THE UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA

COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

COURSE NAME: PHYSICS PRACTICAL I

COURSE CODE: PH 1103

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: MR.MPANGO

EXPERIMENT NUMBER: 02

TITLE OF EXPERIMENT: MEASUREMENT OF MASS, TIME AND LENGTH

NATURE OF WORK: INDIVIDUAL LAB REPORT

STUDENT NAME: DOTTO VITUS JAMES

REGISTRATION NO .T21-03-02798

DEGREE PRO: BSC – EDUCATION

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2022/2023

DATE OF CONDUCT: 01st December, 2022

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08th December, 2022

OTHER PARTICIPANTS

S/N NAME REG NUMBER PROGRAMME SIGNATURE

1 YOEL M T21-03-11934 BSC-

DAGHARO EDUCATION

2 ANTONY C T21-03-02704 BSC-

JOSEPH EDUCATION

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 Table of Contents

ABSTRACT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTRODUCTION -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

THEORY OF EXPERIMENT----------------------------------------------------------------

METHODOLOGY------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS-----------------------------------------------------------------

DATA ANALYSIS -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS------------------------------------------------------------------

CONCLUSION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

REFERENCES-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ABSTRACT

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 This experiment was based on measurements of basic fundamental quantities such
as mass, length and time.but measurement involves assigning a number into numerical form
for observation or events.

The fundamental quantity refers to the quantity which does not depend on other
quantity.In each fundamental quantity different apparatus were used to take measurement for
example digital and triple beam balance were used to measure mass of different objects such
as , meter rule, tape measure , vernier caliper and micrometer screw gauge was used to
measure the length of different objects also digital stop watch was used to measure time .

The results obtained when using digital balance mass of copper calorimeter,
negligible weight and wooden block was 34.56g ,4.3g and 181.86g.and when using triple
beam balance the mass of mass of copper calorimeter, negligible weight and wooden block
was 37.7g ,4.3g and 193.7g. shows that measurements is very important in everyday life and
in any measurement carefulness should be consider so as to minimize errors during
measurements.

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 INTRODUCTION

Measurements is the process of assigning a number to observation or events into numerical

form. It involves measurements of a physical quantities, there are two types of physical
quantities which are;

 Basic fundamental physical quantities

 Derived physical quantities

Basic fundamental physical quantity are the quantities in nature that cannot be
obtained from any other quantities such as mass, length and time.

Derived quantities are the quantities that can be formed by combining two or more
basic fundamental quantities .example of derived quantities are force, area, velocity.

The following are the basic fundamental physical quantities;

Mass is the quantity of matter in an object, and can be measured by using

triple balance, and digital balance.

When an object is measured by using digital balance the mass obtained is

more accuracy because digital balance is very sensitive weighting balance which measure
masses to accuracy of 0.001 than when measured by triple beam balance. The SI unit of mass
is gram (g), kilogram (kg).

Length is the distance between two points or objects, SI unit of length are
meter (m), centimeter (cm) which are commonly used in measurement of length. The
following are the instrument which are used to measure the length of various objects;

Vernier caliper is an instrument used to measure small lengths with

greater degree of accuracy than a meter rule. Measurement by use of vernier calipers are
obtained to the nearest hundredth of a centimeter (0.01 cm).

Micrometer screw gauge is an instrument used to measure the length which

gives reading for greater precision (i.e. measurement can be obtained to the nearest
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thousandth of millimeter (0. 001) hence it is usually used to measure the diameters of thin
objects .

Meter rule and tape measure are used to measure length of object at long distance than
vernier calliper and micrometer screw gauge.

Time is the time interval between two events. SI unit of time are minutes
and seconds (sec). A stopwatch is a device that is used to measure time, and there are two
types of stopwatches which are; mechanical stop watch which are powered by springs ;digital
stopwatch which are more accurate than the mechanical stop watch

THEORY OF EXPERIMENT

In measurement ,three basic fundamental quantity in this experiment are measured which
are mass , length and time

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 Mass is the quantity of matter in an object, and can be measured by using triple balance, and
digital balance.

