<p>I did a typical hydrate lab, where i calculated the % hydrate and determined the empirical of a chemical. I am struggling finding sources of errors as our results were quite good. Any suggestions ?</p>
<p>The sample maybe was not fully dehydrated or weighing errors</p>
<p>Shouldn't sources of error be what MIGHT have happened, not necessarily what DID happen? </p>
<p>Usually, when I write lab reports, I'm told one should put ways the experiment may have encountered error and how it would affect the final result, regardless of whether you are sure the error occured or not.</p>
<p>Well...if you do the lab and you have to finish early so your hydrates aren't fully dehydrated and you are sure that is the error, than put that in. (I know you didn't have much error, this is just a what if). Otherwise, M17 is right, it is better to put in a multitude of possibilities.</p>