PHYSICS 15200

LAB 1

Athira Nair Surendran

Lab Partner: Harini Ilamurugu
Physics 15200
Lab Section 03
Laboratory #1
Introduction to Mechanics Laboratory
Measurement and Uncertainty
Abstract
In this laboratory we measure simple physical quantities (for example, distance and mass)
and use the results of those measurements to calculate other physical quantities (such as
density and volume). We also take note of the precision of our measurements via recording
experimental uncertainties and find that the uncertainties in our measurements carry through
or propagate into any quantity calculated using those measurements.
Introduction
The purpose of this lab is to gain experience using uncertainties and to understand what these
uncertainties tell us about our measured values and the experiment. We will do this by
measuring the mass and diameter of a steel rectangular solid. Using the equations,
= m/V
V = length x width x height
calculations for the density of the solid will be performed, where is the density in (g/cm3 ),
m is the mass in (g) and V is the volume of the solid in (cm3 ). We will also be calculating the
uncertainty in the length, width and height in order to find the uncertainty in the volume then
finally in the density.
Procedure
Our selected measuring devices for this experiment are the Vernier calliper for the volume
and the digital balance for the mass.
Measure the length, width, and depth of the rectangular, aluminum block that is in your kit
with your Vernier calpier. Make five measurements of each dimension, and write these down
in a data table (using Excel is a good way to do this). Make certain to note somewhere what
your precision on your caliper is. Your lab instructor will give you some guidance on how to
determine this. Calculate the standard deviations of each of the sets of measurements.
Calculate the volume of the solid, and do the same for the error in that volume calculation.
Weigh the solid on the digital balance in the room, and record the mass it gives you in grams.
Calculate the average mass density, and propagate the error in the volume to that in the mass
density. Assume that the error in the mass from the balance is zero. Clearly, it is not, but for
simplicity, we'll let it go for now.
The tabulated data is shown in the next section.

PHYSICS 15200

LAB 1

Measurements and Data

The measurements of mass and volume were carried out as discussed in the preceding section
on procedure. The results are tabulated below. Calculation of the densities for each
measurement, averages, and uncertainties is the subject of the next section, on Analysis and
Conclusions.

Trial 1
Trial 2

Length
5
5.01

Width
2.55
2.54

Depth
1.276
1.27

Trial 3
Trial 4

5
5.012

2.556
2.547

1.276
1.274

Trial 5

5.005

2.551

1.271

Mean value

5.0054

2.5488

1.2734

Variance

3.08E-05

7.8E-06

Standard
Deviations
Weight of solid
Average mass
Density
Error in volume

0.005549
77
47g
2.893066
82
4.2949E15

0.000034
7
0.005890
67

0.002792
85

Volume
16.269
16.16125
8
16.30728
16.26332
85
16.22781
66
16.24573
61

9.1303E08

Analysis and Conclusions

The average value of the trials, variance, standard deviations, and the average mass density is
calculated as shown below.

Variance = (trial values * mean value)2 / 4

Standard Deviation = variance
Average mass density = Weight of solid / Average volume

The trials of the length, width and height of the solid is consistent. Hence, the standard
deviation, variance and error in volume is low. Small error shows that the measuring
instrument has high accuracy.

PHYSICS 15200

LAB 1