PHY433 FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS: MECHANICS AND HEAT

PRE LAB EXPERIMENT 1:

MEASUREMENT

GROUP NAMELIST ID NO.

GROUP CLASS NAS203F1A

DATE OF EXPERIMENT 15TH APRIL 2023

DATE OF SUBMISSION 12TH JULY 2023

LECTURER’S NAME DR. MOHD ZAKI BIN MOHD YUSOFF

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PRE-LAB QUESTION 1

1) Is it possible to get an exact measurement without any uncertainty (error)?

In theory, it is possible to obtain an exact measurement without any uncertainty (error).

There are several sources of uncertainty or error that can affect measurements, including
instrument limitations, environmental conditions, and human error. These sources of
uncertainty make it impossible to obtain a completely error-free measurement.

Even with the most advanced instruments and measurement techniques, there will always be
some degree of uncertainty in a measurement. However, the goal of measurement is to
minimize this uncertainty as much as possible, by using appropriate instruments, techniques,
and calibration procedures, and by following best practices to minimize sources of error.

2) What is the zero error and the reading uncertainty (error) for
a) A meter rule,
b) Vernier caliper and
c) A micrometer

Meter rule:
 Zero error: A zero error can occur if the ends of the meter rule are not flush with the
object being measured or if the scale is not aligned properly. This can result in an
incorrect measurement even if the object being measured is actually at zero.
 Reading uncertainty: The smallest unit of measurement on a meter rule is usually 1
mm, so the reading uncertainty is +/- 0.5 mm.

Vernier caliper:
 Zero error: A zero error can occur if the jaws of the vernier caliper are not properly
aligned or if the zero on the vernier scale does not coincide with the zero on the main
scale. This can result in an incorrect measurement even if the object being measured
is actually at zero.
 Reading uncertainty: The vernier scale on a vernier caliper allows for more precise
measurements, with a reading uncertainty of +/- 0.02 mm.

Micrometer:
 Zero error: A zero error can occur if the spindle is not properly aligned with the anvil
or if the ratchet thimble is not properly engaged. This can result in an incorrect
measurement even if the object being measured is actually at zero.
 Reading uncertainty: A micrometer allows for very precise measurements, with a
reading uncertainty of +/- 0.01 mm.

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3) State the number of significant figures for each of the following numbers

a) 17.20 - Four
b) 0.0270 - Four
c) 12000 - Five
d) 3.1400 – Five

4) Perform the following calculations and give the answer with the correct significant
figures.
a) 23.90 × 3.81 = 91.059 (5 sf)
b) 10.27 ÷ 2.8 = 3.6679 (5 sf)
c) 4.917 × 1.5 × 12.31 = 90.792 (5 sf)

5) State two major differences between a systematic and a random error?

1) Cause: A systematic error is a type of error that occurs consistently in the same direction
in every measurement, while a random error is a type of error that occurs unpredictably
and inconsistently in different directions in every measurement. Systematic errors are
typically caused by flaws in the experimental setup or the measuring instrument, whereas
random errors are caused by fluctuations in environmental conditions, human error, or
limitations in measurement techniques.
2) Effect on Accuracy and Precision: Systematic errors tend to affect accuracy, which is the
closeness of a measurement to its true value, and can cause measurements to be
consistently higher or lower than the true value. Random errors, on the other hand, tend to
affect precision, which is the degree of agreement between repeated measurements of the
same quantity, and can cause measurements to vary widely around the mean value.
Random errors can be reduced by taking repeated measurements and calculating the mean
value, whereas systematic errors require a correction to be applied to the measurements to
improve accuracy.

6) Does the laboratory balance measure weight or mass? Explain.

7) What is the function of the vernier scale on the vernier caliper? Does it extend accuracy
or precision? Explain.
The vernier scale on a vernier caliper is used to extend the precision of the instrument,
allowing for more accurate measurements to be made.

The vernier scale consists of a secondary scale that is used in conjunction with the main scale
of the caliper to measure distances with greater precision. The main scale of the caliper
typically has graduations that correspond to millimeters or centimeters, while the vernier scale
has graduations that are a fraction of a millimeter or a fraction of a centimeter.

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8) If x = 1.52 ± 0.01 cm and y = 3.36 ± 0.01 cm, calculate S, D, M, R and V and their
uncertainty ΔS, ΔD, ΔM and ΔV respectively.
a) S = x + y

Solution :

S = 1.52 + 3.36
= 4.88 ± 0.01 cm

b) D = y – x

Solution :

D = 3.36 - 1.52
= 1.84 ± 0.01 cm

c) M = xy

Solution :

M = (1.52)(3.36)
= 5.11 ± 0.01 cm

x
d) R =
y

Solution :

1.52
R=
3.36

= 0.45  0.01 cm

e) V= x 3

= 3.51 ± 0.01 cm

9) The length of a plank is measured by using a meter rule and the value obtained is
reported as 2.4 m. Why is this reading inappropriately reported?
The reading of 2.4 m obtained from measuring the length of a plank using a meter rule is
inappropriately reported because it implies a level of precision that is not supported by the
measuring instrument. A meter rule typically has graduations in centimeters and may have
some additional markings in millimeters, but it is not accurate enough to measure length to
the nearest tenth of a millimeter, which is implied by reporting the length as 2.4 m.

