls within ＋ 0.1cm3
3. Choose the data points which have the closest colour
based on your qualitative data
Volume (cm3 + 0.05 cm3) Actual volume Colour
(cm3 + 0.1 cm3)
Initial Final
Rough 31.75 12.35 19.4 dark pink
1 35.10 15.80 19.3 pale pink
2 37.15 17.95 19.2 pale pink
3 38.55 19.35 19.2 pale pink
4 35.70 16.60 19.1 light pale pink
How does the uncertainty of equipment impact on
the final result?
 Uncertainty
Absolute uncertainty
28.00 cm3 + 0.02 cm3

Estimated absolute
Percentage uncertainty digit uncertainty
The percentage uncertainty is the absolute uncertainty expressed as a
percentage of the value.
28.00 cm3 + 0.07%
28.00 cm3 + 0.02 cm3
percentage
no more than one significant figure if it is uncertainty
greater than or equal to 2% and to no more 0.02 100
than two significant figures if it is less than 2% x = 0.07%
28 1
 Determine the uncertainties in results

The uncertainty of final value of the quantity is accumulated and determined by the
uncertainties in individual measurements. The following simple rules are to be used in
calculation:
When adding and subtracting numbers, ADD absolute uncertainties

When multiplying or dividing numbers, ADD percentage uncertainties

When raising to a power, MULTIPLY percentage uncertainties by the exponential

When averaging a set of values, the absolute uncertainty in the average equals to
the absolute uncertainty of individual data.
 Determine the uncertainties in results

1. When adding and subtracting numbers, ADD absolute

uncertainties
2. When multiplying or dividing numbers, ADD percentage
uncertainties
3. When averaging a set of values, Add absolute
uncertainties then average the absolute uncertainties
 Error propagation
Chemical equation
NaOH ＋ HCl --> NaCl ＋H2O
Step 1 V(NaOH)average (choose concordant result) Absolute uncertainty :
= (18.3 ＋18.4＋18.3) / 3 = (0.1 ＋0.1＋0.1) / 3
= 18.3 cm3 = 0.1 cm3
(round off to 1 dp) Perecentage uncertainty
0.1 × 100% = 0.55%
18 .3
No uncertainty as the concentration value
c(NaOH) = 0.123 mol dm-3
was given by the teacher
Step 2 n(NaOH)
n(NaOH) = c x V 0.55%
= 0.123 mol dm3 x 0.0183 dm3
= 0.0022875 mol
Step3 n(HCl)
since n(HCl) : n(NaOH) = 1:1 according to
the chemical balance equation 0.55%
Hence n(HCl) = 0.0022875 mol
 Error propagation
Step 4 V(HCl) 0.03
V(HCl) = 25.00 cm3 + 0.03 cm3 × 100% = 0.12%
25.0
Step 5 c(HCl)
Perecentage uncertainty
C(HCl) = n/V
0.55% + 0.12%
= 0.0022875 mol / 0.025 dm 3
= 0.67%
= 0.0915 mol dm 3

Absolute uncertainty
C(HCl) = 0.67% x 0.0915
0.0915 mol dm3 + 0.0006 mol dm3 = 0.00061305 mol dm3
= 0.0915 mol dm3 + 0.0006 mol dm3 = 0.0006 mol dm3
Same decimal place 1 sf
 Error propagation
Chemical equation
NaOH ＋ HCl --> NaCl ＋H2O
Step 1 V(NaOH)average (choose concordant result) Absolute uncertainty :
= (18.3 ＋18.4＋18.3) / 3 = (0.1 ＋0.1＋0.1) / 3
= 18.3 cm3 = 0.1 cm3
(round off to 1dp) Perecentage uncertainty
0.1 × 100% = 0.55%
18 .3
No uncertainty as the concentration value
c(NaOH) = 0.125 mol dm-3
was given by the teacher
Step 2 n(NaOH)
n(NaOH) = c x V 0.55%
= 0.123 mol dm3 x 0.0183 dm3
= 0.0022875 mol
Step3 n(HCl)
since n(HCl) : n(NaOH) = 1:1 according to 0.55%
the chemical balance equation
Hence n(HCl) = 0.0022875 mol
 Error propagation
Step 4 V(HCl) 0.03
V(HCl) = 25.00 cm3 + 0.03 cm3 × 100% = 0.12%
25.0
Step 5 c(HCl)
Perecentage uncertainty
C(HCl) = n/V
0.55% + 0.12%
= 0.0022875 mol / 0.025 dm3
= 0.67%
= 0.0915 mol dm3

