What is the difference between accuracy and precision?

When we make measurements while doing an experiment, the values we measure always have an uncertainty. We assign an uncertainty based on the equipment we are using and the way we make the measurements. If one measurement has a lower uncertainty than another, it is said to be more precise, i.e. have higher precision. It is the same when we use these measurements to calculate a final result for our experiment. If the calculated uncertainty is low, it is said to be of high precision.

 

When we compare our result to the accepted or actual value, the closer our result is to that value, the higher the accuracy. This means that the precision depends only on the uncertainty, while the accuracy depends on a comparison between our result and the actual value. A high-precision result can sometimes not be very accurate, and a low precision result can sometimes be very accurate. If the former scenario occurs, it is possible that we should rethink our estimates of the uncertainty for our measurements.

MJ
Answered by Miranda J. Physics tutor

14751 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A capacitor discharge circuit of time constant 45ms includes a capacitor and resistor. The capacitor has a capacitance of 18µF What is the resistance of the resistor?


State assumptions made about the motion of the molecules in a gas in the derivation of the kinetic theory of gases equation.


why does photoelectric emission occur only when there is a certain threshold frequency of incident radiation?


Explain the workings of a mass spectrometer


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences