Experiment 1: Errors, Uncertainties, and
following times.
Measurements Laboratory Report

Quebec, C., Riomalos, G., & Salcedo K.
Asst. Prof. Glenda D. Reyes, Ph. D
Department of Math and Physics College of
Science, University of Santo Tomas España,
Manila Philippines
Abstract
The first experiment is basically about
measurement, errors and the principles behind
it. The group was provided with three measuring
devices namely the foot rule, Vernier caliper,
and micrometer caliper to solve for the values
being asked in the laboratory manual in order to
determine which device gives the most accurate
measurement. The computed % error using the
foot rule was 38.2%, Vernier caliper with
0.0009968% and the micrometer caliper with
0.02672%. Errors are inevitable in an
experiment and one thing we can do is just to
lessen them. All the other values, computations
and possible sources of error are furtherly
discussed in this laboratory report.
Introduction
Measurements are considered to be the language
of physics. Using precise measurements and
standard units is a fundamental element in
comparing physical quantities to have better
understanding of certain errors that may occur.
In the process of measurement there is no
physical quantity that can be measured with
perfect certainty. This means that when
measuring a quantity and repeating it a number
of times, the value of the measurement would
most likely be different for the second and the
Errors and uncertainties may occur during
experiments that may be anomalous to the
expected result. Errors can be classifies into two
types, the systematic error that is brought about
by the measuring equipment itself and the
random error that are unpredictable errors that
may occur during the process of the experiment.
Accuracy and precision can describe
experimental results that are obtained during the
experiment. Accuracy is the closeness of a
certain value to the true value this can be
improved by reducing systematic errors.
Precision is how close the set of values to one
another and can be improved by reducing
random errors.
This experiment aims to study errors that may
propagate in the experiment. Also to analyze and
determine the mean, average deviation and the
set of average deviation of the mean of a set of
experimental values, to familiarize students with
the Vernier caliper, micrometer caliper and foot
rule, to compare the accuracy of these measuring
devices and to determine the density of an object
given its mass and dimensions.
Theory
Measurements involve accuracy and precision
and an important factor for this is the precision
of the measuring tools. A precise measuring tool
can allow us to quantify physical quantities and
make precise estimations that can be tested.
Examples of these measuring devices are foot
rulers can measure to the nearest millimeter,
Vernier caliper a precise instrument that has a
reading error of 0.05mm it can also measure the
depth of a certain object and micrometer that is
used to measure very short readings. The most
accurate among these devices is the micrometer 𝐴. 𝐷
%𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
which has an accuracy of 0.001 cm or 0.01mm. 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛

In measuring physical quantities 4

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 3
uncertainties and errors may occur and these 3
may transpire randomly. It’s source may be 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
undetermined and arise repeatedly depending on 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
how the person doing the experiment using the
same tools perceive the measurement of the %𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒−𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
object. With this, the length, mass, volume, and 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
× 100=
the density of the iron sphere varies from one
person to the other. Methodology

Significant figures can indicate the precision of a Three measuring devices were used in
measuring tool that was used to measure a value. measuring the diameter of the given sphere. The
Rules in significant figures are also followed to Vernier Caliper, Micrometer Caliper, and foot
minimize errors in approximation. rule.

The least count (L.C.) differs from one tool to

the other. Element of randomness is present in
each tool that is utilized in the experiment, may
it be the foot rule, Vernier caliper or the
micrometer and the margin of error is subjective
to the person’s perspective of the measurement.

