Several factors might have led to the discrepancy in measuring the boiling point of water as 99.97°C instead of 100°C. Here are a few possibilities:
1. Instrumental error: The accuracy of the thermometer used to measure the boiling point could have been compromised. Thermometers can have variations in calibration or may not have been properly calibrated before use.
2. Atmospheric pressure: The boiling point of water is influenced by atmospheric pressure. If the measurement was taken at a different elevation or during weather conditions that affected the atmospheric pressure, it could have contributed to the deviation.
3. Contaminants: The presence of impurities or contaminants in the water can affect its boiling point. Even small amounts of substances dissolved in the water, such as minerals or pollutants, can slightly increase or decrease the boiling point.
4. Evaporation during measurement: If there was a delay between heating the water to boiling point and taking the measurement, some water could have evaporated, leading to a lower temperature reading.
5. Human error: Inaccurate recording, misjudgment of the exact boiling point, or a slight delay in stopping the heat source could introduce errors in the measurement.
6. Calibration of the temperature scale: The temperature scale used might not be precisely calibrated, leading to slight differences in measurements compared to the accepted boiling point.
In New York City, a budding scientist and alumni of Success Academy measured the boiling point of water to be 99.97°C, not 100°C. What factors might have led to this discrepancy
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