Accuracy

Consistency

Sensitivity
Accuracy
 The accuracy is the ability of the instrument
to give the reading close to the actual value.
 Accuracy can also be stated in terms of

relative error.
 Relative error is defined as follows.

Relative errorx 100%

Example
Calculate the relative error of a measuring
instrument Y which gives the following
reading:
2.4 kg, 2.8 kg, 2.3 kg, and 2.5 kg
Given the real value is 2.6 kg.
Solution
Reading /kg Error=l Reading obtained – actual value I/ kg

2.4 I 2.4 – 2.6 I = 0.2

2.8 I 2.8 – 2.6 I = 0.2
2.6 I 2.6 – 2.6 I = 0
2.3 I 2.3 – 2.6 I = 0.3
2.5 I 2.5 – 2.6 I = 0.1
Total error 0.8
Average
   error = 0.16

Relative error =

= 6.154 %
Steps to increase the accuracy
 Repeat the measurement
 Avoiding the end errors or zero errors.
 Taking into account the zero and parallax

errors.
 Using more sensitive equipment such as a

vernier caliper to replace a ruler.

Consistency
 The consistency of an instrument is the
ability of the instrument to give consistent
readings when the same physical quantity is
measured more than once.
 Consistent measurements consist of readings

that have little or no relative deviation among

them.
 
Relative deviation = x 100%
Example 1
Length of an object (cm) measured by using

Instrument X Instrument Y
8.5 8.2
8.4 7.9
8.5 8.9
8.6 9.2
8.5 8.0
Instrument X is more consistent bcoz
the reading are close to each other.
Example 2
 Find the relative deviation of the readings
taken by instrument X. the reading are given
below:
1.2m, 1.3m, 1.2m, 1.1m, 1.2m

Solution:
Step 1: find the average reading
Average
   reading= = 1.2m

Step 2: construct a table

Step 3: find the total deviation

Reading (m) Deviation =

1.2
1.2
1.3
Only the positive
1.3
1.2
value
Only theispositive
taken
1.1
1.2 value is taken
1.2
1.1
Total deviation
1.2 0+0.1+0+0.1+0= 0.2
Total deviation 0+0.1+0+0.1+0= 0.2

  Step 4: find the average deviation.
average deviation=
=
= 0.04m

 Step 5: find the relative deviation

Relative deviation = x 100%

x 100%
 

= 3.33%
The different between consistency
and accuracy
Sensitivity
 The sensitivity of an instrument is its ability
to detect small changes in the quantity that is
being measured.
 A sensitive instrument can quickly detect a

small change in measurement.

 Measuring instruments that have smaller

scale parts are more sensitive.

 Sensitive instruments need not necessarily be

accurate.