Introduction to Measurement

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1 Introduction to Measurement Lab Report 1 PHYS 1401

2 Introduction to Measurement Abstract: In this lab we determined the measurement of different tools. It is important to understand the basics of measurement. For this experiment, we measured and took the value of different objects like pen, wooden block and the hallway. With the measurement of the objects, we also calculate the average by comparing different values. We also calculate the standard deviation to estimate the typical length or mass of an object from the average. In the other experiment, we combined multiple measurements to find the total distance and the average speed. Introduction: It is very important to understand the basics of measurement. The measurement helps us to know the value of any objects like length or mass. We can measure certain object by using meter stick or analog scale, and we can also measure the mass of the object by using digital mass scale which gives the accurate digits. The basic of measurement is useful in our everyday life. We can calculate the length and mass of any given object. For our experiment, we did 5 different types of measurements: 1.) Measuring with Analog or Digital, 2.) Statistics in Measurement, 3.) Combining measurement, 4.) Finding the density of an object, and 5.) Comparing values. We used different types of tools and method to calculate the different types of measurements. We also compare the measurements of our classmates and calculate the average value of the objects. In other cases, we also repeated the measurement more than 3 times. We also need volunteer for the measurement that we did in the

3 hallway outside the lab. For this measurement, we also need stop watch to calculate the time taken to cover the distance. Procedure: 1. Measuring with Analog or Digital We used the following pieces of equipments to do the lab. a meter stick/analog scale digital mass scale pen/mechanical pencil We used one of our pens to do the measurement. We can use either a simple meter stick or an analog scale (which gives the accurate measurement). We use digital mass scale to measure the mass of the pen. The measurement of the pen was 14.4 cm, and its mass was 8.84 gm. 2. Statistics in Measurement We collected the measurement of the pens that were taken by all the classmates. Everyone s pen was different in size and mass. So, the measurements were also different from each other. The length and mass of the pen vary from one another. So, we calculated the standard deviation to estimate the measurement of the typical length and mass of the pen. The table of the measurement of the pens is below: Mass Length

4 Average = Average = Standard Deviation = Standard Deviation = The average mass of the pen was 9.778, and the standard deviation was The average length of the pen was 14.54, and the standard deviation was Combining Measurement We are going to measure the average walking speed of a human being. We are using the same techniques and formula that we used to measure the distance traveled by a car and its average speed. We walked a certain distance and repeated for 3 times and we got 3 different values. So, we calculated the average speed. We also calculated the average speed that takes to cover a given distance. We also converted the units. To do the lab experiment, we used the following pieces of equipments: a meter stick a stop watch

5 We went to the hallway outside the Physics lab. The floor has a grid system built in. The two members of our group took the measurement of the grids and came up with two different values: 1.22m 1.214m So, we calculated the average length of the grid = (1.22m+1.214m)/2 = 1.217m After measuring the grid, we took the measurement of the total distance covered by 5 grids. The total distance covered by the 5 grids was 4.87m. We walked the distance (4.87m) and repeated for 3 times. We got 3 different values: 4.09s 5.03s 4.22s Again, we calculated the average speed = (4.09s+5.03s+4.22s)/3 = 13.34/3 = 4.45s The average walking speed = 4.87m/4.45s = 1.09m/s Now, we have to calculate the distance of 1 mile in minutes with the same rate of 1.09m/s. = mi/60 min. = mi/min. 4. Finding the density of an object We used the following equipments to do the lab wooden block a meter scale digital scale The volume of the block (V=LxWxH) was cm^3.

6 The mass of the block was gm. And, the density of the block = /26.84 cm^3 = 9.71 g/cm^3. 5. Comparing Values: The known value of the speed of light =3.00 x 10^8 m/s And, the measured value of the speed of light = 2.97x 10^8 m/s To calculate the Percent Difference, we should use the following formula: Analysis: Percent Difference = [Measured Value- Known Value] x 100% Known Value = [2.97x10^8 m/s 3.00x10^8 m/ ] x 100% 3.00x10^8 m/s = -1% Conclusion: We measured the length and mass of a pen using a meter scale and digital scale. We also compare the different value and calculate the average value and the standard deviation. We also calculate the average distance covered and the average walking speed. This value is important and must be understood the basics of the measurement.

Lab 1: Introduction to Measurement

Lab 1: Introduction to Measurement Instructor: Professor Dr. K. H. Chu Measurement is the foundation of gathering data in science. In order to perform successful experiments, it is vitally important to