Lab 1: Using Basic Measurements in the Physic World

Student: Thomas J. Hill Class: PHY-110-100 Instructor: Prof. G. Camilo Lab Date: September 6, 2013 CVCC

Table of Contents
1. Introduction.....Page 2 2. Theory.. Page 2 3. Experimental Procedure and ResultsPage 3 4. Discussion And ConclusionPage 6 5. Bibliography.Page 7

1. Introduction The purpose of this lab was to learn how to measure and gather data. To do so, we (my group and I) used different devices to measure the mass, length, width, height and diameter of several different objects. Using the data we collected we had to further our findings by computing the density, volume, percent difference and percent error. We also compared this to data from a table about the average density of certain objects. Our main objectives included learning how to use certain tools such as a ruler, digital caliper, digital micrometer and laboratory balance to take measurements and learning how to calculate volume, density, percent difference and percent error. To achieve this we performed various measurements on a steel sphere, brass cylinder, brass cube, aluminum wire, copper wire and marker, using the tools. 2. Theory By using the tools for basic measurements we also practiced the use of significant figures when calculating the measurements. We used the rules of multiplication and division concerning significant figures: 2.1.Significant Figures and Error Analysis Significant Figures are used to express values that one is not so sure about. Such as 1.15, the person who came up with this calculation is sure of the 1 and the .1 but the .05 could be between a 4 or a 6. We use significant figures because nothing is exactly one-hundred percent in science. In our lab experiment we used this rule when dealing with significant figures because we only multiplied and divided: When multiplying or dividing numbers with different significant figures the answer should have the same amount of significant figures as the least amount of significant figures used in the equations. 2.2.Volume, Density and Average In this lab, we had to find the volume, density and average of measurements. Volume is the amount of space an object occupies. Density is the compactness of a substance and an average is the amount that is typically found in the measurements. We used these equations to calculate: Volume of Cube: Volume of Sphere: Density: METAL DENSITY (g/cm3) L*W*H = V D= Copper 8.94 r Radius Aluminum 2.70 L Length Volume of Cylinder: M Mass Brass 8.73 W Width V Volume Steel 7.90 H Height D Density V Volume
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Average:

M Measurements 2.3.Percentage Error and Percentage Difference Percentage Error is the percent between the exact value and some variation. It is caused because of the instruments; nothing is one-hundred percent in measuring. Percentage Difference is the percentage between two measurements. It can be used to compare two measurements of the same object. To obtain these two percentages we used: Percent Error: (
| ( ) |

Percent Difference: (
| ( ) ( )|

| | -Absolute Value M(n) Any Measurement 2.4.Measurement Techniques

| | -Absolute Value M(n) Any Measurement

Human and device use causes errors when measuring. This can cause various measurements for the same object or substance. To minimize errors, we always made sure the caliper and micrometer were set to zero when the device was properly closed. We also used the edge of the ruler to start measurements. To ensure the most accurate measurements we made sure the laboratory balance was zeroed out before placing anything on it. We also double checked behind one another to ensure we got the same measurement or relatively close to it. 3. Experimental Procedure and Results The first object we measured was the marker. We gathered the diameter by measuring it five times using the digital caliper. Then we calculated the average and percent error of each measurement. Table 1: Marker Measurements Marker Measurements Diameter (in Average Diameter (Of Millimeter) All) (mm) 18.36 mm 17.34 mm 17.79 mm 17.26 mm 16.84 mm 16.47 mm
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Measurement Number 1 2 3 4 5

