QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

5-1. Explain the difference between *(a) random and systematic error. (b) constant and
proportional error. *(c) absolute and relative error. (d) mean and median.
*5-2. Suggest two sources of systematic error and two sources of random error in measuring the
width of a 3-m table with a 1-m metal rule.
5-3. Name three types of systematic errors.
*5-4. Describe at least three systematic errors that might occur while weighing a solid on an
analytical balance.
*5-5. Describe at least three ways in which a systematic error might occur while using a pipet to
transfer a known volume of liquid.
5-6. How are systematic method errors detected?
*5-7. What kind of systematic errors are detected by varying the sample size?
5-8. A method of analysis yields masses of gold that are low by 0.4 mg. Calculate the percent
relative error caused by this result if the mass of gold in the sample is *(a) 500 mg. (b) 250 mg.
*(c) 150 mg. (d) 70 mg.
5-9. The method described in Problem 5-8 is to be used for the analysis of ores that assay about
1.2% gold. What minimum sample mass should be taken if the relative error resulting from a 0.4mg loss is not to exceed
*(a) 20.1%? (b) 20.4%?
*(c) 20.8%? (d) 21.1%?
5-10. The color change of a chemical indicator requires an overtitration of 0.03 mL. Calculate the
percent relative error if the total volume of titrant is *(a) 50.00 mL.
*(b) 10.0 mL.
*(c) 25.0 mL.
(d) 30.0 mL.
5-11. A loss of 0.4 mg of Zn occurs in the course of an analysis for that element. Calculate the
percent relative error due to this loss if the mass of Zn in the sample is *(a) 30 mg. (b) 150 mg.
*(c) 300 mg. (d) 500 mg.
5-12. Find the mean and median of each of the following sets of data. Determine the deviation
from the mean for each data point within the sets and find the mean deviation for each set. Use
a spreadsheet if it is convenient.
*(a) 0.0110 0.0104 0.0105
(b) 24.53 24.68 24.77 24.81 24.73 *(c) 188 190 194 187
(d) 4.52 3 1023 4.47 3 1023 4.63 3 1023 4.48 3 1023 4.53 3 1023 4.58 3 1023 *(e) 39.83
39.61 39.25 39.68
(f) 850 862 849 869 865
5-13. Challenge Problem: Richards and Willard determined the molar mass of lithium and
collected the following data.6
Experimen Molar mass,
t
g/mol
1
6.9391
2
6.9407
3
6.9409
4
6.9399
5
6.9407
6
6.9391
7
6.9406
(a) Find the mean molar mass determined by these workers.
(b) Find the median molar mass.
(c) Assuming that the currently accepted value for the molar mass of lithium is the true value,
calculate the absolute error and the percent relative error of the mean value determined by
Richards and Willard. (d) Find in the chemical literature at least three values for the molar mass

of lithium determined since 1910 and arrange them chronologically in a table or spreadsheet
along with the values since 1817 given in the table on page 10 of the paper by Richards and
Willard. Construct a graph of molar mass vs. year to illustrate how the molar mass of lithium has
changed over the past two centuries. Suggest possible reason(s) why the value changes abruptly
about 1830.
(e) The incredibly detailed experiments described by Richards and Willard suggest that it is
unlikely that major changes in the molar mass of lithium will occur. Discuss this assertion in light
of your calculation in part (c).
(f) What factors have led to changes in molar mass since 1910?
(g) How would you determine the accuracy of a molar mass?
Chapter 5 Solutions
5-1. (a) Random error causes data to be scattered more or less symmetrically around a mean
value while systematic error causes the mean of a data set to differ from the accepted
value.
(c) The absolute error of a measurement is the difference between the measured value and
the true value while the relative error is the absolute error divided by the true value.
5-2.(1) Meter stick slightly longer or shorter than 1.0 m systematic error.
(2) Markings on the meter stick always read from a given angle systematic error.
(3) Variability in the sequential movement of the 1-m metal rule to measure the full 3-m
table width random error.
(4) Variability in interpolation of the finest division of the meter stick random error.
5-4. (1) The analytical balance is miscalibrated.
(2) After weighing an empty vial, fingerprints are placed on the vial while adding sample
to the vial.
(3) A hygroscopic sample absorbs water from the atmosphere while placing it in a
weighing vial.
5-5. (1) The pipet is miscalibrated and holds a slightly different volume of liquid than the
indicated volume.
(2) The user repetitively reads the volume marking on the pipet from an angle rather than
at eye level.
(3) The inner surfaces of the pipet are contaminated.
5-7. Both constant and proportional systematic errors can be detected by varying the sample
size. Constant errors do not change with the sample size while proportional errors
increase or decrease with increases or decreases in the samples size.
5-8. (a) ( 0.4 mg/500 mg) 100% = 0.08%
As in part (a)
(c) 0.27%
5-9. (a) First determine how much gold is needed to achieve the desired relative error.
( 0.4 mg/ 0.1%) 100% = 400 mg gold
Then determine how much ore is needed to yield the required amount of gold.

(400 mg/1.2%) 100% = 33,000 mg ore or 33 g ore

(c) 4.2 g ore
5-10 (a) (0.03/50.00) 100% = 0.060%
5-11. (a) ( 0.4/30) 100% = 1.3%
As in part (a)
(c) 0.13%

As in part (a)

(b) 0.30%

(c) 0.12%