Accuracy and precision are two terms used in instrumentation that refer to different aspects of measurement. While they are related, they are not the same thing.
Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value. In other words, it measures the degree of correctness of a measurement. A measurement can be accurate even if it is not precise.
Precision, on the other hand, refers to the level of consistency or reproducibility of a measurement. It measures the degree of exactness of a measurement. A measurement can be precise even if it is not accurate.
To illustrate the difference between accuracy and precision, imagine shooting arrows at a target. If all of the arrows hit the same spot but not the bullseye, then the shots are precise but not accurate. If the arrows are spread out but still hit the bullseye, then the shots are accurate but not precise. If the arrows are both tightly grouped and hit the bullseye, then the shots are both accurate and precise.
In instrumentation, accuracy and precision are important because they affect the reliability and usefulness of the measurements. In some applications, accuracy is more important than precision, while in others, precision is more important than accuracy. It depends on the specific requirements of the application.
In summary, accuracy and precision are not the same things in instrumentation. Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision refers to the level of consistency or reproducibility of a measurement.