OCR GCSE Physics A · J249
Specification P8.1d · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
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GCSE Physics · key term
Variation that makes repeated measurements differ unpredictably; its effect can be reduced by taking repeats and calculating a mean.
Used by OCR
Specification P8.1d · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
Paper 1, Paper 2
Unpredictable variation that makes repeated measurements scatter around a best estimate.
Revise: Data Evaluation and Drawing ConclusionsA random error varies unpredictably between readings, producing scatter. Examples include variation in reaction time, small environmental fluctuations and estimating a pointer position between scale marks. Taking repeat measurements shows the spread of the data.
Repeating readings and calculating a mean can reduce the effect of random error, but cannot remove a systematic error that shifts every reading in the same direction.
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