MEASUREMENT

Exercise No. 2
Group no.: 4
Names:Algerre, Ceila
Bagason, Joshua
Delos santos, Kelsey Marie
Lepon, Karl Micah
Ong, Regiena Murrae
Postre, Armon
Rosete, Shawn Karl

Date performed: November 22, 2014

Date submitted: November 29, 2014

Objectives
To measure length and mass using different measuring devices.
Abrstact
Every object has their own and distinct features that may differ in length, height and
width. One way in studying physics is to know the dimension of a specific matter or
object. In order to gather that data, the use of different measuring tools is needed.
An experiment was conducted to identity the dimensions of different objects (cube,
bock, cylinder, and sphere). The main objective of the experiment was to gave
information about different measuring instrument and their functions to the students. The
students used different measuring instrument like Ruler, Meter Stick, Platform balance
and Vernier Caliper. Those instruments aid the students to gather the dimension of the
solid objects.
To determine the mass of the object, each object was first placed on a platform
balance. This was repeated three times. The following objects are Cube, block, cylinder
and sphere, average weight was recorded (55.07g, 52.07, 102.17 and 94.5 respectively).
Next, with the use of the ruler, the dimensions were taken and recorded. The cube has a
dimension of 1.80cm by 1.83cm by 1.83cm (length, width and height) while the block
has a dimension of 6.06cm by 3.07cm by 3.06cm. With the use of the meter stick its
dimensions were taken and recorded. The cube has a dimension of 1.81cm by 1.78cm by
1.80cm (length, width and height) while the block has a dimension of 6.28cm by 3.07cm
by 3.03cm. With the use of the Vernier caliper, the dimensions were taken and recorded.
The cube has a dimension of 2.61cm by 2.63cm by 2.63cm (length, width and height)
while the block has a dimension of 6.83cm by 3.52cm by 3.61cm. The densities of each
object (cube, block, sphere and cylinder) were calculated. The cube has a computed
density of 9.14g/cm3, the block has a computed density of 0.92 g/cm3, the cylinder has a
computed density of 9.25 g/cm3 and the sphere has a computed density of 20.98 g/cm3.
When the Vernier calipers recorded data of dimensions was used the following densities
were found: Cube (3.05 g/cm3), Block (0.60 g/cm3), cylinder (9.30 g/cm3) and sphere
(44.15 g/cm3).

Schematic Diagram
Cube

Block

Cylinder

Sphere

Record their dimensions.

Instrument used: Ruler

Record their masses

Instrument used: Platform balance

Record their dimensions.

Instrument used: Meter
stick

Compute for their densities

Instrument used: Ruler

Record their dimensions.

Instrument used: Vernier
Caliper

Compute for their densities

Instrument used: Vernier Caliper

A. Using Meter stick and foot ruler

Dimensions of the cube using meter stick (cm).
Trial
Length
1
1.82
2
1.8
3
1.8
Average
1.81

Width
1.75
1.80
1.80
1.80

Height
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8

Dimensions of the cube using ruler (cm).

Trial
Length
1
1.8
2
1.8
3
1.8
Average
1.8

Width
1.8
1.85
1.85
1.83

Height
1.8
1.85
1.85
1.83

Dimensions of the Block using meter stick (cm).

Trial
Length
1
6.5
2
6.2
3
6.15
Average
6.28

Width
3.1
3.05
3.05
3.07

Height
3.1
3.0
3.0
3.03

Dimensions of the Block using ruler (cm).

Trial
Length
1
6.2
2
6.0
3
5.98
Average
6.28

Width
3.0
3.0
3.11
3.07

Height
3.0
3.09
3.1
3.06

B. Using Verniercaliper
Dimensions of the cube.
Length
Trial
1
2
3

Main Scale
1.7
1.7
1.7
Average

Vernier Scale
.94
.9
.9

Zero error
0
0
0

Final
2.64
2.60
2.60
2.61

Width
Trial
1
2
3

Main Scale
1.7
1.7
1.7

Vernier Scale
.93
.94
.92

Zero error
0
0
0

Final
2.63
2.64
2.62
2.63

Main Scale
1.7
1.7
1.7

Vernier Scale
.94
.92
.94

Zero error
0
0
0

Final
2.64
2.62
2.64
2.63

Main Scale
6.2
6.2
6.2

Vernier Scale
0
0
0

Zero error
0
0
0

Final
6.2
6.2
6.2

Main Scale
3.0
3.0
3.0

Vernier Scale
.08
.08
.08

Zero error
0
0
0

Final
3.08
3.08
3.08

Main Scale
3.0
3.0
3.0

Vernier Scale
.08
.08
.08

Zero error
0
0
0

Final
3.08
3.08
3.08

Average

Height
Trial
1
2
3
Average
Dimensions of the Block
Length
Trial
1
2
3
Width
Trial
1
2
3
Height
Trial
1
2
3

C. Measuring mass
Masses of the 4 solid objects.
Trials
Cube
1
55.1
2
55.0

Block
52.1
52.1

Cylinder
102.2
102.1

Sphere
31.4
31.5

3
Average

55.1
55.07

52.0
52.07

Densities of the 4 solid objects (using ruler)

Object
Material
Mass
Volume
(g)
(cm3)
Cube
Block
Cylinder
Sphere

Brass
Wood
Brass
Iron

55.07
52.07
102.17
94.5

6.03
56.93
11.04
3.05

102.2
102.17

Computed
density
(g/cm3)
9.14
.92
9.25
30.98

Densities of the 4 solid objects (using Vernier caliper)

Object
Material
Mass
Volume
(g)
(cm3)
Computed
density
(g/cm3)
Cube
Brass
55.07
18.05
3.05
Block
Wood
54.53
86.79
.60
Cylinder
Brass
102.17
10.99
9.30
Sphere
Iron
94.5
2.14
44.15

31.6
34.5

accepted
density
(g/cm3)

%E

1.00

0%

accepted
density
(g/cm3)

%E

1.00

0%

Guide Questions and answers

1. How do you compare the values measured by the meter stick and the ruler?
The ruler has a precise values measured compared to the meter stick. This is due
to the fact that a ruler has more detailed calibrations.
2. What limitations in measurement did you encounter in using?
Meter stick:
The calibrations are too far away that it does not record a precise value.
Foot Ruler:
The bold lines that represent numerical values of length can sometimes confuse
us.
Vernier caliper:

We dont know how to use the instrument efficiently.

Platform Balance:
The strong wind can move the platforms up and down. Patience is really needed.
3. What caused the percentage difference between the two methods in measuring the
density of the objects?
This caused by the calibrations found in the instrument. The details within the
calibration of the instrument are really important have a precise and accurate data
in computing the density of the objects.
4. Which do you prefer in measuring dimensions? Why?
I prefer the Vernier caliper since it has a detailed calibration and has a mechanism
that helps you measure an accurate data.

Conclusion
The activity informed us that identifying or knowing the dimensions of different objects
became easier if we used correct measuring instrument. Some recorded data in the
activity appeared to be different from each other may be due to the human error or
improper calibration of the instrument. In order to collect accurate and precise data we
must familiarize the different measuring instrument and their functions so we can easily
gather specific information.
References:
http://www.technologystudent.com/equip1/vernier3.htm
Date retrieved: November 27, 2014
http://www.physics.smu.edu/~scalise/apparatus/caliper/
Date retrieved: November 27, 2014
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/120Adensity.html
Date retrieved: November 27, 2014