Title: Measurement

Problem statement: Zenith was drinking through a straw and wondered what its diameter was.
As he sucked his juice through the straw, he thought its diameter was related to the volume of
juice contained in it and its height. Plan and design a laboratory experiment to determine the
average diameter of a drinking straw via its volume and height.

Hypothesis:

The diameter of a straw is a function of both its height and the amount of liquid it holds.

Aim: To determine the average diameter of a drinking straw via its volume and height.

Apparatus and Materials: straw, ruler, water, measuring cylinder, pen, beaker

Diagram:

Variables:

Manipulating or independent variable: Height of markings on straw

Responding or dependent variable: Volume of water

Controlled variables: The type of straw

Procedure/Method:

1. Measure the height of the straw in centimeters using a ruler and record it.
2. Seal the straw at one end with tape so you have an airtight seal.
3. Mark the straw to your desired height
4. Fill a beaker with water more than half of its capacity
5. Pour the water from the beaker into the straw until it has reached your marked point
6. Carefully pour out the water from the straw into the measuring cylinder to determine the
new volume,V indicated by the measuring cylinder at eye level and record the
1,

measurement.
7. Pour out the water from the beaker and repeat step 4
8. Mark the straw to your new desired height and repeat step 5-6 to determine the new
volume,V indicated.
2,

9. Repeat steps 7-8 to determine the final volume, V3.

Expected Results:

Table showing the volume, height, radius and diameter of the drinking straw
Attempt Height/cm Volume /cm³ Radius/cm

Average Diameter:

Expected Calculations:

Volume of water from straw:V = πr²h

Radius of straw: r =√v/πh

Diameter of straw:d = 2r

Average diameter of straw:(d₁ +d₂ +d₃) ÷3

Expected discussion:

Volume is the amount of space an object takes up. Volume is a 3D measurement so it can be
measured in cubic meters (m ), which is a derived unit. Liter (L) is a special name for the cubic
3

decimeter (dm ). Height is the altitude or vertical position ‘y’ above the starting point. The
3

distance between any two points on the circumference is measured through the center whereas
the radius is the distance from the center of the circle to any point on its circumference. All of the
aforementioned are all related in such a way with the formula V = πr²h where Volume is denoted
by V, Pi(a mathematical constant with an approximate value of 3.14) is denoted as π, radius(r),
diameter(r²) and height(h). This is how the diameter of the drinking straw was determined.

Precautions:

1. Made sure water resistant material was used

2. Made sure that the lines being marked on the straw were not angled
3. Made sure all the water was carefully poured into the straw from the beaker
Sources of Error:

1. The ruler used wasn't clear because it was used so many times that the numbers and
harsh marks came off.
2. The lines on the straws were not utterly straight
3. Water may have been trapped on the walls of the straw reducing the accuracy of water
poured into the measuring cylinder

Expected Conclusion:
It is concluded that it is possible to find the diameter of a straw by using the equation V = πr²h.