Final answer:
Laboratory calibration is critical for ensuring accurate measurements and should be performed at least every 12 months as a minimum standard. The frequency may vary based on equipment usage and precision requirements. Additionally, for a class of twenty students working in pairs for an experiment requiring three beakers and two test tubes per group, a total of 30 beakers and 20 test tubes would need to be set out. The correct answer is option d. Every 12 months
Step-by-step explanation:
The frequency of laboratory calibration is essential to maintain the accuracy of measurements and ensure that experiments yield valid results. While there is no universal schedule for calibration as it can depend on the specific equipment and its usage, there is a general recommendation for the minimum frequency of calibration. For highly utilized equipment or when precision is critical, calibration might be necessary more frequently than the options provided. However, answering the student's question, the least frequent option given, which is every 12 months, can be considered a minimum standard to ensure equipment is functioning properly and producing accurate measurements.
Understanding the need for calibration is crucial; for example, when measuring substances for a chemical reaction, the mass of materials and the volume of liquids added in precise amounts ensure that the reaction proceeds correctly. Inaccurate measurements could lead to incorrect conclusions or failed experiments. Thus, regular calibration is a vital component of the experimental process.
To address the specific scenario presented involving setting out lab equipment for an experiment with twenty students working in pairs, we need to calculate the total number of beakers and test tubes required. Since each pair of students will need three beakers and two test tubes and there are ten teams (20 students / 2), we would need a total of 30 beakers (3 beakers × 10 teams) and 20 test tubes (2 test tubes × 10 teams). This approach demonstrates how balanced equations and calculations are integral to preparing for a chemistry experiment.