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Using Scientific Measurements

Using Scientific Measurements. Accuracy and Precision RHS Science Department. Whachathinkboutit ?. Write your definition of the following terms: Accuracy Precision Do they mean the same thing or is there a difference? If there is a difference, what is the difference? (Give an example.).

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Using Scientific Measurements

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  1. Using Scientific Measurements Accuracy and Precision RHS Science Department

  2. Whachathinkboutit? • Write your definition of the following terms: • Accuracy • Precision • Do they mean the same thing or is there a difference? • If there is a difference, what is the difference? (Give an example.)

  3. Accuracy vs. Precision • To most people, the words Accuracy and Precision are synonymous. • In the field of science, they have quiet distinct meanings. • Accuracy is defined as the closeness of the measurement to the correct or accepted value of the quantity measured. • Precision is defined as the closeness of a set of measurements of the same quantity to one another.

  4. Accuracy

  5. Precision

  6. Whachathinkboutit? BOTH

  7. Whachathinkboutit? NEITHER

  8. Application of Concept • Who is more accurate when measuring a book that has a true length of 17.0cm? Susan: 17.0cm, 16.0cm, 18.0cm, 15.0cm Amy: 15.5cm, 15.0cm, 15.2cm, 15.3cm

  9. Application of Concept Who is more precise when measuring the same 17.0cm book? Susan: 17.0cm, 16.0cm, 18.0cm, 15.0cm Amy: 15.5cm, 15.0cm, 15.2cm, 15.3cm

  10. Error • Due to a variety of factors (eyesight, equipment limitations, material, etc…) there is a margin of error between our experimental measurement value and the accepted value. • To calculate the error, we apply the following formula: Error = Valueexperimental - Valueaccepted

  11. Percentage Error • The amount of error is generally expressed as a percentage of the accepted value. • To calculate percent error, we apply the following formula:

  12. Practice • A student measures the mass and volume of a substance and calculates its density as 1.40 g/mL. The correct value of the density is 1.30 g/mL. What is the percentage error of the student’s measurement? • G.U.E.S.S • Given (measured = 1.40 g/mL; correct = 1.30 g/mL) • Unknown (percent error) • Equation ( ) • Substitute () • Solve (7.7%)

  13. Interpreting the Results • Percent error can be positive or negative. • If it has a positive value, it means that the experimental or measured value was greater than the accepted value. • If it has a negative value, it means that the experimental or measured value was less than the accepted value.

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