Final answer:
Accuracy in measurements refers to how close the value is to a true value, while precision indicates the consistency of repeated measurements. A precise measurement has a tight grouping, indicated by small measurement increments, and an accurate measurement is one that is close to a known true value.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concepts of accuracy and precision are critical when making and reporting measurements in physics. Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value, whereas precision refers to the repeatability or consistency of the measurements. The precision of a measuring tool is also influenced by the size of its measurement increments; the smaller the increment, the more precise the tool.
Accuracy and Precision
For example, a digital scale that measures up to the nearest thousandth of a gram is more precise than a mechanical double-pan balance that measures only to the nearest tenth of a gram, because the digital scale has smaller measurement increments.
In terms of targets:
- A precise, but inaccurate set of measurements would show a tight grouping of hits on a target, but away from the bullseye.
- A set of measurements that is both precise and accurate would show a tight grouping of hits centered on a bullseye.
- A set of measurements that is neither precise nor accurate would result in hits scattered all over the target with no discernible pattern or grouping.