General Physics 1

Module 2: Quarter 1 – Week 1

 Target

A good result of measurement is achieved if error made is less or limited.

Accuracy and precision are prime consideration in every measurement made. Errors
in measurement is unavoidable due to several factors. Errors is either random or
systematic depending on how the measurement has made. The kind of measuring
instrument or tool used in measurement is just one factor in attributing errors. Others,
maybe the strategy or methods employed and the condition in which the measurement
has done.

You have gained knowledge and skills in the previous lesson about
measurement. The use of measuring tools, such as ruler, may have several scales or
unit, which might lead to a slight error or acceptable error.

In this lesson, you will be exposed to actual measurements and be able to

quantify or measure your accuracy and precision from the data you will be obtaining.
You will also compute your error from the succeeding activity that you will perform.

After finishing this Learning Material, you are expected to:

1. Differentiate accuracy from precision. (STEM_GP12EU-Ia2)

2. Differentiate random errors from systemic errors. (STEM_GP12EU-Ia3)
3. Estimate errors from multiple measurements of physical quantity.
(STEM_GP12EU-Ia4)
 Jumpstart

Suppose you are task to measure a physical quantity, say, diameter of a

circular object using a ruler, then compare it to a standard value, how do you know
that your measurement is accurate or precise?

To be able to know the degree of your accuracy and precision in a

measurement, let us have an imaginary tour on a sport called dart.
Activity 1: Hit Me!
Direction: Imagine you are playing “Dart” and given five darts to hit the target. You
are given four chances to play, and each chance will be five darts. The four
chances your targets are illustrated below.

1 2

3 4

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Interpretation

Illustration 1 2 3 4
Accuracy poor good poor good
Precision poor poor good good

Q1. Based on the dart result and the interpretation table, differentiate accuracy from
precision.

Discover

Experimental data is subject to unavoidable errors. Here are some factors why
errors occur in every measurement.

1. The kind of measuring device use.

• Worn out instrument. For instance, a measuring plastic tape becomes
slightly stretched over time, resulting in measurements that is slightly
longer. Spring balance that is rusty, may result in poor result in your
measurement.

• Improper calibrated tools, like weighing scale that does not read zero,
may result to inaccurate measurement.

2. Methods in getting the measurement

• Getting accurate or precise measurement is a skill or God given talent.
A person with a good and proper strategy in his measurements is more
accurate/precise compared to a person that does not employ proper
method of measuring.

3. Condition under which the measurement is made.

• If the person taking the measurement is trembling or shaky hands due
to sickness or having a bad condition may not be able to determine the
proper dimension of the quantity, he is measuring.

• Temperature, pressure, lighting and the like, are also factors in poor
results of measurement.

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Types of Error
1. Random Error or unsystematic error. Random error has no pattern, it is
inconsistent. Example, in your first reading, you taught it might be too
small, then the next reading might be too large. So, nobody can predict
random error and this cannot be avoided, even scientist doing their
experiments.

2. Systematic Error. Systematic error is consistent and repeatable error due to

the kind of measuring device used as mentioned above. It is also dueto
flawed experimental design.

Accuracy and Precision

To minimize errors in measurement, more trials must be made. The mean or

average value of these trials will be taken to represent the entire set of data. From
this, the degree of accuracy and precision ca be determined.

Accuracy is the closeness or nearness of measurement to the accepted value.

In the imaginary dart game, the bullseye is the accepted value. The closer your
measurement to the accepted value, the more accurate is your measurement.

Accuracy is express in terms of absolute error or percentage of error.

In equation form,

Where:
AE = O – A AE – absolute error
O – observed value/measured value
AE
Percentage of error = x 100 % A – accepted value
A The parallel lines indicates that the
value is absolute.

Percentage of accuracy = 100 % – % of error

Example 1. An experimenter dropped a stone from a 5-story building and hit the ground,
taking the time to fall of 3 seconds. Based on the data collected, the experimenter
was able to measure the acceleration of the stone to be 9.7 m/s2. The actual value
of the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2. What is the percentage of accuracy
of the experimenter?