When an object is measured by using digital balance the mass obtained is

more accuracy because digital balance is very sensitive weighting balance which measure
masses to accuracy of 0.001 than when measured by triple beam balance. The SI unit of mass
is gram (g), kilogram (kg).

Length is the distance between two points or objects, SI unit of length are
meter (m), centimeter (cm) which are commonly used in measurement of length. The
following are the instrument which are used to measure the length of various objects;

Vernier caliper is an instrument used to measure small lengths with

greater degree of accuracy than a meter rule. Measurement by use of vernier calipers are
obtained to the nearest hundredth of a centimeter (0.01 cm). Also a vernier caliper has a fixed
scale (main scale) which gives reading in centimeter and millimeter and vernier scale gives
reading in the hundredth of a centimeter. Thus,

Reading = main scale reading + vernier scale reading.

Micrometer screw gauge is an instrument used to measure the length which gives
reading for greater precision (i.e. measurement can be obtained to the nearest thousandth of
millimeter (0. 001) hence it is usually used to measure the diameters of thin objects like wires
and ball bearing. Micrometer screw gauge consist of the main scale which is marked in
millimeters (mm) and thimble scale which is in divisions form; thus

Reading scale = main scale reading + thimble reading.

Meter rule and tape measure are used to measure length of object at long
distance than vernier calliper and micrometer screw gauge.

Time is the time interval between two events. SI unit of time are minutes
and seconds (sec). A stopwatch is a device that is used to measure time, and there are two

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types of stopwatches which are; mechanical stop watch which are powered by springs;digital
stop watch which are more accurate than the mechanical stop watch

METHODOLOGY

Apparatus used in an experiment

Meter rule;

> Used to measure the length of an object for short distance in

centimeters.

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 Tape measure;

>used to measure the length of an object for long distance

Vernier calliper;

> is an instrument used to measure small lengths with greater

degree of accuracy than a meter rule to the nearest hundredth of a centimeter (0.01 cm).

Micrometer screw gauge;

> is an instrument used to measure the length which gives reading

for greater precision (i.e. measurement can be obtained to the nearest thousandth of
millimeter (0. 001)).

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 Triple beam balance;

> used to measure mass of an object in three beam balance.

Digital balance;

>used to measure mass of an object with more accuracy because

digital balance is very sensitive weighting balance which measure masses to accuracy of
0.001.

Digital stopwatch;

>used to measure time between two or more events.

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 Rings (large and small ring), copper calorimeter, negligible weight, pieces of wooden block,
exercise book, wire and small round body are used to take measurement

Procedures used to carry out experiment

Part A

a) i)Exercise book and small pieces of wooden block were put on the table
and meter rule was used to measure the length and widths of exercise
book and small pieces of wooden block
ii) Procedure ( i) above were repeated two times and its average was taken
iii) Then , the formula below was used to calculate the perimeter of the book ;
P = 2 (l + w)
b) i)vernier caliper was used to measure diameter ( inner and outer ) of a
calorimeter, and
ii) Micrometer screw gauge was used to measure diameter of a wire and
small round body.

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 c) i) round objects ( large ring up to small rings ) were taken and the inner
and outer diameter as well as the thickness were measured
ii) procedure ( c i) above were repeated for three times in different areas
like R1 , R2 ,R3 , R4 ,R5 and average was taken and results were tabulated
as follows;

Diameter (cm ) D1 D2 D3 Average

R1 ( OUTER )

(INNER )

(THICKNESS)

R2(OUTER)

(INNER)

(THICKNESS)

R3(OUTER)

(INNER)

(THICKNESS)

R4(OUTER)

(INNER)

(THICKNESS)

R5(OUTER)

(INNER)

(THICKNESS)

Part B

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 The Copper calorimeter, negligible weight, pieces of wooden block were placed on
the top of the triple beam balance and digital balance one after another and its masses were
measured

Part C

i) By using digital stop watch reaction time was measured and the timer stopped
after 5 second and
ii) the procedure in part C i) repeated for 50 times and its average time were taken
iii) For 10 seconds the procedure i) and ii) in part C were repeated.

