Posted by linda on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 4:12pm.
Consider this. If you weigh a sample of 1 g and the balance you use is good to 0.1 gram, then you stand a chance of making, with one weighing, a 0.1 g error so the percent error is a potential (0.1/1)*100 = 10%. But suppose you weigh, on the same balance, a sample of 10 g, then the potential error is (0.1/10)*100 = 1%. The moral to this story is to choose larger amounts, within reason of course, rather than smaller amounts. You can accomplish the same purpose by using a balance that has less error; i.e., one that weighs to more significant figures. Most very good analytical balances will weigh to 0.00005 mg.
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