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Physics Lab Report #1 - GUIDE

1. The students measured the densities of a metal block, cylinder, and washer using two methods: calculating volume from dimensions and water displacement. 2. They found that the density results varied greatly between the two methods, making it impossible to identify the materials. However, comparing to known material densities could potentially identify the unknowns. 3. Sources of error included human errors in measurement and environmental factors like wind. The first method using dimensions was more precise but less accurate than the second water displacement method.

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151 views

Physics Lab Report #1 - GUIDE

1. The students measured the densities of a metal block, cylinder, and washer using two methods: calculating volume from dimensions and water displacement. 2. They found that the density results varied greatly between the two methods, making it impossible to identify the materials. However, comparing to known material densities could potentially identify the unknowns. 3. Sources of error included human errors in measurement and environmental factors like wind. The first method using dimensions was more precise but less accurate than the second water displacement method.

Uploaded by

Angel Mancenido
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ateneo de Manila Senior High School

General Physics 1
Laboratory Report #1
Date Performed: June 29, 2018
Date Submitted: July 6, 2018

Group Number: 6 Section: Xavier

Benedicto, Victoria Roja K.


Castillo, Javier Luca R.
Ong Yiu, Mark Kevin A.
Velasco, Eunice Tessa A.

CALCULATING DENSITY

I. OBJECTIVES
1. To calculate the densities of solids using two different methods
2. Determine the volume of solids using two different methods
3. To employ proper error analysis

II. DATA AND RESULTS


The volumes of three items; a metal block, a cylinder, and a washer were measured using two
different methods namely: calculating its volume by measuring its dimensions, and using the water
displacement method discovered by Archimedes. Following this, the three items were weighed using a
triple beam balance to measure their mass. The mass of two liquids, alcohol and water, were also
similarly measured. Finally, the densities of the measured objects and substances were tabulated.

Method 1: Density was measured through dividing mass by volume acquired through measuring
respective dimensions.
Method 2: Density was measured through dividing mass by volume acquired through water
displacement.

Table 1.1 Density calculation for metal block using first method
Mass (g) Length (cm) Width (cm) Height (cm) Volume (cm​3​) Density (g/cm​3​)

26.22 ± 1.2700 ± 1.2700 ± 1.9400 ± 3.1290 ± 8.380 ± 0.059


0.05 0.0025 0.0025 0.0025 0.016

Table 1.2 Density calculation for cylinder using first method


Mass (g) Height (cm) Radius (cm) Volume (cm​3​) Density (g/cm​3​)

14.30 ± 0.05 4.3700 ± 0.0025 0.5750 ± 0.0025 4.539 ± 0.042 3.150 ± 0.04
Tabe 1.3 Density calculation for washer using first method
Mass (g) Height (cm) Inner radius Outer radius Volume (cm​3​) Density
(cm) (cm) (g/cm​3​)

2.15 ± 0.05 0.1400 ± 0.5000 ± 0.9500 ± 0.2870 ± 7.49 ± 0.49


0.0025 0.0025 0.0025 0.012

Table 1.4 Density calculations using second method


Item Mass (g) Volume (cm​3​) Density (g/cm​3​)

