Final answer:
An underestimation in the burette delivered volume during titration would lead to an underestimated calculation of the number of moles of chloride ion,
Step-by-step explanation:
If the burette used for titration delivered less volume than the recorded volume of Zn2+ solution, it would lead to an underestimation of the volume of titrant added, and consequently, the number of moles of chloride ion determined would also be underestimated.
In a titration, the number of moles of titrant is directly proportional to its volume, as given by the formula concentration × volume = moles. Since titration results rely on accurate measurements of volume to determine the stoichiometry of the reaction, any discrepancy in volume measurement affects the stoichiometric calculations.
Using the stoichiometry of the neutralization reaction, the number of moles of Zn2+ that reacted with the chloride ions would be incorrectly calculated to be less than the actual number.
Thus, the calculated concentration of chloride ions in the sample would be lower than it should be. This error in volume measurement would affect the accuracy of the experiment's result and the determination of the percent purity or concentration of the substance being analyzed.