Analyzing Data

Accuracy vs. Precision

Accuracy refers to how close we are to target

value

Precision refers to how consistent we are.

Error & Percent Error

We will focus on this more in second semester
While working in the lab there are many sources of error
(you will become very good at identifying these possible
sources as we do more labs)
Some error is acceptable, but we must calculate the amount
of error in our experiments by comparing experimental
values to theoretical values.

% Error =

Experimental value - Theoretical value

Theoretical value

Uncertainty in Data
There is always a degree of uncertainty during

measurements due to the precision of the measuring tool,

as well as the preciseness of the individual(s) conducting
the measurement. Therefore, numbers obtained from
measurements are not exact values.

Per
so 1.7
1.69
n 1.8
1.68
1 1.6
1.70
2
3
The numbers recorded
in a measurement that include all the

certain numbers plus the 1st uncertain number are called

significant figures (sig. figs. for short )

Reading Measurements
First record the measurement we know, based on our
measuring tool.
Then, we will record one uncertain number for our
measurement.

Significant Figures
Rule 1: All numbers 1-9 are significant.
EX 1 3. 9. 12
AM
5 99 3.
PLRule 2: Leading
45 Zeros are never significant.

ES:
6
EX 0 0. 0.0
A . 0 000
M 1 0 156
PL 1 2
ES
3
:

Significant Figures
Rule 3: Sandwich Zeros are significant.
EX 2 1. 100
A 0 01 000

4: Trailing
Zeros are only significant if there
M Rule
0 01
089
PLis 7a decimal present. (Read that again!)
ES
EX 1 12 1 714,0
:A 0 34 5 00,00

5: Exact
M Rule
. .0
0 0 numbers (by counting) and
PLconversion factors have unlimited significant
ESfigures.
:

Check For Understanding!

Determine the number of sig. figs. in each of these
numbers:
25
0.0005
112.05
10.00

Calculations w/ Significant
Figures

Any and all calculations we do in chemistry need

to reflect the accuracy of our lab equipment, so
we have simple rules to follow
Addition and subtraction report our answer with the least
number of digits after the decimal
Multiplication and division- report our answer with the
fewest number of significant figures

Addition & Subtraction

Limit and round to the least number of decimal places (the
least precise #)
EXAMPLES:

+5.69 2 decimal places

+1.2 1 decimal places
+6.89
Answer = 6.9
(1 decimal place)

+171.6945 4 decimal places

+121.02 2 decimal places
+123.245 3 decimal places
+195.9595
Answer = 195.96 (2 decimal
place)

Multiplication & Division

Limit and round to the least number of significant figures
EXAMPLES:

+14.54 4 sig.figs. total

+7.23 3 sig.figs. total
x 7.4565 5 sig.figs. total
1.4 2 sig.figs. total
5.16428571429
108.41751
Answer = 5.2
Answer = 108.4
(remember rounding
(remember rounding
rules)
rules)

Special Cases
Add/Sub numbers with
zero decimal places
+155.69 2 decimal
+700 places
0 decimal
+855.69places
Answer 855.69. However,
your answer should reflect
the least precise
measurement, in this case,
700, so you must round to
the nearest hundreds place,
which is 900.

Mult/Div using scientific

notation
+4.745 4 sig.figs. total
x 610 2 sig.figs. total
2894.45
Answer 2894.45.
However, your answer
should reflect the least
number of sig figs in the
calculation, in this case 2
sig figs, so you must use
scientific notation and
rounding; 2.9 x 104.