Which of the following are components of measurement uncertainty?

The correct answer is that both systematic and random errors are components of measurement uncertainty because they encompass the two primary types of errors that affect the accuracy and precision of measurements.

Systematic errors are consistent, repeatable errors that arise from flaws in the measurement system or process, such as calibration errors or environmental influences that affect all measurements in a similar way. These errors can often be identified and corrected but will lead to a bias in the results if not addressed.

On the other hand, random errors are unpredictable variations that occur in measurements due to inherent fluctuations in the measurement process, environmental conditions, or human factors. These errors affect measurements differently each time and can be minimized through repeated trials and statistical analysis.

Together, these errors contribute to the overall uncertainty of a measurement, making it essential for anyone conducting measurements to understand and account for both types in order to provide a complete and accurate representation of the reliability of their data.