The least count of a micrometer is measured by:

Figure 1: Vernier Caliper
Least count (L.C) = Pitch/ Number of circular
scale division. The two factors determining the
least count of Micrometer are pitch and Number
of circular scale divisions. For Vernier Caliper
the least count is measured by dividing the
divisions on the main scale by number of
divisions in the Vernier scale.
Figure 2: Micrometer Caliper
The following formulas are used for the
theoretical application of the experiment:

Mean Diameter: the summation of measured

data divided by number of trials
Figure 3: Foot rule
∑d
Average Deviation (a.d.): 𝑎. 𝑑 = 𝑛

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

𝑎.𝑑
𝐴. 𝐷. = Each of the group was provided with a
√𝑛
spherical object and with the use of the
measuring devices mentioned above, the sphere
was measured 10 times. The group came up with 10 1.60 1.585 1.584
ten independent measurements of the diameter Mean 1.65 1.585 1.583
of the sphere using each device which lead to 30 Diameter
measurements. Ave. 4.00𝑥10−2 5.000𝑥10−34.237𝑥10−4
Deviation
The first device used was as foot rule, Ave. 1.26𝑥10−2 1.582𝑥10−44.237𝑥10−4
wherein the spherical object was placed in Deviation
between two IDs of the members starting in 0 to of the
mean
be able to see the measurement.
%Error of 38.2% .009968 .02672%
In using the Vernier caliper the spherical Diameter %
Volume 2.35 2.085 2.077
object was clamped in between the external jaws 3
(𝑐𝑚 )
while the lock was tightened for the object to be
Mass (g) 16.26 16.26 16.26
secured, then the measurement was read.
Experime 6.91 7.99 7.830
ntal Value
Lastly, in using the micrometer caliper,
of Density
the spherical object was placed in the middle of Accepted 7.86 7.86 7.86
the anvil and spindle, made it secured then the Value of
measurement was read. After which, with the Density
use of a weighing scale inside the laboratory the (g/𝑐𝑚3 )
group determined the mass of the object. %Error 12.1% 0.776% 0.382%
for
After getting all the needed Density
measurements, the group completed solving for Table 2: Measurements of the Width of the
all the values asked in the table provided in the Thumbs of Each Member of the Group
manual in order to know which device is the
Group 1 2 3
most accurate when it comes to reading
Member
measurements. Width of 1.2 1.15 0.95
Thumb
Results and Discussion (in)
Table1: Measurements and Errors of the
Diameter of a Sphere Using Three Instruments: The diameter of the sphere was
Foot Rule, Vernier Caliper, and Micrometer measured using three devices: foot rule, vernier
caliper, and micrometer. Upon using the foot
Diameter of Sphere (cm)
rule, several measurements were acquired
Trial Foot Vernier Micromet
Rule Caliper er throughout the 10 trials. The vernier caliper
1 1.60 1.585 1.584 yielded almost identical. Lastly, close values
2 1.65 1.585 1.584 were also obtained using the micrometer. The
3 1.70 1.585 1.584 Vernier caliper was able to give the least percent
4 1.65 1.580 1.584 error in diameter, having .009968%. The highest
5 1.70 1.585 1.583 was from the foot rule, 38.2%
6 1.60 1.585 1.582
7 1.60 1.585 1.580 The Density was also calculated after getting the
8 1.70 1.585 1.580 mass of the sphere. Having the accepted value of
9 1.70 1.585 1.584 density of 7.86 g/𝑐𝑚3 , the least percent error
from the use of the micrometer, 0.382% while
the highest came from the foot rule, 12.1%.
High percent errors were consistently obtained
from the use if the foot rule. This is mainly due
to the fact that the divisions of the foot rule can
only measure up to .05 cm. Any measurement
smaller than this must already be approximated.
Vernier caliper and micrometer are both good
tools that give better values, measure up until
0.005 and 0.001, respectively. From Table1, it
can be inferred that the Vernier caliper gave
more precise measurements, getting values close
to each other. On the other hand, accuracy was
observed using the micrometer, getting values
that are close to the true or accepted value.
Table2 indicates the widths of the thumb of each
member of the group measured using a foot rule.
1.2cm was the observed width of the first
member, 1.15cm for the second, and 0.95cm for
the last.
Human errors such as visual inaccuracies and
lack of skills may be sources of error when
taking measurements. In addition, broken or
uncalibrated instruments and improper working
environment can be factors as well.
Conclusion
Using the three measuring devices to obtain the
diameter of the sphere, the least precise and
accurate was the foot rule. It was the device that
was mostly prone to error.
The device that was able to get the values with
the highest precision was the Vernier caliper,
measuring until .005cm. The micrometer was the
most accurate device to use that it was able to
measure until .001cm.
Although there are a number of probable sources
of error, the kind of instrument being used also
plays a crucial role in the precision and accuracy
of the measurements.
Applications
Which among the three measuring devices
give you the least % error? Is the accuracy of
a measurement affected by the least count of
the measuring device?
Based from our calculations, among the three
measuring devices, the Vernier caliper gave the
least amount of % error. The result we got using
the Vernier caliper was 0.009968% and on the
other hand the micrometer caliper gave a result
of 0.02672% and the foot rule with 38.2% error
which is the highest value between the three.
Least count is the smallest value that can be
measured by a device. Accuracy is how close the
measured value is from the standard value. As
the least count decreases, the accuracy increases.
Thus, we can say that the relationship between
accuracy and the least count is inversely
proportional.
What do you mean by error? What are the
types of errors? What are the errors you
encountered in this experiment?
Errors are the uncertainties which happens
during the experiment. The two types of error
are called Systematic error and Random error.
Systematic errors or also called as repetitive
errors are due to default devices and incorrect
use of experiment instruments. This type of error
occurs if the device used for measuring is
incorrectly calibrated. On the other hand,
random error occurs when unpredictable
changes happens in the experiment. This error
occurs random in nature. Example are errors
made by the member while reading the
measurement of a device.
In computing for the series of measurements the
values obtained by the group were not
consistently the same all through out. This kind
of error is unavoidable because there will always
be uncertainty in the measurements. This is
sample of a random error encountered by the
group. While the systematic error encountered is
due to the inadequate calibration of the Vernier
caliper and micrometer caliper. %𝐸
𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
= 𝑥100
𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

