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 ass on here and question us himself.