General Physics Performance Task # 2 Accuracy and Precision

Name______________________________________ Section:__________________________________
Date_________________________

Precision vs. Accuracy

One of the most important aspects to understand in science is the

concept of Precision vs. Accuracy.

Precision- How closely a set of data is grouped together

Accuracy- How close the average of all the data is to the expected target

Data can be precise, but not accurate, but it can also be accurate but not
precise. Today’s lab will help you identify how to tell the difference
between precision and accuracy.

1. Tape the target on the floor.

2. Standing above it, drop a marker and try to hit the center of the
target. Repeat this 20 times.

3. Measure the distance to the Y-axis and the X axis from each dot
you’ve created, and label the quadrant it was found. (it may help to
circle a dot once you’ve measured it so you do not accidentally
measure it twice)

4. Average the distances of the horizontal distances and then the

vertical distances. The closer to each is to 0, the more accurate
your results are.

5. Measure the distance between the two points that are farthest
apart from each other. The closer your distance is to 0, the more
precise your results are.

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 General Physics Performance Task # 2 Accuracy and Precision
Dot # X Y Quadrant

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
TOTAL: N/A
AVERAGE: N/A

Which do you think is more important: precision or accuracy? Why?

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Why do you think scientists would want to use both in an experiment?

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 General Physics Performance Task # 2 Accuracy and Precision

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