LAB 1 : PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS WITH ERROR ANALYSIS

Name : MUHAMMAD SYAFIQ BIM SHAMSOL RIZAL

Student ID : 2023498288 Group : Date:
Lecturer’s Name:

Group Member(s)

1. 3.
4.
2.

Rubrics for Lab Report:

3 2 1 0 Score
Units are used Units used only Units are rarely Units are
correctly and in some key used or are not used or
Units consistently parts of report. generally incorrect.
throughout the incorrect.
report.
Data entered Some data A few data No data
with correct entered entered entered with
Data entry significant with correct with correct correct
figure. significant significant significant
figure. figure. figure.

Calculations Calculations Calculations Calculation

Data are correct. All contain few contain some steps not
Manipulation steps clearly errors. All errors. Steps shown.
laid out. steps clearly not clearly
laid out. laid out.
Appropriate Given Irrelevant No
Discussion discussion is discussion discussion is discussion is
given. partially given. given.
correct.
Appropriate Given Irrelevant No
Conclusion conclusion conclusion conclusion is conclusion
is given. partially given. is given.
correct.

TOTAL: / 15
1. Title : PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS WITH ERROR ANALYSIS

2. Objectives :

(i) To know and understand the utilization of apparatus to quantify the magnitude of
a physical property in terms of specific physical units.
(ii) To comprehend how error and uncertainties are determined.

3. Apparatus : Meter ruler, vernier caliper, micrometer screw gauge, stopwatch, triple
beam balance, A4 paper, glass block and marble / steel ball.

4. Theory

Introduction

Laboratory experiments involve taking measurements of physical quantities. No

measurement of any physical quantity is ever perfectly accurate, except possibly the
counting of objects. The discrepancy between the measured value and the exact
value of the quantity may arise from different sources. No matter how much effort is
put into the refinement of technique or into the improvement of the instruments, the
error can only be decreased in magnitude but never eliminated entirely. The error of
the measurement must be included in the obtained results.

5. Procedures

Experiment A

i) Measure the length of A4 paper of various dimensions using meter ruler.

ii) Tabulate the results that have been obtained in Table 1.
iii) Determine the uncertainty of the measurement.

Experiment B

i) Measure the diameter of a marble/steel ball using micrometer

screw gauge.
ii) Tabulate the results obtained in Table 2. iii) Record at least
three readings. iv) Determine the uncertainty of the
measurement.
Experiment C

i) Measure the length, width, height (thickness) and mass of a glass

block using vernier caliper and triple beam balance.
ii) Tabulate the results that have been obtained in Table 3. iii) Determine
the uncertainty of the measurement.

Experiment D

i) Measure the time required for a marble/steel ball to drop from 1.0
meter height.
ii) Tabulate the results obtained in Table 4. iii) Record at least five
readings. iv) Determine the uncertainty in the measurement of time.

6. Data

Experiment A: Measure the length of A4 paper for various dimensions.

Device used : meter ruler

Table 1
No. Dimension Length, l (cm) Uncertainty, ± ∆l Length, l ± ∆l
(cm) (cm)
1. Side A 29.7 0.05 29.7 ± 0.05

2. Side B 21 0.05 21 ± 0.05

3. Side C 29.7 0.05 29.7 ± 0.05

4. Side D 21 0.05 21 ± 0.05

Experiment B: Measure the diameter of a marble/steel ball.

Device used : micrometer screw gauge

Table 2
Diameter, d Radius, r Uncertainty, ± ∆r Radius ± Uncertainty, r ± ∆r
No.
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
1. 24.78 12.39 0.01 12.39 ± 0.01

2. 24.97 12.48 0.01 12.48 ± 0.01

3. 24.85 12.42 0.01 12.42 ± 0.01

Average 24.87 12.43 0.01 12.43 ± 0.01

Experiment C: Measure the length, width, height (thickness) and mass of a

glass block.

Device used : _______________________________________________

Table 3
No. Dimension Reading Uncertainty Reading ± Uncertainty

1. Length
(______)
2. Width
(______)
3. Height
(______)
4. Mass
(______)
Experiment D: Measure the time required for a marble to drop from 1.0 meter
height.

Device used: _______________________________________________________

Table 4
Time, t Uncertainty, ± ∆t Time, t ± ∆t
No.
(_____) (______) (_______)
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

7. Data analysis

i) Calculate the perimeter, P of the A4 paper and its uncertainty (ΔP). Give the
answer in forms P = (P ± ΔP) m.
ii) Calculate the surface area, A of the marble/steel ball and its uncertainty (ΔA).
Give the answer in forms A = (A ± ΔA) m2.

vvv

iii) Calculate the volume, V of the glass block and its uncertainty (ΔV). Give the
answer in forms V = (V ± ΔV) m3.
iv) Calculate the density, ρ of the glass block and its uncertainty (Δρ). Give the
answer in forms ρ = (ρ ± Δρ) kg/m3.

v) Calculate the time, t required for marble/steel ball to drop from 1.0 meter height
and its uncertainty (Δt). Give the answer in forms of taverage = (taverage ± Δt) s.
8. Discussion

i) Discuss the factor(s) that have contributed to the error(s) in the experiment.

ii) Explain how to overcome the factor(s) mentioned in (i).

9. Conclusion