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

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