UCA_CPE

UCA-CPE is a simple, handy, adaptable and free tool that makes it possible to perform a complete analysis of the uncertainty of results obtained in laboratory experiences. The program can be set up in several kinds of device, such as mobile phones, tablets or computers, and it is compatible with the most common operating systems: Android and Windows (XP, Vista, 7 and 8).

Generally, the software can be used to estimate the uncertainty of an equation or formula that uses measurements made with laboratory instruments. More specifically, the application allows the user to complete the obtained results in activities or laboratory experiences with the uncertainty of the results. It can also provide the error of each operation separately, which makes it possible to analyse the evolution of the error in each step.

The software uses the Monte Carlo method to estimate the error: UCA-CPE generates thousands of random values (obtained with a normal distribution) for each variable. Usually, this methodology provides equivalent results to the propagation of error formula and usually it is even more stable.

There are three versions of the UCA-CPE software (the three versions are free) each with different characteristics and designs so you can choose the best version for solving a specific problem. The three versions are described below.

-Pocket version (for Android and Windows)

Compact version for mobile phone or tablet. This is equivalent to a pocket calculator and is consequently suitable for fast and simple laboratory calculations. In URLs:

http://youtu.be/_O7hhY3Gj58

https://youtu.be/gj8zoZ6HUVw

https://youtu.be/ohOnewNS_6c

you can watch several tutorial videos where you can learn how to use the program. Windows version can be downloaded from URL:

http://www2.uca.es/dept/quimica_fisica/software/UCA_CPE_v20_setup.exe

-Extended version (only for Windows)

The extended version has less limitations than the previous one and incorporates two additional characteristics. The first is a very complete function library that facilitates the calculation of complex expressions, and the second is a history of operations that allows us to verify calculations and find mistakes. In the URLs:

https://youtu.be/fPpzdlqjcHA,

https://youtu.be/CfQTWa3zU4Q,

https://youtu.be/rBUzzMByj6I,

https://youtu.be/uc1B-ck1WFk,

https://youtu.be/vxx00vXBZsg,

https://youtu.be/DRwCx3u7-PA,

https://youtu.be/a8pEKWqVxY0,

https://youtu.be/LDwlYf40avI and

https://youtu.be/ktS4u7uEW-g

you can find several tutorial videos where you can learn how to use the program. This application can be downloaded from URL:

http://www2.uca.es/dept/quimica_fisica/software/UCA_CPE_v21_setup.exe

-Advanced version (only for Windows)

This version of the program provides a high level of control over the calculation process. It is possible to choose the amount of random numbers and their seed and to edit the random point set. It has no limitations in terms of the quantity of operations because it stores all the necessary data on the disc not in the memory (as is the case in the other versions). On the other hand it is less user-friendly and we only recommend this version to advanced users. From the URLs:

https://youtu.be/m5QPh1LNZeo and

https://youtu.be/7nSvZukubSY

you can obtain several tutorial videos where you can learn how to use the program. Finally, this application can be downloaded from URL:

http://www2.uca.es/dept/quimica_fisica/software/UCA_CPE_v11_setup.exe