How do I plot data with very small uncertainties?

Question

My measured quantities are 

0.300
0.500
0.750
1.000

All in metres, and all with an uncertainty of 0.010

I only have a limited space on my graph paper (must be done by hand). So I was thinking of using a scale of 0.100

But then, my uncertainty would be miniscule, and almost impossible to graph. 

What is the correct thing to do?

Simon · Accepted Answer

That is what you would do.  

Those are small uncertainties and would be difficult to show in any scale; for instance, for the largest measurement, it is just 1%.  

It's one downside of graphing data -- however, you gain the ability to see the big picture.

How do I plot data with very small uncertainties?

1 Answer