Application of Statistical Concepts in the Weight

Variation of Samples
Gliezl Allison G. Imperial
Teshia Faye T. Josue
Institute of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines

Experimental Detail

The main objectives of this experiment are to
determine the significance of statistical concepts
in the field of analytical chemistry or more
specifically (based on the experiment) the
weight variation of samples, the 25 centavo
coins. This experiment also aims to teach the
proper usage of the analytical balance.

In order to determine the weight variation, ten
25 centavo coins were placed on a watch glass
using forceps and positioned inside an analytical
balance. Each coin is weighed using weighing
by difference method. By pressing the tare on
button of the instrument, the balance was set to
zero and the coins were removed one by one
until the weight of each coin was obtained. All
weights gathered from the experiment were
recorded for tabulation. Each weight recorded
was considered as a single sample which was
then grouped into two data sets wherein the first
data set contained 6 samples while the second
data set contained samples 1-10.

Data and Results

Slight variation was obtained from weighing the
ten 25 centavo coins using the analytical
balance. (Refer to Appendix A for the table with
the corresponding samples and their value)

The Q-test, which is a simple, widely used
statistical test for deciding whether a suspected
result should be retained or rejected (Dean,
Dixon.1951), was performed to determine which
of the weights that were recorded is an outlier.
This test is significant because there are times
when a set of data contains an outlying result




that seems to be outside of the range. If the Q-
test was not performed during the experiment,
undetected gross error might hinder in getting
accurate and precise values. Also, this test
makes sure that all data rightfully belongs to the
set and not discarded due to leniency in setting
the limits.

Equation 1 shows how Q
exp
was obtained where
X
q
is the suspected value, X
n
is the value closest
to the suspected value, and R is the range.

Equation 1. Q test formula

Q
experimental
=Q
exp
= | X
q
X
n
|
R

When Q
tab
<Q
exp
, the Q
exp
value calculated is
rejected. However when Q
tab
>Q
exp
, the Q
exp

value calculated is accepted. Below is a table
showing the calculated Q
exp
values which are
lesser than the Q
tab
value at 95% confidence
level of 0.625 and 0.468 for data set 1 and 2,
respectively.

Table 1. Q
exp
vs. Q
tab


Data
Set
Suspect
Values
Q
exp
Q
tab
Conclusion
1
3.6410 0.17
0.625 Accepted
3.5793 0.41
2
3.6410 0.17
0.468 Accepted
3.5793 0.41

The results show that the value for the Q
exp
in the
first data set is lesser than the Q
tab.
Moreover, the
same comparison is made for the second data
set. This shows that all the weights recorded are
all accepted and were made part of further
computations.

After making sure that all values are part of the
range, other statistical computations were made
such as the mean, range, relative range, standard
deviation, relative standard deviation, and
confidence limits (at 95% confidence level).

One of the most commonly used measures of
central tendency is the mean. The mean is the
average or the sum of all measured values
divided by the number of samples in a data set.
Acquiring the value of the mean gives the best
estimate central value of the set and with this,
the set becomes more reliable than any of the
individual result (Skoog. 2004). The equation of
the mean is shown below.

Equation 2. Mean formula




Below is the tabulated data of the calculated
values from the experiment. As shown in the
table, two values are recorded for data set 1 and
2. The mean value for the first data set is 3.61
and for the second, 3.61 as well. When
compared to the standard weight of a 25 centavo
coin presented by the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP), this shows a 0.19 difference in
the weight wherein the official weight should be
3.8 g. A plausible reason for this difference is
the deterioration in the percent material
composition of the coins. Another cause of the
difference is the year that the coins were
manufactured. This may cause the variations of
the weights of the coins that were issued during
the year 1995 and 2004. The coins manufactured
in the year 1995 may have more material
composition as compared to the coins from
2004. In the experiment, the year when the coins
were minted were not taken note off.







