Fidelity facts for kids
Fidelity means being faithful or loyal. It's about keeping your promises and staying true to someone or something. The word comes from the Latin word fidēlis, which means "faithful" or "loyal". For example, if you promise to help a friend, showing fidelity means you actually help them.
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Fidelity in Sound and Electronics
When we talk about "fidelity" in sound, it means how well a copy sounds like the original. Imagine you record your favorite song. If the recording sounds exactly like the original, it has high fidelity.
High Fidelity (Hi-Fi)
In the 1950s, the term "high fidelity" or "hi-fi" became popular. It described sound systems and recordings that could play music very accurately. For example, a new, good quality gramophone record would have higher fidelity than an old, scratched one. Modern recordings usually have much better audio fidelity than very old ones.
Lo-Fi Sound
The term "lo-fi" has been around since the 1950s too. It means sound that is not as good quality as hi-fi. Sometimes, lo-fi sound has extra noise or isn't as clear.
Over time, "lo-fi" also started to mean a style of music. This music might sound a bit raw or unpolished on purpose. It's like an artistic choice to make the sound seem more natural or homemade.
Fidelity in Electronics
In electronics, fidelity means how well an output signal matches the input signal. It's not about sound quality here. For example, in Wi-Fi internet connections, fidelity refers to how accurately the signal is sent and received.
Fidelity in Science and Models
In scientific modelling and simulation, fidelity means how well a model or simulation acts like the real thing. It's a way to measure how realistic a model is.
For example, if scientists create a computer model of the Earth's climate, its fidelity shows how accurately it can predict real weather patterns. The closer the model is to reality, the higher its fidelity.
Fidelity in Programs and Plans
In program evaluation, fidelity means how closely a plan or set of steps was followed. Imagine a school tries a new teaching method. If the teachers follow all the steps of the new method exactly, they are showing high fidelity to the program.
If the teachers don't follow the steps, it's hard to know if the new method really works. Fidelity helps us understand if a program was put into action as it was designed.
Fidelity in Translation
When you translate something from one language to another, "fidelity" means how accurately the translation keeps the original meaning. It's about making sure nothing important is changed or lost.
For example, if you translate a story, high fidelity means the translated story tells the exact same tale as the original. It's important that the meaning stays true, even if the words change.
See also
In Spanish: Fidelidad para niños
- Erikson's theory of personality - Erikson's fidelity is the ability to commit to others and accept others.
- Knighthood
- Monasticism
