Physics Precision Measurement Report

Abstract:
In order to learn and acquire the necessary skills in using a meter rule, vernier
calipers, micrometer screw gauge, laboratory balance, ammeter, milli ammeter,
micro ammeter, and a travelling microscope, we used these instruments to measure
the diameters, the weights and the length of a steel ball, copper wire and a glass
rod. Also, in order to learn how to execute the expression of data using significant
figures, we will take the measurements obtained, make calculations and obtain new
information from these calculations, i.e. the volume and density of various items.
Notably, the accuracy and precision of our measurements should increase with the
increase of the precision of the instruments used. This would be determined by the
calculation of the standard error.
Introduction
Measurement can simply be described as the process of determining the magnitude
of a quantity, let’s say, mass and length, relative to a unit of measurement such as
kilogram and meter. Precision measurement on the other hand can be described as
the process of evaluating the consistency of measurements by obtaining data using
several instruments. Various quantities have different standard units of
measurements (SI units). For the purpose of this experiment it would be important
to be acquainted with the various quantities and their standard units of
measurement.
Length
The measure of a straight line distance between two separate points along an
object. It can also be described as the longest dimension of an object. The SI unit of
length is meter (m). The other various sub units include centimeter (cm), millimeter
(mm) and micrometer (µm).
Mass
The measure of the quantity of matter in a body regardless of its volume or any
external forces acting upon it. The SI unit of mass if kilogram (kg). The other various
sub units include gram (g) and milligram (mg).
Electric current
The measure of the rate at which charge flows through a conductor. The SI unit of
electric current is the Ampere (A). The other various sub units include milliampere
(mA) and microampere (µA).
NB: It is important to note that the precision and accuracy are in fact not the same
thing. The accuracy of a measurement is the extent of closeness of the
measurements to the actual value. Conversely, the precision of a measurement is
the extent to which repeated measurements show the same results under
unchanged conditions. A measurement system can be precise but not accurate,
 accurate but not precise, both or neither. An accurate and precise system is said to
be ‘valid’.
Apparatus/ Equipment
Meter rule
Vernier calipers
Micrometer screw gauge
Laboratory balance
Ammeter
Milli ammeter
Micro ammeter
Travelling microscope
Copper cylinder
Steel ball
Copper wire
Glass rod
Procedure
In the first part:
1. The various zero errors and reading errors of the various measuring
instruments provided (meter rule, vernier calipers, micrometer screw gauge,
and laboratory balance) were determined and recorded.
2. The measurements (length, diameter, and mass) of the objects provided were
then taken using the appropriate measuring instruments.
3. The results were recorded.
In the 2nd part:
1. The various zero errors of the various measuring instruments provided
(Ammeter, milliammeter and micro ammeter) were determined and recorded.
2. The measurements (Amperes, mill amperes and microamperes) were
determined
3. The results were recorded.
Results:

ITEMS MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

Meter Vernie Micromet Balan Ammet Milli Micro Travelling
rule r er ce er Ammet Ammet microscope
caliper Screw er er
 s gauge X Y Z
Zero error 0.0cm 0.0cm +0.02m 0.0g 0.02A 0.0mA +4 µA 0.00 0.00 0.00
m
Reading 0.5m 0.01c 0.01mm -0.1g 0.01A +5mA 1.0 µA 0.02 0.02 0.02
error m m 5 5 5
Copper 5.9cm 5.59c
cylinder m
height
Copper 1.1cm 1.19c 11.82mm 15.00
cylinder(ex m g
t. D)
Copper _ 1.00c _
cylinder(int m
. D)
Steel ball _ 2.52c 25.09mm 4.692
(diameter) m g
Copper 5.1cm 5.96c _ 0.8g
wire m
(length)
Copper _ 0.15c 1.68mm
wire m
(diameter)
Glass rod 0.6cm 0.58c 5.79mm 2.8g
(diameter) m
Glass rod 5.1cm 5.16c _
(length) m
Current 0.4A 260mA 250 µA

Copper cylinder (weight): Manual balance-15.25g Steel ball:

Manual balance-4.9g
Electrical balance-15.00g
Electrical balance-4.692g

Copper wire-0.8g
Glass rod-2.8g

Volume Density of the material

Internal volume of copper
cylinder
External volume of
copper cylinder
Volume of the steel ball
Volume of the glass rod

Calculation of voltage:

Instrument Value of Density of the material

Resistance
From Ammeter
From milli Ammeter
From voltmeter