PHYS 101 - Physics I

PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS

EXPERIMENT - I
MEASUREMENT

LABORATORY INSTRUCTIONS AND DATA SHEET

S. A. Çetin
 EXPERIMENT - I / MEASUREMENT

OBJECTIVES
- To familiarize with some measuring devices such as vernier and micrometer calipers
and digital balance.
- To compute volumes and densities of different geometrical objects.

APPARATUS
- Vernier caliper

- Micrometer caliper

- Digital laboratory balance

- A set of different geometrical objects

PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS LABORATORY WORK page: 2

 EXPERIMENT - I / MEASUREMENT

THEORY
Physics is an experimental science and as such it is largely a science of measurement. Many
measuring instruments of great accuracy and sensitivity have been developed to meet the
requirements of the physics laboratory. Besides an ordinary meter scale, the two instruments
in common use for the measurement of lengths and thicknesses are the vernier caliper and
the micrometer caliper. These two instruments will be briefly described and explained.

The vernier caliper

The vernier caliper is a device consisting of two parallel jaws one of which is fixed
perpendicularly to the end of a scale, the second being arranged to slide along this scale. The
second jaw carries with it a zero index and an auxiliary scale called a vernier. The vernier is a
device used to indicate
fractional parts of the
smallest divisions into
which the main scale is
divided. Figure on the
right shows a vernier
caliper and its parts.

The vernier, or movable scale, generally contains ten divisions, each of which is nine-tenths as
long as the smallest main-scale division. Hence the ten divisions on the vernier scale have the
same length as the nine divisions on the main scale.

In (a) it may be seen that both the 0 and the 10 mark on

vernier coincide with some mark on the main scale. The first
mark beyond the zero on the vernier is one-tenth of a main
(a) scale division short of coinciding with the first line beyond
the zero on the main scale. This difference between the
lengths of the smallest division on the two scales represents
the least amount of movement that can be made and read
accurately and is called the least count of the instrument. If
(b) the vernier scale is moved 1/10 mm, the next mark beyond
the zero coincides with a main-scale mark (b). If moved until
mark 2 coincides with a main-scale division, the total
distance moved is 0.2 mm. Thus it is seen that we can get an
accurate setting for tenths of a milimeter and not have to
(c) estimate them as on a meter stick. In (c) we see that the
zero on the vernier lies between the 6 and 7 mm marks, and
the second mark on the vernier scale makes coincidence,
the fractional distance is 0.2 mm, and the complete reading
is 6.2 mm, or 0.62 cm. By similar reasoning, the reading in
(d) (d) may be seen to be 3.7 mm or 0.37 cm.

PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS LABORATORY WORK page: 3

 EXPERIMENT - I / MEASUREMENT

Nearly all vernier calipers have the length of n divisions on the vernier scale equal to the length
of n-1 divisions on the main scale, and the method determining the reading is similar to that
described above. The least count is always 1/n of the length of the smallest main-scale
division. For example, in the figures on the previous page the least count is one-tenth of 1/10
cm, or 0.01 cm.

Micrometer caliper

The micrometer is an instrument designed for the accurate measurement of small distances,
such as the diameter of a wire or the thickness of a thin sheet. The spindle is the end of a
screw passing through the cylindrical sleeve carrying the scale. The object to be measured is
placed between anvil and spindle, and the thimble which carries the screw is advanced toward
the zero end of the scale until contact is made with the object at both ends. The distance the
screw advances when turned through one revolution is called the pitch of the screw. The type
most commonly used in the laboratory has a screw with a pitch of ½ mm. Hence if the divisions
on the sleeve scale are millimeter
divisions, the thimble will make two
revolutions while advancing between
two marks, a distance of mm.

Examination of the scale on the

thimble shows that it contains 50
divisions, thus making the value of the
smallest division on the head equal to one-fiftieth of ½ mm, or 0.01 mm. The reading of the
micrometer is taken by noting the position of the thimble on the longitudinal scale and the
position of the axial line of the barrel on the circular scale, and adding the two readings. The
reading of the main scale gives the measurement to the nearest whole main scale division;
the fractional part of a main scale division is read on the circular scale. Since it requires two
revolutions of the screw to make it advance a distance of one millimeter, it is necessary always
to be careful to note whether the reading on the circular scale refers to the first half or the
second half of a millimeter. In the given figure, the reading is 15.50 mm. Careful examination
of the reading and the position of the thimble with respect to the space between two marks
on the sleeve scale will always make it possible to determine whether the thimble has made
more than one revolution or not.

Density

Different substances differ greatly in their physical properties, a fact that makes it possible to
use for identification. Density, which is among these properties, is defined as the ratio of the
mass of a sample of the substance to its volume:

m
d=
V

PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS LABORATORY WORK page: 4

 EXPERIMENT - I / MEASUREMENT

DATA TAKING PROCEDURE

Part I

a) Measure the dimensions of the cylinder with the vernier caliper. Take three readings
at different places for each set of measurements and note in Table-1.
b) Measure the dimensions of the hollow cube with the vernier caliper. Take three
readings at different places for each set of measurements and note in Table-2.
c) Measure the diameter of the sphere with the micrometer caliper. Take three
readings at different places for each set of measurements and note in Table-3.
d) Measure the dimensions of the rectangular prism with the micrometer caliper. Take
three readings at different places for each set of measurements and note in Table-4.

