PHY2048L

EXPERIMENT 3: Measurement Instruments (Mass, Volume, and Density)

Student name

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 EXPERIMENT 3: Measurement Instruments (Mass, Volume, and Density)

A. Least Count of an Instrument Scale

DATA TABLE 1 (a)

Purpose: To practice determining least count and estimated fraction of least count.

Instrument Least count Units Estimated Fraction Units

Meterstick mm mm

Vernier caliper

Micrometer mm mm

Mechanical balance g g

Graduated cylinder mL mL

DATA TABLE 1 (b)

Instrument Resolution Units

Digital caliper mm

Digital balance g

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 EXPERIMENT 3: Measurement Instruments (Mass, Volume, and Density)

C. Density Determination

Purpose: To record the dimensions & mass of a cylinder using different measuring instruments.
These cells must
Do not modify
DATA TABLE 3 contain a formula or a
formulas in these cells
cell reference

Use the same cylinder for all 4 methods

Enter name of material measured in Method 1 Method 3 Method 4
Method 2
(use digital caliper for length, micrometer for diameter, & (use digital balance &
this block. (use meter stick & 4-beam balance) (use digital caliper & digital balance)
digital balance) graduated cyclinder)

Diameter Length Mass Diameter Length Mass Diameter Length Mass Mass Volume
Reading
(cm) (cm) (g) (cm) (cm) (g) (cm) (cm) (g) (g) (cm3)

Ave. (Note 1) 0.00 0 0 0

S. D. (Note 2) 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.204

Fractional uncertainty = S.D/Ave.

(format as %)

Notes:

1. Use Excel function =AVERAGE()

2. Use Excel function =STDEV()

DATA TABLE 4 These cells must contain

Do not modify formulas
a formula or a cell
in these cells
reference

Purpose: To compare experimental density of the same material using different methods with the accepted density values.
Experimental
Accepted density Percent Percent
Mass Volume density
Object (Note1) error uncertainty
(g) ( cm3)
( g/cm3) (Note 2) (Note 3, 4)
( g/cm3)

Method 1
0.0%
Meter stick & 4-beam balance

Method 2
#DIV/0!
Digital caliper & digital balance

Method 3
Digital caliper, micrometer, & digital #DIV/0!
balance

Method 4
#DIV/0!
Graduate cylinder & digital balance

Floating object
Extra Credit
Graduate cylinder, digital balance, and #DIV/0!
(up to 10 points)
overflow can

Notes:
Substance Accepted Density
1. Identify material using the value from table at right that best matches your Metals
(g/cm3)
experimental density in Data Table 4.
Aluminum 2.7

% 𝑬𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓=𝑨𝑩𝑺(𝑬−𝑨)/𝑨
Iron/Steel 7.88
2. Error equation based on Equation 2.1 in Lab Manual. Brass 8.4
Nickel 8.8
Copper 8.9
3. Uncertainty equations for objects based on the propagation of uncertainties. Silver 10.5
Lead 11.3
Gold 19.3
Glass --
Crown 2.6
Flint 3.3
Wood --
Pine 0.42
Oak 0.75
Cork 0.24
Polymers* --

Poly(propylene) 0.861
Poly(methyl acrylate) 1.224
PVC 1.388
PVDF 1.675

http://www.polymerdatabase.com/polymer%20physics/Polymer%20Density.html
4. For single measurements such as mass, or volume, the
numerator in Note 3 is:

𝑨𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒈: (±(𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡))/(2√6)

𝑫𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍: (±(𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛))/(2√3)

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Questions.

1. Express the numbers listed below to three significant figures, writing the numb
notation and the numbers in the second column in powers of 10 (scientific) not

Value Normal notation Value

0.524 5,280
15.08 0.06021
1444 82.453
0.0254 0.000108
83,909 2,700,000,000

2.
Read and record the measurements on the rulers in Figure 2.9 to the nearest 1/
comment of the results.

Provide your response here.

3. A rectangular block of wood is measured to have dimensions 11.2 cm x 3.4 cm

(a) Compute the volume of the block, showing how each of the doubtful figures a
by underlining the doubtful figures on each side of the equation in the grey box

11.2 cm x 3.4 cm x 4.10 cm = 156.128

(b) Perform the calculation using Excel and show the final answer with the correc
the yellow box.

(c ) Were the measurements of the wooden block all done with the same instrum
tell.

Provide your response here.

