Josh was testing his hypothesis on increasing the rate of reaction in a chemical reaction. Josh had two trials and reached a conclusion. What was the major flaw in Josh's experiment design?
A) no conducting more trials
B) not using freezing point and boiling point
C) not using different concentrations of reactants
D) not being careful enough in making measurements
To identify the major flaw in Josh's experiment design, we need to evaluate each of the options provided.
A) No conducting more trials: While conducting more trials can provide more data points and increase the reliability of the results, it may not necessarily be considered a major flaw in this context. Having two trials is still a common practice in many experiments, especially when starting with preliminary investigations.
B) Not using freezing point and boiling point: The freezing point and boiling point of substances can provide valuable information regarding the effect of temperature on a chemical reaction. However, unless the goal of Josh's experiment was specifically related to temperature changes, not using these measurements may not be considered a major flaw, as the focus may have been on other factors.
C) Not using different concentrations of reactants: The concentration of reactants directly affects the rate of a chemical reaction. Therefore, not varying the concentrations is a valid concern. By conducting the experiment with different concentrations, Josh could explore the relationship between concentration and reaction rate, which is a crucial aspect of understanding reaction kinetics. This could be a major flaw in the experiment design.
D) Not being careful enough in making measurements: Accuracy and precision in measurements are vital in any scientific experiment. While being careful in making measurements is crucial, it may not necessarily be the major flaw in this case, as long as the measurements were reliable enough to draw meaningful conclusions.
Based on the options presented, the major flaw in Josh's experiment design is most likely option C) not using different concentrations of reactants. By not varying the concentrations, Josh may have overlooked a significant factor affecting the rate of the chemical reaction and its correlation with concentration.