Parallax error - what type of error is it?

skyglow1

My friends are having an argument as to whether parallax error is systematic or random error. We have tried looking all around in books/internet etc but nothing mentions what type of error it is. Any help would be appreciated :)

Danger

Hi, Skyglow;
Welcome to PF. I'm not sure under what circumstances this error is encountered in regard to your question. Parallax simply involves a different viewpoint. If I understand your question correctly, then it is a systematic error, not random. It would mean that the observer and the obsrerved are not in the same spatial relationship during multiple observations.

Integral

Parallax is a systematic error. It should be very repeatable, and can be eliminated with some care.

FredGarvin

Agreed. Paralax is not a function of the operation of the experiment. It is an error you usually have control over and can repeat (like Integral mentioned).

Look here: http://www.chem1.com/acad/webtext/matmeasure/mm4.html
note the section on systematic error.

skyglow1

Lol my friends not completely satisfied. He asks that if the definition of systematic error is always to be off by a fixed amount, how can you repeat parallax error so that it gives the same amount of error for every reading?

Danger

With no offence intended, tell your friend to register his *** on here and question us himself.