PRE-LAB QUESTIONS

1.Identify the smallest scale (with unit) of each measurement apparatus that will be used in this
experiment.

Measurement apparatus Smallest scale

i. Venier caliper 0.02 mm
ii. Micrometer screw gauge 0.01 mm
iii. Triple beam balance 0.10 g
iv. Measuring tape 0.1 cm

2. Convert the sample reading taken from each measurement apparatus into length and mass SI
units.

Measurement apparatus Sample reading Converted reading into SI unit

i. Venier caliper 36.54 mm 0.03654 m
ii. Micrometer screw gauge 7.70 mm 0.0077 m
iii. Triple beam balance 23.0 g 0.023 kg
iv. Measuring tape 14.2 cm 0.142 m

3. How does the thickness of a thin sheet of metal measured with a micrometer screw gauge
compare to its thickness measured with a vernier caliper?

A micrometer screw gauge can measure even smaller dimensions than the vernier caliper, so
the scale that measure using micrometer screw gauge give the accurate reading.

4.What are the advantages of triple beam balance compared to digital top pan balance?

The triple-beam balance is a simple and straightforward device that is easy to use. 
 Class Group: S40

Lab Group’s No: 3

CENTRE OF FOUNDATION STUDIES

FOUNDATION PHYSICS I
LABORATORY REPORT

Basic Physical Measurement

Experiment

Name Amirul Ashraf Bin Zulkarnain

Student ID 2023840552
Lab Instructor’s Name Madam Nurkhaizan
Date of Experiment 28 July 2023
Member 1 Muhamad Syazmil bin Hamidi (2023841112)
Member 2
Member 3

Marks

Comment
 ABSTRACT

The purpose of this experiment was to measure physical quantities accurately using various
tools. Firstly, we investigated the correct tools to be used in measurement. We used vernier
caliper to measure the length, width, height of a rectangular object. For cylindrical object, we
took it from discover density set to determine the density using micrometer screw gauge and
triple beam balance. To determine pi, π value, we used π set to measure it from the smallest to
the biggest disks.

INTRODUCTION

Length, mass, time, and temperature are the example for basic physical quantity and it can be
measure by using measuring apparatus and be written in System International Units (SI).
Measuring apparatus such as ruler, vernier caliper, micrometer screw gauge, triple beam
balance and, measuring tape give different precision in reading depending on the smallest
divisions in the scales. For example, the smallest divisions for vernier caliper is 0.02 mm while
for micrometer screw gauge is 0.05 mm.

To achieve the objective in this experiment, we measure the length, width and height of a
rectangular object using vernier caliper. Other than that, we also determine the density of
cylindrical objects after measure the height, diameter and mass using micrometer screw gauge
and triple beam mass balance. Pi, π value also determine in this experiment using disk starting
from the smallest to the biggest disk. Below is the equation for the volume, V of the cylinder:

V = π r2 h
Below the equation for density, ρ :

ρ = m/V

ρ = density, kg/m3, or g/(cm)3

m = mass, in kg or g

V = volume, in m3 or (cm)3

 METHODOLOGY

A. Measurement of a rectangular object

1. Brought one rectangular object.

2. A vernier caliper was used to measure the length, width, and height of the rectangular
object. The reading was recorded in Table 1.1.
3. Steps 2 was repeated to obtain three sets of readings. The average value calculated.

B. Measurement of cylindrical objects

1. Two cylindrical objects were selected in the discover density set.

2. A micrometer screw gauge was used to measure the diameter to obtain the radius and
height of the cylindrical objects.
3. A triple beam mass balance was used to measure the mass of the cylindrical objects.
The reading was recorded in Table 1.2 and Table 1.3 respectively.
4. Steps 2 and 3 were repeated to obtain three sets of readings. The average value
calculated.

C. Determine the value of π by using π set.

1. The circumference and diameter were measured for all disks from the smallest to the
biggest.
2. The reading was recorded in Table 1.4
3. Step 1 was repeated to obtain three sets of readings. The average value calculated.

