MEASUREMENTS AND ERRORS

AIM: To calculate the density, 𝜌, of steel and the uncertainty, 𝛿𝜌, using a steel ball bearing.

APPARATUS:

DIAGRAM:

METHOD: 1) Weigh one ball bearing using the balance and record its mass, 𝑚. [Keep all measurements in g]. Also record
the absolute uncertainty, 𝛿𝑚 associated with the measurement (i.e. the precision of the measuring instrument).

2) Using a Vernier Calliper, measure and record the diameter, 𝑑, of the ball bearing. Do this for 5 different positions
about the ball bearing. [Keep all measurements in cm]
Also record the absolute uncertainty, 𝛿𝑑 associated with the measurement (half the smallest division of the instrument.)

RESULTS:

I) Mass of Ball Bearing, 𝒎 ± 𝜹𝒎 = _____________ ± ___________𝒌𝒈

II) TABLE 1 SHOWING THE MEASUREMENTS OF DIAMATER OF THE BALL BEARING

Position 𝑑 ± /𝑐𝑚
1
2
3
4
5

TREATMENT OF RESULTS

i) Calculate the average diameter and uncertainty and record this value.
𝒅𝒂𝒗𝒈 ± 𝜹𝒅𝒂𝒗𝒈 = ________ ± ________𝒄𝒎

𝒅𝟑
ii) Calculate the volume of the sphere, V, given that 𝑽 = 𝝅
𝟔

iii) Calculate the uncertainty in volume, 𝛿𝑉 using:

𝛿𝑉 𝛿𝑑
=3
𝑉 𝑑

∴ 𝑽 ± 𝜹𝑽 = ____________ ± _________𝒄𝒎𝟑

𝒎
iv) Calculate the density, 𝜌, of steel knowing that 𝝆 =
𝑽

v) Calculate the uncertainty,𝛿𝜌, in the value of density using:

𝛿𝜌 𝛿𝑚 𝛿𝑉
= +
𝜌 𝑚 𝑉

∴ 𝝆 ± 𝜹𝝆 = ______________ ± ___________ 𝒈 𝒄𝒎𝟑