A mercury thermometer is used to take four temperatures of a solution. The temperatures are 44.8 ºC, 44.9 ºC, 45.0 ºC, and 45.1 ºC. An alcohol thermometer was also used and measured 44.9 ºC, 45.3 ºC, 45.4 ºC, and 45.9 ºC. The solution is correctly determined to be 45.0 ºC by other means. Which conclusion is correct?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mercury thermometer readings are closer to each other (44.8 ºC to 45.1 ºC) than the alcohol thermometer readings (44.9 ºC to 45.9 ºC), indicating it has higher precision. Precision refers to how close the measurements are to each other, regardless of their accuracy to the true value.

A Mercury Thermometer Is Used to Take Four Temperatures of a Solution