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Experiment #1
MEASUREMENT
I. OBJECTIVE:
After the laboratory activity, each student is expected to:
1. Accurately measure each physical quantity using the appropriate instrument and record
the results with proper units from the International System of Units (SI).
2. Perform calculations such as volume and density, ensuring the correct number
of significant digits.
3. Use the factor-label method for unit conversions and scientific notation where necessary.
4. Determine the density by measuring mass and volume, including uncertainties and
percent error, while demonstrating the proper use of tools/apparatus like the
Vernier caliper, micrometer caliper, and analytical balance.

II. CONCEPTUAL BACKGROUND:

Accurate measurement is crucial in the Physics lab. The goal of most experiments is to compare
calculated results to a known standard and determine sources of error. The accuracy of these
calculations depends entirely on the accuracy of the
measurements on which they are based. Therefore,
each measurement should be made with the
maximum precision allowed by the instrument.

Measurement accuracy is limited by both the

instrument's limitations and the experimenter's care.
It's essential not to claim that a measurement or
calculation is more accurate than it actually is.

For example, consider the following image, which

Figure 1 shows a rod placed between two rulers:

In Figure 1, the left ruler has inch markings, which allow us to measure the rod's length between 1
and 2 inches. We estimate that the rod is about 30%-50% beyond the 1-inch mark, so the
measurement is recorded as 1.4 inches, with the estimation digit in the tenths place.

The right ruler has more precise markings (to the tenth of an inch), enabling a more accurate
measurement. We can now estimate that the rod is between 1.4 and 1.5 inches. The recorded
measurement would be 1.49 inches, with the estimation digit in the hundredths place.
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If the rod were exactly 1.5 inches, we would still need to include an estimation digit and report the
measurement as 1.50 inches, indicating that the value is precisely at the 1.5-inch mark. Leaving off
the zero could imply that the tenth place is the estimated digit.

FORMULAS:

Calculate the uncertainty in volume (ΔV):

Percent error (% error) compares the experimentally determined density (𝜌exp) to the standard
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density (𝜌std):

III. EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS AND MATERIALS USED:

Dimensioning
Weighing Apparatus Specimens / Materials Used
Equipment/Apparatus
 Ruler / Meterstick  Triple beam balance  Metal specimens
(aluminum, copper, iron)

 Vernier caliper  Sartorius Practum  Coins (1 peso, 5 peso, & 10

Analytical Balance peso)

 Micrometer caliper

A. Weighing Apparatus
A.1 Sartorius Practum Analytical Balance (Precision Apparatus)

The Sartorius Practum series of analytical balances offers a world

class weighing instrument that was designed and developed in
Germany, all with an affordable price. It features a high-
resolution weigh cell with built in overload protection and a large
interactive color touch screen for optimal visibility. A simplified
external calibration process is protected with a supervisor lock
mode the ensures the calibration is not tampered with. It has a
220 gram capacity and a 0.0001 gram readability.

Note: Follow your instructor’s instructions for correct use and

reading of the instruments.

Source: Sartorius PRACTUM224-1S | Sartorius Analytical Balances | Scales Plus

A.2 Triple Beam Balance

The triple beam balance is an instrument used to measure weight or mass very precisely.[1] Such
devices typically have a reading error of ±0.05 grams. Its name refers to its three beams, where the
middle beam is the largest, the far beam of medium size, and the front beam the smallest. The
difference in size of the beams indicates the difference in weights and reading scale that each beam
measures. Typically, the reading scale of the middle beam reads in 100 gram increments, the far
beam in 10 gram increments, and the front beam can read from 0 to 10 grams. [2] The triple beam
balance can be used to measure mass directly from the objects, find mass by difference for liquid,
and measure out substances.
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Parts
The parts of triple beam balance are
identified as the following.
1. Weighing pan - The area in
which an object is placed in
order to be weighed.
2. Base - The base rests
underneath the weighing pan
and can usually be customized
to fit on a workbench or set up
with tripod legs.

Source: triple balance beam diagram - Search

3. Beams - The three beams on the balance are used to set the level of precision, with each
beam working at different increments (1-10 grams, 10 grams and 100 grams). When using
the triple beam balance, it is recommended that one start with the lowest level of precision
(e.g 100 gram increments). For example, if an object weighs 327 grams, the 100 gram
pointer will drop below the fixed mark on the 4th notch (400g); it will then need to be
moved back to the third notch (300g). This process will then need to be repeated for the 10
gram increments (20g) and then single figure units (7g).
4. Riders - The riders are the sliding pointers placed on top of the balance beams to indicate
the mass in grams on the pan and beam.
5. Pointers - The scale pointer marks the equal point of the object's mass on the scale and mass
on the beam
6. Zero adjustment knob - This is used to manually adjust the triple beam balance to the 'zero'
mark (check to ensure that the pointer is at zero before use).

Before using triple beam balance, the scale pointer should be at zero. The zero adjustment knob can
be used to adjust the scale pointer. The objects are placed on the pan and the riders are adjusted.
The hundred rider should be initially adjusted and follow by the tens rider. The ones rider is adjusted
until the scale pointer is at zero again.

