GENERAL PHYSICS 1

MEASUREMENT AND CONVERSION

Goals
1. To measure and record length, volume and mass accurately with the correct number of significant figures
2. To convert between units using conversion factors.

Making Measurements

Measurements are central to science and medicine. Scientists and medical professionals need to read and report
measurements accurately and precisely to convey information to others. In this lab you will to learn how to read
scientific instruments and report the results with the correct number of significant figures. Measurements contain
certain and uncertain digits. The final digit of a measurement is assumed to have uncertainty and is usually estimated
from the instrument being read. You will be expected to carefully and correctly record measurements using the
procedures below for rest of the course.

Units of Length

We will use rulers to measure length. The standard unit of length in the metric system is the meter (m). A meter
is divided into 100 centimeters (cm). Each centimeter is divided into 10 millimeters (mm).
Measurements taken with instruments with a scale, such as rulers, should be recorded to the nearest 1/10 of
the smallest division. Two examples are below.

Smallest division on the ruler: 0.1 cm

1/10 of smallest division: 0.01 cm
Measurement should be read to the nearest: 0.01 cm

The object lies between the 7.2 and 7.3 cm lines. The space between
the lines should be mentally divided into 10 to estimate the last digit of
the measurement.
A correct reading of this instrument could be 7.24 cm.

Units of Volume
Volume is a derived unit based on length. The unit of basic metric unit of volume is the liter (L). 1 liter is equal
to 1 cubic decimeter (dm)3. There are 1000 mL in 1 L. A milliliter is the same volume as 1 cm3.
1 liter = (1dm)3 = (10 cm)3 = 1000 cm3 = 1000 mL

We will use several types of instruments to measure volume in chemistry class.

Beakers
 glass containers with straight sides
 used to hold, mix and heat liquids
 markings give an approximate volume
 beakers are not used for careful volume measurements

Erlenmeyer Flasks
 glass containers with tapered sides and a narrow opening.
 the shape is useful for swirling liquids without spilling and for limiting evaporation
 markings give an approximate volume
 Erlenmeyer flasks are not used for careful volume measurements
Graduated Cylinders
 long narrow cylinders with volume markings (also known as graduations)
 used to accurately measure volume
 some have a plastic guard to prevent breaks – it should be at the top of the cylinder.
 graduated cylinders are not used to heat liquids – the shape of the base does not transfer
heat well
 graduated cylinders are never used to mix substances or hold solids – solids get stuck at the
bottom of the cylinder and are difficult to mix and clean.
 using graduated cylinders
o various sizes are available, generally the smallest cylinder that can accommodate the
volume is used
o if two scales are shown, always read the scale that increases up the cylinder
o read at eye level
o read the measurement at the lowest point of the meniscus (the curved surface of the
liquid)
o read to the nearest 1/10 of the smallest division

Smallest division on the cylinder: 1 mL

1/10 of smallest division: 0.1 mL
Measurement should be read to the nearest: 0.1 mL

The lowest part of the meniscus is between the 45- and 46-mL marks, somewhat closer to 45mL.
Since the measurement must be to nearest 0.1 mL, 45 mL would NOT be a correct measurement.
A correct reading of this volume could be 45.3 mL. The final digit has uncertainty, so 45.2 or 45.4
mL would also be correct.

Units of Mass

A laboratory balance is used to measure mass. Mass is the measure of the amount
of material or matter. The metric unit for mass is the gram (g) while the SI unit of mass is
kilogram (kg).
The balance has a metal pan to weigh materials on. Around the pan, there is a
plastic shield and a cover. These protect the balance from fluctuations caused by drafts.

Using a balance
 Press the button labeled “tare” or “zero” until the numbers stabilize at zero.
o If weighing a chemical, place a weigh boat on the balance before zeroing.
Never put chemicals directly on the balance.
 Place the material on directly on the pan, or scoop into the weigh boat with a
spatula.
 If the last digit fluctuates, you may estimate its value.
 If the value continues to go up or down, use the shield and cover.
 Write every digit on the balance on your data sheet - never round off a mass
measurement. The final digit is considered uncertain.
 Weigh boats are single use. Dispose of them once used.
 Use the same balance for all measurements in an experiment
 Only weigh objects that are at room temperature.
 Procedures will often say “accurately weigh about 5g of X”, this means that you do need exactly 5.000 grams,
but whatever mass you portion out should be recorded accurately. For instance, 5.080 g and 4.952 g might be recorded
as an accurate mass of approximately 5 g. Trying to hit exactly 5.000 g is unnecessary and a waste of time.

