Laboratory Experiment #1

Uncertainty of Measurement

APPARATUS
To perform the experiment, the following apparatus are needed:

Meter stick, vernier caliper, micrometer, block of wood, metal cylinder, steel or
glass ball, graduated cylinder.

PROCEDURE
A. Meter Stick
1. Determine the length, width and height of a blook of wood using the metric
side of the meter stick. Make five trials.
Trials (cm) Length Width Height Volume (lwh)
1 42.5 𝑐𝑚 7 𝑐𝑚 4.5 𝑐𝑚 1338.75 𝑐𝑚3
2 42.6 𝑐𝑚 6.9 𝑐𝑚 4.5 𝑐𝑚 1352.13 𝑐𝑚3
3 42.3 𝑐𝑚 6.9 𝑐𝑚 4.5 𝑐𝑚 1313.42 𝑐𝑚3
4 42.6 𝑐𝑚 6.9 𝑐𝑚 4.5 𝑐𝑚 1352.13 𝑐𝑚3
5 42.5 𝑐𝑚 7 𝑐𝑚 4.5 𝑐𝑚 1338.75 𝑐𝑚3

2. Repeat procedure 1 using the English side (inches) of the meter stick..
Trials (in) Length Width Height Volume (lwh)
1 16.6 𝑖𝑛 2.6 𝑖𝑛 16.6 𝑖𝑛 77.69 𝑖𝑛3
2 16.6 𝑖𝑛 2.7 𝑖𝑛 16.6 𝑖𝑛 80.68 𝑖𝑛3
3 16.7 𝑖𝑛 2.5 𝑖𝑛 16.6 𝑖𝑛 73.8 𝑖𝑛3
4 16.6 𝑖𝑛 2.6 𝑖𝑛 16.6 𝑖𝑛 77.69 𝑖𝑛3
5 16.8 𝑖𝑛 2.6 𝑖𝑛 16.6 𝑖𝑛 78.62 𝑖𝑛3

PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT | Group 2

 3. Determine the average value for each reading taken to compute for the
volume of the block of wood.

Metric (centimeter) English (inches)

Average Volume 1339.036 𝑐𝑚3 77.696 𝑖𝑛3

4. Convert the computed volume in cubic inches to cubic centimeters.

Volume (𝒊𝒏𝟑 ) Volume (𝒄𝒎𝟑 )
77.69 𝑖𝑛3 1273.111 𝑐𝑚3
80.68 𝑖𝑛3 1322.108 𝑐𝑚3
73.8 𝑖𝑛3 1209.365 𝑐𝑚3
77.69 𝑖𝑛3 1273.111 𝑐𝑚3
78.62 𝑖𝑛3 1288.35 𝑐𝑚3

5. Compute the percentage error in the difference in values obtained in the

two systems of measurements.

Percentage Error
𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = (100%)
Volume 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
1339.036 1339 𝑐𝑚3 − 1339.036 𝑐𝑚3
in Metric 𝑐𝑚3 % 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = (100%)
1339𝑐𝑚3
Side % 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = −0.00265558%

𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = (100%)
Volume 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
77.696 78 𝑖𝑛3 − 77.696 𝑖𝑛3
in 𝑖𝑛3 % 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = (100%)
78 𝑖𝑛3
English % 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 0.3897436%
Side

PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT | Group 2

B. Vernier Caliper
1. Measure the lengths of the inside and outside diameters of a metal
cylinder using the metric system. Make five trials for each reading.
1 2 3 4 5 Ave.
Inside 18 𝑚𝑚 19 𝑚𝑚 17 𝑚𝑚 18.6 𝑚𝑚 17.5 𝑚𝑚 18.02 𝑚𝑚
Outside 21 𝑚𝑚 19.7 𝑚𝑚 20 𝑚𝑚 21 𝑚𝑚 19.5 𝑚𝑚 20.24 𝑚𝑚

2. Repeat procedure 1 using the English system.

1 2 3 4 5
Inside 0.67 𝑖𝑛 0.70 𝑖𝑛 0.71 𝑖𝑛 0.62 𝑖𝑛 0.70 𝑖𝑛
Outside 0.75 𝑖𝑛 0.75 𝑖𝑛 0.75 𝑖𝑛 0.79 𝑖𝑛 0.75 𝑖𝑛

