NAME:

DATE:

LAB PARTNERS:

LAB INSTRUCTORS:

LAB NUMBER: 1

TITLE: Will be given during the exercise

OJECTIVE:
To learn how to make measurements of length with a meter stick, a Vernier caliper, and a
micrometer caliper. Also, to understand the relationship between the construction of a
measuring instrument and the precision of the measurements made with it.

APPARATUS: Meter stick, 15cm or 30cm ruler, Vernier caliper, micrometer caliper, rectangular
wooden block, small electrical wire, different size balls

PROCEDURE:
1. The length of the laboratory table was measured three times using a meter stick. Once
starting at one end of the table, the second using an offset on the meter stick but starting
at the same end and then the third time starting at the opposite end of the table. All the
measurements were recorded in table format.
2. The thickness of the three wires referred to as Wire1, wire2 and wire3 were measured
using the Micrometer screw gauge. Three measurements were taken of each and the
average recorded in table format.
3. Using the Vernier caliper, the diameter of two different balls were measured three times
each and the average readings were recorded.

4. The small rectangular block was measured using the ruler, the Vernier caliper and the
micrometer caliper
5. Jjjjjjjjjjjj

PRECAUTIONS
1. When using the Micrometer the instrument was properly tightened to the point that
the ratchet stop could rotate continually to ensure a close grip of the object being
measured and to ensure accuracy in measurement.
2. The instrument were read from a direct view in front the eye to prevent parallax error
while reading.
3. While doing measurement the instruments were kept close to the table to prevent
damage if it fallen.
ACCURACY OF ERRORS
1. Accuracy errors might have occurred while using the ruler to measure especially the
table due to damages at either end of the ruler.
2. When measuring the electrical wires some of them were bent therefore this might
have prevented us from acquiring the true diameter of one or two of them.
3. Another problem was parallax errors which might have occurred especially while
using the Vernier caliper due to the fact that in some measurement it was hard to
determine which of the millimeter strokes were aligned more accurately.
4. The buildup of corrosion in the measuring faces of the micrometer screw gauge might
have also led to errors in accuracy due to the fact that it was a bit aged.
5. Due to the ruler being too short for the entire table to be measured markings had to be
made and this might have thrown off the true measurement also given that an error
might have occurred with respect to when the marking was placed and where the ruler
was placed when the measurement was being continued.

ESTIMATED ACCURACY:

In calculating the diameter of wire 1 with the micrometer screw gauge,

Three readings were obtained 1.74, 1.73, 1.74

Using the formula

N= 3

X = (1.74+1.73+1.74) / 3 = 1.73667 approximated = 1.74

S = 0.00577: when approximated = 0.01

In calculating the diameter of wire 2 with the micrometer screw gauge,

Three readings were obtained 5.56, 5.55, 5.55

Using the formula

N= 3

X = (5.56+5.55+5.55) / 3 = 5.553 approximated = 5.55

S = 0.00577: when approximated = 0.01

In calculating the diameter of wire 3 with the micrometer screw gauge,

Three readings were obtained 4.47, 4.47, 4.47

Using the formula

N= 3

X = (4.47+4.47+4.47) / 3 = 4.47
S=0

In calculating the diameter of ball 1 with the Vernier caliper,

Three readings were obtained 10.8mm, 10.9mm, 10.9mm

Using the formula

N= 3

X = (10.8,10.9,10.9) / 3 = 10.866 approximated = 10.87

S = 0.05774: when approximated = 0.1 mm

In calculating the diameter of ball 2 with the Vernier caliper,

Three readings were obtained 19.0mm,19.1mm,19.0mm

Using the formula

N= 3

X = (19.0,19.1,19.0) / 3 = 19.033~ approximated = 19.0

S = 0.05774: when approximated = 0.1 mm

Discussion
It is very important for measurements to be started at a mark on the meter stick instead of
at the end, this is because wear and tear occurs at the ends of the stick and it becomes
difficult to get an accurate reading from the edge given that wear and tear might have
resulted in rounded edges or it may have lost a millimeter or two. The precision of the
meter stick is 1mm and the precision of the Vernier caliper is 0.1mm. On measuring the
large block with the ruler, the obtained results were of three significant figures for the
length, and two significant figures for the width and height. As for the small block the
obtained results were of three significant figures for the length as well, and two
significant figures for the width and height. Using these figures to calculate the volume
they resulted in a figure with more precision and more significant figures.

Item
Wire 1
Wire 2
Wire 3
Ball 1
Ball 2

Reading 1
1.74
5.56
4.47
10.08
19

Reading 2
1.73
5.55
4.47
10.09
19

Reading 3
1.74
5.55
4.47
10.09
19

Average
1.74
5.55
4.47
10.09
19

Table showing measurements of wires and balls in mm

1st measurement

2nd meas. (offset 80)

245

245.1

3rd meas. (opposite

direction)hah
245.1

Table showing measurements of class table in cm

Length
1
16.2
2nd
16.2
rd
3
16.2
Table showing measurements of large block
st

Width
8.5
8.4
8.4

Instrument
Length
Width
Verneir Caliper
Not measured
Not measured
Ruler
10.1
7.2
Table showing measurements of small block

Height
4.2
4.3
4.3

Height
1.2
1.1