Solution:
AE = O – A
= 9.7 m/s2 – 9.8 m/s2
= 0.1 m/s2

AE
A
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 % of error = x 100 %

= x 100 %

= 1.02 %

Percentage of accuracy = 100 % – % of error

= 100 % - 1.02 %
= 98.98 %

On the other hand, precision is the agreement of several measurements made

in the same way. In illustration #3 of the dart game, the darts flocked in almost the
same area, though far from the bullseye, we can say that the measurements made are
precise. Precision is express in terms of deviation or percentage of deviation. The
Formula below will help you determine the precision of one’s measurement.

Where:
AD = O–M AE – absolute deviation
O – observed value/measured value
AD(ave) M – mean of several measurements
% of deviation = x 100 %
M

Percentage of precision = 100 % – % of deviation

Example 2. A student is doing a laboratory experiment about falling body. He

obtained three trials in measuring the time of fall of a ball 3 meters above the
ground. The measurements are summarized below:

Trial 1 = 0.80 s
Trial 2 = 0.79 s
Trial 3 = 0.77 s
What is the percentage of precision of the student?

Solution: First, determine the average of the three trials.

0.80 s + 0.79 s + 0.77 s
M= = 0.787 s
3

The find the average absolute deviation.

(0.80 s – 0.789 s) + (0.79 s – 0.787s) + (0.77 s – 0.787 s)

AD(ave) =
3

= 0.011 s
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 Solve for the percentage of deviation
AD(ave)
% of deviation = x 100 %
M

0.011 s
= x 100 %
0.787 s

= 1.4 %
Finally, calculate the percentage of precision

Percentage of precision = 100 % – % of deviation

= 100 % - 1.4 %
= 98.6 %

Explore

Enrichment Activity 1: Thumbs up!

What you need:

Ruler and pencil/pen

What to do: Perform an actual measurement. Place your

answer in the blank.
A. Measure the width of your thumb (see figure)
1. Width of thumb (ruler) = inch
2. Width of thumb (ruler) = cm
3. Multiply A1 by 2.54 = cm Thumb

Compare A2 and A3

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B. Measure the length of the bond paper size A4 (the LM you are using) with
your thumb (width) and ruler.
1. Length of bond paper (thumb) = thumbs
2. Length of bond paper (ruler) = cm
3. Multiply A2 and B1 = cm
Compare B2 and B3

4. Determine the percentage of error using the equation below.

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 (B2 – B3) x 100 %
% of error =
B2

5. Determine your percentage of accuracy using the equation below.

% of accuracy = 100 % – % of error

Deepen

What you need:

Ruler
3 circular objects (1 peso coin, 5-peso coin, bottled water cap)
Paper strip (1 cm in width and 15 cm in length)

What to do: Perform an actual measurement.

1. Measure the diameter, D, of the 3 circular objects that you have using a
ruler in cm scale.
2. Measure the circumference, C, of the 3 circular objects. To do a more
accurate measurement, wrap the coin with the paper strip around the
circular object and fold at the meeting points. Lay the paper strip flat
straight without removing the folds and measure the length between the
folds. This measurement will represent the circumference of the circular
object. Do the same to the other two circular objects.
3. Divide the circumference, C, by the diameter, D.
4. Enter your measurements in the table below.
Table
Diameter,D, Circumference,C
Circle C/D (Π)
(cm) (cm)
1 peso coin
5-peso coin
cap
Average

5. Compute the percentage of precision

(Note: the value of Π = 3.1416

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 Gauge

Direction. Select the BEST answer. Write the corresponding CAPITAL LETTER of
your choice in a one-fourth sheet of paper. Write E if you find no correct
answer.

