Lab: Measurements and Quantities

Naim Slim Gilio A01236074

Sofía Montes López de Lara A01235945
Jesus Angel Garcia Marrufo A01234710
Purpose: To develop scientific enquiry competencies: using appropriate tools and techniques to
collect and record data.
Format: Collaborative
Competency: Selects and applies data collection techniques, using appropriate instruments,
materials, and equipment; records and organizes the data in the format required by the
investigation.
A note about APA Format for Tables: Table number in bold above the table. Brief title, in italics
and title case, below the table number. No vertical lines. Clear concise labels for column and row
headings. Any relevant notes below the table.
A note about units: Specifying the units of a measurement is a way of referring to the reference
standard that is being used. No measurement is meaningful without specifying the units you are
using.
I. Reading a Digital Instrument to Measure Mass
Material:
ü A bathroom digital scale
Procedure:
1. Construct a two-column table to record your measurements.
Table 1
Measuring mass with a digital scale
Mass (kg) Standard
Uncertainty
49.8kg 0.02887

2. Weigh one team member with a single reading on the digital scale. Record the best
approximation in Table 1.
3. Calculate the uncertainty and record it in Table 1. Show your work.

II. Reading an Analog Instrument to Measure Length

Material:
ü Wooden Ramp
ü Professional measuring tape
 ü Sewing tape measure
Procedure:
1. Construct a three-column table to record your measurements.
Table 2
Measuring distance with different instruments
Measuring device Distance (cm) Standard
Uncertainty
Professional tape 141cm 0.2041
Sewing tape 141cm 0.2041

2. Measure the length of the ramp with the professional tape. Record the best approximation
in Table 2.
3. Calculate the uncertainty of the previous measurement and record it in Table 2. Show
your work.
4. Measure the length of the ramp with the sewing tape. Record the best approximation in
Table 2.
5. Calculate the uncertainty of the previous measurement and record it in Table 2. Show
your work.

III. Reading an Analog Instrument to Measure Temperature

Material:
ü Thermometer
ü Sanitizing gel
Procedure:
1. Construct a two-column table to record your measurements.
Table 3
Measuring Temperature with an Analog Thermometer
Temperature Standard
(°C) Uncertainty
25ºC 0.2041

2. Insert the thermometer into the sanitizing gel bottle to measure its temperature. Record
the best approximation in Table 3.
3. Calculate the uncertainty of the previous measurement and record it in Table 3. Show
your work.

IV. Repeated Trials

Material:
ü K’NEX Ferris Wheel model
 ü Stopwatch
ü Measuring tape
Procedure:
1. Construct a two-column table to record your measurements.
Table 4
Measuring Time Repeated Trials
Number of Time (s)
Revolutions
1 9.83s
2 8.80s
3 8.92s
4 9.01s
5 8.80s
Average 9.072
Uncertainty 0.00029

2. Measure the time that it takes for the Ferris Wheel to complete the one revolution. Record
your measurement in Table 4.
3. Repeat the measurement 5 times. Record each measurement in Table 4.
4. Calculate the average time and the standard deviation using technology (Excel is
recommended). Record your calculations in Table 4.
Discussion point: Why do you think is it a necessary to do repeated trials for this measurement,
instead of a single reading?
To be more organized and more accurate with our answers. Also, because with the temperature,
time and weight it can give you different readings depending on what instrument we use to
measure it, either analog or digital.
Lab Report
Ø Prepare a collaborative report with your measurements and calculations. Write a
conclusion with your reflections on the development of the competency: Selects and
applies data collection techniques, using appropriate instruments, materials, and
equipment; records and organizes the data in the format required by the investigation.
LAB REPORT:
During our class in physics lab, we made a couple of experiments to understand more about
measurements and how to calculate the uncertainty. First one of us weight themselves in the
digital scale, after that we measure a ramp with a professional tape and then with a sewing tape,
we got the same measurement, but then we checked the hand sanitizers temperature with an
analog thermometer. Lastly, we used the Ferris wheel to measure time of the revolutions and
surprisingly we got very different results in each revolution. Finally, we calculated the
uncertainty of each experiment.
Conclusion- after our time in physics lab, we had a better understanding about the use of
measuring instruments and the importance of using both analog and digital to get more precise
answers and helps validate our investigation and use it in our daily life.

REFERENCES
Buffler, A., Allie, S., Lubben, F., and Campbell, B. Introduction to Measurement in the Physics
Laboratory A probabilistic approach. (2003).