The mass of an empty container is 50.2 ± 0.3 g, and the mass of the container with a substance inside is 90.8 ± 0.5 g. The mass of the substance is:

Select one:

A. 40.6 ± 0.8 g
B. 40.6 ± 0.2 g
C. 40.6 ± 0.5 g
D. 40.6 ± 0.3 g
E. 41 ± 1 g

To determine the mass of the substance inside the container, we need to subtract the mass of the empty container from the mass of the container with the substance inside. The formula we use is:
Mass of substance = Mass of container with substance − Mass of empty container
Given:

Mass of the empty container = 50.2 ± 0.3 g
Mass of the container with the substance = 90.8 ± 0.5 g

Plug these values into the formula:
Mass of substance = ( 90.8 ± 0.5 ) − ( 50.2 ± 0.3 )
Calculating the mass:
90.8 − 50.2 = 40.6 g
Now, for the uncertainty, when subtracting two values, the uncertainties add up:
Uncertainty of the mass = 0.5 + 0.3 = 0.8 g
Therefore, the mass of the substance is 40.6 ± 0.8 g.
The correct choice is: a. 40.6 ± 0.8 g

Answered by BenjaminOwenLewis | 2025-07-06