To calculate the percent error in the heat of combustion experiment of wax, you can use the formula provided:
1. Subtract the actual value from the experimental value.
2. Take the absolute value of the result obtained in step 1.
3. Divide the result from step 2 by the actual value.
4. Multiply the result from step 3 by 100 to get the percent error.
For example, if the experimental value obtained in your experiment was 36,000 J/g, the calculation would be as follows:
1. |36,000 J/g - 38,000 J/g| = 2,000 J/g
2. Absolute value of 2,000 J/g is 2,000 J/g
3. 2,000 J/g / 38,000 J/g = 0.0526
4. 0.0526 x 100 = 5.26%
Therefore, the percent error in this case would be 5.26%. This calculation method helps to determine how accurate your experimental value is compared to the actual value of the heat of combustion of wax.
