Question

I am taking physics lab and I can not understand the difference of the sources of errors below:

Random error in measurement

Random intrinsic error

Systematic error in measurement

Systematic intrinsic error

So, can you explain the difference between them please

Answer 1

Answer :

The main difference between systematic and random errors is that random errors lead to fluctuations around the true value as a result of difficulty taking measurements, whereas systematic errors lead to predictable and consistent departures from the true value due to problems with the calibration of your equipment. This leads to two extra differences that are worth noting. Random errors are essentially unavoidable, while systematic errors are not.

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.

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.