Resumo

LIMA JUNIOR, Paulo  e  SILVEIRA, Fernando Lang da. On type A and type B uncertainties and its propagation without derivatives: a contribution to incorporate contemporary metrology to Physics' laboratories in higher education. Rev. Bras. Ensino Fís. [online]. 2011, vol.33, n.2, pp. 1-6. ISSN 1806-1117.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-11172011000200004.

After introducing the concept of uncertainty and procedures for evaluating type A and type B uncertainties, we discuss the law for propagation of uncertainty in the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement and its underlying assumptions. The main goal of this paper is to introduce an alternative procedure for estimating uncertainty that propagates from the input to output quantity without explicit reference to partial derivatives. As this alternative procedure is relatively simple and shares the same validity of the law for propagation itself, it is possible to perceive its value to the introduction of metrological concepts and procedures from the earliest experimental activities performed in higher education Physics' laboratories.

Palavras-chave : metrology; uncertainty; laboratory activities; higher education.