MEASUREMENTS

OBJECTIVES
● Be able to describe the need for measurement;
● Be able to carry out simple measurements of length,
volume, and mass; and
● Be able to differentiate the accuracy and the
precision of a measurement
 4 pics 1 word

Identify the word by using the 4 pictures as a clue

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S N R U M B E
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R O P E A T I O S N
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S A E M R U E E M N T
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Z E S R E O
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A C C A U R Y C
Measurements
● The study of matter requires a certain degree of
measurements, a process of determining the extent
of the dimensions, quantity, or extent of something

● Questions such as “How much….?” ,“How long…?”

and “How many…?” simple cannot be answered
without resorting to measurement.
Units of Measurements

The most convenient system

of units is the International
System of Units (SI).

This system is the modern

versions of metric system
The name of the fractional parts and the multiples of the base units are constructed
by adding prefixes. These prefixes, shown in table, indicate the size of the unit
relative to the base unit.
Uncertainty in Measurements

● A measured quantity contains some digits that are exactly known and
one digit that is estimated. The estimated digit produces uncertainty in
measurements.
 Random Error and Systematic Error
● RANDOM ERROR (indeterminate error) is the
uncertainty that arises from a scale reading which results
from the uncontrolled variables in the measurement.
● It causes one measurement to differ slightly from the
next. It comes from unpredictable changes during an
experiment.
 Random Error and Systematic Error
Examples

a) When weighing yourself on a scale, you position yourself

slightly different each time.

b) Measuring your height is affected by minor posture

changes.
 Random Error and Systematic Error
● SYSTEMATIC ERROR (determinate error) is the
uncertainty that may come from a flaw in the equipment
used or design of an experiment. These error are usually
caused by measuring instruments that are incorrect
calibrated or are used incorrect.
 Random Error and Systematic Error
Examples

a) A worn out instrument

b) An incorrectly calibrated or tared instrument
c) A person consistently take an incorrect measurements
 Precision and Accuracy
● Precision is the consistency of a result. If you measure a
quantity several times and the values agrees closely with
one another, then your measurement is precise.;
however, if the values varied widely, then it is imprecise.
● Accuracy is determined when a certain quantitative
value is relatively close to the “true value”
Practice Exercise
Scientific Notation
● It is a simple way to write or keep track of very large or very small
numbers without having to deal with a lot of zeros.
● It provides a convenient way of recording results and doing
calculations.
 Practice Exercise
Convert the Following into Scientific Notation. Use until 2 decimal places for your
answers

1. 0.012345698632
2. 1 230 945
3. 87 576 788 432 234 543
4. 0.O6OO789653
5. 11 987
Significant Figures
● Significant figures are the digits in any measurement that are
known certainty with an additional one digit which is uncertain.
Significant Figures
● Significant figures are the digits in any measurement that are
known certainty with an additional one digit which is uncertain.
 Practice Exercise
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 Practice Exercise
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Rules for Significant Figures in Fundamental Operations
● In addition and subtraction, the answer must have the
same number of decimal places as the measured
number with the least number of decimal places.
● In multiplication and division, the answer must have the
same number of significant figures as the measured
number with the lowest number of significant figures
 Practice Exercise
Perform the following operations and write the answers in the proper
number of significant figures .
1.4.87 m + 36.578 m + 4.34 m
2.8.9 mL ÷ 45 mL
3.68.980 cm – 67.16 cm
4.45.00 ft. x 3.00 ft
5.14.4 g + 6.0 g
 Rules in Rounding Off

• Oftentimes, the answers to

computations contain too
many insignificant digits.
Hence it becomes necessary
to round off numbers to attain
the insignificant figures.
Rounding off, therefore, is the
process of removing,
insignificant digits from
calculated number
Rules in Rounding Off
The following rules should be applied to round off values to the
correct number of digits :

1.For a series of calculations, carry extra digits

through to the final result, then round off.
2.If the first digit to be deleted is
a) 5 or greater, the last retained figure is increased by one
b) 4 or less, the last retained figure is retained.
Rules for Significant Figures in Fundamental Operations
● Dimensional Analysis is a process in which a conversion factor
written in a form of ratio is used to change units given in the data to
the units desired.

The following are steps to be followed in doing dimensional

analysis :

a) Write the unknown quantity that is sought, including the units

b) Write all known conversion factors needed
c) Begin with what is known and then multiply it by the identified conversion factor,
cancelling similar units to get the unknown units .
Density Measurement
● Density measurement is one of the common
measurements done in the laboratory. It involves getting
Mass, Volume and Temperature of an Object.

A. Mass is the quantity of matter in the object. It is

determined by weighing the object, using balance. The SI
basic unit of mass is the Kilogram, but the gram is more
convenient to use.
Density Measurement

B. Volume is the amount of space occupied by a

substance. In liquids, the volume can be determined using a
graduated cylinder, while solids, the volume can be
determined by two methods.
Density Measurement
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Density Measurement
DENSITY is the ratio of the mass of an object to the volume
it occupies.