Question

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

a.

team 1: calculates 0.392 J/gºC
b.

team 2: calculates 0.395 J/gºC
c.

both teams
d.

neither team

Answer 1

Team 2 has a percent error greater than 2% with their specific heat calculation of copper, while Team 1's percent error is within the acceptable range. Thus, Team 2 has an unresolved problem regarding their experiment.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine which lab teams have an unresolved problem based on their calculation of the specific heat of copper, we first need to calculate the percent error using the given formula:

Percent error = ((observed - true) × 100) / true

Where 'observed' is the experimental value and 'true' is the accepted value.

The accepted value for the specific heat of copper is 0.385 J/g°C. We can now calculate the percent error for each team:

• Team 1: ((0.392 - 0.385) × 100) / 0.385 = approximately 1.82%
• Team 2: ((0.395 - 0.385) × 100) / 0.385 = approximately 2.60%

Team 1 has a percent error within the 2% limit set by Mr. Klein, while Team 2 has exceeded it. Therefore, the answer is:

b. team 2: calculates 0.395 J/gºC

Answer 2

Percent error in team 1 value:
(0.392 - 0.385)/0.385 x 100
= 1.81%

Percent error in team 2 value:
(0.395 - 0.385)/0.385 x 100
= 2.60%

B. Team 2 has an unresolved issue in on their hands, resulting in greater than acceptable error.