Part II

a) Measure the mass of the cylinder and note in Table-5

b) Measure the mass of the hollow cube and note in Table-5.
c) Measure the mass of the sphere and note in Table-5.
d) Measure the mass of the rectangular prism and note in Table-5.

DATA ANALYSIS PROCEDURE

1. Calculating the Volume of Each Object

a) Find the average of the three measurements for each dimension of the cylinder
and note in Table-1.
b) Use the average quantities to calculate the volume of the cylinder and note in
Table-1.
c) Find the average of the three measurements for each dimension of the hollow
cube and note in Table-2.
d) Use the average quantities to calculate the volume of the hollow cube and note in
Table-2.
e) Find the average of the three measurements for the diameter of the sphere,
calculate the radius from the average diameter and note them in Table-3.
f) Using the radius calculate the volume of the sphere and note in Table-3.
g) Find the average of the three measurements for each dimension of the
rectangular prism, find the radius from the average diameter and note them in
Table-4.
h) Using the average quantities calculate the volume of the rectangular prism and
note in Table-4.
i) Write down the volumes of each objects in Table-5.
j) Calculate the densities of each object in Table-5.

PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS LABORATORY WORK page: 5

 EXPERIMENT - I / MEASUREMENT

2. Plotting the Mass versus Volume

a) On the graph paper plot the mass versus volume of each object.
b) Draw a best fit line. If it is possible to draw a best fit using just three data points,
where the fourth data point looks like an outlier, then do so; the outlier might be
a different material.
c) Find the slope of the line to determine the density.

3. Comparing results
a) You will be given the densities of different materials. Determine the material of
the objects for which you made a best line fit.
b) Compare your density from the slope with the known density value by finding the
percent error. The percent error of an experimental result is calculated by finding
the absolute value of the difference between known and experimental values,
then dividing this difference to the known value and multiplying by 100 to
represent as percentage; hence in our case the percent error of d shall be
calculated by:

23425672.89:
|,-./0. 1, |
Percent Error = x 100 %
,-./0.

c) If there were any data point which did not align well with your best fit then find
the density of that object by simply dividing its mass to its volume and try to
determine the material of that object by comparing with the densities you are
given for various materials.

d) Known Values of Some Materials

Material Density [g/cm3]

Sirius B 2.38 × 10C
Aluminium 2.70
Titanium 4.51
Crab Pulsar 9.87 × 10FC
Lead 11.3
Platinum 21.5
Silver 10.5
Iron/Steel 7.87

PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS LABORATORY WORK page: 6

 EXPERIMENT - I / MEASUREMENT

EXPERIMENT REPORT
Name & Surname: ………………………………..…………….……………………… SCORE: ☐☐☐
Experiment date: ☐☐/☐☐/☐☐☐☐ Page 1: ☐☐/50
Student Number: ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ Page 2: ☐☐/30
Section: PHYS101 ☐☐/Subsection: ☐☐ Page 3: ☐☐/30
Partner(s): ………………………………..…………….………………………

Do not forget to write the UNIT of each quantity!

Pay attention to SIGNIFICANT FIGURES throughout your work!
5.

Table 1
Hollow Outer Outer Inner Inner Outer Inner Net
Height
Cube Width Length Width Length Volume Volume Volume
1
2
3
Average
6.

Table 2
Cylinder Height Diameter Radius Volume
1
2
3
Average
7.

8.

Table 3
Sphere Diameter Radius Volume
1
2
3
Average
9.

Table 4
Rectangular Prism Length Width Height Volume
Measurement-1
Measurement-2
Measurement-3
Average

PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS LABORATORY WORK page: 7

 EXPERIMENT - I / MEASUREMENT

Calculations:

PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS LABORATORY WORK page: 8

 EXPERIMENT - I / MEASUREMENT

Table 5
Object Mass Volume
Hallow Cube
Cylinder
Sphere
Prism

PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS LABORATORY WORK page: 9

 EXPERIMENT - I / MEASUREMENT

RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS:

Table 6
Slope Point 1 Slope Point 2
Slope
x-coordinate y-coordinate x-coordinate y-coordinate

Fit Line
Density from Slope Material Error

Table 7
Mass Volume Density Material Error
Outlier
Point

Do not forget to write the UNIT of each quantity!

Pay attention to SIGNIFICANT FIGURES throughout your work!

Questions:

a) Assuming the precision of the experiment is 3%, compare your error to this precision
and explain the difference.

b) The reason of fitting the data in the mass vs volume plot:

- [TRUE] [FALSE] to combine three different measurements of the same material.
- [TRUE] [FALSE] objects which are made of the same material have the same density.
- [TRUE] [FALSE] objects which have the same mass have the same density.
- [TRUE] [FALSE] to calculate the percent error on the densities of different materials.

c) Please explain if you spot any mistakes you made in your work.

PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS LABORATORY WORK page: 10