Experiment 1: Errors, Uncertainties, and MeasurementsLaboratory Report

Charles Sanchez, Geminesse Sianghio, Ferguie Solis

Department of Chemistry
College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
Espaa Street, Manila Philippines

Abstract

In this experiment measuring instruments were
used. When measuring quantities, it is assumed
that the values consists of two parts: the
recorded value and its uncertainty. These
measurements lead to error leading to the
uncertainty of the result. Errors are not defined
as mistakes rather the gross errors sometimes
usually yield results that are not expected.
Accuracy is the goal we aim for this experiment.

1. Introduction
Laboratory experiments involve taking
measurements of physical quantities, and the
process of taking any measurements always
involves some experimental uncertainty or error.
For accuracy, the use of the significant figures
are to be applied, The importance of the
significant figures is that the number of digits
present in a result signifies the precision of the
result. The students will also be able to imply in
this experiment the different rules in significant
figures and the Verniers principle. In this
experiment, the students will be using measuring
devices such as the Vernier caliper, Micrometer
caliper, and the Foot rule in order to observe and
practice the precision of the length of the
measurements as they differ in each instruments
used.

In this experiment, the group should be able to
achieve the following objectives:(1) to study
errors and how they propagatein simple
experiment, (2) to determine theaverage
deviation of a set of experimentalvalues, (3) to
determine the mean of a set of experimental
values as well as set of averagedeviation of the
mean, (4) to familiarize thestudents with the
vernier





caliper, micrometer caliper, and foot rule, (5) to
compare theaccuracy of these

measuring devices, (6) andto determine the
density of an object givenits mass and
dimension.

2. Theory

Given that all numbers used involved integers, it
is nearly quite impossible to obtain the exact
value of the quantity during investigation. From
this the margin of error in a measurement is
indicated clearly by the indicating the number of
significant figures, the meaningful digits in a
measured or calculated quantity, such that the
last digit is understood to be uncertain. There are
rules in determining thesignificance of a digit.
The digits from 1-9 are significant. The zeroes
between two other significant digits are
significant. One or more additional zeroes to the
right of both the decimal place and another
significant digit are significant. Zeroes used
solely for spacing the decimal point are not
significant.

In propagation of errors, measuring some
quantities might be recorded with uncertainties.
Therefore calculating the uncertainty propagates
to the uncertainty of the value is crucial. Assume
we measure two values A and B, using some
apparatus. We know these values are uncertain.
By physical reasoning, testing, repeated
measurements, or manufacturers specifications,
we estimate the magnitude of their uncertainties.
u{A} ist he absolute error in A, and u{B} is the
absolute error in B. The relative errors are
u{A}/A and u{B}/B.
[1]


Least count is the highest degree of accuracy of
measurement that can be achieved.