Metal Block 26.22 ± 0.05 2.0 ± 0.05 13 ± 0.35

Cylinder 14.30 ± 0.05 6.0 ± 0.05 2.4 ± 0.028

Washer 2.15 ± 0.05 1.0 ± 0.05 2.2 ± 0.16

Liquid A (Water) 8.60 ± 0.1 10.0 ± 0.05 0.860 ± 0.014

Liquid B (Alcohol) 5.74 ± 0.1 10.0 ± 0.05 0.574 ± 0.013

III. DATA ANALYSIS


The experiment required the students to identify unknown materials given to them in the physics
laboratory. They were tasked to measure the densities of three materials: a metal block, a cylinder, and a
washer. They measured the materials using two different methods, namely, the vernier caliper and the
water displacement method. The results of the two methods varied greatly so it was impossible to
determine the unknown materials; however, assuming that the correct density is measured, the unknown
materials could be identified by comparing its densities with the densities of known materials. For
example, if it were nickel, it would have a density of 8.9 g/cm​3​, and if it were aluminum, it would have a
density of 2.7 g/cm​3​. ​A possible major source of error in the experiment is human error. This could have
occured when the dimensions of the metal block, cylinder, and washer were measured using vernier
caliper. The instrument might have been incorrectly read or used. Another instance in which human error
may have occurred is when the triple beam balance was used to measure the mass of the said items. The
instrument might have been misread. Finally, human error may have also occurred when the volumes of
the materials were measured through a graduated cylinder. The instrument could also be easily misread by
a human.
Another possible major source of error in the experiment are environmental factors. An
environmental factor that occurred in the experiment is the presence of wind. As a result, the beam
became unstable which made it difficult to measure the mass of the materials.
The methods of measuring the volumes of the objects could have also contributed as a source of
error. The first method of using the vernier caliper to measure the dimension of the objects is more precise
than the second method of using water displacement; however, the second method is more accurate than
the first. Using the vernier caliper is more precise than using the water displacement method because the
vernier caliper had a precision of 0.005 cm while the graduated cylinder where the water displacement
method was performed only had a precision of 1 mL. Furthermore, the water displacement method was
more accurate because it was only measured once leaving less room for error. Unlike the water
displacement method, the first method of using the vernier caliper required the measurements of each of
the objects’ dimension which, as a result, created a larger possibility of inaccuracy.
Since the possible reasons for error was in the use of vernier caliper. There are other instruments
that can be relied on when it comes to better precision, such as the micrometer caliper. Although, there are
other ways to improve precision. For example, doing more trials to ensure the accuracy and precision of
the object being measured. The various trials could also help make water displacement more accurate.
Instruments in the lab like the triple beam balance was also sort of a hassle to handle solely for the reason
that digital instruments would probably read the measurement faster and more accurately because it
removes human error which leaves all discrepancies to instrument error.
Instrument error is essentially just the difference between the actual value and the value obtained
from the data gathered. It refers to the combined accuracy and precision of an instrument. Meanwhile,
standard deviation error is simply the estimate of error in repeated trials. The instrument error and the
standard deviation error cannot be compared in this experiment because there were no repeated trials and
therefore, no standard deviation.

IV. REFLECTION
When two objects have the same amount of mass, but different density values, it is expected that
the two objects would have different volumes. Specifically, the object with a higher density value is
expected to have a smaller volume compared to the object with a lower density value. This occurs
because of the inversely proportional relationship of density and volume that can be observed in the
formula for density (Equation 1).
Equation 1.​ Density = Mass / Volume
Given a regularly shaped object with a mass of 56.88 g and the following dimensions: length =
3.65 cm, width = 8.97 cm, and height = 6.35 cm. The volume of the object can be calculated by getting
the product of its length, width, and height which, after applying the rules of significant figures, results in
a volume of 208 cm​3​. Using Equation 1, the calculated density of the object is 0.273 g/cm​3​. Furthermore,
as Archimedes discovered, the amount of water an object displaces is equal to its volume therefore the
amount of water the object displaces is also 208 cm​3​ or 208 mL.
Given that you bought wedding rings for the 25​th anniversary celebration of your parents, you can
determine whether or not the rings are made of gold by comparing its densities with the density of real
gold. First, you must measure the mass of the ring using a triple beam balance or any other precise
instrument. Next, you must measure its volume. Since rings are irregularly shaped, the best method to
measure its volume is by the water displacement method. You must submerge the ring in water and
measure the amount of water it displaces. This can be done using a graduated cylinder or a beaker.
Finally, calculate the density of the ring using Equation 1 and compare it to the actual density of gold
which is 19.32 g/cm​3​. If the densities of the ring is the same with the density of gold, the rings are made
of gold. However, if the densities are not the same, the rings are not made of gold.
V. CONTRIBUTIONS
Benedicto, Victoria Roja K. - data analysis, proof read
Castillo, Javier Luca R. - data analysis
Ong Yiu, Mark Kevin A. - tables and calculations, reflection, proof read
Velasco, Eunice Tessa A. - table descriptions, objectives

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