Lesson 4

Explore

 

In Try This 1 you explored some of the different measurements related to a vehicle and analyzed their accuracy and precision. You likely identified the temperature of the engine as one measurement that is important for the running of the vehicle. You will now apply your knowledge of accuracy and precision to various temperature measurements in Try This 2.

 

Try This 2

 

Consider a car with these characteristics related to temperature, and then answer the questions that follow.

 

Car Characteristics
Engine Temperature	measured by a temperature sensor to the nearest half degree designed to be between 92°C and 94°C indicated by a temperature gauge on the dashboard
Block Heater	raises the engine temperature 20 ± 5°C in cold weather to ensure the car starts
Internal Temperature of Car	measured by a temperature sensor and displayed to the nearest tenth of a degree
Outdoor Temperature	measured by a temperature sensor and displayed to the nearest degree
10W30 Engine Oil	acceptable when outdoor temperatures are above −18°C

1. Determine the precision and uncertainty of the engine temperature, internal temperature, and outdoor temperature measures.
2. Which of the temperature measures in question 1 requires the highest degree of precision? Explain.
3. Which of the temperature measures in question 1 requires the highest degree of accuracy? Explain.
4. Does the 20°C measurement for the block heater have to be very precise? Explain.
5. If your outdoor thermometer reads −24 ± 5°C, determine the temperature of the engine after the block heater has been running for several hours. Be sure to include the uncertainty.
6. Write the tolerance for the engine temperature from question 5.

Save your responses in your course folder.