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Accuracy Consistency Sensitivity

The document discusses accuracy, consistency, and sensitivity of measuring instruments. It defines accuracy as how close a measurement is to the actual value, and gives an example of calculating relative error to determine accuracy. Consistency is defined as an instrument giving consistent readings when measuring the same quantity multiple times. Sensitivity refers to an instrument's ability to detect small changes in measurements. The key difference between consistency and accuracy is also mentioned.

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Faezah Wills
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86 views

Accuracy Consistency Sensitivity

The document discusses accuracy, consistency, and sensitivity of measuring instruments. It defines accuracy as how close a measurement is to the actual value, and gives an example of calculating relative error to determine accuracy. Consistency is defined as an instrument giving consistent readings when measuring the same quantity multiple times. Sensitivity refers to an instrument's ability to detect small changes in measurements. The key difference between consistency and accuracy is also mentioned.

Uploaded by

Faezah Wills
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Accuracy

Consistency

Sensitivity
Accuracy
 The accuracy is the ability of the instrument
to give the reading close to the actual value.
 Accuracy can also be stated in terms of

relative error.
 Relative error is defined as follows.

Relative errorx 100%


Example
Calculate the relative error of a measuring
instrument Y which gives the following
reading:
2.4 kg, 2.8 kg, 2.3 kg, and 2.5 kg
Given the real value is 2.6 kg.
Solution
Reading /kg Error=l Reading obtained – actual value I/ kg

2.4 I 2.4 – 2.6 I = 0.2


2.8 I 2.8 – 2.6 I = 0.2
2.6 I 2.6 – 2.6 I = 0
2.3 I 2.3 – 2.6 I = 0.3
2.5 I 2.5 – 2.6 I = 0.1
Total error 0.8
Average
   error = 0.16

Relative error =

= 6.154 %
Steps to increase the accuracy
 Repeat the measurement
 Avoiding the end errors or zero errors.
 Taking into account the zero and parallax

errors.
 Using more sensitive equipment such as a

vernier caliper to replace a ruler.


Consistency
 The consistency of an instrument is the
ability of the instrument to give consistent
readings when the same physical quantity is
measured more than once.
 Consistent measurements consist of readings

that have little or no relative deviation among


them.
 
Relative deviation = x 100%
Example 1
Length of an object (cm) measured by using

Instrument X Instrument Y
8.5 8.2
8.4 7.9
8.5 8.9
8.6 9.2
8.5 8.0
Instrument X is more consistent bcoz
the reading are close to each other.
Example 2
 Find the relative deviation of the readings
taken by instrument X. the reading are given
below:
1.2m, 1.3m, 1.2m, 1.1m, 1.2m

Solution:
Step 1: find the average reading
Average
   reading= = 1.2m

Step 2: construct a table


Step 3: find the total deviation

Reading (m) Deviation =


1.2
1.2
1.3
Only the positive
1.3
1.2
value
Only theispositive
taken
1.1
1.2 value is taken
1.2
1.1
Total deviation
1.2 0+0.1+0+0.1+0= 0.2
Total deviation 0+0.1+0+0.1+0= 0.2

  Step 4: find the average deviation.
average deviation=
=
= 0.04m

 Step 5: find the relative deviation


Relative deviation = x 100%

x 100%
 

= 3.33%
The different between consistency
and accuracy
Sensitivity
 The sensitivity of an instrument is its ability
to detect small changes in the quantity that is
being measured.
 A sensitive instrument can quickly detect a

small change in measurement.


 Measuring instruments that have smaller

scale parts are more sensitive.


 Sensitive instruments need not necessarily be

accurate.

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