How to Calculate Percent Error in an Experiment

What is the percent error when a group of students found the specific gravity of a piece of galena to be 7.8, while the accepted value is 7.2? Percent error = 8.3%

When conducting experiments, it is important to ensure the accuracy of the measurements taken. One way to determine the accuracy of the experimental results is by calculating the percent error. Percent error is a measure of how closely the measured value matches the accepted value, and it is calculated using the formula:

Percent Error Formula:

Percent error = (|accepted value - measured value| / accepted value) x 100%

In this case, the accepted value of the specific gravity of galena is 7.2, while the measured value obtained by the students is 7.8. By substituting these values into the percent error formula, we can calculate the percent error:

Calculation:

Percent error = (|7.2 - 7.8| / 7.2) x 100%

Percent error = (|-0.6| / 7.2) x 100%

Percent error = 0.6 / 7.2 x 100%

Percent error = 0.083 x 100%

Percent error = 8.3%

Therefore, the percent error in the specific gravity measurement of the galena by the students is 8.3%. This indicates that the measured value of 7.8 is 8.3% higher than the accepted value of 7.2. It is essential to pay attention to percent error in experiments to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the results obtained.

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