Systematic Errors & Random Errors:

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Systematic Errors:

Systematic errors in experimental observations usually come from the measuring instruments. They may occur because:

• There is something wrong with the instrument or its data handling system, or
• because the instrument is wrongly used by the experimenter.

Two types of systematic error can occur with instruments having a linear response:

1. Offset or zero setting error in which the instrument does not read zero when the quantity to be measured is zero.
2. Multiplier or scale factor error in which the instrument consistently reads changes in the quantity to be measured greater or less than the actual changes.

Random Errors:

Random errors in experimental measurements are caused by unknown and unpredictable changes in the experiment. These changes may occur in the measuring instruments or in the environmental conditions.

Examples of causes of random errors are:

• Electronic noise in the circuit of an electrical instrument,
• Irregular changes in the heat loss rate from a solar collector due to changes in the wind.

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