Source: Triple beam balance - Wikipedia

B. Dimensioning Equipment/Apparatus
B.1 Ruler

Source: Bing Videos

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A ruler, sometimes called a rule, scale or a line gauge or meter/meter stick, is an instrument used to
make length measurements, whereby a length is read from a series of markings called "rules" along
an edge of the device. Usually, the instrument is rigid and the edge itself is a straightedge ("ruled
straightedge"), which additionally allows one to draw straighter lines.

Source: Ruler - Wikipedia

The meter stick can measure distance to the nearest half a scale division, 0.5 millimeters (0.05 cm).
The ends of the specimen being measured seldom line up exactly with a mark on the scale, so
estimate any fractional part of the smallest division at both ends.

B.2 Vernier Caliper

The Vernier calipers can measure distance to the nearest tenth of a millimeter (0.01 cm). This
instrument is shown in Figure below. The Vernier scale on the slide measures a fractional part of the
12 main scale. To take a measurement, place the specimen between the large jaws of the
instrument. The hash mark on the main scale that aligns with the zero mark on the Vernier scale
indicates the length of the specimen to within 1 millimeter (0.1 cm). The zero mark of the Vernier
scale is the long line at the left end.

B.3 Micrometer

The micrometer calipers can measure distance to the nearest hundredth of a millimeter (0.001 cm).
The construction of this instrument is shown in figure below. To measure a specimen, place it
between the jaws (A and B). The spindle (B) moves by turning a precision screw connected to the
thimble (D). Turning the thimble opens or closes the jaws. The distance between the jaws is given by
the scale on the sleeve (C), which is ruled in millimeters. There are 50 divisions on the circular scale
of the thimble. It takes two turns of the thimble to advance the spindle 1 mm, so each division on
the circular scale of the thimble corresponds to an advancement of one hundredth of a millimeter.
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IV. PROCEDURE:
1. Record the smallest scale division for each measuring instrument in Table 1.1.
2. Then record your reasonable estimate of a “reading uncertainty” for each instrument, record
in Table 1.1.
3. Measure each dimension three times at different places around the object in order to obtain
a reasonable average over the whole object. Do this with each measuring instrument and
record your data in Table 1.2.
4. Calculate the densities of the objects and record in Table 1.3.
5. Calculate the percent error and other parameters with uncertainty of the coins and record in
Table 1.4. For cylindrical metal specimens, record in Table 1.5.

V. DATA AND RESULTS:

Table 1.1

Size of smallest division on Reasonable estimate of

Instrument
scale reading uncertainty

Table 1.2

Quantity Best estimate of

Object Instrument Readings Mean
Measured uncertainty
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Table 1.3

Object Mass (g) Volume (cm3) Density (g/cm3)

Table 1.4

𝜌std
Mass Diameter Radius Volume Density Percen
Coin Thickness
(𝑚) ± (𝑑) ± (𝑟) ± (𝑉) ± (𝜌exp) ± t Error
Type (ℎ) ± ∆ℎ
∆𝑚 ∆𝑑 ∆𝑟 ∆𝑉 ∆𝜌 (% error)
1 Peso
Coin
5 Peso
Coin
10
Peso
Coin

Note: Standard density values of the coins (reference from Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas)

Table 1.5

𝜌std
Cylindrical Mass Diameter Radius Volume Density Percen
Thickness
Metal (𝑚) ± (𝑑) ± (𝑟) ± (𝑉) ± (𝜌exp) ± t Error
(ℎ) ± ∆ℎ
Specimens ∆𝑚 ∆𝑑 ∆𝑟 ∆𝑉 ∆𝜌 (% error)
Aluminum
Copper
Iron

Note: Standard density values of the metal specimens: Aluminum = ; Copper = ; & Iron = .
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VI. COMPUTATIONS: (Use another sheet if there is not enough space.)

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VII. QUESTIONS: (Reference: PHYS111-LabManual.pdf)

1. Is there a “zero error” in your measuring instruments? If so, how do you make a
correction for this?

2. How do the results of using different measuring instruments compare? Are they within
your combined uncertainty estimates? If not, then what does this signify?

3. What is the most accurate instrument?

4. What, as a result of all your measurements would you give as the ’best’ values of mass,
length and diameter of the objects?

5. Would you consider the uncertainties you have found to be random (i.e. the probability
that the reading is too high is the same as the probability that it is too low) or systematic’
(the error is usually of the same sign; such errors may be produced by an incorrectly
calibrated measuring instrument or by a zero error)?
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6. How may random uncertainties be reduced?

7. How may systematic errors be detected and then eliminated or reduced?

8. What are the volumes of the objects? How accurate are your answers?

9. What are the densities of the specimens? How accurate are your answers? What units
have you used g/cm3 or kg/m3?

10. In the measurement of density of each object, is there a measuring instrument that has
Contributed significantly more to the uncertainty in the density?

11. If you needed to improve the precision of your density measurements, for each object,
what would be your first step?
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VIII. CONCLUSION:
(Summarize findings, highlighting any discrepancies, uncertainties, and potential sources of error.)
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Documentations: (Use another sheet if there is not enough space.)