Experiment 1: Errors, Uncertainties and Measurements

Laboratory Report
Aldian Rose Acierto, Jose Vince Ambion, Allyza Mae Antazo, Carlo Miguel Batay
Department of Math and Physics
College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
Espaa, Manila Philippines

Abtract
This experiment will determine which of the
three instruments, Vernier caliper, micrometer
caliper and foot rule, will give the most precise
and accurate data. The test was done by
measuring a steel ball 10 times using a
micrometer caliper, Vernier caliper and foot
rule. After we gather the data, the group
concluded that the most accurate and precise
instrument is the micrometer caliper.
1. Introduction
We use measurements in our daily life. We
use it to measure our waist line, height, the
length of our feet, temperature, and many more.
But have you ever wondered how people in
ancient times measure things? How did they
measure kilos during their times? How did they
measure the length of fabric that they will buy?
Do these questions ever cross your mind?
For example, length is the most necessary
unit in our life. We measure our height, waist,
etc. During the ancient Mesopotamian times
they used their thumbs for inches, they use
special rods which were kept inside temples to
measure meters, and the yard relates closely to a
human pace, but also derives from two cubits
(the measure of the forearm).

experiment; to determine the average deviation

of a set of experimental values; to determine the
mean of a set of experimental values as well as
set of average deviation of the mean; to
familiarize the students with the Vernier caliper,
micrometer, caliper and foot rule; to compare the
accuracy of these measuring devices; to
determine the density of an object given its mass
and dimensions.
2. Theory
To have a better understanding of errors,
uncertainties and measurements, in this
experiment, computations for certain values are
needed. Mean diameter for one, is the total
computed number of all the values obtained in
the measurement of the sphere. To get the value
for the mean diameter:
Where = sum of
d = deviation
n = number of the measured value x= value
Mean diameter =x / n
Average deviation (a.d.) is the sum of the
deviations divided by the number (n) of
observations.
The value can be obtained
through the formula:
a.d =d/n

As time passed by, our instruments became

more precise and accurate. We can now measure
thickness of our hair, volume of water, and many
more.

Average deviation (A.D.) of the mean diameter

is required to be able to solve for the % error.
Average Deviation of the mean diameter is a
numerical data gathered from the computation of
the average deviation (a.d.), computed through
the use of this formula:

The objective of this experiment is to study

errors and how they propagate in simple

A.D = a.d/n

Percentage (%) error of the diameter is the value

calculated by considering Average Diameter
(A.D.) as the error and the mean diameter as the
standard.
% error of diameter = (A.D)
x 100
Mean diameter
For the volume of the sphere: V=4/3r3 , radius
which is the half of the diameter. The value for
mass is computed through the use of the
electronic gram balance, the values of the
volume and mass are used for the computation
of the density.
Density= mass
Volume
For the % error for density, values of the
experimental value and accepted value is
needed. The experimental value is the value
from the computation of the density while,
accepted value is the fix value given.
Percentage (%) error for density is computed
through the formula:
% error of density=
/accepted value- experimental value/ x 100
Accepted value

the sum of the deviations was divided by the

number of observations which is ten (10).
The average deviation (A.D.) of the
mean diameter was computed using the formula
A.D.=a.d./ n where the average deviation was
divided my the square root of the number of
observations and the percent (%) error for the
diameter was calculated considering A.D. as the
error and the mean as the standard value.
Using significant figures, the volume of
the sphere was computed using the formula
V=4/3r3 where four over three was multiplied
to pi and the mean radius raised to 3.
The weight of the sphere was then
determined using the electronic gram balance
and its density was calculated using its volume
and weight. The percent error was then
computed after obtaining the accepted value of
the density of the sphere.
The same steps were applied in using
the Vernier caliper and micrometer caliper.

4. Results and Discussion

Diameter of Shere(cm)
3. Methodology
In measuring the diameter of the
provided sphere, a Vernier caliper, micrometer,
foot rule and electronic gram balance were used.
First, the least count of each measuring device
was determined.
Ten (10) independent measurements
were made by the group at different points along
the sphere's circumference using the foot rule.
The mean diameter was then computed after all
the needed values were obtained by adding all
the independent measurements and dividing
them by ten (10).
The deviation (d) of each measurement
of diameter was calculated from the mean
diameter. Next, the average deviation (a.d.) was
computed using the formula a.d =d/n where

Trial

Foot
Rule

Vernier
Caliper

Micrometer
Caliper

1.8 cm

1.670 cm

1.5825 cm

1.9 cm

1.670 cm

1.5820 cm

1.9 cm

1.575 cm

1.5840 cm

1.8 cm

1.680 cm

1.5810 cm

1.7 cm

1.685 cm

1.5825 cm

1.7 cm

1.680 cm

1.5825 cm

1.8 cm

1.685 cm

1.5835 cm

1.8 cm

1.675 cm

1.5835 cm

1.9 cm

1.680 cm

1.5810 cm

10

1.8 cm

1.685 cm

1.5825 cm

Table 1. Measurement of the Sphere

Table 2. Tabulation of % errors, deviations and

figures using the three different measuring
devices.

Table 1 shows the diameter of the sphere

by using different instruments to measure it. The
instruments used were a rule, Vernier caliper and
micrometer caliper. The group did ten trials to
compare the accuracy of the given instruments.
The instruments used gave precise answers, but
not accurate. Precise since the figures are close
to each other. The more significant figures we
have, the closer we have to the true value.

The accuracy of the diameter depends

on the instrument used. The instrument with the
least percentage of error is the micrometer
caliper. It has the most precise and accurate
value in comparison with the accepted value. On
the other hand the instrument with the largest
percentage of error is the foot rule; thus having
the greatest possibility of error. Through the
percentage error we could conclude that the
micrometer caliper is more accurate than the
Vernier caliper and foot rule.