RESULTS

A. Rectangular Object
Table 1.1

Rectangular Object
Measurement Length, l (m) Width, w (m) Height, h (m)
(± 0.00002) (± 0.00002) (± 0.00002)
Reading 1, a1 0.01902 0.01270 0.02590
Reading 2, a2 0.01902 0.01270 0.02596
Reading 3, a3 0.01910 0.01270 0.02592
Average reading, ã 0.01904 0.01270 0.02593

B. Cylindrical Object
Table 1.2

Cylindrical Object A
Measurement Radius, r (m) Height, h (m) Mass, m (kg) Diameter, d
(± 0.00001) (± 0.00001) (± 0.0001) (m)
(± 0.00001)
Reading 1, a1 0.011100 0.01021 0.0061 0.02220
Reading 2, a2 0.011105 0.01020 0.0066 0.02221
Reading 3, a3 0.011105 0.01021 0.0066 0.02221
Average reading, ã 0.0111033333333 0.010206666666 0.0064 0.02221
333 6667
 Table 1.3

Cylindrical Object B
Measurement Radius, r (m) Height, h (m) Mass, m (kg) Diameter, d
(± 0.00001) (± 0.00001) (± 0.0001) (m)
(± 0.00001)
Reading 1, a1 0.01110 0.02010 0.0110 0.02220
Reading 2, a2 0.01109 0.02007 0.0112 0.02217
Reading 3, a3 0.01111 0.02011 0.0113 0.02222
Average reading, ã 0.01110 0.020093333333 0.011166666666 0.0221966666
3333 6667 6666670

C. Disk
Table 1.4

Disk 1 Disk 2 Disk 3 Disk 4

Measurement Circumference, C (m)
(± 0.001)
Reading 1, a1 0.161 0.199 0.277 0.312
Reading 2, a2 0.162 0.199 0.277 0.312
Reading 3, a3 0.161 0.200 0.277 0.312
Average reading, ã 0.1613333333 0.199333333333 0.277 0.312
33333 333
Measurement Diameter, d (m)
(± 0.001)
Reading 1, a1 0.050 0.064 0.088 0.100
Reading 2, a2 0.050 0.064 0.087 0.100
Reading 3, a3 0.051 0.064 0.087 0.100
Average reading, ã 0.0503333333 0.064 0.087333333333 0.100
3333330 3333

ANALYSIS

A. Rectangular Object

Rectangular Object
Measurement Length, l (m) Width, w (m) Height, h (m)
(± 0.00002) (± 0.00002) (± 0.00002)
Deviation, │a1 – ã │ 0.00002 0.00000 0.00003
Deviation, │a2 – ã │ 0.00002 0.00000 0.00003
Deviation, │a3 – ã │ 0.00006 0.00000 0.00001
Standard deviation, 𝜎 0.00005 0.00000 0.00003
B. Cylindrical Object

i. The deviation and standard deviation,

Cylindrical Object A
Measurement Radius, r (m) Height, h (m) Mass, m (kg)
(± 0.00001) (± 0.00001) (± 0.00001)
Deviation, │a1 – ã │ 0.00007 0.00000 0.0003
Deviation, │a2 – ã │ 0.00008 0.00001 0.0002
Deviation, │a3 – ã │ 0.00008 0.00000 0.0002
Standard deviation, 𝜎 0.00009 0.00001 0.0003
 Cylindrical Object B
Measurement Radius, r (m) Height, h (m) Mass, m (kg)
(± 0.00001) (± 0.00001) (± 0.0001)
Deviation, │a1 – ã │ 0.00000 0.00001 0.00020
Deviation, │a2 – ã │ 0.00001 0.00002 0.00000
Deviation, │a3 – ã │ 0.00001 0.00002 0.00010
Standard deviation, 𝜎 0.00001 0.00002 0.00016
ii. the density,
 iii. the uncertainty for cylindrical objects

C. Disk

Circumference, (m) vs Diameter, (m)

0.35

0.312
0.3 f(x) = 3.13578613022763 x + 0.0010256749602964
0.277
Circumference, (m)

0.25

0.2 0.199

0.161
0.15

0.1

0.05

0 0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12

Diameter, (m)
To calculate percentage error of gradient, use this formula:

Percentage error = 0.18%

DISCUSSION