Experiment 1: Errors, Uncertainties and Measurement

Laboratory Report

Nathaniel Timothy S. Ravelo, Adriel Mikael V. Reyes, Danielle Karol H. Reyes and Karlo
Jonathan A. Salem

Department of Sports Science

College of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Santo Tomas
Espaa, Manila Philippines

Abstract other quantity, and a random error is

The experiment conducted is about
measuring the diameter of an iron ball
through the use of foot rule (ruler), a
Vernier caliper, and a Micrometer caliper,
and measuring the weight of an iron ball in
order to get a variety of other data to study
about the errors that can arise from the
procedures and the uncertainties in the
measurements.
1. Introduction
All measurements are subjected to
uncertainty, because there can be no
measurement that can exactly how long,
how much weight, etc. an object has;
Measurements will always be incomplete.
There are two degrees of uncertainty:
Accuracy which refers to how closely the
measured value of a quantity corresponds
to its true value and Precision expresses
the degree of reproducibility, or
arrangement between repeated
measurements.
Aside from uncertainties there can be
two errors in measurement; a systematic
error, which is a component of error that
depends in a specific manner on some
associated with the fact that when a
measurement is repeated, it will provide a
different value.
In this experiment, the group should be
able to achieve the following
objectives:(1) to study errors and how
they propagate in simple experiment, (2)
to determine the average deviation of a
set of experimental values, (3) to
determine the mean of a set of
experimental values as well as set of
average deviation of the mean, (4) to
familiarize the students with the Vernier
caliper, micrometer caliper, and foot rule,
(5) to compare the accuracy of these
measuring devices, (6) and to determine
the density of an object given its mass and
dimensions.
2. Theory
Significant figures are very
essential in Science. Each recorded
measurement has a certain number of
significant digits. Calculations done on
these measurements must follow the
rules for significant digits. The
significance of a digit has to do with
whether it represents a true
measurement or not. Any digit that is
actually measured or estimated will be
considered significant. Place holders,
or digits that have not been measured
are not considered significant. There
are rules in determining the
significance of a digit. First, digits from
1-9 are always significant. Second,
zeroes between two other significant
digits are always significant. Also, one
or more additional zeroes to the right
of both the decimal place and another
significant digit are significant. Lastly,
zeroes used solely for spacing the
decimal point are not significant.
In propagation of errors, when
measuring some quantities, it is
evident that somehow it is recorded
with uncertainties. In calculating the
uncertainty, it must propagate to the
uncertainty of the value .Assume we
measure two values A and B, using
some apparatus. We know these values
are uncertain. By physical reasoning,
testing, repeated measurements, or
manufacturers specifications, we
estimate the magnitude of their
uncertainties. u{A} is the absolute
error in A, and u{B} is the absolute
error in B. The relative errors are
u{A}/A and u{B}/B.
Least count of any precision
instrument is defined as the least
distance travelled by it. For a
micrometer it is measured in the
following manner. Least count (L.C) of
a screw gauge = Pitch/ Number of
circular scale division. Pitch and
Number of circular scale divisions are
the two factors determining the least
count of Micrometer.
The Vernier principle is the
measurement of a continuous variable,
example a length, results in a decimal
fraction. Some digits are read off the
labeling of the scale, but the last
fractional digit must be estimated. The
main scale divides the unit interval in
ten equal parts, the vernier scale uses a
division into nine parts or a multiple
thereof. Both scales together will give
us a tenfold increase in resolution.
An ordinary vernier caliper has
jaws you can place around an object,
and on the other side jaws made to fit
inside an object. These secondary jaws
are for measuring the inside diameter
of an object. Also, a stiff bar extends
from the caliper as you open it that can
be used to measure depth. Preparation
to take the measurement, loosen the
locking screw and move the slider to
check if the vernier scale works
properly. Before measuring, do make
sure the caliper reads 0 when fully
closed. If the reading is not 0, adjust the
calipers jaws until you get a 0 reading.
If you cant adjust the caliper, you will
have to remember to add to subtract
the correct offset from your final
reading. Clean the measuring surfaces
of vernier caliper and the object, then
you can take the measurement.
Close the jaws lightly on the item
which you want to measure. If you are
 measuring something round, be sure by the number of observations for each
the axis of the part is perpendicular to instrument respectively. The Average
the caliper. Namely, make sure you are Deviation for the Mean diameter. The
measuring the full diameter. An iron ball was weighed on an electric
ordinary caliper has jaws you can place gram balance and then the volume was
around an object, and on the other side computed and then the density.
jaws made to fit inside an object. These
secondary jaws are for measuring the Average Deviation:
inside diameter of an object. Also, a d
. . =
stiff bar extends from the caliper as
you open it that can be used to
measure depth. Average Deviation of the Mean:
. .
. . =
In reading the measured value,
read the centimeter mark on the fixed
scale to the left of the 0-mark on the % Error of Diameter
|. . . . |
vernier scale. Then find the millimeter % = 100
.
mark on the fixed scale that is just to
the left of the 0-mark on the vernier Volume:
scale. Look along the ten marks on the 4
= 3
vernier scale and the millimeter marks 3
on the adjacent fixed scale, until you
Mean Radius:
find the two that most nearly line up.
To get the correct reading, simply add =
2
this found digit to your previous
reading. 4. Results and Discussion
Tables 1, 2, and 3 show the diameter of
3. Methodology a sphere in centimeters using a foot rule,
The diameter of the iron ball was Vernier caliper and Micrometer caliper.
measured by using each of the three Ten trials were made in order to attain
instruments provided, ten times for precise measurements.
each instrument. The mean diameter
was then calculated for by averaging Table 1: Diameter of Sphere using the foot rule
Diameter of Sphere (cm)
the measurements of each instrument
Trial Foot Rule
respectively. The deviation was then 1 1.6 cm 0.05 cm
taken by using the mean diameter and 2 1.6 cm 0.05 cm
3 1.5 cm 0.05 cm
each individual measurement. The
4 1.7 cm 0.15 cm
average deviation was then calculated 5 1.5 cm 0.05 cm
for as well by summing up all the 6 1.5 cm 0.05 cm
deviations of the measurements divide 7 1.5 cm 0.05 cm
 8 1.6 cm 0.05 cm a.d. 0.000054 cm
9 1.5 cm 0.05 cm A.D. 0.000017 cm
10 1.5 cm 0.05 cm Volume 2.0786 cm3
Mean Diameter 1.55 cm Mass 16.28 g
a.d. 0.465 cm Exp. Den. 7.832 g/ cm3
A.D. 0.147 cm Acc. Den. 7.8 g/ cm3
Volume 1.9468 cm3 % Error 0.41 %
Mass 16.28 g
Exp. Den. 8.362 g/cm3
The instruments gave precise
Acc. Den. 7.8 g/cm3
% Error 7.20 % measurements but not the exact
measurements.
Table 2: Diameter of Sphere using the Vernier
caliper
Diameter of Sphere (cm)
The Vernier caliper and the
Trial Vernier Caliper Micrometer gave a lesser percent error
1 1.580 cm 0.004 cm than the foot rule. Both of them has the
2 1.580 cm 0.004 cm
most precise and accurate values in
3 1.590 cm 0.006 cm
4 1.580 cm 0.004 cm comparison to the accepted value.
5 1.590 cm 0.006 cm
6 1.590 cm 0.006 cm
The % error obtained may be caused
7 1.580 cm 0.004 cm
8 1.580 cm 0.004 cm by uncalibrated instruments, misreading
9 1.580 cm 0.004 cm of an instrument, wrong measurement
10 1.590 cm 0.006 cm
procedure, the environment, or the
Mean Diameter 1.584 cm
a.d. 0.0048 cm person doing the measurement.
A.D. 0.0015 cm
Volume 2.0786 cm3 The Activity 2 requires the
Mass 16.28 g
Exp. Den. 7.832 g/ cm3 measurement of the width of the thumb
Acc. Den. 7.8 g/ cm3 using the foot rule in inches. Table 4
% Error 0.41 % shows the results.

