Physics: Accuracy and Precision

Zeroes between other nonzero digits are __________________.

Significant

Zeroes that are at the end of a number and also to the right of the decimal are _____________________.

Significant

What is the rule for multiplication and division? (Significant Figures)

FInal answer has the same number of significant figures as the measurement containing the smallest number of significant figures.

What does accuracy mean?

A description of how close a measurement is to the correct or accepted value of the quantity measured

How can you minimize error in experiment?

By repeating them

How can method error be reduced?

By standardizing the method of measurements

How can you improve the precision of measurement?

Can be done by making a reasonable estimation of where the mark on the instrument would have been

Zeroes in front of nonzero digits are _______________________.

Not Significant

What is the rule for addition and subtraction? (Significant Figures)

Round the final answer to the first column from the left containing an estimated digit.

How can you fix the problem of not knowing whether a zero is a place holder or a significant digit?

Scientific Notation

What are significant figures?

The digits in a measurement that are known with certainty plus the first digit that is uncertain.

What does precision mean?

The degree of exactness of a measurement.

What is uncertainty?

The measure of confidence in measurement.

When do you round up?

When the digit following the last significant figure is a 6, 7, 8, 9 or the digit after the last significant figure is a 5 followed by a nonzero digit, or the last significant figure is odd and the next digit is a 5 with no nonzero digits.

What does method error mean?

When there are different methods of measurements used in experiments

When do you round down?

Whenever the digit after the last significant figure is a 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 or if the last significant digit is an even number and the next digit is a 5, with no other nonzero digits.

Can poor accuracy usually be corrected?

Yes