Solution and Answer Guide

Solution and Answer Guide: Skoog et al., Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, 10e,
© 2022, 978-0-357-45039-0, Chapter 3: Precision and Accuracy of Chemical Analyses

Chapter 3
3-1. Explain the difference between

Answers:
*(a) random and systematic error.
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.

(b) constant and proportional error.

The magnitude of a constant error stays essentially the same as the size of the
quantity measured is varied while proportional errors increase or decrease
according to the size of the sample taken for analysis.

*(c) absolute and relative error.

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.

(d) mean and median.

The mean of a data set is obtained by dividing the sum of replicate measurements
by the number of measurements in the set while the median is the middle result
when replicate data are arranged according to increasing or decreasing value.

*3-2. Suggest two sources of systematic error and two sources of random error in measuring
the length of a 3-m table with a 1-m metal rule.

Answers:
(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 length—random error.
(4) Variability in interpolation of the finest division of the meter stick—random error.

*Answers and solutions are provided in the Student Solutions Manual for questions and problems marked with an asterisk.

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 Solution and Answer Guide: Skoog et al., Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, 10e,
© 2022, 978-0-357-45039-0, Chapter 3: Precision and Accuracy of Chemical Analyses

3-3. Name three types of systematic errors.

Answers:
(1) Instrumental errors
(2) Method errors
(3) Personal errors

*3-4. Describe at least three systematic errors that might occur while weighing a solid on an
analytical balance.

Answers:
(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.

*3-5. Describe at least three ways in which a systematic error might occur while using a pipet
to transfer a known volume of liquid.

Answers:
(1) The pipet is miscalibrated and holds a slightly different volume of liquid than the
indicated volume.
(2) The user repetitively reads the meiscus from an angle rather than at eye level.
(3) The temperature differs from the calibration temperature.

3-6. Describe how systematic method errors may be detected.

Answer:
Systematic method errors are detected by application of the method to the analysis of a
standard reference material having one or more analytes at known concentration levels.

*3-7. What kind of systematic errors are detected by varying the sample size?

Answer:
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.

3-8. 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

Solutions:
*(a) 500 mg.
(−0.4 mg/500 mg) × 100% = −0.08%

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publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 2
 Solution and Answer Guide: Skoog et al., Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, 10e,
© 2022, 978-0-357-45039-0, Chapter 3: Precision and Accuracy of Chemical Analyses

As in part (a)
(b) 250 mg.
−0.16%

*(c) 125 mg.

−0.32%

(d) 60 mg.
−0.67%

3-9. The method described in Problem 3-8 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 0.4-mg loss is not to exceed

Solutions:
*(a) 20.1%?
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

(b) 20.4% ?
8.3 g ore

*(c) 20.8% ?
4.2 g ore

(d) 21.1% ?
3.0 g ore

3-10. 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

Solutions:
*(a) 50.00 mL.
(0.03/50.00) × 100% = 0.060%
As in part (a)

*(b) 10.0 mL.

0.30%

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publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 3
 Solution and Answer Guide: Skoog et al., Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, 10e,
© 2022, 978-0-357-45039-0, Chapter 3: Precision and Accuracy of Chemical Analyses

*(c) 25.0 mL.

0.12%

(d) 30.0 mL.

0.10%

3-11. 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

Solutions:
*(a) 30 mg.
(−0.4/30) × 100% = −1.3%

(b) 100 mg.

−0.4%

*(c) 300 mg.

−0.13%

(d) 500 mg.

−0.08%

3-12. 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.

Solutions:
*(a) 0.0110 0.0104 0.0105

 0.0110 + 0.0104 + 0.0105 

mean =   = 0.01063 ≈ 0.0106
 3 
Arranging the numbers in increasing value the median is:
0.0104
0.0105 ← median
0.0110
The deviations from the mean are:
0.0104 − 0.01063 = 0.00023
0.0105 − 0.01063 = 0.00013
0.0110 − 0.01063 = 0.00037
 0.00023 + 0.00013 + 0.00037 
mean deviation =   = 0.00024 ≈ 0.0002
 3 

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publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 4
 Solution and Answer Guide: Skoog et al., Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, 10e,
© 2022, 978-0-357-45039-0, Chapter 3: Precision and Accuracy of Chemical Analyses

(b) 24.53 24.68 24.77 24.81 24.73

Using a spreadsheet

*(c) 188 190 194 187

mean = 190 median = 189 deviation from mean 2, 0, 4, 3 mean deviation = 2

(d) 4.52 × 10−3 4.47 × 10−3

4.63 × 10−3 4.48 × 10−3

4.53 × 10−3 4.58 × 10−3
mean = 4.54 × 10−3 median = 4.53 × 10−3 mean deviation = 4.7 × 10−5

*(e) 39.83 39.61 39.25 39.68

mean = 39.59 median = 39.64 deviation from mean 0.24, 0.02, 0.34, 0.09
mean deviation = 0.17

(f) 850 862 849 869 865

mean = 859 median = 862 mean deviation = 7.6

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