COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Southern Luzon State University

Lucban, Quezon

Laboratory Experiment No. 1

Measuring Length Using Plastic Ruler

BS Biology II
Group 2
Batua, Sittie Ainnie B.
Corpuz, Allaiza P.
Galve, Jannah Thalia A.
Guce, Jemimah S.
Marile, Ma. Julie Cris H.
Penolio, Maria Arvy Diane A.
Pureza, Clarisse Alyssa L.

November 24, 2014

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Southern Luzon State University
Lucban, Quezon

Purpose
This experiment aimed to:
1. To be able to determine the least count of the plastic ruler
2. To measure the length of the wooden block by the use of English and
metric scale of the plastic ruler.
Theory
Measurement is simply the process of getting the actual measure of an objects
dimension or property in comparison with the standard unit of acquiring the value. There are
two systems of measurement, the Metric and English system. Metric system is the
commonly used method of measurement. It can be best described as MKS (meter- kilogramsecond) and CGS (centimeter-gram-second) which are now part of the SI or System
Internationale recognized in 1960. On the other hand, English system which is also known
as the British system of measurement is commonly used in English speaking countries
particularly that of the United Kingdom.
Measurement can be obtained using measuring devices. One of the commonly used
measuring devices is the plastic ruler. It is called a rule or a line gauge used in geometry,
technical drawing, printing, engineering or building to measure distances or to rule straight
line. It is a pre-calibrated device.
Also a measurement should be evaluated to obtain a true value of the properties of
physical quantity such as the least count, significant figure, accuracy, precision, percent
error and percent difference. Specifically, least count is the least accurate reading that can be

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Southern Luzon State University
Lucban, Quezon
read in a measuring device. The least count of a ruler in metric system is 0.1 cm and in
English system it is 1/16 in.
Apparatus
Rectangular block of wood
Plastic ruler

Procedure
Tabulating Data
The least count of the plastic ruler was determined. Using plastic ruler the
length, width and thickness of a wooden block was measured. This was repeated five
times with different starting point of the ruler and faces of the block. Metric and
English scales were used in this. The data were then tabulated.
Results and Calculations
Average length, width, and thickness were calculated on both scales. The
experimental equivalent of 1 inch to centimeter was determined by dividing the
average length of the wooden block in centimeter by the average length in inches.
Percentage error was then calculated to compare the experimental equivalent of 1 in
to cm to the standard value. By multiplying the average length and average width, the
average area of the wooden block were computed. Then, the experimental equivalent
of 1 square inch to square centimeter were determined by dividing the average area of

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Southern Luzon State University
Lucban, Quezon
the wooden block in square centimeters by the average area in square inches. Again,
the percentage error was calculated to compare the experimental equivalent of 1in2 to
cm2 to the standard value.

Data and Results

Data Table 1.1 Dimension of block obtained from a plastic ruler
Least Count: 0.1 cm = 1/16 in
Trial
1

Length, l
12.8

Metric Scale (cm)

Width, w
Thickness, t
4.4
3.8

English Scale (in)

Length, l
Width, w
Thickness, t
5 1/16
1 12/16
1 8/16

12.6

4.4

3.8

1 12/16

1 8/16

12.8

4.5

3.8

5 1/16

1 12/16

1 8/16

12.7

4.5

3.8

5 1/16

1 10/16

1 8/16

12.9

4.5

3.9

5 1/16

1 12/16

1 8/16

Ave

12.8

4.5

3.8

5 1/20

1 29/40

1 1/2

Average length of a wooden block

= 12.8 cm

Average length of a wooden block

= 5 1/20 in

1 inch (experimental value)

= 2.5 cm

1 inch (standard value)

= 2.54 cm

Percentage error

= 0.37%

Average area of a wooden block

= 57 cm2

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Southern Luzon State University
Lucban, Quezon
Average area of a wooden block

= 8 569/800 in2

1 in2 (experimental value)

= 6.5 cm2

1 in2 (standard value)

= 6.45 cm2

Percentage error

= 1.4%

Calculations
1. Average length of rectangular block in centimeters

l ave =

l1 + l2 + l3 + l4 + l5
N

12.8 cm+12.6 cm+12.8 cm+ 12.7 cm+ 12.9 cm

5
=12.8 cm

2. Percentage Error
E=

Obsevered value Accepted value

100
Accepted value

2.5 cm2.54 cm
100
2.54 cm
0.37

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Southern Luzon State University
Lucban, Quezon

3. Average area of wooden block

Area= length x width
=12.8cm x 4.5cm
=57cm

Discussion
With the use of plastic ruler we are able to measure the length, the width and the
thickness of the wooden block. First using an English scale and then in metric scale. It is
repeated five times with different starting point. The datas are shown in table 1.1, which
includes the average of the length, width and thickness using the two scales. The average
measurements using English scale are 1.8cm, 4.5 cm, and 3.8cm respectively while with

metric scale are

1
29
1
,1 ,1
respectively.
20
40
2

With the data obtained after measuring the block with a ruler, we are able to compute
the average length of the wooden block in meters and inches, 1 inch experimental and
standard value and the percentage error, average area of the wooden block in meters and
inches also, 1 in2 experimental and standard value and the percentage error. In this
experiment, percentage error may be brought by some personal error of a systematic nature
like parallax and random error. The different starting points are also a factor.

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Lucban, Quezon

Conclusions
We therefore conclude, that plastic ruler is one of the most commonly used to
measure the small objects. However, plastic ruler has a higher percentage error. Compare to
other measuring devices. In this experiment, the least count of the plastic ruler was

measured to be 0.1 cm and

1
16

in. We had learned how to calculate the given data using

the appropriate equations to arrive with the desired results. Also errors cant be avoided due
to several reasons like systematic personal and random errors.

References
Lecture 1- Basic concepts: measurements, uncertainty and units. (2013, August 26).
Retrieved from http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/Class/phy141md/doku.php?id=phy141:lectures:1
Malenab, R. (2008). Basic Physics, Mandaluyong City: National Bookstore.
Origenes, P. (2014). Mechanics and Heat, Laboratory Manual. Department of
Natural Sciences. College of Arts and Sciences. Southern Luzon State University
Ruler.

(n.d.)

http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/
Ruler.html

retrieved

from

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Southern Luzon State University
Lucban, Quezon