Question

Difficulty: EasyComparing and Contrasting Multiple Experimental Designs

An investigator conducted two experiments to study the factors affecting the rate of a chemical reaction between zinc metal (Zn\text{Zn}) and hydrochloric acid (HCl\text{HCl}).

In Experiment 1, the investigator added 1.0 g1.0\text{ g} of zinc powder to 50 mL50\text{ mL} of 1.0 M1.0\text{ M} HCl\text{HCl} solution in a beaker. The reaction was carried out at different temperatures (20C20^\circ\text{C}, 30C30^\circ\text{C}, 40C40^\circ\text{C}, and 50C50^\circ\text{C}), and the time required for the zinc to completely dissolve was recorded for each trial.

In Experiment 2, the investigator added 1.0 g1.0\text{ g} of zinc powder to 50 mL50\text{ mL} of HCl\text{HCl} solution of different concentrations (0.5 M0.5\text{ M}, 1.0 M1.0\text{ M}, 1.5 M1.5\text{ M}, and 2.0 M2.0\text{ M}) in a beaker. The reaction was carried out at a constant temperature of 20C20^\circ\text{C}, and the time required for the zinc to completely dissolve was recorded for each trial.

Based on the descriptions of these experimental designs, is the statement that 'the temperature of the reaction was varied in Experiment 1 but was kept constant in Experiment 2' true or false?

Answer: Answer

Answer

true
In Experiment 1, the investigator changed the temperature across trials (20C20^\circ\text{C}, 30C30^\circ\text{C}, 40C40^\circ\text{C}, and 50C50^\circ\text{C}), which means temperature was varied. In Experiment 2, the investigator maintained a constant temperature of 20C20^\circ\text{C} for all trials while varying the concentration of the acid. This directly confirms that temperature was varied in Experiment 1 and kept constant in Experiment 2, making the statement true.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the role of temperature in Experiment 1.
The temperature was set to 20C20^\circ\text{C}, 30C30^\circ\text{C}, 40C40^\circ\text{C}, and 50C50^\circ\text{C} across different trials, which means it was varied.
To identify if temperature was an independent variable or a constant in the first experimental design.
2
Analyze the role of temperature in Experiment 2.
The temperature was kept at 20C20^\circ\text{C} for all trials, which means it was kept constant.
To identify if temperature was an independent variable or a constant in the second experimental design.
3
Evaluate the statement using the findings from Steps 1 and 2.
The statement claims temperature was varied in Experiment 1 and kept constant in Experiment 2. Since this matches our analysis, the statement is true.
To determine the final truth value of the target statement.

Key Concept

Distinguishing between independent variables and controlled constants across multiple experimental setups.
Estimated Time:45s
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