Absolute uncertainty
C(HCl) = 0.67% x 0.0915
0.0915 mol dm3 + 0.0006 mol dm3 = 0.00061305 mol dm3
= 0.0915 mol dm3 + 0.0006 mol dm3 = 0.0006 mol dm3
Same decimal place 1 sf
 Error propagation
Step1
Convert absolute uncertainty into perecentage uncertainty

Step2
Add up perecentage uncertainty at each step

Step3
Convert perecentage uncertainty into absolute uncertainty at
the end of your calculation

Step4
The absolute uncertainty(in the end of the calculation) must
be presented to1 significant figure with an correct unit.
Percentage discrepancy
 Error propagation

1. The absolute uncertainty at last step has 1

significant figure

2. The final answer is presented to same decimal place

as the final absolute uncertainty.
 Homework

Finish the calculation and error propagation of the practical 4

Table 1: The volume of 0.123 mol dm-3 NaOH required to titrate
25.00cm3(the uncertainty of the pipette is 0.03cm3) unknown concentration
of HCl till phenolphthalein indicator changes color from colorless to pale
pink，
Volume (cm3 + 0.05 cm3)Actual volume
(cm3 + 0.1 cm3)
Final initial
Rough 32.45 12.35 20.1
1 34.90 15.80 19.1
2 37.05 17.95 19.1
3 38.65 19.35 19.3
4 36.40 16.60 19.8
Actual volume = final volume – initial volume
 Error propagation
Chemical equation
NaOH ＋ HCl --> NaCl ＋H2O
Step 1 V(NaOH)average (choose concordant result) Absolute uncertainty :
= (19.1 ＋19.1＋19.3) / 3 = (0.1 ＋0.1＋0.1) / 3
= 19.2 cm3 = 0.1 cm3
(round off to 2 dp) Perecentage uncertainty
0.1 × 100% = 0.5%
19 .2
No uncertainty as the concentration value
c(NaOH) = 0.123 mol dm-3
was given by the teacher
Step 2 n(NaOH)
n(NaOH) = c x V 0.5%
= 0.123 mol dm3 x 0.0192 dm3
= 0.0023616 mol
Step3 n(HCl)
since n(HCl) : n(NaOH) = 1:1 according to
the chemical balance equation 0.5%
Hence n(HCl) = 0.0023616 mol
 Error propagation
Step 4 V(HCl) 0.03
V(HCl) = 25.00 cm3 + 0.03 cm3 × 100% = 0.12%
25.0
Step 5 c(HCl)
Perecentage uncertainty
C(HCl) = n/V
0.5% + 0.12%
= 0.0023616 mol / 0.025 dm3
= 0.62%
= 0.0944464 mol dm 3

Absolute uncertainty
C(HCl) = 0.62% x 0.0926464
0.0944464 mol dm3 + 0.0006 mol dm3 = 0.00057441 mol dm3
= 0.0944 mol dm3 + 0.0006 mol dm3 = 0.0006 mol dm3
Same decimal place 1 sf
Homework
Complete the handout P24
1. Make mock/standard solution/ 0.1moldm3 NaOH, 250cm3
solution.
1) calculate the mass of NaOH.
moles = 0.25 *0.1= 0.025
mass = 0.025 * 40 = 1 g
2) weigh out solid
3) dissolve in beaker with distilled water.( 100 cm3)
4) transfer the solution into 250cm3 volumetric flask
5) add water until mark
6) mix,
0.1moldm3 NaOH, solution. X cm3
0.05 moldm3. 250cm3

1. Calculate
0.1 x =
NaOH : 0.004mol. In 25cm3.
NaOH _______ in 1000cm3