By: Shreya Goyal (11A)

CHAPTER 1- MEASUREMENTS
AND UNCERTAINTIES
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DEVICE CHOSENLIQUID-IN GLASS THERMOMETER

THERMOMETER: An
instrument used for
measuring and
indicating
temperature.

CONSTITUENTS OF THERMOMETER

It consists of a narrow glass tube calibrated and

marked with graduations. At one end, there is a bulb
containing mercury or alcohol which extends along the
tube as it comes in contact with a high temperature
system.

bulb

constriction

thread

Glass stem

TYPES OF UNCERTAINTY WHEN USING

THERMOMETER
Uncertainty: it is the deviation of the
measured value from standard value.
Types of Uncertainty while using a liquid-inglass thermometer:1. Systematic error:o Lag time
o Parallax errror
o Calibration
2. Random error:
oEnvironmental factors

SYSTEMATIC
ERROR

Systematic errors occurs when

the measures value spreads
across a value which is not the
true value. Usually, in this
uncertainty the results bias in
the same direction, i.e. the value
obtained are either too large or
small than the expected value.
This type of error occurs either
because there is something
wrong in the instrument or there
has been an error by the
experimenter while carrying out
the process.

TRUE
VALUE

LAG TIME- SYSTEMATIC ERROR

This error occurs when the measuring device is

not allowed o reach at equilibrium, and a new
measurement is taken before the instrument is
stable. This results in a high or low deviation in
the reading.
While using a thermometer, if the liquid inside the
tube is sticky and does not rise or fall rapidly, then
the temperature reading can be incorrect. Or, if
the liquid inside the glass tube is not given proper
time to cool down and reach at bulb, then the next
measurement can be higher than the true value.
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PARALLAX ERROR SYSTEMATIC

ERROR

It is an error which occurs when

the same object is viewed from
difference line-of-sights, and with
respect to the background the
position of the object seems to be
shifted.
In the case of thermometer, if the
temperature reading is viewed
from different angles (as shown in
the picture), then the reading
appears to be shifted. Hence, this
is a mistake done by the
experimenter during the process,
and thus this error is a part of
Systematic errors.
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CALIBRATION SYSTEMATIC ERROR

Calibration is the marking of divisions on a instrument to

allow it to accurately measure, in accordance to some
basic standards.
In a thermometer, if the fixed points are being marked and
if there is an inaccuracy during this process (eg. While
using the measure of melting point of ice as one of the
fixed points, if the ice is not pure), then there will be a
variation in the each measured value. Hence, it increases
the likeliness of systematic error.

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RANDOM ERROR

Random error are caused by

unknown and unpredictable
changes in the experiment.
Unlike systematic errors, this
errors is unbiased, and the
value can spread across any
side. The effect of these
errors can be reduced by
averaging a large number of
observations.
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ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS RANDOM ERROR

This type of error occurs due to slight changes in

environmental conditions such as atmospheric
pressure, draught, vibrations an changes in
temperature.
While using thermometer to take temperature
readings, vibrations can cause the liquid inside
the glass tube to show a higher or lower value as
compared to the actual value. Also, draught and
instable room temperature can affect the
thermometer readings, with the original system
these factors will also be taken into account.
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PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE BEFORE MEASUREMENT

LAG TIME:

1.

1.

This can be done by using a liquid that expands and falls very
rapidly by a small change in temperature i.e. increasing its
sensitivity. Eg. Coloured alcohol. Other solution could be having
a thermometer with a thin capillary tube so that both the
accuracy and the response time of the thermometer improves.
Also, after taking a measurement, wait for the thermometer to
come back to equilibrium (give a jerk to it),and then take a new
reading
PARALLAX ERROR:
Ensure that the reading is viewed from the correct line-ofsight, i.e the eye should be exactly above the thermometer
making an angle on 90 degree.

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PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE BEFORE MEASUREMENT

CALIBRATION:

Before taking a reading, ensure that the divisions

marked on the thermometer scale have equal width
and are at regular intervals. Measure the temperature
of some known systems (boiling water, melting ice
etc.) before carrying out the actual experiment.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
1. Ensure that the place where the experiment is carried
out, the environmental conditions are constant
(keeping windows clsed in laboratory). Take the
reading from the thermometer without making a
contact with the original system, if there is a reading
already, then subtract it from the further
measurements.
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1.

ESTIMATING FINAL UNCERTAINTY

Ways to estimate the final uncertainty

Taking the average of the minimum subtracted from maximum value. Ex. A=2

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QUESTION
You

want to know how fast your coffee is cooling

in your mug. For this, you measure temperature
with a thermometer. Your first measurement is
76.00.1. In 15 min, temperature is 68.00.1 C.
What is the temperature drop (state the
uncertainty range)? What is the relative
uncertainty in your measurement?

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ANSWER
The temperature drop is 76C - 68C = 8.0C. Our
measurement is the drop: 8.0C, but to find the uncertainty in
this measurement, we need to know the uncertainty from each
temperature, 76.0C and 68.0C.
1st method: Maximum Value: 76.1 C - 67.9C= 8.2 C
Minimum Value: 75.9C - 68.1C = 7.8 C
Final Uncertainty: (8.2 C - 7.8C)/2 = 0.2 C
Final Temp. drop = 8.0 0.2C
2nd Method:
Final uncertainty: Z = (A + B )
*The uncertainty will get added even in subtraction rule because
we need to get the maximum uncertainty.
Hence, = (0.1 C + 0.1 C) = 0.2 C
Final Answer= 8.0 0.2C
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CITATION

"WebAssign."WebAssign. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 July 2016.

<http://www.webassign.net/question_assets/unccolphysme
chl1/measurements/manual.html>.
Experimental Uncertainties. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 July 2016.
<http://www2.fiu.edu/~dbrookes/ExperimentalUncertaintie
sCalculus.pdf>.
Random Vs. Systematic Error. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 July 2016.
<http://www.physics.umd.edu/courses/Phys276/Hill/Inform
ation/Notes/ErrorAnalysis.html>.
N.p., n.d. Web. 23 July 2016. <www.e-education.psu.edu>.

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