Experiment # 1: Measurement

Lab Partner’s Name

ABSTRACT

This experiment was an effort learn the proper usage of multiple measuring tools including a ruler, meter stick, Vernier caliper, stopwatch, and triple beam balance, as well as to determine volume and density of objects while working with uncertainty propagation, and learning to use the graphics software.

The results of the experiment indicated there exists a definite percentage of uncertainty in every measurement. This uncertainty will decrease as the reliability of the equipment increases and will increase as the skill and experience of the measurer decreases.

RESULTS

Wooden Block Metal BoxMass (g) 158.31 +/- .05 g 92.56 +/- .05g

158.31 +/- .03% 92.56 +/- .05%Mass (kg) .15831 +/- .00005 kg 9.256 E-2 +/- .00005 kg

.15831 +/- .03% 9.256 E-2 +/- .05%Volume (cm3) 202 +/- .00505 cm3 27.7 +/- .00505 cm3

202 cm3 +/- .03 % 27.7 cm3 +/- .02 %Volume (m3) .00202 +/- 8.66 E-5 m3 2.773 E-5 +/- 8.66 E-5

.00202 m3 +/- 4.3 % 2.773 E-5 +/- 3.1 E-7 %

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

Percent Error:

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

The first objective of this experiment was to learn the proper usage of a ruler, meter stick, Vernier caliper, stopwatch, and Triple-beam balance. This was first accomplished by using the stopwatch to judge the estimation of a 30 second and 1 minute interval. A meter stick was then used to judge the estimation of a one meter distance, as well as the length, width, and height of the wooden block. A Vernier caliper was utilized in measuring the length, width, and height of a metal box. Finally, a Triple-beam balance was used to judge the estimation of an undetermined amount of mass, measure the mass of the wooden block, and measure the mass of the metal box.

The second objective of this experiment was to determine the volume and density of an object while following the rules of uncertainty propagation. This was accomplished by multiplying the length, width, and height of the wooden block and metal box to determine the volume and using the formula for multiplying percent uncertainty to determine the error.

The third objective was to learn to use graphics software by determining the relationship between the circumference of a circle and its diameter. This was accomplished by measuring the circumference and diameter of a round object and entering the results into graphing software, which produced a graph that had the slope near Pi.

LAB MANUAL QUESTIONS

Why is it important for you to have a “feel” for mass, length, and time?

If you have a feel for these quantities of measurement, it can be useful in practical applications of physics problems as well as other subject areas. In addition, after completing a step of a problem it is a checkpoint to make sure there is not a calculation error. For example, if the volume of a refrigerator box was found to be 8.62 E67 m3, something has been grossly miscalculated.

Based upon the density values found in a table of element properties, from what material is the metal object made?

The density of the metal object was .0344 g/cm.

Calculate the percentage error of your density from the standard density.

What could be responsible for the discrepancy?

Each measurement has an error of percentage associated with it, whether in incompetency of the measurer or the impossibility to predict with absolute certainty the weight or length of the object.

Make a table containing mass and volume of metal and wooden objects.

(In the results section)

What is the value of the slope of the graph from step 11?

3.300

What is the significance of this number?

It is close to Pi.

Calculate the percent error of your value from eh true value.

3.300/Pi=1.05% error

What could be responsible for the discrepancy?

Measuring the circumference of the round objects was very difficult to accomplish accurately. This is most likely the reason for the percent error.