When doing a virtual lab everything is exact, but why would they still ask for absolute and relative errors?

The equations and numbers may be exact; however, the answers obtained may not be the exact answer to the problem. So there will be an absolute and a relative error associated with the lab answer. I don't know what kind of virtual lab you performed; however, one such example would be the determination of percent S in Fe2S3. The mL of titrant and M of titrant are done exactly in the virtual lab but the answer obtained may be higher or lower than the actual (real) percent S.

I did a virtual lab on acceleration on gravity on earth. That number is 9.81 m/s ^2. I don't understand the error that could have came out of this

So you arrived at an answer? Was it different than 9.8066 (that number comes from Wikipedia)? If so the absolute error is (your answer - 9.8066 m/s) = ?? or

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Virtual labs aim to simulate real-world laboratory experiments in a digital environment. While virtual labs strive for accuracy and precision, they are not entirely exempt from errors. The inclusion of absolute and relative errors in virtual lab analysis serves several purposes:

1. Realism: By incorporating the concept of errors, virtual labs aim to replicate the uncertainties and limitations present in actual laboratory settings. This helps students understand that experimental results can never be entirely precise or perfect, even in virtual environments.

2. Learning opportunity: Analyzing and calculating errors helps students develop critical thinking skills and understanding of the limitations and sources of uncertainty in scientific measurements. It encourages students to consider how different factors can affect the accuracy and reliability of their experimental data.

3. Error estimation: In virtual labs, students calculate absolute and relative errors to estimate the degree of uncertainty or deviation between the experimental results and the expected values. This provides an opportunity to evaluate the reliability of the data and identify potential sources of error that may require further investigation or adjustment in future experiments.

4. Comparison and analysis: Absolute and relative errors allow students to perform quantitative comparisons between different sets of experimental data. This enables them to assess and analyze the quality of their results in a systematic manner, promoting scientific inquiry and critical evaluation of their findings.

In summary, including absolute and relative errors in virtual labs helps to create a more realistic and educational experience, promoting a deeper understanding of the inherent uncertainties and limitations of scientific measurements.