What is Uncertainties: Definition and 167 Discussions

In metrology, measurement uncertainty is the expression of the statistical dispersion of the values attributed to a measured quantity. All measurements are subject to uncertainty and a measurement result is complete only when it is accompanied by a statement of the associated uncertainty, such as the standard deviation. By international agreement, this uncertainty has a probabilistic basis and reflects incomplete knowledge of the quantity value. It is a non-negative parameter.The measurement uncertainty is often taken as the standard deviation of a state-of-knowledge probability distribution over the possible values that could be attributed to a measured quantity. Relative uncertainty is the measurement uncertainty relative to the magnitude of a particular single choice for the value for the measured quantity, when this choice is nonzero. This particular single choice is usually called the measured value, which may be optimal in some well-defined sense (e.g., a mean, median, or mode). Thus, the relative measurement uncertainty is the measurement uncertainty divided by the absolute value of the measured value, when the measured value is not zero.

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  1. E

    Uncertainties and LINEST in Excel....

    I don't think this qualifies as a homework question, as I can work around it; please move if necessary. I am currently doing a lab report on the Magnetic Susceptibility of different samples. In one part of this report I have to plot Force vs B^2, which is a linear fit. I have errors which have...
  2. Daaavde

    Covariance matrix with asymmetric uncertainties

    Hello everyone, I'm currently building the covariance matrix of a large dataset in order to calculate the Chi-Squared. The covariance matrix has this form: \begin{bmatrix} \sigma^2_{1, stat} + \sigma^2_{1, syst} & \rho_{12} \sigma_{1,syst} \sigma_{2, syst} & ... \\ \rho_{12} \sigma_{1,syst}...
  3. Valour549

    Why is a leading figure of 1 so special in uncertainties?

    "The uncertainty should be rounded off to one or two significant figures. If the leading figure in the uncertainty is a 1, we use two significant figures, otherwise we use one significant figure. Then the answer should be rounded to match." "Here’s a rule of thumb you can rely on: round the...
  4. P

    Uncertainty Calculation for 6mV Input on Linear Force Measuring Device

    Homework Statement A nominally linear electrical output force measuring device has the following manufacturer specifications: Input range : 0-100 lbf Full Scale output : 30mV Temperature effect on: Zero 0.002 % full scale/degrees Fahrenheit Span 0.002 % of reading/degrees Fahrenheit The...
  5. R

    What is the expected value of x^2 for a wave packet in momentum representation?

    Homework Statement My teacher made up this question, but I think there's something wrong. Consider the wave packet in momentum representation defined by Φ(p)=N if -P/2<p<P/2 and Φ(p)=0 at any other point. Determine Ψ(x) and uncertainties Δp and Δx. Homework Equations Fourier trick and...
  6. N

    Error Propagation: x/(y-z) Uncertainty

    Homework Statement Suppose you measure three numbers as follows: Homework Equations x= 200. +-2. y= 50. +-2. z= 40. +-2. where the three uncertainties are independent and random. Use step-by-step propagation to find the quantity q= x/(y-z) with its uncertainty. The Attempt at a...
  7. T

    Why is one significant figure the norm in uncertainties?

    Why is it that only one significant figure for any uncertainty is taught? It seems like a nice general rule, but isn't it an unnecessary constraint and ultimately a poor rule in many cases? For example ## 5 \pm 1 ## could mean an error of either 0.5 or 1.5, which is a very large range. Wouldn't...
  8. M

    Propagating uncertainties through Gaussian fit

    I'm doing an analysis where I have a set of random variables with some known uncertainties (the uncertainties are different for each random variable). The random variable is roughly Gaussian distributed. I'd like to get a meaningful characteristic value and uncertainty for the whole set. I can...
  9. Aristotle

    Finding the Uncertainties in Frequency with Given Capacitor and Inductor Values

    Homework Statement I am given a frequency value of 95 GHz (9.5x10^10 Hz), C= 25 F, L=1.12x10^(-25) H. The question is to find the uncertainties in frequency by taking account of inductor being 5% accurate & capacitor being 8% accurate. Homework Equations I believe this is the correct formula...
  10. S

    What determines the precision of uncertainties?

