Final answer:
Accuracy and precision are essential in science for reliable measurements that underpin experiments and provide valid data for conclusions. Accurate results align closely with true values, while precision ensures reproducibility of the measurements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Accuracy and precision are critical in science due to the reliance on observation and experiment. These concepts play a vital role in ensuring reliable measurements that form the foundation of scientific research. A result is considered accurate if it is close to the true or accepted value and precise if repeated measurements produce similar results.
An example to illustrate these concepts could involve measuring the length of standard printer paper, which is known to be 11.0 inches. If we get readings of 11.1 inches, 11.2 inches, and 10.9 inches, these are accurate as they are close to 11.0 inches. However, if the readings were 12 inches, they would not be accurate, highlighting the importance of calibration in scientific instruments.
High accuracy ensures that the data is valid and can be used to make sound scientific conclusions, while high precision implies that an experiment or measurement can be replicated with similar outcomes, lending credibility and reliability to the results.