National University of Science & Technology (NUST)

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

(SMME)

School of Mechanical and

Manufacturing Engineering, SMME

LAB DEMONSTRATOR(s): 1) Ms. Zoya Iqbal

2) Mr. Zeeshan Khalid

SCHOOL: SMME

SEMESTER: 1st
SECTION: A
GROUP: 1
DATE: October 4th, 2023

NAME REG. NO.

1 Aatika Kamran 464185

2 Abdullah Khurram 466612

3 Ahmed Adil Hussain 477537

4 Ayesha Khan 478212

5 Juveriah Waqqas 460510

6 Muhammad Bin Ahsan 468098

 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)

ERROR ANALYSIS

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

The apparatus required for conducting this experiment includes:

1. Stopwatch
2. Meter rod
3. Metal bob and string (for pendulum)
4. Metal stand
5. Table

ABSTRACT
During the experiments, we discovered errors in different measurements, such as measuring
the length, width, and area of the wooden plank, as well as errors in gravity using a
pendulum. We also took note of the dominant sources of error in gravity experiments, such as
air pressure and wind speed (from a fan). It was evident that conducting the experiments in a
controlled environment was crucial to avoid significant errors.

In our calculations of errors, the main step involved finding the partial derivatives of different
quantities, such as the partial derivative of area with respect to length or width. We had with
ourselves a basic understanding of partial derivatives, which greatly facilitated our
calculations.

Finally, we submitted our results to the lab instructors, who diligently reviewed our work and
corrected any mistakes we made, if applicable.
 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)

THEORY

A brief introduction of the error analysis is stated in the following points below:-

• Error analysis is a method through which we determine the uncertainty in a reading

or any type of data that we have measured
• There are mainly two types of error i.e. “Random error” and “systematic error”.
• Random error is mainly due to the person that is collecting that data as his way of
measuring that data may be incorrect, this causes a general deviation of the measured
value from the true value.
• Random error can be reduced by taking several readings and then calculating its
mean.
• Systematic error is due to a problem in the apparatus used to take measurements,
it affects the readings by the same proportion provided that the data is taken the
same way every time.
• Systematic error can be reduced by properly calibrating your equipment before
measuring anything with it.
• These errors are represented by a numerical value known as uncertainty, the more
the errors the higher the uncertainty.
• The errors make the data that we have inaccurate and imprecise therefore making
it less reliable to use hence we must use proper techniques and accurate apparatus
while taking the readings to avoid them.
 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)

PRACTICAL # 1
PROCEDURE

1. In this experiment, we were appointed to measure the dimensions of a wooden

plank with the given error.
2. For this purpose a tape measure was used.
3. In order to account for the wears and tears of the tape measures, we took
measurements form the 6 cm point and subtracted the 6 cm from the measurement
at the end.
4. First, we measured the length of the wooden plank using the meter rule.
5. Next, we measured width of wooden plank using same procedure.
6. Afterwards, using formula for area, the length and width of the wooden plank were
multiplied to calculate the area of the wooden plank.
7. This area was not free of the errors and uncertainty.
8. To remove those errors, different techniques were used.

DATA ANALYSIS

Table of Observations

No. of LENGTH WIDTH

Obs (cm) (cm)
1 91.8 31.0
2 91.7 31.0
3 91.8 31.1
4 91.9 31.0
5 91.8 30.9

Calculation of Mean Value

The mean value of the quantities can be calculated by the following formula:
 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)
So, the mean value of length becomes;

Mean Length = µL = 91.8+91.7+91.8+91.9+91.8

5
µ𝑳= 91.8 cm

Similarly, the mean value of the width becomes;

31.0 + 31.0 + 31.1 + 31.0 + 30.9

Mean Width = µL = 5

µ𝑾= 31.0 cm

Standard Deviations:
The formula for calculating the deviations from the mean value is given by;

Where, 𝑥̅ represents the mean value.

Table

No. of DEVIATIONS OF LENGTHS DEVIATIONS OF WIDTHS

Obs (cm) (cm)
1 0.0 0.0
2 -0.1 0.0
3 0.0 +0.1
4 +0.1 0.0
5 0.0 -0.1

The standard deviation can be calculated from the following formula:

𝟎 𝟎𝟏𝟒𝟒+𝟎 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟒+𝟎 𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟒+𝟎 𝟎𝟏𝟒𝟒+𝟎 𝟎𝟑𝟐𝟒

𝑺= √ 𝟒
= 0.1304 cm
. .
.. .
 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)

Length:
0+0+0.01+0+0.01
SL = √ = 0.0707
4

Width:
0+0+0.01+0.01+0
SW = √ = 0.0707
4

Standard Error
Now, the standard or propagation error can be calculated by the formula given
below:-

