Question

got a question on Science that deals with mass etc.

8. A student measures the mass of a paper clip. The student’s data table is shown below. The accepted value for the paper clip’s mass is 1.14

http://oi42.tinypic.com/syv69l.jpg

Which of the following best describes the student’s measurements? (1 point)

A. The student’s measurements were accurate, but not precise.
B.The student’s measurements were precise, but not accurate.
C. The student’s measurements were neither accurate nor precise.
D. The student’s measurements were both accurate and precise.

Answer 1

The definition of accuracy is how close the data is to the correct value. The definition of precise is how consistent the measurements are. The student had values of 2.45, 2.40, 2.42 g with the accepted value being 1.14 g. The measurement is is very inaccurate, but very percise. I would say the answer is B.