3. Determine the initial reading of a graduated cylinder which is partially

filled with water.
75 𝑚𝐿
4. Immerse the previously measured cylinder into the graduated cylinder.
79 𝑚𝐿
5. The difference in the readings obtained in procedure 3 and 4 will
determine the volume of the metal cylinder. This is the true value.
4 𝑚𝐿
6. Determine the experimental value of the volume of the metal cylindrical
shell.
𝑑𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 = 20.24 𝑚𝑚 = 0.02024 𝑚 Sol.
𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 = 18.02 𝑚𝑚 = 0.01802 𝑚 𝜋
ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 5 𝑐𝑚 = 0.05 𝑚 𝑉 = ( ) [(𝑑𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 )2 − (𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 )2 ]ℎ
4
𝜋
𝑉 = ( ) [(0.02024 𝑚)2 − (0.01802 𝑚)2 ]0.05 𝑚
4
𝑉 = 0.00000333547 𝑚3 𝑜𝑟 3.34 𝑚𝐿

PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT | Group 2

 7. Compare the true value with the experimental value by computing the
percentage error.
𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = (100%)
𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
4𝑚𝐿 − 3.34 𝑚𝐿
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = (100%)
4 𝑚𝐿
0.66 𝑚𝐿
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = (100%)
4 𝑚𝐿
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 0.165 (100%)
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 16.5%

C. Micrometer Caliper
1. Close the gap between the anvil screw to get a zero reading.
2. Determine the diameter of a steel ball.
18.02 𝑚𝑚
3. Calculate the volume of the ball.
4
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 3
3
4
𝑉 = 𝜋(9.01 𝑚𝑚)3
3
𝑉 = 3063.82 𝑚𝑚3

4. Immerse the ball in a percentage error of the volume of the ball.

𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = (100%)
𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
3064 𝑚𝑚3 − 3063.82 𝑚𝑚3
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = (100%)
3064 𝑚𝑚3
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 0.0058747%

PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT | Group 2

 Laboratory Experiment #2
Linear Motion

MATERIALS
Inclined plane, iron stand, iron clamp, block of wood, meter stick, platform
balance, stop watch and steel ball.

PROCEDURE
A. Uniform Accelerated Motion
1. Measure the length of the inclined plane and divide this into five equal
parts. Mark each division.
Length = 25.5 inches or 4.9 inches each part (5 parts)
2. Attach the iron clamp to the iron ring. Make this as the support for the
upper end of the inclined plane.
3. Adjust the location of the iron clamp in order to have the smaller angle of
the inclination for the inclined plane.
4. Set the block in motion with its rear end at the starting point. Determine
the time required to reach the first mark. This is the first trial.
5. Repeat procedure 4 for the second, third, fourth and last mark.
6. Calculate the acceleration for each trial and the average acceleration
7. Plot the data of acceleration versus the distance covered.

B. Freely Falling Bodies

1. Release the stell ball at these measure heights: 50 cm, 100 cm, 150 cm,
200 cm and 250 cm.
2. Using the stop watch, determine the time elapsed for the stell ball to
travel each distance.
3. Compute the value of acceleration due to gravity in 𝑐𝑚/𝑠 2 . Compute also
the average acceleration.

PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT | Group 2

 4. Plot the graph of acceleration using the values of time elapsed versus the
distance travelled.
5. Compare the experimental or computed value of acceleration from the true
value of acceleration due to gravity.

DATA

A. Uniformly Accelerated Motion

TRIAL Distance Travelled Time Elapsed Acceleration

1 12.446 cm 0.26 s 184.12 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 2
2 24.892 cm 0.32 s 243.09 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 2
3 37.338 cm 0.47 s 169.02 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 2
4 49.784 cm 0.66 s 114.29 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 2
5 62.23 cm 0.82 s 92.55 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 2
Ave. Acceleration 160.614 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 2

B. Freely Falling Bodies

TRIAL Measured Heights Time Elapsed Acceleration

50 cm 50 cm 0.26 s 739.64 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 2
100 cm 100 cm 0.43 s 540.83 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 2
150 cm 150 cm 0.60 s 416.67 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 2
200 cm 200 cm 0.81 s 304.83 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 2
250 cm 250 cm 1s 250 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 2

PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT | Group 2

GRAPHS

A. Uniformly Accelerated Motion

Acceleration
300

250

200

150

100

50

0
12.446 24.892 37.338 49.784 62.23

B. Freely Falling Bodies

Acceleration
1.2

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
50 100 150 200 250

PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT | Group 2

QUESTIONS

1. What is a uniformly accelerated motion?

Uniformly accelerated motion is when something speeds up or slows down at a

steady rate. Imagine you're in a car that accelerates smoothly from 0 to 60 miles per
hour. If the car speeds up by the same amount every second, that's uniformly
accelerated motion. The key is that the rate of change in speed is constant.

2. Is it possible for an object with zero speed to have a non-zero acceleration?

Yes, it is possible for an object to have zero speed while still having non-zero
acceleration.

