Final answer:
The statement is false; a more precise number does not guarantee a more accurate measurement. Accuracy refers to closeness to the true value, whereas precision indicates the level of detail in the measurement. The uncertainty in measurement depends on the device used and does not imply accuracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False: The weight of a coin measured as 1.96235 g on one balance is definitely more accurate than a weight measurement of 1.95 g on another balance. This statement is false because a more precise number does not necessarily mean a more accurate measurement.
The precision of a measurement refers to how detailed the measurement is, while accuracy refers to how close the measurement is to the true value.
For instance, if you place a quarter on a standard electronic balance, you may obtain a reading of 6.72 g, which expresses an uncertainty of ± 0.01 gram.
However, a more sensitive balance could give you a result like 6.723 g, indicating a smaller uncertainty of 0.001 gram. Every measurement features some uncertainty, which depends on the device used.
Digital scales can typically measure the mass of an object more precisely compared to mechanical balances. However, even with digital scales, the mass reading includes an estimated digit, the last digit, which introduces a level of uncertainty. As such, higher resolution does not assure higher accuracy but does indicate higher precision.
To exemplify, when one dozen oranges are weighed, the balance may read it as 1572.6 g, 1573 g, or 1570 g. The measurement uncertainty associated with these readings would be 0.1 g, 1 g, and 10 g, respectively. The last digit in each measurement is an estimated number and carries an error of ± 1 unit in its finest measurement.