IB Chemistry

Data Practice

Workbook

Uncertainties

in Calculated Results

Goals: 1. State uncertainties as absoluteand percentage uncertainties. 2. Determine the overall uncertaintiesin calculatedresults.
The uncertainties calculated in individual measurements can be used to determine the uncertainty in a

result. One way to estimate

this is to apply the following

simple rules:

Rule #1 Rule #2

Add Add

absolute uncertainties when adding or subtracting numbers. percent uncertainties when multiplying
or dividing numbers.

The

absolute uncertainty is the recorded uncertainty

in the measurement

due to the limitations

of the instrument The

or the user, for example, 0.02 for a quantity

that has the value 12.70 0.02. of the value. For

Qercentuncertainty is the absolute uncertainty

the percent uncertainty

expressed as a percentage

example,

of 123 0.5 is (0.5/123}100

0.4%.

Suppose you want to calculate sake of simplicity, where

the value and overall uncertainty

of

X,

ignoring units for the

x = A (B-C)
Given the values:

== 123

O.S;
(12.70 - 4.30) (

B ::: 12.70 0.02;

c = 4.30

O.OS

x = (123)
X = 1030

123(8.40)

note correct use of sig figs!)

Now, let's determine the overall uncertainty in the calculated result X = 1030
Absolute Percent Percent uncertainty uncertainty uncertainty in (B - C)

0.02 + 0.05 == 0.07

(add absolute uncertainties)

in A == (0.5/123)100

0.4%
== 0.8%

in (B - C) ::: (0.07/8.40}100

So.... using Rule #2; OVERALL Percent Uncertainty

-----------------------.----.

in X = 0.4% + 0.8% = 1.2%

Note: A common protocol is that the OVERALL percent uncertainty should be cited to no more than one significant figure if it is greater than or equal to 2% and to no more than two significant figures if it is less than 2%. 1.2% of 1030

= 12 which

rounds to 10 .

So, the answer X can be expressed as

x =

1030 1.2 %

or

x =

1030 10

This propagated overall uncertainty can be visualized as

J ~

-\.-----)~~

Y
-1.2%

Y
-10 +1.2%

+10

If the actual value is 1057, then

True Value = 1057 )( 100

% error

1030-1057 1057

- 30 )( 100 1057

-3%

You try it! Consider a calorimetry experiment that gave the following results. Calculate the energy given off by a particular chemical reaction in kl/rnol. (The "true" value is 40.5 kl/mol) Absolute uncertainty Initial temperature 21.60.1C
L\T=

Percent uncertainty
L\T =

Final temperature 24.2 0.1 c 200.0 g 0.5 g Mass of water heated Amount of limiting 0.0500 mol 0.0005 mol reagent chemical Given; Specific Heat capacity of water = 4.184 0.005 ligOC

Simple Propagation of Error

Note: Unit are ignored on this worksheet to focus on the process of determining OVERALLuncertainty in a result.

1. Solve for W;

K+L

K = 0.0162 0.0001
L = 0.0371 0.0001

2. Solve for V;

V = M N
P

M N
P

= 16.2 = =

0.2

11.8 0.2
2555

3. Solve for Y D = 17.1 0.1 E=10.10.1 F = 15.0 0.5

{D + E}

4. Solve for Z;

(G) (H)

(I - J) G

5.70 0.05

H = 2.60 0.05 I

6.22 0.02

J = 3.14 0.02

Practicing Propagating Error

The following graduated data has been collected in the lab. A group of students used a dry 100 ml The

cylinder

to record the mass and the volume of various samples of pure ethanol. lab activity is to determine in the instruments the density of the ethanol the calculations. students using standard and propagate

goal of this "dry" to the uncertainties

error due

through

The table below lists sample data collected equipment. The graduated cylinder

by a pair of chemistry

lab

was marked in 1 mL intervals

and the electronic

balance

had a precision are recorded The students different

of 0.01 g. Thus, all volumes were recorded to the nearest 0.1 mL and all masses

to 0.01 g. found the mass and volume of 5 different samples of ethanol using a range of

volumes.

Data Table 1: The Mass and Volume Measurements of Samplesof Pure Ethanol at RoomTemperature
._-Measurement Mass of grad. cylinder only/g (O.Olg) / g 43.43 47.78 43.43 55.22 43.43 65.96 43.43 73.27 43.43 124.29 Mass of grad. cylinder and ethanol (O.Olg) Volume of ethanol / mL 100.0 37.3 27.0 ._.. 15.0 5.0 (O.l mL) Qualitative Data; The ethanol was a clear, colorless, transparent liquid. The odor was that of alcohol, pungent and strong. Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 TrialS Trial 6

ResultsTable 1: Calculated Resultsfor the Mass and Density of Pure Ethanol

Measurement Mass of ethanol /g Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6

(+
g/mL (

g)

Density of the ethanol /

-.... g/ml)

Note to students; as in all recording of data, calculations, and results, pay particular attention to the proper use of significant figures. Show sample work in space provided.
1. Calculate the mass of ethanol used in each trial. Fill in the masses in Results Table 1.

2.

Consider the propagation or divide to determine

of error in each mass calculation.

Did you add, subtract, to determine

multiply, in

each mass? What rule do you follow for the mass of ethanol

the uncertainty

each mass? Record this uncertainty

g) in Results Table 1.

