Question

1. A student determines the density of water to be 0.966g/ml at a

particular temperature. A search of the literature gives the
density as 0.943g/ml. Determine the per cent error in the
student's measurement.

Answer 1

The percentage error in the measurement is 2.4%

Step-by-step explanation:

The measurement made by the student is
`0.966 g/cm^3`.

But the actual value of density is
`0.943 g/cm^3`

The formula to calculate percentage error is

percentage error =
`((measured \ value-actual \ value))/((actual  \ value)) * 100`

Hence percentage error in this case is given by

Percentage error =
`((0.966-0.943))/(0.943) * 100`

=
`(0.023)/(0.943) * 100=2.4%`

A physical quantities value will be determines by various quantities. If errors are made in measuring any of these quantities there will be error in the measurement of the final physical quantity as well.

Here density of a substance is a derived quantity determined by measuring mass and volume of that substance. If errors are made in mass and volume measurements the density value will also be erroneous.