Average
Deviation(a.
d)

Foot
rule

Vernier
Caliper

Micromet
er Caliper

0.054
cm

0.0187 cm

0.0007
cm

Average
Deviation of
Mean (A.D.) 0.017
1 cm

5.9135x10
cm

0.000221
36 cm

%Error
of 1%
Diameter

0.02%

0.04%

Volume(cm3
)

3.431
cm

2.915 cm

2.623 cm

Mass(g)

16.26
g

16.26 g

16.26 g

Group
Member
Width of
Thumb

0.7

0.5

0.6

0.6

0.6

(in)

Experimenta
l Value of
4.739
Density(g/c
3
1
m)
g/cm

5.578
g/cm

6.199
g/cm

Accepted
Value
of
7.86
Density(g/c
3
g/cm
m)

7.86 g/cm

7.86
g/cm

29.033 %

21.132 %

%Error
Density

The probable sources of error may be

the failure to calibrate, misreading of the
instrument used, environmental factors, parallax,
or hysteresis.

Table 3. Measurements of each members

thumbs
The group measured the width of their
thumbs using a ruler. The objective of this
experiment is to see if the thumb can serve as a
standard for measurement. As seen from the
measurements, the width of thumb varies
depending on the member. Thus we can use it
for measurements, but it wont be accurate or
precise since its not definite and the value is not
the same to all.

5. Conclusion
39.70
7%

In the experiment number 1, three measuring

devices namely ruler, Vernier Caliper and
Micrometer Caliper, were used to measure the
diameter of the sphere. For each measuring
device, ten independent measurements were
made at different points along the spheres

circumference. The mass of the sphere was

obtained by using the electronic gram balance.
The following data for each measuring device
were computed with the given formulas: mean
diameter, average deviation, average deviation
of the mean, volume, experimental value of
density and percent error for density.

The micrometer caliper gave the least %

of error. Though minimal, the
micrometer calipers accuracy of
measurement is affected and its
inaccuracy is characterized by its
maximum possible error, its least count,
0.01mm.

In the experiment number 2, the width

of the thumb of each member of the group was
measured by using a ruler in inches.

2. What do you mean by error? What

are the types of errors? What are the
errors you encountered in this
experiment?

Based on the data gathered for

experiment number 1, the measuring device that
gave the least percent error for density is the
Micrometer Caliper with 21.132 %. It also gave
the most precise readings of measurement. On
the other hand, the measuring device that gave
the most percent error for density is the foot rule
with 39.707 %. It also gave the least precise
readings of measurement. Even though the
Vernier Caliper gave precise readings of
measurements, it didnt give the least percent
error for density with 29.033 %. With these data
obtained, it can be therefore concluded that the
Micrometer Caliper is the most accurate and
precise among all the other measuring devices
used. It can be concluded that the Micrometer
Caliper is the best device among the three to use
when measuring the diameter of a sphere.

For experiment number 2, the width of

the thumb varies depending on the member.
Therefore, the thumb cannot be used as a
standard for measurement. Using it to measure
will not be accurate or precise since its not
definite and the value is not the same to all.

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

An error is a deviation from the standard

or accepted value. It can be divided into
two types: systematic and random.
Systematic errors are deterministic
while random errors are undeterministic.
Errors we have encountered in the
experiment are random errors, which we
minimized
through
repeated
measurements.
We
have
also
encountered systematic parallax and
observation errors.
3. Sketch

a. A vernier caliper that reads 5. 08

cm

b. A micrometer caliper that reads

2.55 cm

4. A student weigh himself using a

bathroom
scale
calibrated
in
kilograms. He reported his weight in
pounds. What is the percentage error
in his reported weight if he used this
conversion: 1 kg = 2.2 pounds? The
standard kilogram is equal to 2.2046
pounds.
Lets set the students weight as 60 kg.
Using the 1 kg = 2.2 lbs conversion,
his weight in pounds would be 132 kg.

Using the standard conversion 1 kg =

2.2046 lbs conversion, his weight in
pounds would be 132.276 lbs.

To compute for the percentage error,

subtract the result to the accepted value,
divided by the accepted value. Multiply
it to 100 to get the answer in percentage.

This gives the student a 0.2087%

percentage error.
5. In an experiment on determination of
mass of a sample, your group
consisting of 5 students obtained the
following results: 14.34 g, 14.32 g,
14.33 g, 14.30 g, and 14.23 g. Find the
mean, a.d, and A.D. Suppose that
your group is required to make only
four determinations for the sample. If
you are the leader of the group, which
data will you omit? Recalculate the
mean, a.d., A.D without this data.
Which results will you prefer?
Measurements
14.34 g
14.32 g
14.33 g
14.30 g

0.036
0.016
0.026
0.004

14.23 g
Mean: 14.304 g

0.074

Average
Deviation
(a.d.): 0.0312
Average Deviation of the Mean
(A.D.): 0.0140
If we would omit data, we will neglect the 14.23
g measurement due to comparative minimal
discrepancy.
Measurements
14.34 g
14.32 g
14.33 g
14.30 g
Mean: 14.3225 g

0.0175
0.0025
0.0075
0.0225

Average
Deviation
(a.d.): 0.0125
Average Deviation of the Mean (A.D.):
0.00625
We would prefer the latter result as the
instructions only required four measurements.
Both data were accurate, as they were recorded,
analyzed, and computed in the same method.

References
Silverio A. (2014). Selected Physics
Experiments for BS Physical Therapy
Students Revised Edition 2014 (Part 1).