3. Calculate the density of ethanol in each trial. Fill in the densities in Results Table 1.

4. Consider the propagation

multiply, uncertainty

of error for each density calculation.

Did you add, subtract, the

or divide to determine

each density? What rule do you follow to determine

in each density? We will come back later to consider what to write in the g/mL).

(
5.

Compare the precision of the mass and the volume readings of Trials 1-5. Identify

which of

the five trials is the least precise and which is the most precise estimate for the density of ethanol.

6.

Now this is important data was collected. precision

and requires

insightful

thinking

you can do it..

; Look at how the mass caused the

What aspects of collecting the data for volume and/or densities to vary?

in the calculated

7.

At 20C, the density of ethanol Defend your choice.

is 0.789 g/rnl. Which of the five trials is the most accurate?

8.

Determine

the average density of the five trials and calculate the % error.

Which trial is limiting

your significant

figures in the average? What is the fundamental of sig figs?

issue

with this trial that reduces the number

10. Assume a 6th trial is done and the 1st trial is omitted
data to Data Table 1 and continue mass of cylinder and ethanol volume of ethanol = 72.5 mL cylinder the calculations

in the calculations.

Add the following

for Trial 6 in Result Table 1;

= 101.21g
and balance were used

the same graduated

What is the new average density of the ethanol using Trials 2-6?

11. Now we will propagate the error to determine

OVERALL absolute uncertainty

the OVERALL percent uncertainty

and the

in the new average density. Density = Mass Volume

First consider the mass in the numerator of subtraction, Table 1as; so the propagated [f;{ass of ethanol/g

of the density equation.

This mass is the result in Results

absolute uncertainty ( g)j

is already recorded

12. Each of the masses of ethanol in Trials 2-6 would have the same absolute uncertainty
different would percent uncertainty. Calculate only the value for the mass measurement and write it below; that have the largest percent uncertainty

and a

13. Consider the volume measurements

volume Rolume of ethanol / mL (O.l mL)1

in the denominator

of the density equation. as reported

This

is the result of a direct reading, so the uncertainty

in Data Table 1is;

Each of the volumes of ethanol a different percent uncertainty.

in Trials 2-6 would have the same absolute uncertainty Calculate only the value for the volume measurement and show that calculation below;

and that

would have the largest percent uncertainty

14. Use your answers from #12 and #13 to determine in the average density of ethanol.

the largest OVERALL percent

uncertainty

Density = Mass Volume

15. Organize the results of your calculations density and the range considering

results into a visual representing

the average

uncertainties. Overall Percent Overall Absolute Uncertainty

Average Density =

Uncertainty

Average Density

'-----

11-<11

--~ ~

\..

) Y

'--..._--..Y

-------------

LI

.---)

Answer to the problem; The Density of Ethanol

+ ~ or

----

~ Error =

16. Use an arrow to indicate the accepted value for the density of the ethanol on your visual at the top of page 4.

17. Which is the more significant propagation of uncertainty

indication

of error, your range of uncertainty experimental

due to the value?

or the % error of an inaccurate

1---I ~-

Classify each of the following laboratory errors Description of Experimental Error in a lab Type of error (blunder, systematic or random

i a.

You mass the same aluminum bar 4 times and get masses of 10.34, 10.33g, 10.33 g, and 10.34g. You wonder why the mass is not consistent. ~----The thermometer you are using does not record a temperature of b. 100.0C O.5C in boiling water. Instead your thermometer ! displays a temperature of 97.SoCin boiling water. Now you use the same thermometer to read the room temperature as 21.0C. .-_.,._'''_ .. ..-- ------Tim carefully masses out 10.5634 grams of a salt to dissolve in c. water and make a particular concentration of a solution. However, he misses the opening of the bottle as he pours the salt and ends up spilling some of the salt on the lab counter.
,-,_

..

,-

I
i

i-

d.

Ie.
f. g.

Vicki is reading a graduated cylinder of water by looking down at the cylinder which is placed on the lab counter at waist height. The temperature of water in a can being heated with a Bunsen burner is measured with the thermometer touching the inside bottom of the can instead of being suspended in the water. 5 different students measure the length of a strip of magnesium with a centimeter ruler and the lengths range from 3S.10cm to 3S.20cm O.OScm.The average length is 3S.1Scm. --_._ ...Bill uses a ruler to measure the length of a block of metal but notices that the end of the ruler is worn down. Several millimeters are missing fr?m t~e end of the ruler. Sue misreads a 6 for a 9 on the balance with a digital readout. The thermostat to regulate your furnace is set to turn on at 65F. However, the thermostat is located in the same room as the wood burning fireplace. Becky uses a beaker to measure 25 ml of water for a lab experiment in which a precise quantity of water is required.

--

h. i.

j.

True or False 10. Increasing the number of measurements will improve random error. 11. Personal careless errors are sometimes called bias. 12. Great care in lab techniques will produce perfect measurements. 13. Data considered to be an outlier might be discarded if justified with statistical work. 14. Percent error measures accuracy of your results. 15. Random errors always skew data in one direction. 16. Systematic error can be identified and corrected. 17. Random errors can be identified and corrected. 18. Random errors scatter the data around a central value. 19. Assessment of errors is addressed in more than one section of your IB lab report. 20. Error analysis is useful for becoming critical, creative thinkers and problem solvers.