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General Physics 1
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1B – Physics 1 Subject Teacher:

PERFORMANCE TASK 1

A. INTRODUCTION

Measurement
Physics, as an experimental science, requires not only measurement but also an
understood agreement among experimenters pertaining to the standards used in
measurements. You know by now, that length, mass, and time are three fundamental
measuring units used in physics. The agreed upon standards for these undefined quantities
are, respectively, the meter, the kilogram, and the second. These three quantities, used
together, form a system of units called the MKS system. Other systems of units are the CGS
system which is simply a combination of smaller divisions of the MKS system, i.e., the
centimeter, the gram, and the second. One hundred centimeters is a meter and one
thousand grams is a kilogram. A more familiar system of units is the British system which uses
the foot (length), the slug (mass), and the second (time).

The objective of this lab is to become more familiar with these units of measurements
and to demonstrate how to use the instruments used in the physics laboratory. Keep in mind
that these units occur in a single combination of MKS, CGS, or, English system and that mixing
these units, such as meter, with grams, or foot and kilogram, yields non-standard compound
units. Thus, it may be necessary to convert measurements between systems to maintain that
same system, i.e., a length taken in centimeters, must be converted to meters, etc.

Error
An experimental error is not a mistake! It is the difference between a measurement
and an accepted value of something.
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For example, if you determine from an experiment that the acceleration due to
gravity is then the ‘error’ is the difference between that value and the accepted value of
9.8 m/s2. The error can also be expressed as a percent:
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B. MATERIALS
 ruler  triple beam balance  metal cylinder
 Vernier calliper  short bond paper  stop watch/ timer
 meter stick  small block

C. PROCEDURES
PART A (measurements will be performed by the teacher)
1. Pick a metal hollow cylinder. Measure the length and diameter (use a vernier calliper) of the
cylinder. Measure both the outer radius (r1) and the inner radius (r2). (Pictures/ images will be
shown by your teacher then you will read the measurements and record it). Be sure to make
at least 3 metric measurements. Convert any measurements to centimeters.
2. Calculate the volume of the hollow cylinder. E
3. Find the mass of the cylinder using the triple beam balance. Convert to grams.
4. Calculate the density of the cylinder in g/cm3.

PART B
5. Using a ruler, take 2 measurements, in centimeters of the length of the short bond paper. Be
sure to be consistent with which side you measure. Determine the average value of your
measurements.
6. Repeat the measurements, this time making the measurements in inches.
7. Cut the paper in halves and repeat both sets of measurements, remember to average at
least 2 measurements. Continue measuring and cutting until you have cut the paper 4
1
General Physics 1
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1B – Physics 1 Subject Teacher:

times.
8. Graph centimeters vs. inches. Use the slope of the graph to calculate cm/ in.
9. Calculate the percentage error in your result assuming that the ratio of centimeters to
inches is 2.54.

PART C
10. Using a ruler, measure the length and width of your room. Measure and/ or convert all your
values to cm. Record your data on the table.
11. Make two measurements of each dimension and get the average.
12. Compute for the area (Area = length x width) of your room.
13. Do the same using a tape measure.
14. Compare the values you obtained.

PART D
15. Using whatever timing device you have available (timer, watch, etc.) close your eyes and
estimate the passing of 20 seconds.
16. Your time will start the moment you close your eyes.
17. Seek assistant to your siblings or parents for your time. When you open your eyes have your
siblings /parents give your time.
18. Record the actual time that passed in and repeat three more times.

PART E
19. Our eyes and minds can deceive us and produce errors in our measurements and
perceptions! Using observation only, answer the questions in the column on the left. Then
measure the objects to the nearest tenth of a millimetre. Then answer the questions in
column on the right. Can you trust your own eyes? Be honest! (Refer to the PART E table)

D. DATA AND OBSERVATION

PART A
Length Outer Radius Inner Radius Volume Mass Density
cm cm cm cm3 g g/cm3
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average

PART B
Length

Trial 1 Trial 2 Average

cm in cm in cm in
1

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General Physics 1
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1B – Physics 1 Subject Teacher:

Computations(Slopes): Percentage Error:

PART C
Length Width Area
Trial 1 Trial 2 mean Trial 1 Trial 2 mean

Ruler

Tape measure

Which measuring device do you think gave Which measuring device do you think
the most precise area? Explain. gave the most accurate area? Explain.

PART D
Name Measured Time Average % error
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Give at least 3 errors that you encountered in this activity and identify if it is random or
systematic and give ways on how to minimize these errors.
Errors Types of Error Ways to minimize the errors
 1
General Physics 1
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1B – Physics 1 Subject Teacher:

PART E

References:

 Bauer, W. & Westfall, G. D., General Physics 1 (2016). McGraw-Hill Education. Abiva Publishing House, Inc.
 https://prettygoodphysics.wikispaces.com/file/view/Measurements.pdf/31102739/Measurements.pdf