We needed to find the sensitivity of our equal arm balance and the question I need help with is....What are 2 reasons why you need to know the sensitivity of your balance?
To find the sensitivity of your balance, you need to determine the smallest change in weight that the balance can detect. The sensitivity is typically expressed as the smallest difference in weight that can be measured accurately.
Now, let's address your question: "What are 2 reasons why you need to know the sensitivity of your balance?"
Reason 1: Accuracy and Precision - Knowing the sensitivity of your balance is crucial for obtaining accurate and precise measurements. If you are unaware of the balance's sensitivity, you may have difficulty identifying the smallest detectable change in weight. This can lead to inaccuracies in your measurements, compromising the reliability of your data. Understanding the sensitivity allows you to make more precise measurements and ensures that small changes in weight are accounted for.
Reason 2: Comparisons and Calibration - The knowledge of your balance's sensitivity enables you to compare weights and calibrate other measuring instruments. By knowing the smallest detectable change in weight, you can determine the accuracy of other measuring devices and verify their calibration. This is particularly relevant when you are working with sensitive samples or conducting experiments that require precise measurements. Understanding the sensitivity of your balance ensures that accurate comparisons can be made with other instruments, increasing the reliability of your results.
To determine the sensitivity of your balance, you can perform a sensitivity test. This involves adding weights of known mass in increasing increments until the balance can no longer detect the change. The weight at which the balance can no longer discriminate the difference is the sensitivity of the balance. This test will help you determine the smallest change in weight that the balance is capable of measuring accurately.