Accuracy vs. Precision in Science
Explore the fundamental concepts of accuracy and precision in scientific measurements with this Grade 9 worksheet, featuring definitions, examples, and application questions.
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Accuracy vs. Precision Worksheet
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Read each question carefully and provide your best answer. This worksheet will test your understanding of accuracy and precision in scientific contexts.
1. refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value.
2. refers to how close repeated measurements are to each other.
3. A measuring tool that consistently gives readings that are slightly off is said to be .
4. High in data collection often indicates a systematic error.
5. A scientist measures the mass of a standard 10.0 g weight four times and gets the following results: 9.9 g, 10.1 g, 9.8 g, 10.2 g. Which of the following best describes these measurements?
Accurate and precise
Accurate but not precise
Precise but not accurate
Neither accurate nor precise
6. A dart player consistently hits the same spot on a dartboard, but it's far from the bullseye. This player's throws are considered:
Accurate and precise
Accurate but not precise
Precise but not accurate
Neither accurate nor precise
7. A measurement can be precise without being accurate.
True
False
8. Random errors primarily affect the precision of measurements.
True
False
9. Explain the difference between systematic error and random error, and how each relates to accuracy and precision.
10. Imagine you are conducting an experiment to determine the density of a liquid. You perform three trials and obtain the following density values: 1.05 g/mL, 1.06 g/mL, and 1.04 g/mL. The accepted density of the liquid is 1.20 g/mL.
a) Are your measurements accurate? Explain why or why not.
b) Are your measurements precise? Explain why or why not.
c) What type of error (systematic or random) is most likely affecting your results, and what could be a possible source of this error?