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Topic : Measurement

Objective : To determine the density of a ball bearing and a piece of wire.

Apparatus : Ball bearing, wire, micrometer, vernier caliper and meter rule.

m
Theory : Density,  =
v

Procedures :
1. Measure the mass of a ball bearing and a wire.
2. Determine the zero reading of the vernier caliper.
3. Record the values in centimeters.
4. Measure the length and diameter of a ball bearing by using vernier caliper.
5. Record the values in centimeters.
6. Repeat the measurement in a trice to get different diameters.
7. Measure the length of the wire with the meter rule.
8. Determine the zero reading of the micrometer.
9. Record the values in centimeters.
10. Measure the diameter of the wire with the micrometer by gripping the wire between
the anvil and the screw.
11. Repeat the measurement in a trice to get different diameters.
12. Analise the data.
13. Record and tabulate the data.

Data :

Length of the ball bearing and the wire.

Length (cm)
Apparatus
1 2 3 4 5 Average
Wire 37 37 38 37 38 37.4

Mass of the ball bearing and the wire.

Mass (g)
Apparatus
1 2 3 4 5 Average
27.8
Ball bearing 27.92 27.91 27.89 27.89
9 27.9 g
Wire 21.7 22.1 21.6 21.7 21.8 21.78

Measurements of diameters of the ball bearing and the wire by using micrometer.

Diameter (cm)
Apparatus
1 2 3 4 5 Average

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 Ball bearing 18.56 18.57 18.57 18.57 18.57 18.57
Wire 0.43 0.42 0.43 0.40 0.41 0.42

Radius (cm)
Apparatus
1 2 3 4 5 Average
Ball bearing 9.28 9.285 9.285 9.285 9.285 9.284
0.21
Wire 0.21 0.215 0.2 0.205
5 0.21

Measurements of diameters of the ball bearing and the wire by using vernier caliper.

Diameter (cm)
Apparatus
1 2 3 4 5 Average
Ball bearing 18.5 18.5 18.5 18.5 18.5 18.5
Wire 0.49 0.47 0.49 0.48 0.49 0.48

Radius (cm)
Apparatus
1 2 3 4 5 Average
Ball bearing 9.25 9.25 9.25 9.25 9.25 9.25

Result :

Micrometer
Volume of wire, V = r 2h

d
r=
2

0.42
=
2

= 0.21 cm

V =  (0.212)(37.4)

= 5.18 cm3

m
Density of the wire,  =
v

m
=
v

21.78
=
5.18

6
 = 4.29 gcm−3

Vernier caliper

Volume of wire, V = r 2h

d
r=
2

0.48
=
2

= 0.24 cm

V =  (0.24 2)(37.4)

= 6.77 cm3

m
Density of the wire,  =
v

m
=
v

21.78
=
6.77

= 3.22 gcm−3

Micrometer
Volume of ball bearing, (4/3) π r3

4
V= π r3
3

= 1.33(3.14) (0.00928)3

V = 3,341.85 m3
V = 3.337x10-6 m3

m
Density of the ball bearing,  =
v

m
=
v

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 0.0279 kg
=
3.337 x 10−6

0.0279 kg
=
0.00003337

 = 836.08 kgm-3

Vernier Caliper
Volume of ball bearing, (4/3) π r3

4
V= π r3
3

= 1.33(3.14) (0.00925)3

V = 3.315x10-6 m3

m
Density of the ball bearing,  =
v

m
=
v

0.0279 kg
=
3.315 x 10−6

0.0279 kg
=
0.00003315

 = 841.63 kgm-3

Conclusion :

In the Micrometer & Vernier caliper experiment, we measured the diameter, radius and mass
of a ball bearing using a Micrometer & Vernier caliper also calculated the Volume and
Density of the ball bearing. This experiment was conducted by obtaining five sets of readings
for each mass, diameter & radius. We found that the diameter of the ball bearing is 18.57
mm, the mass of the ball bearing is 27.89 g. Therefore, determine the density of the ball
bearing is 841.63 kgm-3

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Error of quality measurement
1. Error Analysis

 Parallax Error
Due to mistakes in reading

2. Systematic Error

Post Laboratory Questions:

1. To get more precise and accurate measurement as first reading could have
disturbance.

2. The measurement of diameter of the ball bearing might be slightly larger as the scale
of vernier caliper is larger.

3. Utilize ‘Hooke’s Law Experiment’.

4. Based on the table 1, the wire is made up of aluminum as the wire has almost the
same density as the aluminum.