Precision, Accuracy, and Error

CHEM 111
Unit 1
Lesson 3

Accuracy vs Precision Accuracy vs Precision

Both are ways that scientists think of error.
Accuracy - refers to how close a measurement is to the true value
Precision - refers to how close measurements of the same item are
to each other
They are independent from each other. The best measurements are
both accurate and precise.
 Experimental Error Accuracy and Precision Choice Board
How far off the results of an experiment are from the predicted
value
Example: If an experiment is supposed to produce 100g of product
but when you actually do it, you only get 90g of product, there was a
10% experimental error.

Scientific Notation
 Scientific Notation
284.6 Significant Figures
0.0245 (Sig Figs)
3125000
-0.0042
0.0056
245000
240.06

HOW TO TAKE AND REPORT MEASUREMENTS: Figure 2.5: Measuring a Pin

Step 1: Take a measurement to the

number you can see.
Step 2: Estimate out one more place
value.

18
HOW TO COUNT THE NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT FIGURES: 0.1550
Step 1: Find the first non-zero number
Step 2: Identify leading, captive, and trailing zeros 05640
Step 3: Yes = Dot, No dot = No
○DOT refers to the decimal point.
○If there is a decimal point, trailing zeros count. 002.55600
○If there is no decimal point, trailing zeros do NOT count.
Step 4: Count
○Nonzero integers are always significant 0.0056
○Zeros
■Leading zeros never count as significant figures
■Captive zeros are always significant 36.05001
■Trailing zeros are significant if the number has a decimal
point