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Measurements Lab:
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Analysis:
1. Compare and contrast accuracy and precision. Consider how one could improve the accuracy of a measurement? the precision of a measurement?
Accuracy is a function of human skill where precision is how exactly the specific instrument can measure to a certain decimal place. Both accuracy and precision use measurements and precision rely on accuracy and vice-versa. One could improve the accuracy of the measurement by re-measuring the object multiple times and by comparing your results with others who measured the same item as yourself. One could improve the precision of the measurement by using an instrument that measures to more decimal places like the micrometer.
2. Compare the number of significant figures in the calculations and measurements taken with the ruler to the measurements taken with the caliper and micrometer. Discuss the differences in precision of these instruments.
The ruler’s significant figures went to the millimeter place, the caliper went to the tenth of a millimeter place, and the micrometer went to the hundredth of a millimeter’s place. This means that the micrometer is the most precise instrument as far as the scale of measuring goes. However, using the micrometer may not always be the best option for measuring various types of materials.
3. Compare your measurements and calculations with those of a classmate. Are they the same? Discuss sources of error in the accuracy of the measurements. They are practically the same measurements. Some sources of error could be the varying eyesight abilities of different individuals; one could over- or under-tighten a measuring instrument which can cause disturbances within the measuring process, and the actual items that each person measured could vary slightly since they are not all identical items so the measurements would vary as a result.
4. Which instrument is more precise, the metric ruler, micrometer or caliper?
The most precise instrument is the micrometer because it goes to the hundredth decimal place of a millimeter as opposed to the others which measured to less decimal places.