    What limits the precision with which you can describe the uncertainty of a measurement? I will describe two examples that feel qualitatively different, but I am not sure if they are quantitatively different in how you would deal with the uncertainty. 1) Measuring the length of a pencil with a...
  11. Alex Haines

    Estimating and Calculating Uncertainties

    Hey could someone help me grasp the seemingly impossible concept of uncertainties? I'm having a lot of trouble understanding how to estimate, calculate and pretty much anything else to do with uncertainties. Muchly appreciated
  12. xyz_a

    Understanding uncertainties

    Homework Statement Remember: all answers (including uncertainties) must have three significant digits. For all problems: use the value of g given: g = 9.802 m/s2 0.0005 m/s2. Look at the diagram in the above image. Suppose the total mass of hook 2 is m2 = 951.0 g 2.3 g, and θ = 31.90o...
  13. S

    Error Propagation and Uncertainties in Parameters

    There is a quantity (W) that I would like to calculate that is, ultimately, a function of parameters that I can measure directly (a and b), W = W(a, b) But I cannot measure a and b perfectly, there will be some uncertainty in these measurements. This uncertainty will propagate into my...
  14. G

    How do I account for measurement uncertainties in temperature data analysis?

    In an attempt to determine how the temperature varies over a distance of 100m I have taken five temperature measurements for every 10 meters, for a total of 55 measurements. I have then, for each dataset of N=5, calculated the mean value, standard deviation and standard error. Finally, I've...
  15. E

    Rounding uncertainties and measurements

    Hello, I have some questions on uncertainties in measurement: Say you have a ruler with 1mm graduations, and you are trying to measure the length of a metal rod. One end of the metal rod is at the 120.0mm graduation, and the other is in between the 19 and 20mm graduation, and you approximate...
  16. T

    Uncertainties of a group of results

    I got a table for a simple pendulum. I have 8 lengths, from 0.20m going up by 0.01 to 0.27. For each length, I have time for 10 oscillations (10T) that I've measured, and I have repeated the measurement twice for each length. Then I got the average time for 10T. I divided this average to give me...
  17. A

    Help Understanding Uncertainties

    I'm having a tough time understanding uncertainties and the concept of how to find the absolute and relative uncertainties of functions. I understand how to find the relative and absolute uncertainties in problems like 40±2 m (The absolute uncertainty is 2m and the relative is 0.05 if I'm not...
  18. L

    Determine the uncertainties

    Homework Statement what is the uncertainty of \frac{a+b}{c+d} if a=b=c=d and σ_a = σ_b =σ_c=_d Homework Equations σ_{a+b}=√(σ_a^2+σ_b^2) σ_{\frac{a}{b}}=√((\frac{σ_a}{a})^2+(\frac{σ_b}{b}^2)) The Attempt at a Solution since a=b=c=d σ_{a+b}=√2 σ_a σ_{\frac{a}{b}}=√2...
  19. T

    Estimating upper bound from measurements with uncertainties

    Hello everyone, I have a large number of measurements with associated uncertainties, and I know that the real values are bounded above by some constant. How can I estimate the value of that constant, and the uncertainty on the estimate? Thanks
  20. L

    Need some advice on uncertainties

    Hi, I have been given a random set of data. 10 numbers. 121 123 125 100 123 123 101 146 122 140 The question says. 1. Calculate the average of the data... No problem I can do that, my answer is 122.4 2. Determine the uncertainty for the average value. < This is the part that blows...
  21. J

    Calculating Uncertainties of Measured quantities (Physics)

    Homework Statement d1 = 2.53 cm +/- .05 cm d2 = 1.753 m +/- .001 m 0 = 23.5 degrees +/- .5 degrees v1 = 1.55 m/s +/- .15 m/s Using the measured quantities above, calculate the following. Express the uncertainty calculated value. Homework Equations d3 = 4 ( d1 + d2) The...
  22. J

    MHB Calculating Uncertainties of Measured quantities (Physics)

    d1 = 2.53 cm +/- .05 cm d2 = 1.753 m +/- .001 m 0 = 23.5 degrees +/- .5 degrees v1 = 1.55 m/s +/- .15 m/s Using the measured quantities above, calculate the following. Express the uncertainty calculated value. a = 4 v1^2 / d2 a = 4 (1.55 m/s +/-.15 m/s)^2 / 1.753 m +/- .001 m a = 6.8 m/s...
  23. J

    Comparing two hypotheses with uncertainties

    Hi there, I'm trying to compare two hypotheses, each with a mean and an error (in this case Gaussian as well), to tell the probability of one being correct given the other. Currently, the only thing I know how to do is calculate the Gaussian probability of the second hypothesis being correct...
  24. D

    Uncertainties in gradients and best-fit lines

    Hi, I hope I'm asking this in the right place. I need to understand this in order to complete a project, but it's not exactly a 'homework question'. I have some data which has a linear trend. The x values all have the same (random) uncertainty of ≈5cm and the y values all have the same random...
  25. P

    Does Propagation of Uncertainties Work with Only One Variable?

