what would happen to the aacuracy and precision of measurements if the mass is measured to a tenth of a gram instead of a thousandth of a gram?
If the mass is measured to a tenth of a gram instead of a thousandth of a gram, both the accuracy and precision of the measurements will be affected. Here's an explanation of how:
1. Accuracy: Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value. When the mass is measured to a thousandth of a gram, the measurement is more precise, allowing for a finer resolution of the mass value. This means that the measured values have a higher likelihood of being closer to the true mass. On the other hand, when the mass is measured to a tenth of a gram, the resolution is coarser, with fewer decimal places. This larger interval between measurements reduces the accuracy since it increases the likelihood of rounding errors and having less precise values.
2. Precision: Precision refers to the consistency and reproducibility of measurements. When the mass is measured to a thousandth of a gram, there is a higher level of precision. This is because the measurement can capture smaller differences in mass between objects, providing more detailed information about their masses. However, if the mass is measured to a tenth of a gram, the precision is reduced. The measurements can only distinguish larger differences in mass, making it less precise compared to measurements with a thousandth of a gram.
Overall, when the mass is measured to a tenth of a gram instead of a thousandth of a gram, both accuracy and precision are compromised. The measurements become less accurate due to rounding errors and less precise due to a reduced ability to capture small differences in mass.