Additionally, the objects you weigh should be at room temperature. Warm objects create air currents that cause
the balance to be inaccurate. You should also use the same balance for all measurements in an experiment.

Units of Temperature
A thermometer is used to measure temperature in the laboratory. Usually lab thermometers are in units of
Celsius. We can use the following conversion equations to change to units of Kelvin or Fahrenheit.

TK = TC + 273 TF = 1.8TC + 32

Reading a Thermometer
 The bulb of the thermometer should be completely submerged.
 The bulb should not touch the sides or bottom on of container, especially while heating.
 Wait for the temperature to stabilize before reading.
 Like all other instruments with scales, read the measurement to the smallest marking then estimate
one additional digit. For the thermometer on the right, the smallest division is 1oC, so the
measurement should be estimated to the tenths place such as: 17.8oC

Conversion Factors

Conversion factors are often used in chemistry to convert one unit to another. A conversion factor can be made
out of any two quantities that are equal to each other. We multiply by their ratio, the original units cancel, and
measurement is converted to the new unit.

Equality: 1 m = 3.28 ft Conversion factors: 1 m or 3.28 ft

3.28 ft 1m

To convert 2.68 m to feet, multiply by the second conversion factor – the unit you want to cancel should be in the
denominator.

2.68 m x 3.28 ft = 8.79 ft

1m

More than one conversion factor can be used in sequence when there is no one conversion factor to go between units.
For example, we can use two conversion factors to convert 2550 ft to km:

2550 ft x 1 m x 1 km = 0.777 km
3.28 ft 1000 m

When doing conversion problems, always write out units, always be sure that they are cancelling properly and verify
that the only unit left is the unit of you desired answer (in the case above, km).
 Laboratory Activity

Materials: string meterstick wooden block beaker graduated cylinders

Ruler metal block sand ice thermometer

Procedure

A. Measuring Length
1. Measure the circumference of your wrist using the metric side of a ruler. To do so cut a piece of string so that fits
around your wrist, then measure the string. When measuring be sure that you are estimating a digit!
2. Measure your height in centimeters using any instrument to measure length. Convert your height in inches to
centimeters and compare.
3. Choose any object that has rectangular prism shape. Measure the length, width, and height. Multiply these values
to find the volume in cubic centimeters.
4. Make your own conversion factor – measure the height of any cup in inches and in centimeters. Divide these
numbers to find the centimeters per inch. Compare this the actual value 2.54 cm = 1 in.

B. Measuring Volume
5. Find any objects with the following shapes:
a. Sphere – measure its diameter or radius (half of diameter) and compute for its volume using the formula
below:

b. Cylinder – measure its diameter or radius (half of diameter) and height. Compute for its volume using the
formula below:

C. Measuring Mass
6. Go to this website: https://www.geogebra.org/m/jyBeFScc
7. Measure the following materials in grams (g):
a. Pencil
b. Cellphone
c. Potatoes
d. Pillow
8. Convert the grams into pounds using the data below:
1 pound = 453.592 grams

D. Measuring Temperature
9. Using a thermometer, measure your body temperature thrice. Record your temperature in each trial.
a. Trial 1
b. Trial 2
c. Trial 3
10. Convert the three Celsius values into Fahrenheit and Kelvin.

Use this formula to convert:

From To °F To °C To K
°F °F − 32
1.8
°C (°C X 1.8) + 32 °C + 273.15
K K – 273.15
Measurements and Conversion: Data Sheet Name

Include the proper units for all measurements and show all your work for any calculations. Report your answer to the
correct number of significant figures.

A. Measuring Length
In all measurements, be sure to estimate the final digit and write

correct units.

Circumference of wrist 15. 6 cm/6 .14∈¿

Your height in centimeters (measured) 172 cm

Your height in inches 67.716535364∈¿

Convert your height in inches to centimeters using conversion factors. Show your work.
height ∈inches
cm=
2.54∈¿ ¿

cm=67.716535364 ∈ ¿ ¿
2.54∈¿ ¿

cm=172.0000005256

172 cm

How does this compare to your measured height in centimeters?