    Just a quick question, would propagation of uncertainties with the partial derivatives still give the right answer when you only have one variable?
  26. 0

    How To Incorporate Sensor Uncertainties With Multiple Measurements?

    Lets say a sensor measures within accuracy of +/- 0.05N And you take multiple measurements and graph it out. (I.e., 5.12N, 5.15N, 5.05N...). What is the uncertainty of the final average? One way I read is: Sx = s/√N where s = std. dev. N = number of data points But...
  27. J

    Calculation with uncertainties

    My textbook isn't very clear on this. Let's say i find the mass of an object to be 24.5kg +-.2kg. Then i want to use that answer to calculate F (F=ma) when acceleration is equal to -9.81m/s2. What would the final answer look like. Also what about addition and subtraction. For sake of simplicity...
  28. nomadreid

    Quantum Mechanics: Uncertainty Principles & Superposition

    There are two kinds of uncertainty in QM: one of operators (Uncertainty Principles), and one of states (superposition). Is there any direct connection between them?
  29. N

    Uncertainties of numerical results

    How do people generally determine uncertainties on results that are based on Monte Carlo simulations? Take this fictive example, just so we have something specific to talk about: I look at 106 particles, confined to a box. There is a small hole in one of the walls, and at some time t0 I am...
  30. P

    Uncertainties in fluid viscosity experimental trials

    Homework Statement You are going to examine the viscosity of a fluid by dropping a ball bearing into a cylinder of fluid and measuring the fall time. You will use a ruler to measure the height, h, of the fluid column, and a stop watch to measure the fall time, t. The ruler and stop watch...
  31. S

    Uncertainties & Total Angular Momentum

    Hey, My question is on determining an 'uncertainty' quantity using total angular momentum operators in the x,y and z directions where we know the commutation relations between the x,y and z directions of the total angular momentum operators. I'm not really sure where to go with this at...
  32. Y

    Experimental calculated values and Uncertainties

    1. After I calculated from my original data with lowest significant figure of 3, I got 0.3765 and uncertainty of 0.1274 2.original data with lowest significant figure of 2 .calculated value of 0.69897 and uncertainty of 0.0789 The Attempt at a Solution This is how I answered...
  33. S

    Mathematica Curve Fitting With Uncertainties

    I have a set of data points \{\{x_1, y_1\}, \{x_2, y_2\} ... \} each with an uncertainty \{\{dx_1, dy_1,\}, \{dx_2, dy_2\} ...\}. Is there any way of fitting a nonlinear model to the data that incorporates the uncertainties on both x and y? I know that you can use the Weights command to...
  34. P

    Volume and density uncertainties lab

    Calculate the volume in (kg/m3) and density of a cube of unknown metal and its associated uncertainties. Then determine what kind of metal it is. Data is : side a= 19mm side b=19mm side c= 19mm. Mass of cube is 1.86g. Volume= a*b*c uncertainty ΔV= (Δa/a + Δb/b + Δc/c)V Density= m/v ΔD=...
  35. PhizKid

    How do I calculate the average of uncertainties?

    Homework Statement Trial 1: 1.05 ± 0.05 m. Trial 2: 2.0 m. Trial 3: 1.5 m. Trial 4: 1.05 ± 0.05 m. Homework Equations Not sure The Attempt at a Solution So to add them up, I just add the "base" measurements" and then tack on the ± and stick in the "uncertainties" like so: 1.05...
  36. L

    General uncertainties question - type B

    Homework Statement i am trying to quanify uncertainties.. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution For type B uncertainties I have calibration of the oscilloscope, scale reading of the ocilloscope and the uncertaninty of the setup, with associated percentage errors of 2.5%...
  37. L

