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Measurements. Measurement. Measurements are uncertain for two reasons Instruments are never free of flaws Measuring involves some estimation When reading an instrument, the last digit is always estimated i.e. 1.256 g – the 6 is estimated. Precision and Accuracy . Precision
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Measurement • Measurements are uncertain for two reasons • Instruments are never free of flaws • Measuring involves some estimation • When reading an instrument, the last digit is always estimated • i.e. 1.256 g – the 6 is estimated
Precision and Accuracy • Precision • Repeated measurements that are close to each other • One measures the temp. of boiling water to be 85.0°C, 84.5°C, 84.7°C, and 84.9°C • Accuracy • Answer is close to an accepted value • Home Run
Precise, Accurate, Neither, Both Precise and Accurate Precise Neither Precise nor Accurate
Percent Error • Formula: |Accepted – Observed| Accepted * 100% • Molly tested the melting point of ice and found it to be 24°C. What is her percent error? • Susan only obtained 50 g of a sample. When she performed her calculations though, she calculated that she should have gotten 68 g. What is her percent error?
Qualitative vs. Quantitative • Qualitative • Give results in a descriptive NON-NUMERIC form • i.e. The grass is green. • Quantitative • Give results in a descriptive NUMERIC form • There are 5 students in this class.
Quantitative (QT) or Qualitative (QL) • The candle is cylindrical in shape. (QL) • The length decreased during the observation. (QL) • The candle is white. (QL) • The candle is 6 cm in length. (QT) • The flame flickers in response to the air. (QL)
Observation vs. Interpretation • Observation • What you see • Interpretation • How you see it • Example: • A boy and a girl are walking down the hall • Observation • They are a couple. • Interpretation