Accuracy and measure ment

[Numbers in square brackets refer to items in the Notes on Estimating the Accuracy of a Measurement]
{Numbers at far right in curly brackets indicate the marks allocated to that part of the exercise}

Apparatus: electronic balance, volumetric glassware (measuring cylinders, etc.), the experimenters millimetre rule
Reagent: water
Substance: a coin

Procedure: Use the millimetre rule to measure as best as possible [1, 2] the thickness and diameter of the coin.

Thickness of coin, h: absolute uncertainty [1,2, 5] relative uncertainty [3]

{3}
Diameter of coin, d: absolute uncertainty [1,2,5] relative uncertainty [3]

{3}
d h2 relative uncertainty [6] absolute uncertainty [4]
volume of coin, V1 =
4
V1 =

{3}

Measure the mass of the coin using an electronic balance. In the event of a power outage, the mass will be given.

Mass of the coin, m: absolute uncertainty relative uncertainty [3]

{3}

m relative uncertainty [6] absolute uncertainty [4]

density of the coin, 1 =
V1

1 =

{3}

1
Measure the volume V2 of (only) your coin using the displacement of water in a measuring cylinder. After that, the coins will be
collected and placed all together in one measuring cylinder with water. The average volume V3 of a coin is then given by
the volume of a number of coins
V3 .
the number of coins

absolute uncertainty [1,2,5] relative uncertainty [3]

V2 =

{3}
absolute uncertainty [1,2,5,7] relative uncertainty [3]
Volume of coins =

V3 =

{3}

Now calculate the densities again, using V2 and V3, in the spaces below.

m Relative uncertainty [6] absolute uncertainty [4]

2
V2

{3}
m Relative uncertainty [6] absolute uncertainty [4]
3
V3

{3}

State which method of determining density was most accurate and provide a reason for your choice.

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{2}

Suggest an improvement.

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{1}