Assessment Objectives

Detailed Breakdown: Measurement & Uncertainty

• State the difference between random and systematic errors and give examples from a common laboratory setting.
• Calculate the percentage uncertainty in a titration where the burette absolute uncertainty is $\pm 0.05 \text{ cm}^3$ per reading.
• Propagate absolute and percentage uncertainties through additions, subtractions, and multiplications/divisions.
• Determine the line of best fit for a scattered data set and calculate the gradient including its uncertainty.
• Suggest specific improvements to a calorimetry experiment to reduce systematic heat loss to the surroundings.
• Distinguish between random and systematic errors in experimental results based on a comparison to literature values.