Experiment 1 : Measurements

Laboratory Report
2 Nursing - 3 / Group 5

Patricia Culala, Bernadette Culanibang, Angela Cunanan, Nisha Dale

Department of Math and Physics

College of Nursing, University of Santo Tomas
Espaa, Manila Philippines
Abstract caliper is commonly used among engineers
The experiment is about using the ruler, because of its precision. It was invented by
vernier caliper and micro caliper in measuring Jean Laurent Palmer in 1848. The objectives
the iron sphere and copper cylinder. The for this experiment is to differentiate accuracy
students measured for the diameter and height and precision. Also, to learn how to use the
of the materials. The students found the different measuring devices such as the ruler,
different volume, density, mass and percent vernier caliper and micrometer caliper. And to
error of the sphere and cylinder using the determine the density of regular objects.
equations provided.
2. Theory
1. Introduction The formulas used in the experiment are
finding volume, density and percent error.
The materials used in the experiment are the Volume of sphere = d3 / 6
ruler, vernier caliper and the micrometer
Volume of cylinder = d2h / 4
caliper. Firstly, the ruler is used to measure the
length, height and width of an object and can %Error = |T heoretical density Experimental

be used in measuring the distance between two density| / T heoretical density 100

objects using a straight line. It is commonly

used in drawings, engineering, geometry and
etc. Secondly, the vernier caliper is invented by
Pierre Vernier, it is used to measure lengths 3. Methodology
precisely because it consists of the main and
In the experiment, vernier caliper, micrometer
vernier scales for greater accuracy. For
and ruler was used in measuring the diameter
instance, the fraction of the object can be
and the height of iron sphere and copper
determined because of the ten small divisions
cylinder.
of the vernier scale. Lastly, the micrometer
 In using the vernier caliper, first is to fit I. Using a Ruler
the iron sphere or copper cylinder being
measured between the external jaws. Next is VOLUME COMPUTED DENSITY (g/cm3)
to take note of the main scale reading - look (cm3)

for the zero mark of the vernier scale, then

record the value to the left of the zero mark. II. Using a Vernier Caliper

Read the vernier scale for the Object Dimensions in cm

decimal/fractional part and look for the line in Sphere d= 0.26cm
the vernier scale that coincides with the line in d= 0.15cm h=0.56cm
Cylinder
the main scale. Next is to count the number of
lines from zero, then multiply to the least
count. Lastly, add the main scale and vernier III. Using a Micrometer Caliper

scale readings.
Object Dimensions in cm
In using the micrometer, fit the iron
Sphere d= 0.184cm
sphere and copper cylinder being measured
between the anvil and spindle. Take note of Cylinder d= 0.124cm h= 0.005cm

the main scale reading - look where the

vernier scale starts, then record the value to
the left of the vernier scale. If it is exactly IV. Determining the density
aligned, then no need to read the vernier
scale. If not, read the vernier scale for the Object Type of Mass
Material (g)
decimal/fractional part. Look for the line in the
vernier scale that coincides with the horizontal
line in the main scale and count the number of Sphere Iron 23.5g

lines from zero, then multiply to the least Cylinder Copper 50.6g

count.

4. Results and Discussion

Object Dimensions in cm

Sphere d= 0.19cm
R VC MC R VC MC
Cylinder d= 0.12cm h= 0.5cm
3.59 9.20 3.26 7.66 2.99 8.44 5. Conclusion

The measuring device that is commonly

5.65 14.84 6.76 8.96 3.41 7.49
used or casually used, whether in school or
Theoretical
work, is the ruler. For sure, majority is
Density
(g/cm3) already familiar on how to correctly use the

7.87 g/cm3 ruler. On the other hand, there are other

8.90 g/cm3 measuring tools that can measure smaller

lengths and sizes, specifically called the
vernier caliper and the micrometer caliper.
In the experiment, the objects used to be

Percent Error: measured was the cylinder and the sphere.

Looking at the data gathered which are
listed on the column of dimensions in cm,
R VC MC
the measurements are close enough to one
2.67 62.0 7.24
another, comparing the measurement of the
0.67 0.61 0.15
two objects to each of the measuring device.
This suggests that the results or data
gathered by using the three devices are
The possible source of errors committed
accurate and precise.
during the experiment was probably due to
an error in computation, or an error in
measuring. Since the vernier caliper and
6. Application
micrometer has measurements of calibrated
lines that are very thin, it makes it difficult
1.) The measuring device that gave the least %
to visualize or to correctly measure the
error based on the data gathered is the
object, depending on the persons
micrometer caliper. The micrometer caliper's
perspective.
least count is 0.01 mm, which basically means
it can measure smaller objects in capable of the
The group decided that frequent use or
measuring device. This gives us the least %
practice of using the micrometer and
error.
vernier caliper as measuring devices can
help to accurately get the measurement and
2.) Error in terms of computing the data
gather correct data. collected. The part where most of the error is
on the % error computation in the row of
cylinder. Other than that there are no other
errors. Markovics, S. (2015). All About Vernier
Calipers History & Theory Description
3.) Vernier Calipers Guide for Uses, Types,
. Measurements & All Info.
Vernierscaliper.com. Retrieved 15 February
2017, from http://vernierscaliper.com/all-
about-vernier-calipers-history-theory-
description-156.html

Micrometer caliper. (n.d.). Retrieved February

15, 2017, from
http://pachamamatrust.org/f2/1_K/CMe_
metal/T_micrometer_KMe.htm

Vernier caliper that reads 5.08 cm

Ryan, V. (2009). The Micrometer.

Technologystudent.com. Retrieved 15
February 2017, from
http://www.technologystudent.com/equip1/mic
rom1.htm

Virtual Micrometer in Hundredths Millimeter -

Simulator | Eduardo J. Stefanelli. (2017).
Eduardo J. Stefanelli. Retrieved 15 February
2017, from
http://www.stefanelli.eng.br/en/simulator-virtual-
micrometer-hundredths-millimeter/
The micrometer caliper that reads 2.55 mm
What is a metric ruler used for?. (2017).
Reference. Retrieved 15 February 2017, from
4.) The percent error in his reported weight is
https://www.reference.com/science/metric-
0.21%.
ruler-used-b9bbcfa169224c12

7. References