Visayas State University

College of Engineering
Visca, Baybay City, 6521-A, Leyte, Philippines
e-mail:dmet@vsu.edu.ph; website:www.vsu-visca.edu.ph

ESci 114 – PHYSICS FOR ENGINEERS

LABORATORY

Experiment No. 1
Measurements

I. Abstract
This experiment is conducted with the objective to measure the thickness of the
given object using a micrometer, and also to measure its area and volume. Another
objective of this experiment is to measure the length and diameter of the given solid
cylinder using vernier calipers and to calculate the volume of the solid cylinder.The first
step of the experiment was recording and measuring the Pitch scale reading and divisions
on the head scale of the irregular glass plate using Micrometer.With these values the group
computed for head scale reading, observed reading and correct reading to solve for the
average thickness, area, and volume of the irregular glass plate.For the second part of the
experiment, the main scale reading, and vernier scale coincidence of the solid cylinder
was measured using the vernier caliper. With these values the vernier scale reading,
observed reading, and correct reading were calculated to solve for the length. Same
process was conducted to calculate for the diameter of the solid cylinder. With these values
the volume of the solid cylinder was computed.

II. Data Sheets

Vision: A globally competitive university for science, technology, and environmental conservation.
Mission: Development of a highly competitive human resource, cutting-edge scientific knowledge and innovative technologies
for sustainable communities and environment.
Tabular column (MICROMETER)
To find the thickness of the given object:
LC = 0.01mm ZE = +0.06mm ZC = -0.06mm
SI. No. PSR HSC HSR = HSC x LC OR = PSR + HSR Thickness
CR = OR + ZC
Unit mm div mm mm mm
1.(l) 18.5 32 0.32 18.82 18.76
2.(l) 18.5 32 0.32 18.82 18.76
3.(w) 20 0 0 20 19.94
4.(w) 20 0 0 20 19.94
5.(h) 10.5 25 0.25 10.75 10.69
6.(h) 10.5 25 0.25 10.75 10.69

The average thickness of length = 18.76 x 10^-3 m or 0.01876 m

The average thickness of width = 19.94 x 10^-3 m or 0.01944 m
The average thickness of height = 10.69 x 10^-3 m or 0.01069 m
Area of the given object using graph sheet = 3.740744 x 10^-4 m²
Volume of the glass plate = 3.998855336 x 10^-6 m^3

Tabular column (VERNIER CALIPER)

To find the length of the sold cylinder:
LC = 0.02cm ZE = 0 cm ZC = 0 cm
SI. No. MSR VSC VSR = VSC x LC OR = MSR + VSR Length
CR = OR + ZC
Unit cm div cm cm cm
1. 2.69 45 0.9 3.59 3.59
2. 2.68 40 0.8 3.48 3.48
3. 2.67 35 0.8 3.37 3.37
4. 2.67 35 0.7 3.37 3.37
5. 2.65 25 0.5 3.15 3.15

The average length of the solid cylinder (L) = 3.392cm

= 3.392 X 10^-2 m
To find the diameter of the sold cylinder:
LC = 0.02cm ZE = 0 cm ZC = 0 cm
SI. No. MSR VSC VSR = VSC x LC OR = MSR + VSR Diameter
CR = OR + ZC
Unit cm div cm cm cm
1. 6.55 25 0.5 7.05 7.05
2. 6.58 40 0.8 7.38 7.38
3. 6.54 20 0.4 6.94 6.94
4. 6.51 5 0.1 6.61 6.61
5. 6.55 25 0.5 7.05 7.05

The average diameter of the solid cylinder (D) = 7.006 cm

= 7.006 x 10^-2
The average radius of the solid cylinder ‘r’ = 3.503 x 10^-2
Volume of the solid cylinder = 0.00013076 m^3

III. Sample Calculations

(MICROMETER)
To find HSR: To find OR:
Vision: A globally competitive university for science, technology, and environmental conservation.
Mission: Development of a highly competitive human resource, cutting-edge scientific knowledge and innovative technologies
for sustainable communities and environment.
 HSR = HSC x LC OR = PSR + HSR
= 32 mm x 0.01 = 18.5 mm + 0.32 mm
= 0.32 mm = 18.82 mm

