A recent article in "The Physics Teacher" describes a method for analyzing a systematic error in a Boyle's law laboratory activity. Systematic errors are important to consider in physics labs because they tend to bias the results of measurements. There are numerous laboratory examples and resources that discuss this common source of error.

Discusses the problems associated with teaching uncertainties in measurements and significant figures. Appendices present an experiment on measurement that introduces uncertainty in measurement, and an exercise in significant figures. (CS)

Discusses the use of linear regression methods to extrapolate experimental data. Describes the method of averages and two weighted least squares. Calculates the error range of each method. (YP)