How to Calculate the Percent Difference in Chemistry Lab

What is the percent difference between the two trials?

A student obtained the following data based on the procedure in the lab manual:
Mass of empty evaporating dish and filter paper: 15.157 g
Mass of evaporating dish plus dried product, first drying: 15.95 g
Mass of evaporating dish plus dried product, second drying: 15.806 g

Percent Difference Calculation:

The percent difference between the two trials is -0.907%.

In order to calculate the percent difference between the two trials, we need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Calculate the Mass Difference

Mass difference = Mass of evaporating dish plus dried product, second drying - Mass of evaporating dish plus dried product, first drying

Mass difference = 15.806 g - 15.95 g = -0.144 g

Step 2: Calculate the Average Mass

Average mass = (Mass of evaporating dish plus dried product, first drying + Mass of evaporating dish plus dried product, second drying) / 2

Average mass = (15.95 g + 15.806 g) / 2 = 15.878 g

Step 3: Calculate the Percent Difference

Percent difference = (Mass difference / Average mass) * 100

Percent difference = (-0.144 g / 15.878 g) * 100 = -0.907%

By following these steps, we can find the percent difference between the two trials in a chemistry lab experiment. The calculated percentage shows the variation between the two trials conducted by the student with the given data.