Chapter 1: Measurements Flashcards
What is a reading?
A single determination of the value of an unknown quantity
What is a measurement?
The result of the analysis of a series of readings, and is only accurate up to a certain degree depending on the instrument used and the physical constraints of the observer
What is an error?
It is the difference between an observation and the true value
What is a random error?
It is an error that occurs without a fixed pattern such that a set of measurements done under the same conditions have equal likelihoods of over or under-estimating the true value
What is a systematic error?
It is an error that occurs according to some fixed rule that yields a constant over or under-estimation of the true value
Name 3 differences between a systematic and random error.
A systematic error reduces accuracy while a random error reduces precision
A systematic error occurs due to a fixed rule while a random error does not
A systematic error creates reproducible results while a random error does not
Define precision.
It refers to how closely individual measurements agree with one another without reference to the true value
Define accuracy.
It refers to how closely an individual measurement agrees with the true value
