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Physics vocabulary · Experiments and Problem Solving

Systematic error

Meaning in physics, with examples

nounCommon term

In physics, systematic error means: An error that shifts every reading in the same direction by a similar amount, for example because of a badly calibrated instrument or a zero error. Repeating the measurement does not remove it.

In Turkish: sistematik hata

How it is used

Contrasted with random error, which scatters readings on both sides of the true value. Systematic errors affect accuracy; random errors affect precision. On a graph, a systematic error often shows up as a line that misses the origin when it should pass through it.

Example sentences

  1. The balance read 0.2 g with nothing on it, so there is a systematic error in all our mass readings.

  2. Reading the scale from the same wrong angle every time causes a systematic error.

Common collocations

  • random error
  • zero error
  • parallax error
  • source of error
  • reduce systematic error
  • uncertaintyThe range within which the true value of a measurement probably lies, written with a ± sign. It shows how reliable a measurement or result is.
  • line of best fitA straight line or smooth curve drawn on a graph so that it passes as close as possible to all the plotted points, showing the overall trend of the data.
  • significant figuresThe digits in a number that carry real information about its precision, counted from the first non-zero digit. For example, 0.00450 has three significant figures.

More terms: Experiments and Problem Solving

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