Set up of apparatus during experiment

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

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 DATA ANALYSIS

PART A

From the results obtained in part A of experiment shows that;

>when meter rule used to measure length and width of exercise book and
wooden block there were small error since its average value differ in small quantity with
measured values that is (Average length and average width of exercise book was 29.75cm
and 21.15cm respectively and average length and average width of wooden block was
12.7cm and 7.7cm respectively.)

>the vernier caliper used to measure diameter of objects with high degree of
accuracy from experiment shows that outer and inner diameter of calorimeter differ by small
quantity that is 4.945cm and 4.965cm for outer and inner diameter of calorimeter respectively
. Also micrometer screw gauge used to measure diameter of very small objects such as wire,
from experiment shows that diameter of a wire is 0.0304mm

>when tape measure used to measure the outer , inner diameter and thickness of
rings shows that the outer and inner diameter as well as thickness of a rings goes on
decreasing depending on the area and size of a ring .

PART B

In measurement mass of copper calorimeter, negligible weight and pieces of wooden block,
when measurements are taken by using digital balance and triple beam balance the accuracy
of results are different because digital balance is more accuracy than triple beam balance.

PART C

Measurement of time, from results shows that when the stopwatch start and stop after 5sec
the probability of a stop watch to read exactly 5sec is very difficult many measurement read
above 5sec, also when measuring 10sec it is not possible to get exactly 10sec but many
reading was above 10sec.

Consider the table below and its histogram

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 TABLE FOR TABLE A.

CLASS INTERVAL CLASS MARK FREQUENCY

5.00-5.02 5.01 15

5.03-5.05 5.04 12

5.06-5.08 5.07 12

5.09-5.11 5.10 8

5.12-5.14 5.13 1

5.15-5.17 5.16 2

HISTOGRAM FOR TABLE 'A'

16

14

12

10
Frequency

0
5.01 5.04 5.07 5.1 5.13 5.16
Class mark

TABLE FOR TABLE ‘B’

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 CLASS INTERVAL CLASS MARK FREQUENCY

10.00-10.02 10.01 18

10.03-10.05 10.04 11

10.06-10.08 10.07 8

10.09-10.11 10.10 4

10.12-10.14 10.13 4

10.15-10.17 10.16 0

10.18-10.20 10.19 1

10.21-10.23 10.23 2

10.24-10.26 10.25 2

HISTOGRAM OF TABLE 'B'

20
18
16
14
12
Frequency

10
8
6
4
2
0
10.01 10.04 10.07 10.1 10.13 10.16 10.19 10.23 10.25
Class mark

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 PART A

 To calculate perimeter of the book ,given

P = 2 ( l + w ) , p = perimeter , l = length , w = width
But l =29.65cm and w = 21.05cm
P = 2 ( 29.65 cm + 21.05 cm )
P =101.4cm.
Therefore perimeter of the book was 101.4cm

b) Micrometer screw gauge is more accurate than the other because used to
take measurement even for small diameter ie has accuracy of 0.001cm.

c) instruments which can be used to measure length of objects;

> Pair of divider

> Trundle wheel
> Steel ruler

>yardsticks

>an optical measurement machine

d) Sources of errors

Error is the difference between the true value and the measured value.
Error can be classified into three categories which are systematic error, random error and
gross error.

i) Systematic error, this is the error due to the known cause

Examples incorrect calibration of the of the instrument, programming.
They can be corrected by repeating experiment and take its average.
ii) Random error, this is the error due to unknown causes

Example error due to humidity, wind , air resistance. These error is difficult to
correct, sometimes are corrected by closing window

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 iii)Gross error, is the error that arise in the experiment due to carelessness of the
experimenter,
Example wrong observation and recording of the experimental data. These error
can be corrected by performing experiment carefully
e) Importance of length measurement

---Measurement is used in construction activities such as construction of

houses, road and railway to know exactly distance.

