Systematic Error

Key Stage 4

Meaning

A systematic error is when the results wrong by the same amount each time.

About Systematic Errors

A systematic error can be caused by:

• The incorrect use of a measuring instrument.
• A measuring instrument not being calibrated properly, this is known as a zero error.

A systematic error can be found when plotting the scatter graph for an experiment where it is known the two variables should be directly proportional but they appear to only be proportional have a y-intercept that is not zero.