The Uses of Measuring Tools

1. Measurement of Length
- Length is the distance between 2 points
- SI unit for length is metre
- in metric system, the units used to measure length are millimeter (mm),
centimeter (cm) and kilometer (km).
- relationship between units of length
1 cm = 10 mm
1 m = 100 cm
1 km = 1000 m
i. Measurement of straight line
● straight line is measured using metre rule
ii. Measurement of curves line
● curves line is measured using string and metre rule.

- When taking a reading, the eye should in the position B so that an accurate
reading can be obtained.
- If the eye is at the position A or C, the reading taken is not accurate because of
an error
- This error is known as parallax error.

2. Measurement of Diameter
- The diameter of a round object can be measured using a pair of calipers and a
ruler.
- External diameters are measured using external calipers.
 - Internal diameters are measured using internal calipers.

- The thickness of the measuring cylinder can be calculated by the formula:

Thickness = external diameter – internal diameter
2
- Example: Calculate the thickness of a measuring cylinder. The external diameter
is 48 mm and the internal diameter is 46 mm.
Thickness = 48 mm – 46 mm
2
= 1 mm

3. Measurement of area
- The area of an object is the surface covered by that object.
- The area of irregular shape can be estimated by using graph paper.
- Example:

Area = 15 cm2 + 8 cm2 = 23 cm2

* Remember -
4. Measurement of volume
- The volume of an object is the amount of space that is occupied by that object.
- The volume of liquid can be measured by using measuring cylinder, buret and
pipette.

- The correct way to take a reading from a measuring cylinder.

1. The eyes level should be at the position of meniscus level. The wrong position
level will cause an error that is known as parallax error.
2. Put a white paper behind the measuring cylinder when taking a reading.

- Remember :-
- The eye should be at position B that is at the meniscus level.
- The eye at position A and C will cause parallax error.
- Put a white paper behind the measuring cylinder.
 - The volume of irregular shape solid can be measured by using water
displacement method.
- Step in water displacement method:
1. Pour water into the measuring cylinder. Record the initial reading.
2. Attach a string to the solid and lower it into the water. Record the final
final reading.
3. Volume of the solid can be calculated by following formula:
Final reading – initial reading = volume of solid

Example: 40 ml – 30 ml = 10 ml

Final reading

Initial reading