Question

Explain the need for accurate measurement and the devices to be used for that.

Answer 1

We need not be very accurate every time we take a measurement. The degree of accuracy in measurements vary according to the situations. For example,

• when someone asks about the time of the day, we do not have to be specific up to the seconds of time, because there is no need to be that accurate in the given situation. On the other hand, for laboratory purposes or for scientific experiments, we have to measure the time even up to milliseconds accurately.
• while measuring mass of precious substances, such as gold, silver, etc., we need to be accurate in our measurement.
• in competitions and events, a difference of second can make you lose or win the game. Thus, accurate time measurement in such cases is very important.
• shopping in our day to day life, like for groceries, milk, flour etc. requires lot of alertness at our part so that we do not get cheated. We should always check whether the measurement is done properly or not by the vendors selling these products.

The devices used for accurate measurement are:

• For time measurement, stop watch can be an accurate device
• For mass measurement, electronic balance can be an accurate device.
• For length measurement, ruler or measuring tape can be the accurate devices.
• For temperature measurement, thermometers can be an accurate device.