Table 4: Width of thumb (in)

Member 1 2 3 4
Table 3: Diameter of Sphere using the Micrometer
Width of 0.875 in 0.875 in 0.875 in 0.75 in
caliper
thumb
Diameter of Sphere (cm) (in)
Trial Micrometer Caliper
1 1.5534 cm 0.00009 cm
2 1.5534 cm 0.00009 cm
The table shows that members 1, 2 and 3
3 1.5535 cm 0.0001 cm have the same width of the thumb but
4 1.5535 cm 0.0001 cm their measurements are not the same
5 1.5536 cm 0.0011 cm
6 1.5534 cm 0.00009 cm
since the measurement made by the foot
7 1.5536 cm 0.0011 cm rule is not accurate. And the smallest
8 1.5535 cm 0.0001 cm width of the thumb is member 4.
9 1.5535 cm 0.0001 cm
10 1.5535 cm 0.0001 cm
Mean Diameter 1.55349 cm
5. Conclusion
Random error is always present in
measurements due to the imperfect
observation of the handler of the
instruments, the limitation of the
instrument, and the other aspects of the
environment that can possibly affect the
measurement like dirt, etc.
Using the foot rule, vernier caliper and
micrometer caliper, respectively, the
researchers got an average deviation of
0.465cm, 0.0048cm, and 0.000054
By comparing the measurements of
each instrument, the one with the most
accurate in its measurement is the
micrometer sa it has the least differences
in its measurements.
What are the errors you
encountered in this experiment?
There were both Systematic
errors and Random errors
encountered during the
experiment, Systematic errors
were encountered because of the
misuse of the formula for the
volume which then led to errors in
the measurements of the other
data to be collected which
depended on the value of the
volume; and Random errors arose
because of the imperfect
observations of the handlers of the
instruments, and because there
are limits of the calibration for the
instruments resulting in different
measurements.

6. Applications 3) Sketch a) vernier caliper that

1) Which among the three reads 5.08cm b) a micrometer
measuring devices give you the caliper that reads 2.55mm.
least % error? Is the accuracy of
a measurement affected by the
least count of the measuring
device?
Based on the results of the
experiment, the Micrometer gave
the least deviation which was
0.000054 cm and the least % for
error which was 0.41%. The lesser
the value of deviation and % for
error the lesser the % it would
have for getting an in-accurate and
imprecise value of measurements.

2) What do you mean by error?

What are the types of errors?
 4) A student weigh himself using a
bathroom scale calibrated in
kilograms. He reported his
weight in pounds. What are the
percentage errors in his
reported weight if he uses this
conversion: 1kg 2.2 pounds?
The standard kilogram is equal
to 2.2046 pounds.
Suppose the student weighed
65 kg. With his reported weight
using the conversion 1kg=2.2 lbs,
he weighed 143 lbs. But with the
standard kilogram equal to 2.2046
pounds, his weight would be
143.2990000 lbs. Hence, in
calculation of percentage error
given the formula,

|. . . . |
% = 100
.

|143.2990000 143|
% = 100
143.2990000

% = 0.2086546

Hence, the 0.209% is the percent

error.

7. References
http://wiki.answers.com/
http://www.wikipedia.org/
http://answers.yahoo.com/