The Vernier caliper is a tool from the caliper
family allowing users to measure the inner or
outer dimensions of items, and step or hole
depths. The large jaws at the bottom of the tool
have flat faces that each other when the vernier
caliper is in closed position The outer caliper
jaws wrap around objects and are used to
measure outside distances, such as an egg or the
length of a square. The inside caliper jaws, on
the top of the tool, appear as a smaller version of
the outer caliper jaws. The inner caliper jaws
flat edges face away from each other when the
vernier caliper is opened and are used to
measure inner distances, such as the inside of a
tube. The depth probe is a long, flat, thin piece
of metal that runs through the center of the
caliper and moves out from the body of the
vernier calipers when the jaws are opened. The
depth probe is used to measure step or hole
distances. By placing the flat end of the caliper
flush against the upper face of the object being
measured, then moving the caliper jaws to lower
the depth probe into the object's hole, you can
use the scale to read the depth of the step or
hole. Vernier calipers have main scales running
along the length of the tool. The scale along one
edge of the tool is in inches, while the other side
has increments in centimeters. The main scales
can be used as a simple ruler.
Reading a vernier caliper is a multistep process.
First, lightly place the jaws or depth probe
against the object being measured. As the jaws
move along the length of the caliper, a smaller
scale called a vernier travels with them. The
number on the main scale opposite the zero on
the vernier scale is the first part of the
measurement. Next, look at the marks, which are
in either millimeters or fractions of an inch,
along the length of the vernier scale. By eye,
identify the mark on the vernier scale that lines
up most accurately with the opposite mark on
the main scale. This number is the rest of your
measurement. For example, if the vernier scale's
zero lines up with 5.6cm on the main scale, and
the 2.4-mm increment aligns most accurately
with its opposite main scale mark, the final
measurement will be 5.624cm
A micrometer is a caliper-like measuring device
resembling a C-clamp designed to precisely
measure the lengths, diameters and thicknesses
of solid objects. It consists of two measuring
rods with a movable jaw operated by a thimble
and friction screw or barrel, a calibrated cylinder
and a locking lever, and can measure dimensions
within tolerances of several microns. Read the
value just exposed by the thimble on the central
line of the cylinder. This value is in millimeters.
Typically, there is a mark every half-millimeter,
with the millimeter marks rising above the
central line and the half-millimeter marks going
below it. Read the mark on the thimble aligned
with the central line on the cylinder. This mark
is in hundredths of millimeters. There are 50
such marks, meaning that each turn of the
thimble corresponds to half a millimeter, the
distance between the upward and downward
marks on the cylinder central line. Add these
values together. This is the measurement of the
object between the measuring rods.
3. Methodology
In this experiment, measuring devices such as
Vernier Caliper, Micrometer Caliper, Foot rule
and the Electronic gram balance are to be used.
Before anything else, the researchers checked
the measuring devices if some parts are broken.
If so, add or subtract it from the measurements
gathered. In this experiment, The researchers
will each make ten independent measurements
for the diameter of the sphere using the foot rule,
Micrometer caliper and the Vernier caliper.
Afterwards, calculations are needed to be able to
acquire the different set of experimental values.
The values needed are as follows: mean
diameter of the sphere, the deviation (d) of each
measurement of the diameter from the mean
diameter, the average deviation (a.d)( the
average deviation is the sum of the deviations
(d) divided by the number (n) of observations. n
in our case = 10 )

a.d. =

The average deviation (A.D) of the mean
diameter,

The % error for the diameter , and the volume of
the sphere. After measuring and computing for
the experimental values, weigh the sphere using
the electronic gram balance. Using the mass and
the volume of the sphere, calculate the density of
the sphere.
For the % error, the researchers asked
instructor for the accepted value of the density
of the sphere to verify the results.

| |

4. Results and Discussion

The researchers did an experiment about errors,
uncertainties and measurement. The objective of
the said experiment was to study errors, to
determine the average deviation, to determine
the mean of a set of experimental values, to
familiarize with equipments named as Vernier
Caliper, Micrometer Caliper and Foot rule.

Table 1. Results of Measurements
Trial Foot Rule Vernier Caliper Micrometer Caliper
1 1.50 0.05 1.535 0.097 1.5800 .0000
2 1.60 0.05 1.600 0.032 1.5800 .0100
3 1.55 0.00 1.600 0.032 1.5800 .0000
4 1.57 0.02 1.670 0.038 1.5800 .0000
5 1.60 0.05 1.675 0.043 1.5775 .0025
6 1.55 0.00 1.680 0.048 1.5800 .0000
7 1.57 0.02 1.680 0.048 1.5797 .0018
8 1.55 0.00 1.600 0.032 1.5815 .0015
9 1.50 0.05 1.600 0.032 1.5815 .0015
10 1.53 0.02 1.680 0.048 1.5800 .0000
Mean Diameter 1.55 1.632 1.5800
Average
Deviation(a.d)
0.026 0.045
Average
Deviation of the
Mean (A.D)
0.008 0.014 0.005
%Error of
Diameter
5% 9% 3%
Volume (cm
3
) 1.95 2.28 2.07
Mass (g) 16.27 16.27 16.27
Experimental
Value of Density
(g/cm
3
)
8.34 7.14 7.86
Accepted value of
Density (g/cm
3
)
7.8 7.8 7.8
%Error for
Density
6.9 8.5 .77

Table 2. Measurement of width of thumb

Group Member 1 2 3
Width of thumb (in) 17/20 4/5 4/10


5. Conclusion

The researchers might have conclude that using
different measuring device particularly with foot
rule, vernier caliper, micrometer caliper can lead
to different measure with minimal difference.
Also, in the table 1. The researchers got small
percentage of error with some reason like having
small amount of time to do the experiment, not
familiar on how to use the instruments.
The result that the researchers did was not
accurate in different instrument however it has
minimal difference which can consider as the
measure of the sphere. The average deviation,
the mean of experimental values and the average
deviation of the mean was determined by the
researchers. The researchers also had the chance
to familiarize the instruments (foot ruler, vernier
caliper, micrometer caliper) they used.

