What influence does the inclusion of substrate have on the accuracy of weight measurement?

The inclusion of substrate can decrease the accuracy of weight measurement because it introduces additional variables that may alter the outcome. When measuring weight, the presence of a substrate—a substance that serves as a base or support—can add its own mass to the measurement, leading to a total weight that does not accurately reflect the intended measurement alone. For example, if you are weighing a sample on a scale and include the weight of the container or substrate along with it, the measurement will reflect both the sample and the substrate, potentially causing an overestimation of the sample's actual weight. Accurate weight measurements require precise determination of only the object of interest, and any additional mass from the substrate interferes with that clarity.

In scenarios where the substrate is not factored in or is not necessary, the measurement focuses solely on the target material, fostering more accurate readings. Therefore, the impact of the substrate is significant; it can skew results and lead to misleading interpretations in weigh-based assessments.