Length:
𝟎.𝟎𝟕𝟎𝟕
σL = = 0.0316
√𝟓

Width:
𝟎.𝟎𝟕𝟎𝟕
σW = = 0.0316
√𝟓

Calculation of Area and Perimeter

The area and perimeter of the table are calculated from the mean values as follows:

𝐴 = µ𝑳 × µ𝑾 = 91.8 × 31.0 = 2845.8 𝑐𝑚2

𝑃 = 2(µ𝑳+ µ𝑾) = 2(91.8 + 31.0) = 245.6 𝑐𝑚

Calculation of Partial Derivatives

Taking partial derivation of area with respect to length;
 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)

Putting the values;

𝝏𝑨 = 𝟑𝟏.0
𝝏𝑳

Taking partial derivation of area with respect to width;

Putting the values;

𝝏𝑨 = 𝟑𝟏.0
𝝏𝑳

Taking partial derivation of perimeter with respect to length;

Taking partial derivation of perimeter with respect to width;

Error in Area and Perimeter

Error in Area:
 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)

δA = √(31.0)2 (0.0316)2 + (91.8)2 (0.0316)2 = 3.0618

cm2

Error in Perimeter:

δ=P √2 2)2 (0.05831

= √2((0.0316 )22 (0.0316
2) + 2 + (2)2 (20).0509 )2 = 𝟎𝒄𝒎
= 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖𝟗𝟑 . 𝟏𝟓𝟒𝟖 𝒄𝒎

Results & Discussion:

So, the final area and perimeter with the error can be written as:
𝑨 = (2845.8 ± 3.0618) 𝒄𝒎𝟐
𝑷 = (245.6 ± 0.089) 𝒄𝒎

Errors in this experiment were due to a number of factors, mainly the rough and corroded
edges of the wooden plank, and parallax error due to awkward working positions.
We learnt the importance of errors in a scientific experiment and its
effects on the results. We also learnt how to calculate standard deviation
and use it to calculate errors.
 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)

PRACTICAL # 2
PROCEDURE

1. In this experiment, we had to measure the time period of a bob and string system
(pendulum) so we could use it to calculate the gravitational acceleration.

2. For this purpose, an already setup pendulum system was taken.

3. The bob of the pendulum was taken to its extreme position and then released from
there.

4. To note the time of the interval, a stopwatch was started simultaneously.

5. As soon as the bob completed 3 oscillations, the stopwatch was stopped, and the
timewas noted.

6. To get the time period of one oscillation, the time was divided by 3.
7. This procedure was repeated 5 times so that an accurate value of the time period
could be obtained by taking its mean.

DATA ANALYSIS

Table of Observations

No. LENGTH RADIUS TOTAL TIME PERIOD TIME PERIOD OF

of OF OF BOB LENGTH OF 3 1
Obs STRING (r) (l+r) OSCILLATIONS OSCILLATION
(l) (cm) (cm) (sec) (sec)
(cm)
1 28.0 0.475 28.475 3.297 1.099
2 28.1 0.475 28.575 3.312 1.104
3 27.9 0.475 28.375 3.312 1.104
4 28.0 0.475 28.475 3.354 1.118
5 28.0 0.475 28.475 3.246 1.082
 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)

Calculation of Mean Value

 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)

The standard deviation can be calculated from the following formula:

Length:

(0)2 + (0.1)2 + (0.1)2 + (0)2 + (0)2

SL √ = 𝟎. 0707
4
-
-
1
Time Period: -
2
-
(-0.02)2 + (0.03)2 + (0.03)2 + (0.17)2 + (-0.19)2
ST = 𝟎. 129
4
-

Standard Error
Now, the standard or propagation error can be calculated by the formula given
below:-

0.0707
= 𝟎.0315
Length: √5

0.129
Time Period: = 𝟎.0354
√5

Calculation of Gravitational Acceleration

The time period of a pendulum is given by the following formula:

Squaring on both sides;

Calculating for g;
 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)

Putting the mean values;

Calculation of Partial Derivatives

Taking partial derivative of g with respect to T;

Putting the values;

𝜕𝑔 −8(3.14)2(28.475)
=
𝜕𝑇 (1.101)3
𝝏𝒈
= −1682.87
𝝏𝑻

Taking partial derivative of g with respect to L;

4(3.14)2
(1.101)2
 National University of Science & Technology (NUST)
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)

32.53

Error in Gravitational Acceleration

59.618 cm/s2

Result:
So, the gravitational acceleration with the error can be written as:

𝒄𝒎
( 926.4 ± 59.6) 𝒔𝟐

The percentage error in the above value can be calculated as;

981 – 926.4
926.4

5.9%

A high value of this percent error is due to the uncontrolled environment in which the
experiment was performed and due to several factors like air resistance and the bob not
following its specified trajectory.