Moderate

A student performs an experiment in his college laboratory to determine the specific heat of water by electrical method. At the end of experiment, the graph that he drew betweentemperature (T) and time (t) was incorrect.Which of the following can be a source of error that caused inaccurate reading during his observation?

Correct answer: C. Greater least count of the thermometer

  • A. Loss of heat due to radiation
  • B. Large increase in temperature of water
  • C. Greater least count of the thermometer
  • D. Non-steady voltage of the power supply

Explanation

The correct answer is option C: Greater least count of the thermometer. In experiments involving precise temperature measurements, having a greater least count on the thermometer can introduce errors in the readings, resulting in an incorrect graph. The other options, such as loss of heat due to radiation, large increase in temperature of water, and non-steady voltage of the power supply, are less likely to directly cause inaccuracies in the graph between temperature and time in this specific experimental setup.

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About Errors and Significant Figures

Measurement errors include random and systematic effects, absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainty, and the precision shown by significant figures. Questions apply rounding rules and uncertainty propagation in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, while distinguishing accuracy from precision and uncertainty from an actual mistake.

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