What is the purpose of running a control experiment?

Running a control experiment is essential for establishing a baseline for comparison. This means that a control provides a standard that allows researchers to judge the effects of the experimental treatment or intervention. By having a control group that does not receive the experimental treatment or that operates under standard conditions, scientists can compare the results directly with the experimental group. This comparison helps to determine whether any observed effects or changes in the experimental group are genuinely due to the treatment or intervention rather than due to other variables or random chance.

In experiments, especially in organic chemistry where reactions can be influenced by various factors, having a control is vital for validating the results. It helps to ensure that any differences observed can be attributed to the specific variables being tested, thereby making conclusions more reliable and scientifically sound.