Students in Mr. Klein’s chemistry class are conducting an experiment to calculate the specific heat of a copper sample. Mr. Klein requires each lab team to repeat the experiment until their percent error is 2% or less. Percent error is calculated using observed values (those students calculate from their lab results) and the true value (the accepted value based on reference). The formula for percent error is: (observed – true) x 100 true If the accepted value for the specific heat of copper is 0.385 J/g°C, which of the following lab teams have an unresolved problem on their hands?
Answer
A
team 1: calculates 0.390 J/gºC
B
team 2: calculates 0.395 J/gºC
C
both teams
D
neither team
Explanation
Percent error is the absolute difference between the observed and accepted values divided by the accepted value, multiplied by 100. Team 1’s error is (0.390 − 0.385) ÷ 0.385 × 100 ≈ 1.3%, within the 2% limit. Team 2’s error is (0.395 − 0.385) ÷ 0.385 × 100 ≈ 2.6%, so team 2 has an unresolved problem.
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