A buret was not held vertically when a measurement was taken, but slanted to the
ID: 1082618 • Letter: A
Question
A buret was not held vertically when a measurement was taken, but slanted to the side a small bit while the measurements were taken. The student using the buret read an initial volume, then a final volume, and took the difference between the two volumes to calculate the volume of liquid delivered. How would the accuracy of the volume of liquid delivered by the slanted buret be affected? (Would the accuracy be better, as good, or worse than a buret that was held vertical?) Explain your reasoning.
Explanation / Answer
Accuracy is defined as the degree of agreement of the experimental parameter obtained with the true value of that particular parameter. In the given case, a slant buret results in the observer noting a volume greater than actual if it is slanted towards the experimeter and lesser than actual if it is slanted away from the experimenter. Either way, assuming that both the initial and the final volumes were recorded with the exactly the same angle of slanting, there would a constant positive or negative error to the actual volume of liquid delivered. Therefore it will result in a decreased accuracy always compared to the accuracy in readings when the buret is perfectly vertical.
In terms of error however, assuming all angles of slanting is the same throughout the experiment, there will be constant positve or negative error. As is known error decreases accuracy.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.