The document discusses the difference between accuracy and precision when measuring quantities. It provides an example where three students measure the mass of a copper wire, and explains which student's results were the most accurate and precise. The document then introduces dimensional analysis as a technique for converting between units and solving chemistry problems.
The document discusses the difference between accuracy and precision when measuring quantities. It provides an example where three students measure the mass of a copper wire, and explains which student's results were the most accurate and precise. The document then introduces dimensional analysis as a technique for converting between units and solving chemistry problems.
The document discusses the difference between accuracy and precision when measuring quantities. It provides an example where three students measure the mass of a copper wire, and explains which student's results were the most accurate and precise. The document then introduces dimensional analysis as a technique for converting between units and solving chemistry problems.
The document discusses the difference between accuracy and precision when measuring quantities. It provides an example where three students measure the mass of a copper wire, and explains which student's results were the most accurate and precise. The document then introduces dimensional analysis as a technique for converting between units and solving chemistry problems.
darts on a dart board shows the 30 30 30 difference between precise and accurate. (a) Good accuracy and 60 60 60 good precision. (b) Poor accuracy and good precision. (c) Poor 100 100 100 accuracy and poor precision. The black dots show the positions of the darts.
(a) (b) (c)
accuracy and precision. Precision refers to how closely two or more measurements of the same quantity agree with one another (Figure 1.13). The difference between accuracy and precision is a subtle but important one. Suppose, for example, that three students are asked to determine the mass of a piece of copper wire. The results of two successive weighings by each student are
Student A Student B Student C
1.964 g 1.972 g 2.000 g 1.978 g 1.968 g 2.002 g Average value 1.971 g 1.970 g 2.001 g
The true mass of the wire is 2.000 g. Therefore, Student B’s results are more precise than those of Student A (1.972 g and 1.968 g deviate less from 1.970 g than 1.964 g and 1.978 g from 1.971 g), but neither set of results is very accurate. Student C’s results are not only the most precise, but also the most accurate, because the average value is closest to the true value. Highly accurate measurements are usually precise too. On the other hand, highly precise measurements do not necessarily guarantee accurate results. For example, an improperly calibrated meterstick or a faulty balance may give precise readings that are in error.
1.9 Dimensional Analysis in Solving Problems
Careful measurements and the proper use of significant figures, along with correct calculations, will yield accurate numerical results. But to be meaningful, the answers also must be expressed in the desired units. The procedure we use to convert between units in solving chemistry problems is called dimensional analysis (also called the factor-label method ). A simple technique requiring little memorization, dimensional analysis is based on the relationship between different units that express the same physical quantity. For example, by definition 1 in 5 2.54 cm (exactly). This equiva- lence enables us to write a conversion factor as follows:
1 in 2.54 cm
Because both the numerator and the denominator express the same length, this fraction is equal to 1. Similarly, we can write the conversion factor as
2.54 cm Dimensional analysis might also have led
Einstein to his famous mass-energy 1 in equation E 5 mc2.
