Truth and Traceability in Physics and Metrology

Description

Metrological data is known to be blurred by the imperfections of the measuring process. In retrospect, for about two centuries regular or constant errors were no focal point of experimental activities, only irregular or random error were. Today's notation of unknown systematic errors is in line with this. Confusingly enough, the worldwide practiced approach to belatedly admit those unknown systematic errors amounts to consider them as being random, too. This book discusses a new error concept dispensing with the common practice to randomize unknown systematic errors. Instead, unknown systematic errors will be treated as what they physically are- namely as constants being unknown with respect to magnitude and sign. The ideas considered in this book issue a proceeding steadily localizing the true values of the measurands and consequently traceability. PRELIMS.pdf Preface Acknowledgements Author biography Michael Grabe CH001.pdf Chapter 1 Basics of metrology 1.1 Regular or constant errors 1.2 Where traceability begins 1.3 Judging measurement results 1.4 True values and traceability 1.5 Consistency 1.6 Measuring errors References CH002.pdf Chapter 2 Some statistics 2.1 Measurands and random variables 2.2 Fisher’s density 2.3 Confidence intervals 2.4 Non-uniqueness of the empirical covariance 2.5 Breakdown of statistical inference 2.6 Curing hypothesis testing References CH003.pdf Chapter 3 Measurement uncertainties 3.1 One measurand 3.2 Two and more measurands 3.3 Random errors 3.4 Bias 3.5 Overall uncertainty 3.6 Error propagation at a glance References CH004.pdf Chapter 4 Method of least squares 4.1 Geometry of adjustment 4.2 Linear systems 4.3 Quintessence of the method of least squares References CH005.pdf Chapter 5 Fitting of straight lines 5.1 True straight line 5.2 Fitting conditions 5.3 Straight line (I) Least squares estimators Uncertainties of the input data Uncertainties of the least squares estimators Uncertainty band EP-region Security polygon Data simulation 5.4 Straight line (II) 5.5 Straight line (III) References CH006.pdf Chapter 6 Features of least squares estimators 6.1 Uncertainties 6.2 Weighted least squares 6.3 Transfer of true values 6.4 Fundamental constants of physics References CH007.pdf Chapter 7 Prospects 7.1 Revising the error calculus 7.2 Redefining the SI base units CH008.pdf Chapter 8 Epilogue 8.1 Verification by experiment 8.2 Deciding by reasoning 8.3 What is right, what is wrong? BIBLIO.pdf Outline placeholder Journals Works by the Author Monographs and Anthologies