3.) Sketch

a.) a Vernier caliper that reads 34.8cm 2.2046𝑙𝑏𝑠 − 2.2𝑙𝑏𝑠

%𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝑥100
2.2046𝑙𝑏𝑠

%𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = .21%

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
34.80mm determinations for the mass of the sample. If
you are the leader of the group, which data
b.) a micrometer caliper that reads 7.05mm will you omit? Recalculate the mean, a.d. and
A.D. without this data, Which results will you
prefer?

X (g) 𝑥 − 𝑥̅
1 14.34 0.04000
2 14.32 0.02000
3 14.33 0.03000
4 14.30 0.0000
5 14.23 0.07000
Mean (𝑥̅ ) 14.30
a.d 0.03200
A.D 0.01431

4. A student weighs himself using a bathroom I would omit the value 14.23g and
scale calibrated in kilograms. He reported his consider this an outlier.
weight in pounds. What is the percentage
error in his reported weight if he uses this X (g) 𝑥 − 𝑥̅
conversion 1 14.34 0.02000
2 14.32 0.0000
1 kg = 2.2 pounds? The standard kilogram is 3 14.33 0.01000
equal to 2.2046 pounds. 4 14.30 0.02000
 Mean (𝑥̅ ) 14.32
a.d 0.01250
A.D 0.006250

The second calculation would be more

preferable since the average deviation and
average deviation of the mean is lower.

6. Give other parts of the body that are being

used for measurement today, what are some
properties to be a standard of measurement.

Fingers and arms are usually used to

measure width or length when a proper
measuring instrument is absent.

A standard of measurement should have

an acceptable amount of error, that is, when
applied to the experimental value, would yield a
result that is insignificantly different from the
acceptable value.

References

Cutnell, J. D., Stadler, S., Young, D., &

Johnson, K. W. (2015). Physics. Hoboken, NJ:
Wiley.