Question 1: Which measurement gives the BEST value for the mass of a single paper clip? (BEST value includes both accuracy and precision)
Claim: The measurement accepted as having the best value for the mass of a single paper clip was .411493 grams (Where best accounts for both accuracy and precision). This value was achieved by taking the average weight of a total of 30 paper clips, all of presumably varying weights.
Evidence/Reasoning: The “best” value that maintains precision and accuracy to the furthest extent would be the same aforementioned average weight of 30 paperclips, total. When 30 paper clips were weighed, they were a weight of 12.4258 grams; accuracy was achieved due to the inherent properties of having the most significant figures out of the multiple weights taken in the lab, which then results in the average possessing the most significant figures as well. Precision was also achieved, thanks to the inherent properties of averaging: The 30 total paper clips were essentially assigned their average collective weight, despite their own individuality. …show more content…
Furthermore, because the 30 clips all have the same value derived from their average weight, they essentially would have also had resulted in the same value not once--but 30 times continuously. This would then be a prime example of achieving an ideal level of precision.
Rebuttal: The measurements of the 5, 10, 15, and 20 paper clip groups are not the best for both accuracy and precision due to the lack of volume and significant figures that the group of 30 paper clips provides.
The more significant figures provided in a value the more precise it is. And with the more paper clips provided, the even more precise the average of 1 paper clips mass will be due to the average involving more and more paper clips to account for. External variables are eliminated more and more with the higher volume of paper clips as well. For example when a single paper clip was weighed, let say that there was finger oil or some other substance on the paper clip. This would have given an inaccurate measurement. However when given 30 paper clips the extremities for inaccurate measurements are hidden or dwindled from the end value due to the higher volume of paper
clips.
Question 2: Would it be important to make sure that you have at least 1 gram of a chemical when doing any experiment? Why or why not?
Claim: When doing an experiment, it is always important to have at least 1 gram of a chemical because if you have less than 1 gram, there will be less significant figures, which takes away precision from your data.
Evidence/Reasoning: If you have at least 1 gram of the substance you are experimenting with, then when using the high grade digital balance scale for analytical analysis, 5 significant figures will appear. This is much more precise than the 4 significant figures you would have if you were to use less than 1 gram of a substance. Therefore it is always important to have at least 1 gram of a chemical when conducting an experiment.
Rebuttal: Using less than 1 gram of substance would not yield the best data opposed to using 1 gram or more due to the difference in significant figures. If you were to use less than 1 gram of a substance, all of your data would result in no more than 4 significant figures. The more significant figures the more precise your data will be. Using at least 1 gram of a substance will have your data resulting in at least 5 significant figures when using the high grade digital balance. This is why using at least 1 gram of a substance is ideal.