Effect of Instruments

on Measurements
Armando A. Camaña Jr.,MAED, LPT
Instructor
Accuracy
And
Precision
Physics

 Is generally defined as the science of matter and

energy.
 It is essential to everyone since it explains the
different things that we experienced or do
everyday.
 Mathematics is the language of Physics
 It deals with measurements that we always
experienced everyday.
Measurements

 When measurement is made, we compare a

known value which are commonly called
standard or acceptable measurement against an
unknown measurements.
 To understand measurement, there must be a
number to quantify as reference of measurement.
 The foremost objective is to measure accurately.
But, uncertainty is always there.
 Uncertainty in measurement does not mean the
measurement made is wrong.
Scientific Notation

 For convenience, the very large or small measurement

in physics use the scientific notation.
 FORMULA: 𝑀 𝑥 10𝑛 WHERE M is the number ; n is the
exponent
 NOTE: n is positive when the decimal point is move to
the left and negative when move to the right
 Sometimes called the power of ten or exponential
notation.
Illustration: Change the given
measurements into scientific notation.

a. 521, 000, 000 = 521, 000, 000. = 5.21𝑥108

M = 5.21 n = 8

b. 0.0000678 = 0.0000678 = 6.78𝑥10−5

M = 6.78 n = -5
Significant Figure

 Or significant digit is one way to write or show the

precise measurement.
 These are numbers that can be exact or good
estimate in measurement.
Rules to determine number of significant figure
1. Numbers greater than zero are SIGNIFICANT.
32.45 Has 4 significant figures
8 Has 1 significant figures
45 Has 2 significant figures
4489 Has 4 significant figures
Rules to determine number of significant figure
2. Zeros in a measured quantity are significant figure.
9.0050 Has 5 significant figures
2.20 Has 3 significant figures
8.016 Has 4 significant figures
4003.5 Has 5 significant figures
Rules to determine number of significant figure
3. Zeros to locate the decimal point are not significant
0.0056 Has 2 significant figures
0.000123 Has 3 significant figures
450 000 Has 2 significant figures
450 000. Has 6 significant figures
Physical Quantities
 is the measurable property of an object like, mass length and time.

Seven fundamental quantity in measurement

Abbreviation of unit/
Measured Quantity Fundamental Units
symbol
Length Meters m

Mass Kilograms Kg

Time Seconds s

Electric current Ampere A

Temperature Kelvin K

Amount of matter Mole Mol

Metric System
 The metric units of measure, also called SI system
or the international system of measurement.
 It consists of standard units and prefixes that are
multiple of ten
 It includes the MKS system (meter – Kilogram –
seconds), CGS
Table of Conversion
Length Volume
1m 3.28 ft 1𝑚3 35.315 𝑓𝑡 3
1 ft 12 in 1L 1000 𝑐𝑚3
1 yard 3 ft 1 gal 3.78 L
1 in 2.54 cm Power
1 mile 1.6 Km 1 Kw 1000 watts
1 Km 1000 m 1 Hp 550 ft – lb/s
1 mi 5 280 ft 1 Hp 746 watts
1m 39.37 in Time
Mass / Weight / Force 1 hour 60 min
1 Kg 1000 g 1 min 60 sec
1 Kg 2.205 lbs Work / Energy
1 Lb 454 g 1 joule 107 ergs
Prefixes for the power of ten and its
abbreviation

Power of 10 10−9 10−6 10−3 100 101

Prefix Nano (n) Micro (µ) Milli (m) BASE Deka (d)
Power of 10 102 103 106 109 1012
Prefix Hecto (h) Kilo (K) Mega (M) Giga (G)
Assignment

1. What are the two types of measurements?

2. How to use the conversion factor?
The two systems of measurement
1. British or English System
The English units of measure or sometimes called the FPS system
since it uses the foot for the length, pound for the mass and second
for the time. It is also defined in terms of the SI system.
2. Metric System
The metric units of measure, also called SI system or the
international system of measurement.
It consists of standard units and prefixes that are multiple of ten.
It includes the MKS system (meter – kilogram – seconds) and the
CGS system (centimeter – gram – seconds) for the length, mass, and
time.
Conversion of Units
conversion of unit using one conversion factor.
Example: Change 3 feet to inches

Step 1. Select the correct conversion factor from table 1.1

1 foot = 12 inches
Step 2. Make two ratios from the conversion factor
𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡 12 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
Ratio A : Ratio B :
12 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡

Step 3. Multiply any of the two ratio to the given quantity.

