Question

The following measurements were made to determine the density of a material whose value was, according to the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 1.15 g/mL:

Trial #1: 0.95 g/mL
Trial #2: 1.16 g/mL
Trial #3: 1.26 g/mL
a) The results are inconsistent.
b) The results are precise but inaccurate.
c) The results are both accurate and precise.
d) The results cannot be determined.

Answer 1

The trial results measuring the density of a material show inconsistency, with only one trial being close to the known density and significant deviation present among the trials, indicating the results are neither precise nor accurate as a whole.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks to determine the nature of the results from three trials measuring the density of a material, which, according to a reference source, has a known density of 1.15 g/mL.

Considering the provided values and the known density of 1.15 g/mL, Trials #2 and #3 are close to the known density, indicating some level of accuracy. However, the results are not very precise as they do not cluster tightly around a single value. Trial #1 significantly deviates from the known value, suggesting inaccuracy. Therefore, the data set cannot be described as precise or accurate as a whole.

Hence, the most appropriate description of these results would be option (a): The results are inconsistent.