NEETPhysicsMathematics in Physics
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): The random error in a measurement can be minimized by taking a large number of observations and finding their arithmetic mean. Reason (R): Random errors occur irregularly and are equally likely to be positive or negative. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
- D(A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Correct answer
B. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Step-by-step solution
Random errors are those errors which occur irregularly and hence are random with respect to sign and size. They can be positive or negative. When a large number of observations are taken, the positive and negative random errors tend to cancel each other out. Therefore, the arithmetic mean of all observations is taken as the most accurate reading, which effectively minimizes the random error. Thus, both Assertion and Reason are correct, and the Reason correctly explains why taking the mean minimizes the error. Answe