Final answer:
Calibration involves comparing a measurement to a standard of known accuracy and making adjustments if necessary. Accuracy in measurements pertains to how close the measured value is to the actual or accepted value, which is critical in scientific accuracy and precision.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the American Petroleum Institute (API), calibration is the process of comparing a measurement to a standard of known accuracy and making any required adjustments to the measurement instrument. In science, the accuracy of a measurement is determined by how close it is to the correct or accepted reference value. For example, imagine measuring the length of a standard piece of computer paper that is labeled to be 11.0 inches long. If you measure the paper and your readings are 11.1 inches, 11.2 inches, and 10.9 inches, these measurements are considered accurate as they are very close to the true value of 11.0 inches. However, if a measurement of 12 inches was obtained, it would not be considered accurate as it deviates significantly from the expected value. Calibration ensures that the measurement instruments are returning the correct values and are reliable for taking measurements.