----Measurement is used in agriculture to measure length of a farm

----Measurements help to measure the size of universe and diameter of an atom
f) yes , i like measurement because it is very useful in everyday life activities

g) Estimation of length is a process of assuming or calibrating the length of an

object while measurement of length is a process of taking actual experiment to
measure length of different objects.

h) Basic fundamental quantities of measurements and their SI unit

Fundamental quantity SI unit

Mass Kilogram (kg)

Length Meter ( m)

Time Second (s)

PART B

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b) The digital beam balance is more accurate than triple beam balance because digital
scales are supported by technology that allows accurate calculations and also has
accuracy of 0.001.
c) Ways to minimize errors;
 Parallax error is reduced by ensure that the eye is right above the mark on the
scale of instruments
 Zero error is minimized by observing the position of zero mark before any
measurements.
 Instrumental error is reduced by using well calibrated instruments and avoid
the use of faults instruments.
 Random errors is reduced by taking the average of repeated measurements
value.
 Gross errors is reduced by bean carefully in taking measurements.
d) Importance of measurements of mass in daily life.
 It used by analyst in preparation of laboratory reagents solution.
 Used by sellers during mass measurements of different commodity examples
rice, sugar and flour.
e) Five areas where mass measurements are done are;
 School
 Hospitals
 Home
 Industry
 Market
f) Yes, I like measurement due to the following reasons
 Used in everyday life: cooking, taking your temperature
 Also used extensively in chemistry: mass, volume
 Gives you a way to make quantitative observations about the world around
you
g.) i) different between mass and weight.

Mass weight
Mass is a scalar quantity weight is a vector quantity
The unit of mass is kg or g the unit of weight is newton
Mass does not change based on Weight changes based on location,

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 location depending on the gravity it
experiences.

Mass is measured using an weight is measured using spring

ordinary beam balance balance

ii) Different between error and mistake.

 Error are made due to lack of knowledge while mistakes are accidental
 Error are more technical and formal than mistake while mistake are more
informal and casual than error.

PART C
2 .significant of time measurements in our daily life;
 Effective time management allows students to complete more in less time
because their attention is focused and they are not wasting time on
distractions such as social media
 Good time management allows students to make the most of their abilities
and enjoy the satisfaction of accomplishment
 Exploitation of opportunities

3. The source of error are;

 Parallax error which is reduced by ensure that the eye is right above the
mark on the scale of instruments
 Zero error which is minimized by observing the position of zero mark before
any measurements.
 Instrumental error which is reduced by using well calibrated instruments and
avoid the use of faults instruments.
4 .in measurements of time the reading error is caused by timer when stopping the
stop watch and it is very difficult to measure exactly time of 5sec and 10 sec.

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 5. Application of time measurements;

> It’s applied in improving decision making ability

> It enables us to become more successful in our career
> Managing time well enables an individual to do the right thing at the right time

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

The aim of experiment was measurement of three basic fundamental quantities ie

mass, length and time.
Mass of various objects such as mass of copper calorimeter, negligible
weight and pieces of wooden block were measured by using digital balance and triple
beam balance the results obtained when using triple beam balance and digital balance
were different because digital balance is more accuracy than triple beam balance.
Length of various objects such as exercise book, wooden block,
diameter of calorimeter, diameter of a wire, small round body, and rings were
measured by different instruments example meter rule measure length of exercise
book and wooden block, tape measure to measure diameter of rings , vernier caliper
measure diameter of copper calorimeter and micrometer screw gauge measure

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 diameter of wire and diameter of small round body ,hence in measuring length the
degree of accuracy in instrument can measure decreased from micrometer screw
gauge to meter rule.
Time of reaction were recorded for 5sec and 10 sec and from results shows
that it is very difficult to measure exactly time of 5sec and 10 sec due to errors and
recorded average time was above 5sec and 10 sec.

CONCLUSION

The purpose of the experiment was measurement of fundamental quantities such as

time, mass and length

As observed from the results in measurement of mass, length and time there is error that
occurs which hinders to get true reading therefore during measurements precautions should
be taken in order to minimize errors.

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 REFERENCES

Physics for scientists and engineering with modern physics 9th edition Serway and
Jewett.

Physics laboratory Practical manual The University of Dodoma College of natural

and Mathematical Science department of Physics 2020/2021

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 John R. Taylor, An Introduction to Error Analysis: The Study of Uncertainties

in Physical Measurements, 2d Edition, University Science Books, 1997 • Philip R.

Bevington and D. Keith Robinson, Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the

Physical Sciences, 2d Edition, WCB/McGraw-Hill, 1992

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