Imagine a boy at the top of a hill and he threw a ball straight up into the air. At
the very top of its path, the ball's speed is momentarily zero because it has stopped
moving upward and is about to start falling back down. Even though the ball's speed
is zero at that instant, it is still experiencing acceleration due to gravity. Gravity is
pulling the ball downward, so the ball has a non-zero acceleration.

Acceleration is about how speed changes, not just the speed itself. At that
instant where the speed is zero, the ball's acceleration is still acting on it, changing
its speed in the future.

3. How is acceleration related to the distance covered and time elapsed?

Acceleration makes an object speed up or slows down, which changes how far it
travels over time. If an object is accelerating, it covers more distance in the same
amount of time because its speed is increasing. Over time, as acceleration continues,
the distance covered grows more quickly because the object is getting faster and
faster. So, with more acceleration and more time, the object travels farther.

PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT | Group 2

 Laboratory Experiment #3
Coefficient of Restitution

MATERIALS
Metal block, steel ball, meter stick

PROCEDURE
1. Place the meter stick vertically with its zero-reference on the surface of the
metal block where the metal ball will be bouncing.
2. Conduct five trials, dropping the ball at initial heights of 90, 80, 70, 60, 50 cm
for each trial. For each trial, determine the height of rebound.
3. Use the formula to get the coefficient of restitution between the steel ball and
the metal block.

DATA
Trials Height of Release Height of Coefficient of
Rebound Restitution
1 90 𝑐𝑚 7 𝑐𝑚 3.59
2 80 𝑐𝑚 6 𝑐𝑚 3.65
3 70 𝑐𝑚 8 𝑐𝑚 2.96
4 60 𝑐𝑚 7.5 𝑐𝑚 2.83
5 50 𝑐𝑚 6 𝑐𝑚 2.89

COMPUTATIONS

𝑦2 50𝑐𝑚 70𝑐𝑚
𝑒=√ 𝑒=√ = 2.89 𝑒=√ = 2.96
𝑦1 6𝑐𝑚 8𝑐𝑚

90𝑐𝑚 60𝑐𝑚 80𝑐𝑚

𝑒=√ = 3.59 𝑒=√ = 2.83 𝑒=√ = 3.65
7𝑐𝑚 7.5𝑐𝑚 6𝑐𝑚

PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT | Group 2

QUESTIONS
1. What is always conserved in collisions, the momentum or the kinetic
energy? Explain
In collisions, momentum is always conserved, while kinetic energy is not
necessarily conserved. Momentum is a measure of how much motion something has,
and in a collision, the total momentum before and after the event remains the same
if no external forces act on the objects. However, kinetic energy, which is the energy
of motion, can be transformed into other forms of energy, like heat or sound, during a
collision. So, even though the total momentum is unchanged, some of the kinetic
energy can be lost or converted during the collision.

2. What is the reason why there is an increase in temperature of the objects

after collision?
After a collision, the temperature of the objects often increases because some
of the kinetic energy from the moving objects gets converted into heat and other forms
of energy. When objects collide, they deform and generate friction, which causes their
molecules to move more vigorously. This increased molecular movement raises the
temperature of the objects. Essentially, the energy from the collision, which was
initially in the form of motion, is transformed into heat due to the impact and friction
between the surfaces.

3. Is momentum always conserved regardless of the type of collision?

Yes, momentum is always conserved in collisions, no matter what type of
collision it is. This means that the total momentum of all objects involved in the
collision remains the same before and after the collision, as long as no external forces
are acting on them. Whether the collision is elastic (where kinetic energy is also
conserved) or inelastic (where some kinetic energy is lost), the total momentum of
the system doesn’t change. This conservation of momentum is a fundamental
principle that applies to all collisions.

PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT | Group 2

 4. Is momentum a vector or scalar quantity? Explain
Momentum is a vector quantity, which means it has both a size (magnitude) and
a direction. Unlike scalar quantities that only have magnitude (like temperature),
momentum requires direction to fully describe it. For example, if a car is moving east
at 60 miles per hour, its momentum not only depends on its speed but also on the fact
that it’s moving east. In general, when dealing with momentum, you need to consider
both how fast something is moving and which direction it's moving in.

5. When there are springs on the end of colliding carriages, will it give a
reasonably close approximation to a completely elastic collision?
When carriages with springs on the ends collide, they can approximate a nearly
elastic collision, but not perfectly. In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic
energy are conserved. Springs can help simulate this by absorbing and then releasing
energy, which can make the collision resemble an elastic one. However, some energy
is always lost as heat and sound due to friction and internal deformation, so the
collision won’t be perfectly elastic. Springs make the collision closer to elastic by
restoring the energy more efficiently, but they can't completely eliminate energy
losses.

PHYSICS LABORATORY EXPERIMENT | Group 2