Teachers Notes

This sequence of slides is designed to introduce, and explain the taking of measurements, including the meaning of variation, range, mean (average) and the difference between accuracy & precision, as explained on page 362 in New Physics for You, 2006 & 2011 editions.
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How Science works:

Taking measurements
New Physics for You, page 362

Learning Objectives You should learn : About taking measurements, The meaning of variation, range and mean (average), The meaning of accuracy and precision.

Taking measurements
When you take measurements there may be some variation in the readings. For example: If you time the fall of a paper parachute over a fixed distance, the times may vary slightly. 10.1 s, 10.2 s, 9.9 s, 10.0 s, 10.3 s Lets look at these results more closely.

Taking measurements
The results were: 10.1 s, 10.2 s, 9.9 s, 10.0 s, 10.3 s What is the Range of these results?

Taking measurements : Range

The results were: 10.1 s, 10.2 s, 9.9 s, 10.0 s, 10.3 s Find the minimum value and the maximum value Range = from min to = 9.9 to max 10.3

Taking measurements : Mean

The results were: 10.1 s, 10.2 s, 9.9 s, 10.0 s, 10.3 s What is the mean (or average) of these results?

Taking measurements : Mean

The results were: 10.1 s, 10.2 s, 9.9 s, 10.0 s, 10.3 s Add up the 5 numbers: 10.1+10.2+9.9+10.0+10.3 = 50.5 There are 5 items, so divide by 5: Mean (or average) =50.5 = 5 = 10.1 s

Taking measurements : Mean

The results were: 10.1 s, 10.2 s, 9.9 s, 10.0 s, 10.3 s Why is it a good idea to calculate the mean of your results? Because it improves the reliability of your results. Your results will be more reliable.

Accuracy and Precision

Definitions

Accuracy and Precision sound the same thing

is there a difference??

Definitions : Accuracy
In your experiments, you need to consider the accuracy of your measuring instrument. For example: An expensive thermometer is likely to be more accurate than a cheap one. It will give a result nearer to the true value. It is also likely to be more sensitive (with a better resolution). It will respond to smaller changes in temperature.

Definitions : Precision
As well as accuracy, precision is also important. Precision is connected to the smallest scale division on the measuring instrument that you are using. For example:

Definitions : Precision
For example, using a ruler: A ruler with a millimetre scale will give greater precision than a ruler with a centimetre scale.

Definitions : Precision
A precise instrument also gives a consistent reading when it is used repeatedly for the same measurements. For example:

Definitions : Precision
For example, 2 balances: 3 A beaker is weighed on A, times: The readings are: 71 g 77 g, = 6 So the Range is = 73 g, 77 g 71 g g It is then weighed on B, 3 times: The readings are: 75 g, 73 g, 74 g = 73 g 75 g = 2 So the Range is g Balance B has better precision. Its readings are grouped closer together.
A

Suppose you are measuring the length 0 of a wooden bar: true valu The length has a true e value And we can take measurements of the length, like this: Lets look at 3 cases

Accuracy compared with Precision

Accuracy compared with Precision

0

true value
0

Precise (grouped) but not accurate. Accurate (the mean) but not precise. Accurate and Precise.

Learning Outcomes You should now understand: The meaning of variation and range, How to calculate the mean (or average), and why this improves the reliability of your results, The difference between accuracy and precision.

For more details, see: New Physics for You, page 362

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