Practice Worksheet 2.2 – Estimating Uncertainty
Make measurements for each of the situations shown in the diagrams. Include uncertainty with each measurement.
From left to right:
Pipette 1 : 5.75 ± 0.05 mL
Pipette 2 : 3.0 ± 0.3 mL
Pipette 3 : 0.35 ± 0.05 mL
All are acceptable measurements.
1 2 3
Example 2. What is the diameter of this penny?
Answer: Around 1.9 ± 0.2 cm
This is not a realistic measurement because in the lab the ruler would be placed across the penny. However, if such a situation arose in the lab you might use an uncertainty greater than half the smallest division (0.05 cm) since the ruler cannot be placed across the penny. Write the measurements below for each example, including the uncertainty.
Write in the values for the measurements with their absolute uncertainties below:
Cylinder 1 Cylinder 2 Cylinder 3
Burette 1 (initial volume) Burette 2 (final volume)
Here is a pdf version of Practice Worksheet 2.2 Measurement and Uncertainty.
Here are Answers to Practice Worksheet 2.2 Measurement and Uncertainty.