If the iodine value obtained for an experiment is negative,could this be due to an experimental error?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodine_value
If the iodine value obtained for an experiment is negative, it is highly unlikely to be due to an experimental error. The iodine value is a measure of the unsaturation or double bonds present in a substance, such as fats or oils. It indicates the number of grams of iodine that can react with 100 grams of the substance.
A negative iodine value suggests that the substance has a deficiency of double bonds i.e., it is highly saturated. Under normal circumstances, oils or fats will have positive iodine values, indicating their unsaturated nature. Therefore, obtaining a negative iodine value is usually an indication of a specific composition of the substance being tested, rather than an error in the experimental procedure.
It is important to note that experimental errors can still occur, but they are unlikely to cause a negative iodine value. Some possible sources of error in the experiment could include inaccurate measurements of the reagents, contamination of the sample, or procedural mistakes. However, these errors are more likely to affect the precision or accuracy of the result, rather than altering the sign of the iodine value from positive to negative.