To find CR: To find Average thickness of Length:

CR = OR + ZC = ave. of length / n
= 18.82 mm + (-0.06) = 18.76 mm + 18.76 mm / 2
= 18.76 mm =18.76 mm x 10^-3m or 0.01876m

To find the Area of the given object: To find Volume of the given object:
= ave. Thickness of length x = Thickness of height x Area
average thickness of width = 0.01069 m x 3.740744 x 10^-4 m^2
= 18.76 mm X 19.94 mm = 3.998855336 x 10^-6 m^3
= 374.0744mm x 10^-6m
= 3.740744 x 10^-4 m^2

(VERNIER CALIPER)
To find the length of the solid cylinder:
To find VSR: To find OR:
VSR = VSC x LC OR = MSR + VSR
= 45 cm x 0.02 = 2.69cm + 0.9cm
= 0.9 cm = 3.59 cm
To find CR: To find the length of the solid cylinder:
CR = OR + ZC =  of CR / n
= 3.59 cm + 0 cm = 3.59cm+3.48cm+…3.15 cm/5
= 3.59m = 3.392 cm
= 3.392 x 10^-2 m
To find the diameter of the solid cylinder:
To find VSR: To find OR:
VSR = VSC x LC OR = MSR + VSR
= 25 x 0.02 = 6.55 cm + 0.5 cm
= 0.5 cm = 7.05 cm
To find CR: To find the diameter of the solid cylinder:
CR = OR + ZC =  of CR / n
= 7.05 cm + 0 cm = 7.05 cm+7.38cm+…7.05cm /5
= 7.05 cm = 7.006 cm
= 7.006 x 10^-2 m

To find the average radius of the solid cylinder ‘r’

=d/2
= 7.006 x 10^-2 m / 2
= 3.503 x 10^-2 m

Volume of the solid cylinder

=  r²l
=  (3.503 x 10^-2 m)² ( 3.392 x 10^-2 m)
= 0.00013076 m^3

IV. Discussion of Results

Vision: A globally competitive university for science, technology, and environmental conservation.
Mission: Development of a highly competitive human resource, cutting-edge scientific knowledge and innovative technologies
for sustainable communities and environment.
 The purpose of the experiment was to measure the thickness of the given object using
a micrometer, and also to measure its area and volume. Since there was no irregular glass
plate the object we used was a mini padlock. The average thickness computed was 18.76 x
10^-3 m or 0.01876 m, the average thickness of width was 19.94 x 10^-3 m or 0.01944 m and
the the average thickness of height the padlock computed was 10.69 x 10^-3 m or 0.01069
m. The area computed was 3.740744 x 10^-4 m^2 while volume computed was 3.998855336
x 10^-6 m^3.All measurements are subjected to uncertainty because there can be no
measurement that can exactly measure how long or how much an object weight. Random
error was also associated in this experiment since it is associated with the fact that when the
measurement was repeated, it provided a different value. The purpose of the second
experiment was to measure the length and diameter of the given solid cylinder using vernier
calipers and to calculate the volume of the solid cylinder. The calculated length of the solid
cylinder was 3.392 x 10^-2 m while its diameter is 7.006 x 10^-2 m. The calculated volume
of the solid cylinder was 0.00013076 m^3. In this experiment it is safe to say that the
measurements are precise because of the arrangement between repeated measurements.

V. Conclusion
In conclusion a micrometer is used for measurements that require greater precision
than a caliper. Though micrometers gives superior precision, it can only measure a very
small length. It consists of calibrated screw that which when rotates helps in giving an
accurate measurement. A vernier caliper is especially useful when it comes to measuring
the diameter of circular objects such as cylinders. This is because its jaws can be perfectly
secured on both sides of the circumference (Thakur, 2017).

VI. Reference
Bachan Thakur, 2017. Importance of Vernier Caliper

Vision: A globally competitive university for science, technology, and environmental conservation.
Mission: Development of a highly competitive human resource, cutting-edge scientific knowledge and innovative technologies
for sustainable communities and environment.