Define sensitivity drift and zero drift. What factors can cause sensitivity drift and
zero drift in instrument characteristics?
The calibration of a spring balance is checked by applying a set of known masses to
it, with the following results:
Known input (grams) 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Output reading (grams) 15.5 25.0 32.0 45.0 52.0 61.0 74.5 81.0
(a) Draw a graph by plotting the data points on the graph paper provided and draw
a best-fit straight line through the data points.
(b) Which of the following static measurement characteristics are evident in the
inputeoutput graph drawn: nonlinearity, dead space, sensitivity drift, threshold,
zero drift, hysteresis?
(c) Calculate the magnitude of the static measurement characteristics that you have
just identified.