Note: check the numerator and denominator for unit cancellation.
In this case use ratio B so that unit feet will be in the denominator
that cancels the given unit in the numerator.
2. Conversion of unit using more than one conversion
factor.
Example: Change 8 meter to yard
Sol.:
3.28 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑎𝑟𝑑
8 meter 𝑥 𝑥 = 8.75 yards
𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 3 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡
Illustration 3. Conversion when unit to
change contains an exponent.
Note: Ignore the exponent in the given unit temporarily
and select the needed conversion factor. Now use the
exponent which is 2 by squaring both side of the
needed conversion factor.
Example: Change 2 ft2 to inches2
conversion factor:
1 foot = 12 inches ( 1 foot )2 = ( 12 inches )2
required conversion factor: 1 ft2 = 144 inches2
2 2
sol: 2 ft2 12 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 144 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 = 288 inches2
𝑥
1 𝑓𝑡 = 2 ft2𝑥
2
1 𝑓𝑡
Illustration 4. Conversion of unit in both numerator and
denominator.

note: change the unit in the numerator or denominator

one at a time.
Example: Change 20 km/hr to m/s
Activity 1.1A
Scientific Notation
a. Write the given in scientific notation using 3 significant
figures. Identify M and n
1. 18, 000, 000 = ______ 6. 223.865 = ______
2. 0.0001043 = ______ 7. 0.00223 = ______
3. 256.48 = ______ 8. 11.8 = ______
4. 0.0000004 = ______ 9. 567,229 = ______
5. 12,507 = ______ 10. 0.07901 = ______
b. Write the given in unscientific notation form.
1. 6.01 x 10 5 = ______ 5. 5 x 10 –3 = ______

2. 6.781 x 10 3 = ______ 6. 20.223 x 10 –4 =_____

3. 2356 x 10 –4 = ______ 7. 4.281 x 10 6 = ___
4. 7.24 x 10 2 = ______ 8. 63.01 x 10 –2 = _____
c. Ρerform the indicated oрeration.
1. (14.7 x 10 3) (4 x 10 6) = _____________________
2. (7. 2 x 10 –5) (2.3 x 10 8) = ____________________
(5.23 𝑥 104 ) (6.10 𝑥 105 )
3. = ____________________
(2.2 𝑥 102 )
Conversion Factor
1. 48 miles / hr to ft/sec.
2. 0.015 gal to cc
3. 125 km/hr to m/s
4. 0.8 kg to ounce
5. 0.25 g/cc to kg/m3
6. One week to second
7. 405 m to yards
8. 35 nanosec to millisec
9. 68 dg to kg.
10. 45 ml to liter
Estimating Errors in Measurement

The Least Count Concept (LCC)

to increase the precision and accuracy of a single
measurement, the LCC is use to estimate the error. It is
called LCC because the measuring instrument itself
offers the smallest change or margin of error in its scale.
Statistics in Multiple Measurement
 to increase the precision and accuracy of a multiple
measurement, statistics is on hand to help in
estimating and reducing the errors.
 Average is use to get the exact value in multiple
measurement.
 The more trials the measurement, the more accuracy
is the result.
 FORMULA: 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑥 =
𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

 Variance is use to get the exactness of multiple

measurement.
Consider: diameter reading of 25 centavo coin measured by 5 students.
to find the variance:
Measured
No. of trials No. of Measured
Diameter 𝒙 − 𝒙 𝒙 − 𝒙 𝟐
trials Diameter
1 2.14 cm
1 2.14 cm
2 2.09 cm
2 2.09 cm
3 2.00 cm
3 2.00 cm
4 2.11 cm
4 2.11 cm
5 2.05 cm
5 2.05 cm

2.14 + 2.09 + 2.00 + 2.11 + 2.05

𝑥= = 2.08 𝑐𝑚
5
Consider: diameter reading of 25 centavo coin measured by 5 students.
to find the variance:
Measured
No. of trials
Diameter No. of Measured 𝟐
𝒙 − 𝒙 𝒙 − 𝒙
1 2.14 cm trials Diameter

2 2.09 cm 1 2.14 cm (2.14 – 2.08) 0.0036

3 2.00 cm 2 2.09 cm (2.09 – 2.08) 0.0001

4 2.11 cm 3 2.00 cm (2.00 – 2.08) 0.0064

5 2.05 cm 4 2.11 cm (2.11 – 2.08) 0.0009

5 2.05 cm (2.05 – 2.08) 0.0009
2.14 + 2.09 + 2.00 + 2.11 + 2.05 Sum 0.0119
𝑥= = 2.08 𝑐𝑚
5
0.0119
𝑠2 = = 0.003
5 −1
 Interpretation: since the variance is small, there is precision in the
measurements made by the students
Below are experiment data in measuring the length:

