What does "Hysteresis" refer to in measuring instruments?

What does "Hysteresis" refer to in measuring instruments?

• A. The delay in instrument response during calibration
• B. The minimum detectable input value of an instrument
• C. The dependence of output on past input values
• D. The range of error in measurement

Answer: (C)

Hysteresis in measuring instruments specifically refers to the phenomenon where the output of the instrument is not solely dependent on the current input but is also influenced by the history of past input values. This can manifest in various forms, such as the output not returning to the same value when the input is gradually decreased to a previous level, indicating that the device does not exhibit a linear response due to its past conditions. In practical terms, this means that if a sensor measures a physical quantity, hysteresis can result in a difference between the output when increasing and decreasing the input, thus affecting accuracy and repeatability. Understanding hysteresis is crucial for calibration technicians as it impacts how measurement devices can be corrected and adjusted for reliable performance. The other options do not accurately describe hysteresis; instead, they refer to different concepts within instrument performance and measurement characteristics. For example, a delay in instrument response relates to time dynamics rather than dependence on past inputs, while minimum detectable input value and range of error refer to sensitivity and precision rather than the historical dependency of output.

Hysteresis in measuring instruments specifically refers to the phenomenon where the output of the instrument is not solely dependent on the current input but is also influenced by the history of past input values. This can manifest in various forms, such as the output not returning to the same value when the input is gradually decreased to a previous level, indicating that the device does not exhibit a linear response due to its past conditions.

In practical terms, this means that if a sensor measures a physical quantity, hysteresis can result in a difference between the output when increasing and decreasing the input, thus affecting accuracy and repeatability. Understanding hysteresis is crucial for calibration technicians as it impacts how measurement devices can be corrected and adjusted for reliable performance.

The other options do not accurately describe hysteresis; instead, they refer to different concepts within instrument performance and measurement characteristics. For example, a delay in instrument response relates to time dynamics rather than dependence on past inputs, while minimum detectable input value and range of error refer to sensitivity and precision rather than the historical dependency of output.