CBSE Class 11-science Answered

Absolute error is the difference between the actual value and the observed value of a physical quantity.

Relative error is the ratio of difference in actual value and observed value divided by the actual value.

Percentage error is the relative error multiplied by 100 to obtain the percentage.

For example,

While doing an experiment to measure the gravity due to acceleration,

the observed value of g = 9.6ms^-2

the actual value of g = 9.8ms^-2

Now, the absolute error = (9.8-9.6) ms^-2 = 0.2 ms^-2

Relative error = (9.8-9.6)/(9.8) = 0.02

Percentage error = 0.02*100= 2%