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Name of Student:
Subject Physics Article
Class 11 th
Uncertainty

Uncertainty
Precision
• Measurement which are closed to each other.
• The precision of a measurement is determined by the device is being used.
Precise Measurement
• A precise measurement is that which has smaller value of absolute uncertainty.
Absolute uncertainty
• Is equal to the least count of the measuring device.
• Precision=Absolute uncertainty=least count
Least Count of Vernier Caliper=0.01cm
Least count of screw gauge =0.001cm
So measurement taken by screw gauge is more precise than vernier caliper because it has smallest
least count.
Accuracy
• Measurements that are closed to known or actual value.
• Depends upon the fractional or percentage uncertainty in the measurement.
Accurate Measurement
• Is that which has less fractional uncertainty.
Fractional Uncertainty
• Is equal to the ratio of least count of measuring instrument to the measured value.
𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡
Fractional Uncertainty=𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
Percentage Uncertainty
𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡
× 100
𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
Uncertainty
• Is the unavoidable error in measurement.
• All physical measurements are uncertain.
Causes
• Inadequacy or limitation of an instrument.
• Natural imperfections of a person sense.
Assessment of uncertainty in total measurement
Rule 1: For addition and Subtraction
Principle
• Total uncertainty can be estimated by adding the Absolute uncertainty.
Example
X1=10.5±0.1cm
X2=26.810±0.1cm
Sol:
Absolute Uncertainty=0.1cm
∆x=x2 −x1
∆x=16.3±0.2cm
𝑨bsolute uncertainty of both x1 and X2 are added.

Rule 2: For multiplication and division

Principle
Total uncertainty can be estimated by adding percentage uncertainty.
Example
V=5.2±0.1V(A.U)
I=0.84±0.05A
Estimation of resistance Finding percentage uncertainty R=%age uncertainty in
𝑉 V+%age uncertainty in I
R=
𝐼 𝐴.𝑈
5.2
R=0.84=6.19Ω %age uncertainty In V= × 100
𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
0.1
= × 100 = 𝟐%
5.2
𝐴.𝑈
%age uncertainty in I= × 100
𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
0.05
= × 100
0.84
= 𝟔%
Total Uncertainty in R= 6%+ 2%=8%
Uncertainty in 100 Ω=8%
Uncertainty in 1 Ω=8/100
8
Uncertainty in 6.2 Ω= × 6.2
100
=0.5Ω
So we can write it as
R=6.19±0.5Ω
Rule 3: For power factor
Principle
• To find total U.C the power is multiplied by%age uncertainty

Example
R=2.25± 0.01cm
Find the volume of cylinder
4
V= πr3
3
Estimation of volume %𝑎𝑔𝑒 uncertainty in volume
4
V= 3 πr3 %𝑎𝑔𝑒 uncertainty in volume=power(%𝑎𝑔𝑒
V=1.33×3.14×(2.25)3 uncertainty in radius)
V=47.7cm3
= 3(%𝑎𝑔𝑒 uncertainty in radius)
𝐴.𝑈
%𝑎𝑔𝑒 uncertainty in r=𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 × 100
0.01
=2.25 × 100 = 0.4%

%𝑎𝑔𝑒 uncertainty in volume=3(0.4%)=1.2%

%age uncertainty in 100cm3 volume=1.2%

%age uncertainty in 1cm3 volume=1.2/100
1.2
%age uncertainty in 47.7cm3 volume= × 47.7
100
=0.6cm3 diameter=d
Now final result will be
±
V=47.7cm3 0.6cm3
Example#3
Diameter=d=1.22±0.01cm

Length=l=5.35±0.01cm Length=l
Sol:
Estimation of volume of cylinder=V=πd2l/4

=3.14×1.22×5.3/4
V=6.2cm3
%age uncertainty in volume=%age uncertainty in length +2(%age uncertainty in diameter)
𝐴.𝑈
%age uncertainty in length= × 100
𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
=0.01/5.35× 100=0.2%
0.01
2(%age uncertainty in diameter) =2( × 100)=1.6%
1.22
%age uncertainty in volume=1.8cm3
%age uncertainty in 100cm3 volume=1.8%
%age uncertainty in 1cm3 volume=1.8/100

1.8
%age uncertainty in 6.2cm3 volume= × 100
100
3
=6.2±0.1cm

Rule 4
Uncertainty in average value
Principle
• Find average value.
• Find deviation of each value from average value
 • Find mean of all deviation values that will be your uncertainty.
e.g1.20,1.22,1.23,1.19,1.22,1.21
Average=sum of all values / no of values=1.21mm
Deviation from each value=1st =1.20-1.21=0.01
2nd =1.22-1.21=0.01 3rd =1.23-1.21=0.02 4th =1.21-1.19=0.02 5th =1.22-1.21=0.01
6th =1.21-1.21=0
Total uncertainty=sum of deviated values /no of deviated values=0.01mm
Final answer will be=1.21±0.01mm
Rule 5
Uncertainty in time experiment
Principle
• Least count of stop watch will be divided by no of swings
For example
Time of 30 vibration=54.6 sec
Least count of stop watch=0.1sec
Time period for 1 vibration=total time/no of vibration=54.6/30=1.82sec±__________
Uncertainty=L.C/No. of swings
=0.1/30=0.003sec
Final result=1.82±0.003sec
It is advisable to count large no. of swings in timing experiment.