By comparing the measured height in centimeters and inches, we could see that the measured height in centimeters looks more
significant than the measured height in inches. They may look to have different values but convert the inches to centimeters and vice
versa; they have the same value but a different number size. The value of these two is the same; it's just that 1-inch is equals 2.54cm and
vice versa. Comparing the inches and cm is just like a conversion of money where the numbers may look different, but have just the same
value once converted to another currency.
Rectangular prism picture:

Length :12 cm width :7 cm height :14 cm

Calculate the volume of the block in cm3.

V =lwh
V =12cm ∙7 cm ∙14 cm
V =1,260 c m3

Height of cup in centimeters 9.2cm Height of cup in inches 3.66in

Convert (show your solution)

I was comparing my answer to the actual centimeters per
inch, which is 1∈¿ 2.54 cm. I could tell that my
measurement is not accurate, wherein at my actual answer,
there is a .18cm difference from the original.
 9.2
B. =2.62 centimeters per inchMeasuring Volume
3.66
Step 5: solve for the volume of the objects which has spherical and cylindrical shapes. Show your solution. Attach
a picture of the objects to this file

a. Volume of sphere: (solution and picture)

Diameter: 11.5 cm Radius: 5.75
4 3
V= πr
3
V= ()4
3
( 3.1415926535897 )( 5.75 )3

V= ()4
3
( 3.1415926535897 ) (190.109375)
V = ( 4.1887902047863 ) ¿)
V =796.32828783806

b. Volume of cylinder: (solution and picture)

Height :15.4 cm Raduis :3.1cm
2
V =π r h
2
V = ( 3.1415926535897 )( 3.1 ) (15.4)
V = ( 3.1415926535897 ) (9.61)(15.4)
V =(30.190705400997)(15.4)
V =464.93686317536

C. Measuring Mass
Item measured mass Pounds (show your solution) Kg (show your solution)
in grams
pencil
28.35 g 0.06250110023122lb 0.02835 kg

cellphone
155 g 0.3417167851284 lb 0.155 kg

potatoes
4536 g 10.000176369953lb 4.536 kg

pillow
1360.78 g 3.0000088184976 lb 1.36078 kg

1 lb=453.592 g 1 kg=1000 g

Pencil(g−kg)
Pencil(g−lb) 28.35 g 1 kg
28.35 g 1 lb kg= ∙
lb= ∙ 1000 g 1 g
453.592 g 1 g 1 kg
kg=0.02835 g ∙
1g
1lb kg=0.02835 ∙ 1kg
lb=0.06250110023122 g ∙
1g
 Potatoes(g−lb)
Cellphone(g−lb) Potatoes(g−lb)
1360.78 g 1 lb
155 g 1 lb 4536 g 1 lb lb= ∙
lb= ∙ lb= ∙ 453.592 g 1 g
453.592 g 1 g 453.592 g 1 g 1lb
1 lb 1lb lb=3.0000088184976 g ∙
lb=0.3417167851284 g ∙ lb=10.000176369953 g ∙ 1g
1g 1g lb=3.0000088184976 ∙1 lb
lb=0.3417167851284 ∙ 1lb lb=10.000176369953 ∙1 lb lb=3.0000088184976 lb
lb=0.3417167851284 lb lb=10.000176369953 lb

Pillow(g−kg)
1360.78 g 1 kg
kg= ∙
1000 g 1g
1 kg
kg=1.36078 g ∙
1g
kg=1.36078 ∙1 kg
kg=1.36078 kg

D. Measuring Temperature
Substance Temperature Convert to °F (show your solution) Convert to K (show your solution)
Trial 1 ( ° C ∙1.8 )+32
( 36.4 ∙ 1.8 ) +32 ° C+273.15
36.4 ° C 65.52+32 36.4+ 273.15
97.52 ° F 309.55

Trial 2 ( ° C ∙1.8 )+32

( 36.2 ∙1.8 ) +32 ° C+273.15
36.2 ° C 65.16+32 36.2+273.15
97.16 ° F 309.35

Trial 3 ( ° C ∙1.8 )+32

( 36.5 ∙1.8 )+32 ° C+273.15
36.5 ° C 65.7+32 36.4+ 273.15
97.7 ° F 309.65
 Measurements and Conversion: Post Lab Name JEROME B. ALFONSO

Read the following:

15.7 ml 1.51 ml 8.11 ° C

10.7 cm

Solve for the volume of the block below (use a ruler to measure each side)