Please explain the following questions in detail . The following questions are u
ID: 818949 • Letter: P
Question
Please explain the following questions in detail.
The following questions are under Combustion of Candle experiment:
1. What are some possible sources of error in the experiment of calorimeter?
2. What can be altered in the experiment to improve the accuracy of the calorimeter?
3. Patrick thinks that burning the candle until the temperature has risen only 5 degrees will yield more accurate results, but Caitlin thinks that it won't make a difference. Who is right, and why? (please please answer this question!)
Explanation / Answer
It is hard to say for sure the answers to these questions because we don't have your lab manual. But I looked up some candle experiments and I would say this...
1) Most paraffins are not very reactive at room temperature and one atmosphere pressure, but they can be combusted by increasing temperature and/or pressure.
Sources of error for calorimeter labs would include:
Errors in thermometers - esp. if you are using different thermometers, they may not read the same temperature even if placed in the same liquid
Stirring error: If you stir inefficiently (insufficiently) the mixture may not be uniform.
Insulation error: If the calorimeter is not properly insulated, heat losses to the surroundings will occur.
Calculation error: Error in calculation
Measurement error in volume and or weight: The amount of water taken must be measured accurately.
Some of the errors may get added up and lead to bigger errors.
2) The temperature and/or pressure needs to be altered to decrease the chance of errors. Also, all statistical data should be tested and recorded on multiple runs to gain an overall "average" and to check for precision.
3) Again, most parafin (hydrocarbon) residues do not react at STP...so yes, raising the temperature 5 degrees will make a difference, especially the closer it gets to the critical point that it will react