    Statistical uncertainties Monte Carlo

    Hi! I'm newbie in Monte Carlo. My question concerns the statistical uncertainties of my simulations. Let's say that the result of my Monte Carlo is a certain distribution A (e.g. number of particles as a function of the depth in a target) and I have run NA events to generate that...
  38. L

    Uncertainties homework problem

    Homework Statement let a=360.9±0.1, let b=180.4±0.1, let c=212.5±0.13 and let d=211.7±0.16 whats f (including uncertainty) where f-1 = ((a/b)-1)/((c/d)-1) Homework Equations add the percentage uncertainties in quadrature if dividing two variables add the absolute uncertainties...
  39. D

    Propagation of uncertainties with calculus

    Suppose F = x/y dF= \frac{\partialF}{\partialx}\deltax+\frac{\partialF}{\partialy}\deltay This gives dF=\frac{\deltax}{Y}-\frac{x}{y^2}\deltay That is, the partial derivative of y comes out negative. Should i leave it as a negative? I see no reason to take the absolute value of...
  40. P

    How do I calculate these Uncertainties?

    Okay, so I have this equation: F = F1 + F2 - dF1F2 Anyways, I have the uncertainties for F1 and F2, how would I go about getting the uncertainty for F? Do I just simply add the uncertainties or do I use the formula deltaF1/F1 +deltaF2/F2 = deltaF/F? Thanks for your help.
  41. K

    Calculating Poisson Uncertainties with Changing Observation Durations

    I am trying to plot the flux from an Astrophysical source as a function of time. Due to the nature of the source, I am only receiving a handful of photons in each time bin. So imagine I had 10 observing periods of 10 days each, in which my telescope received the following number of photons...
  42. Loren Booda

    Arithmetic vs. geometric uncertainties

    Rather than arithmetic ("plus or minus") uncertainties, are there classical (not of Heisenberg uncertainty principle) measurements whose uncertainties otherwise appear as geometric ("times or divided by")?
  43. J

    How to round off percentage uncertainties?

    How to round off percentage uncertainties? Here's is an example question: Find the percentage of uncertainty in (225.7+/-0.5)mm. I know that to find out percentage, it's simply 0.5/225.7 x 100 = 0.22153088...% Now, my question is, how much do I round off for this percentage uncertainty...
  44. Q

    Uncertainties of Dimensionless Units

    I have a physics project, but how do I express the uncertainty of a dimensionless quantity? E.g. how do I express the uncertainty of the coefficient of friction? Do I just write 0.403 ±0.02?
  45. A

    How Do You Calculate Uncertainty in Stress Measurements?

    Homework Statement For my physics course work i need to work out the uncertainty of stress, is there formula for this or is it just the largest value of uncertainty for example is my area is 7.548E-08 +/- 6.452% and my force 2 +/- 25% Homework Equations stress= Force/area The...
  46. Z

    Question about uncertainties after applying cos

    Homework Statement I have conducted a simple experiment about polarized light. The angles were 0, 10, 20, 30 etc. The device used to measure the angles has units of 1 degree. Therefore the uncertainty is +-0.5 for each angle measurement. I was then required to produce a column beside this...
  47. L

    How to i combine uncertainties

    i have a measurement which has random uncertainty of 0.02 and scale reading 0.01. how do i combine these uncertainties - add in quadrature the percentage uncertainty or the absolute uncertainty? and does this give the percentage uncertainty or the absolute uncertainty of my measurement? thanks
  48. J

    Ive to work out the uncertainties for youngs modulus.would i take

    Ive to work out the uncertainties for youngs modulus. would i take all 4 measurements and mutliply then divide by 4 ? would 1.788m have an uncertain if +/- 0.01 ? how would i get the uncertainties from 5.73x10-3 im very confused and my tutor isn't helpful at all.
  49. C

    Help with Calculating Uncertainties

    Homework Statement I did a Physics lab in which I measured the height of the first bounce of a ball. I used a motion sensor to calculate it, so the uncertainty was really small: the smallest value it could measure was 0.0001, so the uncertainty would be 0.0001/2 = ±0.00005 (<--that's 5...
  50. N

    Goodness of Fit Test Without Uncertainties

    In what way can one do a goodness of fit test on a set of data that contains no uncertainties? I am doing a simulated data analysis assignment for a physics lab course and they provided me with data for a supposed xray spectrum for some material. The data consists of energy bins with a count...
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