6. Applications

1.) Which among the three measuring
devices give the least % error? Is the
accuracy of the measurement affected by
least count of the measuring device?

Among the three measuring devices used, the
micrometer caliper gave the least percent error.
Upon calculation it only showed2.748% error
compared the foot rule that gave 10.802% and
the vernier caliper giving5.992%. All measuring
equipments have a least count which is the
smallest quantity that can be measured
accurately using that instrument. The least count
indicates the degree of accuracy of measurement
that can be achieved by the measuring
instrument. Thus, the least count of an
instrument is indirectly proportional to the
accuracy of the instrument.

2.) What do you mean by error? What are
types of errors? What are the errors
encountered in the experiment?

An error is a deviation from accuracy or
correctness and from standard or accepted value.
Measurement errors may be classified as either
random or systematic, depending on how the
measurement was obtained. Random error is
always present in measurements. It is the
statistical fluctuations in the measured data due
to the precision limitations of the measurement
device. Systematic errors are caused by
imperfect calibration of measurement
instruments or imperfect methods of
observation, or interference of the environment
with the measurement process and always affect
the results of an experiment in a predictable
direction. One does not always get the same
result in making a series of measurements. This
one is unavoidable because there will always be
some uncertainty in the measurements and there
is no perfect measurement. This is an example of
random error the group encountered in the
experiment. Another error encountered is the
inadequate calibration of the vernier caliper and
micrometer caliper which resulted to a
systematic error.

3.) Sketch a) a vernier caliper that reads
5.08cm b) a micrometer caliper that reads
2.55mm



4.) A student weigh himself using a bathroom
scale calibrated in kilograms. He reported his
weight in pounds. What are the percentage
errors in his reported weight if he uses this
conversion: 1kg = 2.2 pounds ? The standard
kilogram is equal to2.2046 pounds.

Suppose the student weighed 65 kg. With his
reported weight using the conversion 1kg=2.2
lbs, he weighed 143 lbs. But with the standard
kilogram equal to 2.2046 pounds, his weight
would be 143.2990000 lbs. Hence, in calculation
of percentage error given the formula,

%error=|acceptedvalue-experimentalvalue|x100/
Accepted value

% error=|143.2990000 lbs -143 lbs |x100/
143.2990000 lbs

% error= 0.2086546

Hence, the 0.209% is the percent error

5.) In an experiment on determination of
mass of a sample, your group consisting of 5
students obtained the following results:
14.34g, 14.32g, 14.33g,14.30g and 14.23g. Find
the mean, a.d. and A.D. Suppose that your
group is required to make only four
determinations for the mass of the sample. If
you are the leader of the group, which data
will you omit? Recalculate the mean, a.d. and
A.D. without this data. Which results will you
prefer?
The group consisting of 5 students obtaining the
results : 14.34g, 14.32g,14.33g,14.30g and
14.23g
Mean:
(14.34g + 14.32g + 14.33g + 14.30g+ 14.23g)/5
= 14.3g
Average Deviation (ad):
14.34g - 0.026 cm
14.33g - 0.016 cm
14.32g - 0.006 cm
14.30g - 0.014 cm
14.23g - 0.034 cm
=(0.026cm + 0.016cm + 0.006cm + 0.014cm +
0.034 cm)/5
=0.019 cm
Average Deviation of the Mean (A.D.):

=0.004 cm

Ommitting 14.23
Mean:(14.34g + 14.32g + 14.33g + 14.30g)/4
= 14.323g

Average Deviation (ad):
14.34g - 0.017 cm
14.33g - 0.007 cm
14.32g - 0.023 cm
14.30g - 0.043 cm

0.017 cm+0.007 cm+0.023 cm+0.043 cm / 4
=0.023 cm

7. References
[1] Errors, Uncertainties and
Measurements. Retrieved August 1,
2014 from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/44118327/E
rrors-Uncertainties-And-Measurements

[2]Dunn,. 2005 Measurement and
Data analysis for Engineering and
Science International Edition. Mc-Graw
Hill USA: 1221 Avenue of the Americas

[3] Wilson and Hernandez-Hall. 2010
Physics Laboratory Experiments
Cengage Learning USA : 20 Channel
Center Street Boston

[4] Eaknen. 1950 Industrial
Instrumentation John Wiley and Sons
USA