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Measurement Lab Report

Decent Essays

Experiment: Measurement
Jay Ross
Lab Partner: Nick Jacobson

Abstract:
In this experiment, we experimented finding the fundamental quantities of length, mass, and time using many laboratory tools. We used a Vernier caliper, stopwatch, rulerm meter stick, wooden block, metal block, Dial-o-gram, different masses, and circular objects. We took into consideration the uncertainties of many different tools and objects into our experiment. The inherent uncertainties of different measurements and ways to propagate those uncertainties were learned during this experiment.

Results Preparation:
Part A- Estimation of Physical Quantities
Quantity Theoretical Value Experimental Value % Error
Time 30s / 60s 27:57s / 59:27s 8.1% …show more content…

Mass 5g/10g/500g 2g/10g/500g 60%/0%/0%
Length 100cm 112.00cm 12%

Part B – Measurement of fundamental quantities using more sophisticated techniques
Table 1: Dimensions and volume of the wooden block Wooden block
Length(cm) 7.45cm
Width(cm) 7.52cm
Height(cm) 3.75cm
Volume(cm^3) 210.09cm^3=210cm^3

Table 2: mass of the wooden block, density of the wooden block Wooden block
Mass(g) 159.5g
Volume(cm^3) 210cm^3
Density(g/cm^3) 0.760g/(cm^3)

Table 3: Volume of metal object Metal object
Length(cm) 3.8525cm
Width(cm) 3.810cm
Height(cm) 1.900cm
Volume(cm^3) 27.890cm^3

Table 4: Mass of the Metal Object, Density of the Metal object Metal Object
Mass(g) 230.0g
Volume(cm^3) 27.890cm^3
Density(g/cm^3) 8.247g/cm^3

Determination of π:
Table 5: Measurement of diameter and circumference of five circular objects Diameter(cm)-D Circumference(cm)-C
No.1 .935cm 3.1cm
No.2 1.265cm 4.2cm
No.3 1.565cm 5.0cm
No.4 1.880cm 5.9cm
No.5 2.442cm …show more content…

when circumference=3.1cm and diameter=.935cm,
Pi=3.1cm/.935cm=3.3

Discussion of results:
In the first part of the experiment, the fundamental quantities-length, mass and time were estimated simply by guessing. Even though it can be helpful sometimes to test a hypothesis, huge percentage errors in the measurements showed that human errors can be significant and therefore, we need more sophisticated techniques for more accurate measurement. For instance, using Vernier calipers is more precise than guessing the length or more accurate than the ruler.
Furthermore, the measurements from a wooden block and a metal object were taken to calculate their volume and density. In this case, the calculations were more precise but due to other sources of errors, which may be systematic, random or personal, the data was not 100% accurate. There are always certain uncertainties associated with any type of measurement and it is important to know that no measurement will be one hundred percent correct.
Proper use of
Lab Manual Questions
1. Why is it important for you to have a "feel" for mass, length and time (or more specifically, kilograms, meters, and

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