Parameter Data set 1 Data set 2
Mean 3.61 g 3.61 g
Standard Deviation 0.021583 g 0.019017 g
Relative Standard
Deviation
0.60% 0.53%
Range 0.0617 0.0617
Relative Range 1.71% 1.71%
Confidence Limits
3.63 3.62
3.59 3.59

The next statistical parameters are the range and
standard deviation which shows how close the
values are obtained in the same way, under the
measures of precision. Standard deviation (s)
measures how closely the data are clustered
about the mean. The smaller the s value, the
more closely the data are clustered around the
mean and vice versa. Referring to the table
above, the standard deviation values for data set
1 and 2 are 0.021583 g and 0.019017 g,
respectively. These values show that the data of
the second set is more clustered around the value
of 3.61 as compared to the first data. No values
are deviating from the value 3.61. Equation 3
shows the equation for the standard deviation.

Equation 3. Standard deviation formula





The third statistical parameter is the relative
standard deviation (RSD) which allows standard
deviations of varying measurements to be
compared more meaningfully. To evaluate the
uncertainty between unlike measurements of
varying absolute magnitude, the RSD is used.
The equation below shows the relative standard
deviation formula.

Equation 4. Relative standard deviation formula




Next, the range and relative range were
calculated. The range is the difference between
the highest and lowest sample values in the data
set. In the case of the experiment, the range is
the same in both data set 1 and 2 with a value of
0.0617 g. This is because the highest and lowest
sample values of both the data sets are the same.
1
n
i
i
X
X
N
=
=

2
1
( )
1
n
i
i
X X
s
n
=

=

100
s
RSD
X
=
Equation 5 shows the formula in getting the
range of the data set.



Equation 5. Range formula

R= X
highest
-X
lowest
On the other hand, the relative range refers to
the percentage ratio of the range to the average
value in the set. In the experiment, a relative
range of 1.71% was obtained for both data set.
The formula for relative range is stated below.

Equation 6. Relative range formula



Lastly, the confidence limits are the probability
that the true mean lies within a certain interval.
This is significant because it show which certain
interval does the mean 3.61 falls under. Based
on the calculations, the interval for data set 1 is
3.63g and 3.59g and for data set 2, 3.62g and
3.59g. The formula for the confidence limit is
stated below.
Equation 7. Confidence Limit formula


The statistics calculated from data set 1 is
somehow the same in terms of the mean, range,
and relative range. This means that the
individual values obtained for both are precise
with each other. The obtained values for the 2
data sets are close to each other.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the weight of the coins varies
from each other with a close value from each
other. All independent sample were taken into
calculations since the Q-test showed that all are
significant sample value. The reasons for the
variation may be due to the decomposition of the
material composition of the coins. As the time
passes, the percent material composition
deteriorates. Also, another reasons for the
variation is because of the change in material
composition based on the year it was
manufactured. Those coins minted in 2004 have
a different composition than that of the ones
issued earlier. Also, all the values are relative to
the standard official weight of the coin.


Appendix

Appendix A. Table for data set

Data Set 1 Data Set 2
1 3.6078 3.6078
2 3.6410 3.6410
3 3.6305 3.6305
4 3.6093 3.6093
5 3.6048 3.6048
6 3.5793 3.5793
7 3.6116
8 3.5844
9 3.6197
10 3.6226

Calculations:


Q
experimental
=Q
exp
= | X
q
X
n
|
R

Q
exp
= | 3.6078 3.6410

| = 0.17
0.0617



X=3.6078+3.6410+3.6305+3.6093+3.6048+3.5793 / 6

= 3.61 g







S= square root of (3.61-Xi)
2 + .
/ 5 =0.021583 g


Range=3.6078-3.5793=0.0617
ts
ConfidenceLimit X
n
=
100
R
RR
X
| |
=
|
\ .
1
n
i
i
X
X
N
=
=

2
1
( )
1
n
i
i
X X
s
n
=

=

RSD= 0.021583 g / 3.21 x 100=0.60%

RR= 0.0617g / 3.61 g = 1.71%


CL= 3.61 x [(2.45) (0.021583) / 6] = 3.63


References

Harris, D. C. Quantitative Chemical Analysis.
Nixon, R. D. (1951). Analytical Chem.
Skoog, e. (2004). Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry.


100
s
RSD
X
=
100
R
RR
X
| |
=
|
\ .
ts
ConfidenceLimit X
n
=