Chapter L.2, Problem 1CYU

Two students measured the freezing point of a sample of pure benzene. Student A used an ordinary laboratory thermometer calibrated in 0.1 ℃ units. Student B used a thermometer certified by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and calibrated in 0.01 °C units. Their results were as follows:

Student A: 52 °C, 5.7 °C, 5.5 °C, 5.2 °C

Student B: 5.48 °C, 5.52 °C, 5.50 °C, 5.54 °C

Calculate the average value for A and B and, knowing the freezing point of benzene is 5.50 °C (and using kelvins for temperature), calculate the percent error for each student. Which student has the smaller error?