Please don't refer to 'human error.' Examples of so-called human error include misreading a ruler, adding the wrong reagent to a reaction mixture, mis-timing the reaction, miscalculations, or any kind of mistake. Iii) Unaccounted heat loss in a calorimetry experiment I) Reading a meniscus incorrectly / parallax error?

Iii) A thermometer reporting a temperature that is 2 degrees higher than the actual value.ī) Poor experimental technique (“human error”) Ii) A miscalibrated pH meter will always display a reading that is either higher or lower than the actual value. *Remedy = check clock against a more reliable one (If doubt the reliability of a measuring device try to check it against a device that is more reliable.) *Repeated measurements will not reveal this uncertainty. I) A stopwatch running 2 seconds too slow.

Usually difficult to detect unless the expected/actual value is known.Ĭan sometimes be remedied/ameliorated/lessened.Ī) Miscalibrations / “faulty” or damaged equipment REPEATED measurements WILL NOT reveal this type of uncertainty regardless of the number of trials performed.

Uncertainty chemistry calculator