1.2 Limitation of physical measurements

• Direct measurements are made using a measuring instrument
• Random errors can occur due to instrument resolution
• Systematic errors can be identified and often corrected through careful experimental design and calibration.


  True
• Random errors cause measurements to fluctuate around the true value.


  True
• Match the technique with its purpose in minimizing measurement errors:

  Instrument Calibration ↔️ Corrects systematic errors

  Multiple Readings ↔️ Reduces random errors

  Controlled Environment ↔️ Minimizes environmental impact

  High-Resolution Instruments ↔️ Provides more precise readings
• Maintaining a controlled environment minimizes the impact of environmental factors
• Taking multiple readings and calculating the average reduces random errors

  True
• Physical measurements are quantitative observations of physical quantities


  True
• Random errors occur unpredictably and cause measurements to fluctuate around the true value


  True
• Unlike random errors, systematic errors can often be identified and corrected
• Match the feature with either precision or accuracy:

  Precision ↔️ Closeness of repeated measurements

  Accuracy ↔️ Closeness to the true value
• What are physical measurements defined as?

  Quantitative observations of physical quantities
• Give an example of an indirect measurement.

  Volume calculated from dimensions
• What is a systematic error caused by inaccurate instrument calibration called?

  Instrument calibration error
• Give an example of systematic error due to instrument calibration.

  Weighing scale reads 1 kg too high
• What is a key cause of random errors in physical measurements?

  Instrument resolution
• How does instrument calibration minimize measurement errors?

  Corrects systematic errors
• How do high-resolution instruments improve the precision of measurements?

  Minimize random errors
• Maintaining a controlled environment minimizes the impact of environmental factors
• Match the type of physical measurement with its description:

  Direct ↔️ Made directly using a measuring instrument

  Indirect ↔️ Calculated from other measured quantities
• Systematic errors are consistent errors that cause measurements to deviate from the true value


  True
• Random errors cause measurements to fluctuate around the true value due to unpredictable variations


  True
• High precision indicates low random errors
• Physical measurements can be classified into direct and indirect measurements.

  True
• The accuracy and precision of physical measurements are limited by the measuring instruments and the environment.

  True
• Examples of systematic errors

  1️⃣ Inaccurate instrument calibration

  2️⃣ Observer bias
• Observer bias occurs when the observer records measurements in a certain way
• Taking multiple readings and calculating the average helps minimize random errors.
• Multiple readings reduce random errors by averaging out fluctuations.


  True
• Regularly calibrating instruments against known standards corrects systematic errors
• High-resolution instruments minimize random errors
• The accuracy and precision of physical measurements are limited by the capabilities of the instruments
• Examples of systematic errors

  1️⃣ Instrument Calibration

  2️⃣ Observer Bias

  3️⃣ Environmental Factors
• Taking multiple readings and calculating the average reduces the impact of random errors


  True
• Precision can be high even if accuracy is poor, and vice versa


  True