Physics

Experiment #1
Date: February 8, 2024
Title: Area
Aim: To find the area of a suitable leaf using a graph paper

Apparatus and Materials

1. Graph Paper.
2. Pencil
3. Suitable Size Leaf
Diagram

Procedure
1. A suitable leaf was used, that covered two thirds of the graph paper.
2. The leaf was positioned on the paper, held down firmly and the edges were traced around
with a sharp pencil.
3. The graph paper was used to determine the size of the area of the leaf
4. The largest square are 5cm × 2cm =20cm2, the next smaller squares are 17 cm × 1cm2
=17cm2 and the smallest square is 15mm × 2mm =6cm2
5. The largest squares were labelled “A” and were counted and multiplied by 4 cm2
6. The smaller squares were labelled “B” and were counted and multiplied by 1cm2
7. The smallest squares were labelled “C” and were counted and multiplied by 0.04m2
8. The areas were recorded and added up to get the total area of the leaf

Results
Calculations
Squares Total Area
“A” squares 5 5 × 4cm2 = 20cm2
“B” square 17 17 × 1cm2 = 17cm2
“C” squares 15 15 × 0.04cm2 = 6cm2
Total area of leaf A+B+C 20 + 17 + 6 = 43cm2
Discussions
Area refers to the extent or size of a surface or shape, typically measured in square units such
as square centimetres or square meters. It quantifies the amount of space enclosed by a
boundary, in this case, the boundary traced around the leaf on the graph paper.
This method of finding the area of a leaf using graph paper is suitable because it provides a
simple and visual way to estimate the area. Graph paper allows for easy counting and
multiplication of squares, making it accessible and practical for measuring irregular shapes
like leaves. Additionally, using a leaf as a template ensures that the area measured closely
approximates the actual area of the leaf.
While this method provides a reasonable estimate of the leaf's area, it is not considered 100%
accurate due to several factors. Firstly, the tracing process may not capture all the intricacies
and irregularities of the leaf's shape, leading to slight inaccuracies. Secondly, the resolution of
the graph paper limits the precision of the measurements, especially for smaller squares.
Lastly, human error in counting and multiplying the squares can also contribute to
inaccuracies in the final result.

Precautions/Sources of Error
 Ensure the leaf remains firmly positioned on the graph paper throughout the tracing
process to prevent shifting and distortion of the outline.
 Use a sharp pencil and trace along the edges of the leaf as accurately as possible to
minimize discrepancies in the traced boundary.
 Take care in counting and multiplying the squares on the graph paper to avoid errors
in calculations.
 Be aware of any potential biases or inaccuracies introduced by the chosen leaf, such
as variations in shape or size.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the experiment aimed to determine the area of a leaf using graph paper. By
tracing the outline of the leaf and counting the squares on the graph paper, an estimate of the
leaf's area was obtained. The total area calculated was 43 square centimetres. While this
method provides a practical approach to measuring the area of irregular shapes like leaves, it
is important to acknowledge its limitations in terms of accuracy. Factors such as tracing
precision, graph paper resolution, and human error may introduce discrepancies in the final
result. Nonetheless, this method serves as a useful tool for obtaining rough estimates of leaf
area in educational and scientific settings.