Question

F the "actual" length

of this blue cylinder is 6.59 cm, which ruler is more accurate? Which measurement has less uncertainty (is more accurate)? Explain in 2-4 sentences.

a) The blue ruler is more accurate; its measurement is closer to the actual length.
b) The red ruler is more accurate; its measurement is closer to the actual length.
c) Both rulers are equally accurate.
d) The accuracy of the rulers cannot be determined from the information provided.

Answer 1

The blue ruler is more accurate because it provides a closer measurement to the actual length of the object and reports more digits with certainty, indicating less uncertainty and greater precision.

Step-by-step explanation:

When determining which ruler is more accurate for measuring an object, it's important to consider the precision of the device. Precision is indicated by how many digits can be reported with certainty.

In the scenario of measuring a blue cylinder with an 'actual' length of 6.59 cm, if we have two rulers, one with a reading of 7.60 ± 0.01 cm (more accurate ruler) and another with a reading of 7.6 ± 0.1 cm (less accurate ruler), we can conclude that a ruler that can measure with more decimal places provides a more accurate measurement.

Hence, in this case, the blue ruler would be considered more accurate due to its measurement being closer to the actual length with less uncertainty. For example, if Ruler A's measurement can be rounded to 2.55, with two certain digits, it displays more accuracy than Ruler B's measurement of 2.5, which has only one certain digit.