Physics Warm Up
4 students measure one side of the lab table. Analyze their data and make statements about the precision and accuracy of their measurements (ruler used was similar to the one below). The true measurement was 65.45cm. Calculate the percent error for Jon's measurement. How can the precision and accuracy of measurements be useful outside of the classroom.
Student Data
Jon: 65.49 cm - most accurate
Sam: 65.459 cm - most precise
Hannah: 64.5 cm - least precise
Brain: 75.49 cm - least accurate
65.45cm - 65.49cm
65.45cm
-.04cm
65.45cm
-.06111... = .061%
4 students measure one side of the lab table. Analyze their data and make statements about the precision and accuracy of their measurements (ruler used was similar to the one below). The true measurement was 65.45cm. Calculate the percent error for Jon's measurement. How can the precision and accuracy of measurements be useful outside of the classroom.
Student Data
Jon: 65.49 cm - most accurate
Sam: 65.459 cm - most precise
Hannah: 64.5 cm - least precise
Brain: 75.49 cm - least accurate
65.45cm - 65.49cm
65.45cm
-.04cm
65.45cm
-.06111... = .061%
The first thing I did in this problem, was write statements for each person's data. Before this do now, I learned about the difference between accuracy and precision. These definitions and comparisons helped me determine what data was most accurate or least precise. I determined that Jon's data was the most accurate. In comparison to the true measurement. His data, 65.49 cm showed a measurement that was closest to the original, 65.49 cm. Sam had the most precise data. I knew that the most precise data was going to have the largest number and the most decimal places. This fits Sam's measurement. Hannah had the least precise data. Using the knowledge I had before, I ruled her measurement least precise because of the incorrect decimal place. Brian had the least accurate measurement, as it was the furthest away from the true measurement.
The second part of this problem was solving the percent error. The formula for finding this is the theoretical value-experimental value divided by the theoretical value, multiplied by 100. I used this formula and filled it in with the data from the actual measurement and the data from Jon's experiment. After I finished this question of the do now, I understood how important taking notes in class was. The day before, I took notes and understood the concepts discussed in class. If I hadn't, this question would have taken longer to complete, as I would not have had the information I need to complete the problem.
The second part of this problem was solving the percent error. The formula for finding this is the theoretical value-experimental value divided by the theoretical value, multiplied by 100. I used this formula and filled it in with the data from the actual measurement and the data from Jon's experiment. After I finished this question of the do now, I understood how important taking notes in class was. The day before, I took notes and understood the concepts discussed in class. If I hadn't, this question would have taken longer to complete, as I would not have had the information I need to complete the problem.