Flashcard - Precision and Accuracy

Front

What is the definition of precision in measurements?

Back

Precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements, indicating how close the measurements are to each other.

Front

What is the definition of accuracy in measurements?

Back

Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the true or accepted value.

Front

What does a low accuracy and high precision measurement look like?

Back

It means that the measurements are clustered closely together but far from the true value.

Front

What does a high accuracy and low precision measurement look like?

Back

It means that the measurements are spread out but average close to the true value.

Front

What is the formula for calculating percent error?

Back

Front

What is the average (mean) of a set of measurements?

Back

The average is calculated by adding all the measurements together and dividing by the number of measurements.

Front

How can you determine which student had the most accurate measurements?

Back

Compare each student's average measurement to the true value; the student with the average closest to the true value is the most accurate.

Front

What is the significance of the melting point in a substance?

Back

The melting point is the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid, indicating the substance's purity and identity.

Front

What is a trial in scientific measurements?

Back

A trial is a single attempt to measure or test a hypothesis in an experiment.

Front

What is the difference between systematic error and random error?

Back

Systematic error is consistent and predictable, while random error varies unpredictably.