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Form 3 Physics Notes Precision

This document discusses key concepts in measurement: 1. Precision refers to the consistency of measurements and is indicated by relative deviation between readings. Accuracy refers to how close measurements are to the actual value and can be improved with more significant figures. 2. The difference between precision and accuracy is illustrated by a target diagram - precise measurements are clustered closely together but not necessarily near the center, while accurate measurements are close to the center but not tightly clustered. 3. Sensitivity refers to an instrument's ability to detect small changes, with more sensitive instruments having smaller scale parts though not necessarily being more accurate.

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Anna Lyse Moses
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1K views3 pages

Form 3 Physics Notes Precision

This document discusses key concepts in measurement: 1. Precision refers to the consistency of measurements and is indicated by relative deviation between readings. Accuracy refers to how close measurements are to the actual value and can be improved with more significant figures. 2. The difference between precision and accuracy is illustrated by a target diagram - precise measurements are clustered closely together but not necessarily near the center, while accurate measurements are close to the center but not tightly clustered. 3. Sensitivity refers to an instrument's ability to detect small changes, with more sensitive instruments having smaller scale parts though not necessarily being more accurate.

Uploaded by

Anna Lyse Moses
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Precision and Accuracy: Explains the concepts of precision and accuracy, detailing how they are measured and differentiating between them.
  • Sensitivity: Discusses the sensitivity of instruments, focusing on their ability to detect small changes in quantity.
  • Homework/Assignment: Provides instructions for a project involving the creation of a shopper's catalog using different measurement instruments.

Form 3 Physics Notes

Precision

Precision is the ability of an instrument in measuring a quantity in a consistent manner


with only a small relative deviation between readings.

The precision of a reading can be indicated by its relative deviation.

Accuracy

The accuracy of a measurement is the approximation of the measurement to the actual


value for the measurement is more accurate if its number of significant figures increases.

Table below shows that the micrometer screw gauge is more accurate than the other
measuring instruments.

The accuracy of a measurement can be increased by

taking a number of repeat readings to calculate the mean value of the reading.

taking into account the zero and parallax errors.

using more sensitive equipment such as a Vernier caliper to replace a ruler.

Distinguishing between Precision and Accuracy


The difference between precision and accuracy can be shown by the spread of shooting of a target (as
shown in Diagram below).

Sensitivity

The sensitivity of an instrument is its ability to detect small changes in the quantity that is being
measured.

Thus, 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.

Home-Work/ Assignment:

Measuring Instruments Project

Instructions: Prepare a shoppers catalog which includes each measuring instrument with drawn
diagrams, an outline of its uses and relevant specifications.

1. Neatness-5 marks

2. Accuracy-15 marks

3. Creativity-7 marks

4. Group Cooperation-3 marks

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