Percent Error (%) 5.882% 2.595% .4614% 2.884% 5.017%

Then we measured the diameter aluminum and copper wire three times using the micrometer. We calculated the average diameter and percent differences of each wire measurements. Table 2: Aluminum and Copper Wire Measurements Aluminum Wire Measurements Measurement Diameter Average Diameter Percent Difference Numbers (mm) (mm) (%) 1 .501 mm .502 mm .199% (M1-M2) 2 .502 mm 0% (M2-M3) 3 .502 mm .199% (M3-M1) Copper Wire Measurements Measurement Diameter Average Diameter Percent Difference Numbers (mm) (mm) 1 .201 mm .203 mm .985% (M1-M2) 2 .202 mm 1.97% (M2-M3) 3 .206 mm 2.463% (M3-M1) After calculating these for the wires, we moved on to the thickness of a sheet of paper in our physic book. By using the micrometer we measured a sheet of paper at three different places (the top, middle and bottom) along the edge. We also calculated the average of our measurements. Now we had to gather roughly about all of the pages in our book and measure their thickness with the caliper three times also. We measured 597 pages at one time at three different places (the top, middle and bottom), then we calculated the average thickness from the three measurements. Then we calculated the percent difference between the average for one sheet and for almost all the pages. Table 3: Sheet of Paper, Almost All Pages and Percentage Difference Sheet of Paper Measurement Numbers Thickness (mm) Average Thickness (mm) 1 .060 mm .061 mm 2 .062 mm 3 .060 mm Almost All Pages Measurement Numbers Thickness (mm) Average Thickness (mm) 1 18.47 mm 18.45 mm 2 18.45 mm 3 18.43 mm Percentage Difference Between the Average of one sheet and almost all the pages (%) 99.34% After working with diameter and thickness, we began to work on the steel sphere and brass cube. These were a little different because we had to calculate the volume and density. First we worked on the brass cube; we used the ruler to get the length, width and height. We also used the laboratory balance to get the mass of the brass cube. After recording both
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measurements we used the formula for density to get the density for the brass cube. After the cube we worked on the steel sphere. To get the volume we had to find the diameter and radius and use the formula for volume of a sphere. Then we measured the mass of it on the laboratory balance (using a very light string to keep it in place) and calculated the density of it also. Then the percent differences and compared our calculated densities to the ones on page 5 of the procedure. The only difference than the other measurements were we had to convert millimeters (mm) to centimeters (cm). We also used grams for mass, cm3 for volume and g/cm3 for density. Table 4: Brass Cube and Steel Sphere Measurements Brass Cube Length Width Height Mass Volume Density Percent Difference (cm) (cm) (cm) (grams) (cm3) (g/cm3) (between the table on page 3) (%) 2.529 2.533 2.512 134.6 16.09 8.365 2.11% cm cm cm grams cm3 g/cm3 Steel Sphere Diameter Radius Mass Volume Density Percent Difference (cm) (cm) (grams) (cm3) (g/cm3) (between the table on page 3) (%) 2.54 cm 1.27 66.6 8.58 cm3 7.76 g/cm3 .894% cm grams Finally we worked on the brass cylinder. We measured the diameter using the micrometer and the length using the meter stick. We recorded the diameter in centimeters and calculated the volume and density. We also calculated the percent difference of this and the density on page 5 of the same material. Table 5: Brass Cylinder Brass Cylinder Length Mass Volume (cm) (grams) (cm3) 60 cm 166.6 grams 18.92 cm3

Diameter (cm) .6336 cm

Radius (cm) .3168 cm

Density (g/cm3) 8.806 g/cm3

Percent Difference (between the table on page 3) (%) .433%

4. Discussion And Conclusion After working through this lab, I became more knowing on how to use each instrument in measuring various objects for various things. I have learned how to use the caliper, micrometer, meter stick and laboratory balance. I have also gotten better to using the formulas included in this lab; along with the ones I am just learning (percent difference and percent error). I learned how to use the basic measurements in physics, I have become better at finding accurate and precise measurements, double checking and understanding and accepting the fact that nothing is one-hundred percent certain in measuring (significant figures) because of device and human error. I have also concluded that my findings may not
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be exactly the same as others but it can be relatively close, even to the ones that we establish as the norm (percent difference comparisons). 5. Bibliography Area and Volume Formula for geometrical figures. (n.d.). Israel Science and Technology Homepage. Retrieved September 12, 2013, from http://www.science.co.il/Formula.asp Camilo, P. G. (2009, August 28). Lab Procedure 01. Lab Procedure 01. Retrieved September 9, 2013, from www.cvcc.blackboard.com Define density - Google Search. (n.d.). Google. Retrieved September 12, 2013, from http://www.google.com/search?q=define+volume&ie=utf-8&oe=utf8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefoxa#q=define+density&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&safe=off Define mass - Google Search. (n.d.). Google. Retrieved September 12, 2013, from http://www.google.com/search?q=define+volume&ie=utf-8&oe=utf8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefoxa#q=define+mass&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&safe=off Define volume - Google Search. (n.d.). Google. Retrieved September 12, 2013, from http://www.google.com/search?q=define+volume&ie=utf-8&oe=utf8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a