Percent Error, Percent Difference

• In Discussion/Conclusion section of an experiment it is required to state the % error or % difference of the final result.
• Percent Error can be found if an accepted value is available. e.g. g=9.81 ms^-2 on earth.
  • % error = [(measured value - accepted value) / accepterd value] * 100%
• When an accepted value is not known, % difference is used to compare two values or for comparison of an experimental value to a predicted value.
  • % difference = [(absolute value of differeence of values) / accepterd value] * 100%

IB09 Physics Home