Date: 8-JUL-2021 Name: V.

Harishkumaran

Physics activity
UNITS AND MEASURMENTS
Aim:-
To take measurement of five observations of length and
calculate the true value, absolute error, mean absolute error,
relative error and percentage error.
Apparatus required:-
 Ruler
 An object to measure
 Pencil
Procedure:-
 First take an object (pencil or pen) to measure the length of
it.
 Then take a ruler and measure the length of the object you
have
 We should ensure that there is no error in the scale. If there
is an error you should note it (1cm or ½ cm) down.
 We should take five readings of the object and note it
down.
Date: 8-JUL-2021 Name: V.Harishkumaran

Tabulation:-
Zero error = 1cm
S.NO Observed reading Corrected reading
1 14.5cm 14.5cm-1cm=13.5cm(l1)
2 14.4cm 14.4cm-1cm=13.4cm(l2)
3 14.6cm 14.6cm-1cm=13.6cm(l3)
4 14.3cm 14.3cm-1cm=13.3cm(l4)
5 14.7cm 14.7cm-1cm=13.7cm(l5)

Formulas:
1) True value = Lmean =sum of all measurements /Number of
measurements

2) Absolute error = (ΔL1 = Lmean - L1) , ( ΔL2 = Lmean - L2, ……. ,),
(ΔL3 = Lmean – L3) (Measured value-True value)

3) Mean absolute error = sum of all absolute error/number of

absolute error

4) Relative error = Mean absolute error/true value

5) Percentage error = Relative error × 100

Date: 8-JUL-2021 Name: V.Harishkumaran

Calculation:-
1) True value = 13.5+13.4+13.6+13.3+13.7
5
= 13.5 cm
2) Absolute error =
a) ΔL1 = 13.5-13.5 = 0cm
b) ΔL2 = 13.4-13.5 = -0.1cm
c) ΔL3 = 13.6-13.5 = +0.1cm
d) ΔL4 = 13.3-13.5 = -0.2cm
e) ΔL5 = 13.7-13.5 = +0.2cm
3) Mean absolute error =
0+0.1+0.1+0.2+0.2
5
=0.12
4) Relative error =
0.12
13.5
= 0.008
5) Percentage error =
0.008 × 100
=0.8%
Hence, the percentage error is 0.8%.
Date: 8-JUL-2021 Name: V.Harishkumaran

Conclusion:
1) True value = 13.5 cm.
2) Absolute error = 0cm, (-0.1cm), 0.1cm, (0.2cm), 0.2cm.
3) Mean absolute error = 0.12
4) Relative error = 0.008
5) Percentage error = 0.8%

Hence, by seeing this calculation we can conclude that by

measuring a cutter we found true value, absolute error,
mean absolute error, relative error, percentage error.