A team of scientists is conducting tests to measure the boiling point of a liquid using a thermometer in the liquid. The team is then recording the temperature where the liquid changes from a liquid to a gas rapidly. After 100 trials, the results are 5 degrees below the expected results. Which next step is most reasonable?

Question

A team of scientists is conducting tests to measure the boiling point of a liquid using a thermometer in the liquid. The team is then recording the temperature where the liquid changes from a liquid to a gas rapidly. After 100 trials, the results are 5 degrees below the expected results. Which next step is most reasonable?

(1 point)
• assuming that the previous measurements are incorrect
• assuming that the new results are incorrect
• checking the insulation of the apparatus to find out if heat is escaping
• checking the calibration of the thermometer to ensure that it is giving accurate readings

Answer 1

The most reasonable next step would be to check the calibration of the thermometer to ensure that it is giving accurate readings. This would help determine if the thermometer is providing accurate temperature measurements, which could be a potential source of the discrepancy between the expected and recorded results.