No. Measurement (x)

1 9.16 mm
2 9.13 mm
3 9.24 mm
4 9.19 mm
Uncertainty of Derived Quantity
 Derived quantity like area, volume or velocity are perform in
Physics experiment. Both fundamental measurements contains
the actual measurements and their uncertainties.
 FORMULA:
𝑎 𝑏
∆𝑢 = + 𝑥𝑚
𝑐 𝑑
Where: ∆𝑢 – total change of uncertainty
a & b – change of uncertainty in two measurements
c & d – two actual measurements
m – product or quotient of the actual measurements

NOTE: derived measurement & change of uncertainty = m ± ∆𝒖

Illustration. In an experiment, the length of
the wooden block is 7.9±0.2cm and width
is 4.2±0.4cm. Find the area of the wooden
block including its uncertainty.
Solution: Find ∆𝑢:
Given: 7.9cm & 4.2 – c & d values 𝑎 𝑏
∆𝑢 = 𝑐 + 𝑑 𝑥 𝑚
0.2cm & 0.4cm – a & b values
0.2 0.4
∆𝑢 = + 𝑥 33.18
Find m: m = 7.9 x 4.2 = 33.18 𝑐𝑚2 7.9 4.2
Find ∆𝑢: ∆𝑢 = 4𝑐𝑚2
m ± ∆𝑢 = 33±4𝑐𝑚2
Experiment data gathered in measuring a
block of wood: the end of the wooden
block reads 5.6±0.3cm and the length is
9.5±0.5cm. Find the area of the wooden
block
Solution: Find ∆𝑢:
Given: 5.6cm & 9.5 – c & d values 𝑎 𝑏
∆𝑢 = 𝑐 + 𝑑 𝑥 𝑚
0.3cm & 0.5cm – a & b values
0.3 0.5
Find m: m = 5.6 x 9.5 = 53.2 𝑐𝑚2 ∆𝑢 = +
5.6 9.5
𝑥 53.2
Find ∆𝑢: ∆𝑢 = 5.65𝑐𝑚2 ≅ 6
m ± ∆𝑢 = 53±6𝑐𝑚2
Six students recorded the time to
cover certain distance. Determine
the average and variance

No. Measurement (x)

1 28 sec
2 22 sec
3 18 sec
4 23 sec
5 25 sec
6 19 sec
 to find the variance:
Measured
No. of trials
Diameter No. of Measured 𝟐
𝒙 − 𝒙 𝒙 − 𝒙
1 28 sec trials Diameter

2 22 sec 1 28 sec (28 – 22.5) 30.25

3 18 sec 2 22 sec (22 – 22.5) 0.25

4 23 sec 3 18 sec (18 – 22.5) 20.25

5 25 sec 4 23 sec (23 – 22.5) 0.25

6 19 sec 5 25 sec (25 – 22.5) 6.25

28 + 22 + 18 + 23 + 25 + 19 6 19 sec (19 – 22.5) 12.25
𝑥= = 22.5 𝑠𝑒𝑐
6
2
69.5
𝑠 = = 13.9
6 −1
 Interpretation: since the variance is hi, there is no precision in the
measurements made by the students in their time record.
Illustration. In an experiment, the length of
the wooden block is 7.9±0.2cm and width
is 4.2±0.4cm the height is 3.7±0.6. Find the
volume of the wooden block including its
uncertainty.

A rolling ball covers a distance of 13.6±0.4

cm in 2.3±0.05 sec. What is the speed of
the ball in that distance.
A rolling ball covers a distance of
13.6±0.4 cm in 2.3±0.05 sec. What is
the speed of the ball in that distance.
Solution: Find ∆𝑢:
Given: 13.6cm & 2.3sec – c & d values 𝑎 𝑏
∆𝑢 = 𝑐 + 𝑑 𝑥 𝑚
0.4cm & 0.5cm – a & b values
0.4 0.05
Find m: m = 13.6/2.3 = 5.91cm/sec ∆𝑢 = + 𝑥 5.91
13.6 2.3
Find ∆𝑢:
∆𝑢 = 0.30𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐 ≅ 0
m ± ∆𝑢 = 6±0𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