Loading…
Loading…
GCSE Physics · key term
An error that shifts measurements consistently away from the true value by a similar amount or proportion.
Used by OCR
Paper 1, Paper 2
Revise: Data Evaluation and Drawing ConclusionsA systematic error moves results consistently away from the true value. For example, a balance that reads 2 g when empty may make every measured mass about 2 g too high. Repeating and averaging these readings will not remove the offset.
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.
Create a free account to read GCSE Physics revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.