We constantly make measurements in our daily lives. Cooking, cleaning, and other routine activities require us to use various devices with various levels of precision. Sometimes it makes little difference if we measure carefully. Other times it could result in a soufflé that doesn’t rise or an incorrect amount of medicine dispensed.
Some examples of measuring devices include:
- Bathroom scale
- Measuring cup or spoon
- Syringe
- Thermometer
- Air pressure gauge
Requirements
- How do significant figures relate to the precision of a measurement? Explain the importance of determining significant figures when taking a measurement and performing calculations with measurements.
- Choose two digital and two analog (nondigital) measuring devices that you use at home or at work. Discuss the precision of each device, and relate this to the measurement that can be reported for the device.
- Compare and contrast the process of determining the precision of the two types of devices.
- Choose one of your measuring devices. Do you know how accurate it really is? How could you check the accuracy of it?
- Respond to at least two other students. Did anyone choose the same device that you chose? Did you agree with the precision that the student reported? Is there a device described by another student that you also use? Do you agree with the precision reported?
- Check back for comments made on your posting to keep the discussion going.