Question

Martin is conducting an experiment. His first test gives him a yield of 5.2 grams. His second test gives him a yield of 1.3 grams. His third test gives him a yield of 8.5 grams. On average, his yield is 5.0 grams, which is close to the known yield of 5.1 grams of substance. Which of the following are true?

A. His results are neither accurate nor precise
B. His results are both accurate and precise
C. His results are accurate but not precise
D. His results are precise but not accurate

Answer 1

Martin's results are accurate due to the average yield being close to the known yield, but they are not precise since individual test results vary widely.

Step-by-step explanation:

Martin's experiment results show that his average yield is 5.0 grams, which is close to the known yield of 5.1 grams. The accuracy of an experiment is determined by how close the results come to the known or accepted value. Precision, on the other hand, refers to the reproducibility of results under the same conditions. Since Martin's individual yields of 5.2 grams, 1.3 grams, and 8.5 grams are quite spread out, they are not repetitive and thus not precise. However, the average is close to the known yield, making it accurate. Therefore, the correct choice here is that Martin's results are accurate but not precise.