1.

4
Understanding
Measurements

Appropriate Instruments
To measure the weight of
this letter

Digital balance
Weighing scale

To measure the diameter of

the pearls.

Metre rule
Micrometer
screw gauge

Accuracy and Consistency

5 shots in two trials
A

C
E
D
Clustered together
consistent
Non of the shot is
accurate

scattered apart
Not consistent
Shot C is most
accurate

Sensitivity
The smallest division in a
metre rule is 0.1 cm (1mm).
The metre rule is not sensitive
enough to detect any change
less than 1 mm.

An appropriate instrument
must be
(a) able to give a set of
consistent readings.
(b) accurate in making
measurement.
(c)

sensitive to detect any

small change in the reading.

Errors in Measurements
Systematic
errors
Calibration
Zero error
Decrease in
accuracy

Random
errors
Carelessness
change of
ambient factors.
Decrease in
consistency

Pg 1

Hands-on Activitiy 1.1

Vernier callipers

0
cm

10

1.1_
4 cm

Vernier callipers

0
cm

Pg 1

10

0.4_
3 cm

Micrometer screw gauge

Pg 1

20
15

6.00 mm
+0.17 mm
6.17 mm

Micrometer screw gauge

Pg 1

5
0

4.50 mm
+0.02 mm
4.52 mm