1. A player threw five darts and strike all near the center of the target. What
can you say about the accuracy and precision of the player?
A. Accurate but not precise
B. Precise but not accurate
C. Both accurate and precise
D. Neither accurate nor precise

2. Precision is an agreement of several measurement made in the same way.

What factor arises from a poor precision in scientific measurement?
A. The standard being too strict
B. Human error
C. Limitations of the measuring instrument
D. Both human error and the limitations of the measuring instrument

3. What factor greatly affects errors in measurement? A. Method of getting the

measurement B. High precision instruments C. Non-
standard units of measurement D. A and C

4. What causes systematic errors in scientific measurement?

A. Lack of accuracy in the measurement
B. Lack of significant digits in the measurement
C. Lack of precision in the measurement
D. Lack of gradation of the measuring instrument

5. A student is doing an experiment in the laboratory and obtained the

following results: Trial 1 = 1.29 Trial 2 = 1.93 Trial 3 = 0.88
The accepted value is 1.43. Which correctly describes this student?
A. He is accurate but not precise.
B. He is precise but not accurate.
C. He is both accurate and precise
D. He is neither accurate nor precise

6. The accepted value for a certain quantity is 15.63. Jose came up three actual
measurements, 12.84, 13.02, and 12.96 respectively. Which correctly
describes Jose in his measurements?

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 A. He is accurate but not precise.
B. He is precise but not accurate.
C. He is both accurate and precise
D. He is neither accurate nor precise

7. Maria is measuring the diameter and circumference of three circular objects

for her experiment about the value of . She then computes the ratio of the
circumference and diameter in each circular objects to determine the value
of . The results are as follows: 3.1516, 3.1415, and 3.1500. The value of
is 3.1416. Which correctly describes Maria’s experimental data?
A. She is accurate but not precise.
B. She is precise but not accurate.
C. She is both accurate and precise
D. She is neither accurate nor precise

For numbers 8 – 15, refer to the situation below.

The table is a result from an experiment conducted by several students of
DEGMNHS about free-fall body. The constant value of the acceleration due
to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2
No. of Trials Computed Acceleration
1 9.90 m/s2
2 9.70 m/s2
3 9.85 m/s2
Average 9.82 m/s2

8. Based on the table above, what is the most accurate measurements madeby
the students of DEGMNHS?
A. Trial 1
B. Trial 2
C. Trial 3
D. Trials 1 and 2

9. From the data above, what is the average absolute error of the
measurement?
A. 0.01
B. 0.02
C. 0.03
D. 0.04

10. Determine the percentage of error in the measurement.

A. 0.02 %
B. 0.2 %
C. 99.08 %
D. 99.8 %

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11. Solve for the percentage of accuracy in the measurement.
A. 0.02 %
B. 0.2 %
C. 99.08 %
D. 99.8 %

12. Compute the average absolute deviation.

A. 0.008
B. 0.08
C. 0.8
D. 8

13. Determine the percentage of deviation in the measurement.

A. 0.81 %
B. 0.88 %
C. 99.19 %
D. 99.12 %

14. Calculate the percentage of precision in the measurement.

A. 0.81 %
B. 0.88 %
C. 99.19 %
D. 99.12 %

15. Based on the data obtained and calculation of the measurement madeby
the students of DEGMNHS, compare their accuracy and precision.
A. The measurement made by the students of DEGMNHS is accurate
B. The measurement made by the students of DEGMNHS is precise
C. The measurement made by the students of DEGMNHS is both accurate
and precise.
D. The measurement made by the students of DEGMNHS is neither
accurate nor precise.

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References
Printed Materials

Department of Education, Bureau of Learning Resources. General Physics I. Reader

(pp. 16-18). Pasig City, Philippines

Reyes, Christopher G. (2018). Work-Text in General Physics I for Senior High School.
GBT Great Books Trading

Department of Education, Secondary Education Development and Improvement

Project. Science and Technology. Physics Textbook.. Pasig City, Philippines

PASMEP Teacher Resource Material 12.2

Websites

Stephanie Glen. “Systematic Error/Random Error: Definition and

Examples.”StatisticsHowTo.com
from https://www.statisticshowto.com/systematic-errorrandom-error/

2019. Copyright Quiz Forum. Developed by Techgadgetpro.com. Accuracy and

Precision Multiple Choiece and Answer retrieve from
https://www.objectivequiz.com/objective-question/general-science/accuracy-
and-pre

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