Unit system and Calibration — Lesson 2

This lesson covers the concept of calibration in the context of experimental methods in fluid mechanics. It explains the importance of calibration in obtaining accurate and precise measurements from experiments. The lesson uses the example of measuring flow rate using a flow meter to illustrate the process of calibration. It discusses the terms 'accuracy', 'precision', and 'error', and how they relate to the calibration process. The lesson also explains how to use a calibration curve to correct measurements and improve the accuracy of a device. It highlights the challenges encountered in calibration, particularly in obtaining the true value of the measured quantity.

Video Highlights

01:04 - Discussion on the importance of accuracy and precision in experimental data analysis
04:35 - Explanation of how to use a flow meter for a particular measurement application
08:37 - Discussion on the concept of error and uncertainty in measurements
14:33 - Tabulation of experimental results and analysis of the data
46:22- Explanation of how to improve the accuracy of a meter through calibration
51:09 - Discussion on the importance of calibration in measurement and the challenges encountered in obtaining true values

Key Takeaways

- Calibration is a crucial process in experimental methods in fluid mechanics to ensure accurate and precise measurements.
- Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, precision refers to the consistency of measurements, and error is the difference between the exact and indicated value.
- Calibration curve is used to correct measurements and improve the accuracy of a device. It is obtained through a curve fitting analysis of experimental data.