Question

What sources of error would account for differences in measurement of the same thing?

Answer 1

Differences in measurements can arise from limitations and calibration errors of the measuring device, the skill level of the individual measuring, irregularities in the object, and other systematic or random errors affecting accuracy.

Step-by-step explanation:

When measuring the same object, various sources of error can lead to differences in measurement outcomes. Some of these include:

1. Limitations of the measuring device: Each instrument has an inherent level of precision, dictated by its design and smallest division of measurement.
2. Skill of the person making the measurement: Human error such as misreading scales or inconsistent measurement techniques can introduce variation.
3. Irregularities in the object being measured: If the object has uneven surfaces or varying dimensions, it can result in inconsistent measurements.
4. Systematic errors: These occur if there is a consistent problem with the measuring instrument or method, causing a regular deviation from the true value.
5. Random errors: These fluctuations occur because of unpredictable variables and statistically cancel out when measurements are averaged over multiple trials.

Accuracy is the closeness of a measured value to the standard or known value, and it can be affected by both systematic and random errors.

Answer 2

The main source of error in measurement is the human itself who is performing the measurement. There could be differences in the measuring method which led to differences in the measurement.

Another source of error could be error on the measuring device. Before using the device, it must be made sure that the device is calibrated to be used as a measuring device.