Question

In an experiment, a student measures the speed of sound in air to be 318 m/s at STP. If the accepted value for the speed of sound under those conditionsis 331 m/s, what is the student's percent error?
a. 3.9% b. 3.93% c. 4.09% d. 4.1%

I tried but it didn't work. This is wat I did:331-318=-13x100=-1300

Answer 1

You have determined the absolute error (except your calculateion should yield a positive answer). Divide the 13 by the actual value and multiply by 100.

% error = (delta/AV)*100 = ??
delta = accepted value - experimental value.
AV = accepted value
Be carefule about significant figures. You have 3 s.f. in the figures; therefore, you are allowed 3 s.f. in the answer. Make sure you use all three. I'm not sure the answer is listed in the choices you have. Because 318-331 will give a negative number and there are no negative values given in the answer.