Dictionary · Instruments
Sensitivity of a measuring system
The quotient of the change in an indication and the corresponding change in the value of the quantity being measured.
Related terms
More from Instruments
Instrumental drift
A continuous or incremental change of an indication over time, due neither to a change in the quantity being measured nor to a recognized influence quantity — a key input to calibration-interval decisions.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.21
Resolution
The smallest change in the quantity being measured that causes a perceptible change in the corresponding indication. Digital resolution contributes a rectangular uncertainty component of (δ/2)/√3.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.14
Measuring interval
The set of values of quantities of the same kind that can be measured by a given instrument or system with specified instrumental uncertainty under defined conditions — the interval the specifications actually promise.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.7
Resolution of a displaying device
The smallest difference between displayed indications that can be meaningfully distinguished — for a digital display, one count of the least significant digit.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.15
Detection limit
The measured value, obtained by a given procedure, for which the probability of falsely claiming absence of a component is β, given a probability α of falsely claiming its presence — the statistically honest "smallest amount we can claim to see".
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.18
Variation due to an influence quantity
The difference in indication, or in the supplied quantity value of a material measure, when an influence quantity assumes two different specified values — the temperature coefficient on a datasheet is one of these.
VIM (JCGM 200:2012) 4.22