Question

How would you find the greatest possible error for the measurement 0.991 g?

Answer 1

+/- 0.0005

Explanation:

Any calibration scale consists of markings indicating calibrated values. The ‘space’ between the marks (lines) is the area of uncertainty with respect to the calibration.

Thus, the possible error is always one-half of the value between the markings, because ON either one you have a calibrated value. In between, no matter how close you think you can “judge” the distance, there is no calibrated reference point, so the ‘error’ of stating a value is +/- the value of half of the calibration accuracy. 0.991 is accurate (assuming that is the calibration limit), and 0.992 or 0.990 would also be “accurate”. The possible error is the +/- 0.0005 beyond that third digit that might be more to one side or the other.

That means the measured value of 0.991g could be between 0.9905g and 0.9915g.