4. In an experiment to determine the value of p, a cylinder is measured to have an

diameter and an average value of 13.39 cm for its circumference.

(a) Compute the experimental value of π, showing how each of the doubtful figur
calculation by underlining the doubtful figures on each side of the equation in th

13.39 cm / 4.25 cm = 3.150

 (b) Perform the calculation using Excel and report the experimental value of π to
figures.

(c ) If the accepted value of p is 3.1416, what is the percent error of the experime

5. In an experiment to measure the acceleration of gravity (g) two values, E1 and E

percent difference of the measurements, (2) the percent error of each measure
their mean. (Accepted value of g = 9.80 m/s2

g (m/s2) 9.80
E1 (m/s2) 9.96
E2 (m/s2) 9.72

6. Referring to the dart analogy in Figure 2.3 of the Lab Manual, draw a dart group
precision but good accuracy with an average value.

Click on & drag the red arrows at the right of the dart board and place the
on the board to illustrate the appropriate grouping.
7. Do the percent error and the percent difference give indications of accuracy or
between each.

Provide your response here.

ignificant figures, writing the numbers in the first column in normal
umn in powers of 10 (scientific) notation.

Scientific notation

rulers in Figure 2.9 to the nearest 1/10th of the least count, and
 have dimensions 11.2 cm x 3.4 cm x 4.10 cm.

g how each of the doubtful figures are carried through the calculation
side of the equation in the grey box below .

.4 cm x 4.10 cm = 156.128 cm3

how the final answer with the correct number of significant figures in

Computed volume (cm3)

(Use scientific notation)

block all done with the same instrument? Explain how you are able to

p, a cylinder is measured to have an average value of 4.25 cm for its

for its circumference.

wing how each of the doubtful figures are carried through the
es on each side of the equation in the grey box below.

9 cm / 4.25 cm = 3.150
eport the experimental value of π to the correct number of significant

Computed volume value of π

is the percent error of the experimental value found in 3(b)?

Percent error

on of gravity (g) two values, E1 and E2, are determined. Find (1) the
) the percent error of each measurement, and (3) the percent error of
(Accepted value of g = 9.80 m/s2)

1 Percent difference

2. (a) Percent error of E1

2. (b) Percent error of E2

3. Percent error of the mean

f the Lab Manual, draw a dart grouping that would represent poor
e value.

25
f the dart board and place the 50
uping. 75
100
 75
100

ence give indications of accuracy or precision? Discuss the difference

 EXPERIMENT 3: Measurement Instruments (Mass, Volume, and Density)

8. Compare the %Error, and %Uncertainty for each method in Data Table 4, and discuss as requested:

(a) What does the % error in Data Table 4 represent? Are they the same for each method, and if not what could
explain the differences?

Provide your response here.

(b) What does the % uncertainty Data Table 4 represent? Are they the same for each method, and if not what could
explain the differences?

Provide your response here.

(c ) Compare the % error with the % uncertainty for each method in Data Table 4. Based on your judgement, which of
the following best decribes each method (i) Low accuracy and high precision, (ii) High accuracy and low precision, or
(iii) The accuracy and precision are similar?

Method 1:
Method 2:
Method 3:
Method 4:

(d) Which one of the measured parameters (i.e. mass, volume, diameter, or length) was the biggest contributor to
the % uncertainty of the measured density (hint: look at the Fractional Uncertainty in Data 4) using Method 1? What
would you do to reduce the % uncertainty in this parameter?

Provide your response here.

9. Compare the experimental density of the cylinder obtained by each of the four methods in Data Table 4. Can you say
that one method is better than another, and if so why or why not?

Provide your response here.

10. In determining the volume of the irregularly shaped object, any air bubbles sticking to the surface of the object when
it is submerged cause systematic errors. Will this error give an experimental density that is too high or too low?
Explain.

Provide your response here.

11. Suppose that you were given an irregularly shaped object that floats. Describe how you would experimentally
determine is volume.

Provide your response here.

Extra Credit (up to 10 points) Must have completed Data Table 4 to obtain credit.

12. The floating object in Data Table 4 is presumably made of cork:

(a) Identify at least 3 sources of error in your experimental procedure and identify whether each is a systematic or
random error. (b)
Discuss whether or not they explain the cumulative percent error that you calculated in Data Table 4. (c) What is the
largest contributor to the percent uncertainty in the measured density and what is your basis for it?

Provide your response here.

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