Chemical Measurements (AQA GCSE Chemistry): Revision Notes
📚 Revision Notes
3.1.4 Chemical Measurements
Chemical Measurements
Understanding Chemical Measurements:
infoNote
Whenever we measure something in chemistry, there's always a bit of uncertainty. This means that our measurement might not be exactly right, but we try to get as close as possible.
Why is There Uncertainty?
- Precision of Instruments: The precision of the tool you're using to measure (like a ruler or a balance) affects how accurate your measurement is. More precise instruments have smaller units of measurement, making them more accurate.
Reducing Uncertainty:
- To reduce uncertainty, scientists often take multiple measurements and calculate the average. This helps to get a more accurate result by balancing out any small errors in individual measurements.
lightbulbExample
Example: If you measure 100 cm³ of water with a measuring cylinder, it might actually be 99.5 cm³ or 100.5 cm³, depending on how precise the cylinder is. If you take multiple measurements, you can average them to get a more accurate value.