PHYSIC LAB REPORT GROUP 2

Prepared by :
1. BALQIS BINTI MOHD RAMLAN – 2022811722
2. LAILA NAJWA BINTI RAHMAT – 2022696604
3. MUHAMMAD AKMAL HAKIM BIN AZLAN – 2022497804
4. NURHIDAYAH BINTI AB KASSIM – 2022873654

Date of Submission :
11 / 12 / 2022

Group :
AS124 1A

Name of Lecturer :
MADAM NURUL HUDA
1. Exp No. : 01

2. Title : Physical Measurements with Error Analysis

3. Objectives :

i) To know and understand the utilization of apparatus to quantify the magnitude of a

physical property in terms of specific physical units.

ii) To comprehend how error and uncertainties are determined.

4. Apparatus :

Meter ruler, vernier caliper, micrometer screw gauge, stopwatch, triple beam balance, A4
paper, glass block and marble / steel ball.

5. Theory :

Introduction
Laboratory experiments involve taking measurements of physical quantities. No
measurement of any physical quantity is ever perfectly accurate, except possibly the counting
of objects. The discrepancy between the measured value and the exact value of the quantity
may arise from different sources. No matter how much effort is put into the refinement of
technique or into the improvement of the instruments, the error can only be decreased in
magnitude but never eliminated entirely. The error of the measurement must be included in
the obtained results.

6. Procedures :

Experiment A
i) Length of A4 paper of various dimensions is measured using meter ruler.
ii) The results that have been obtained in Table 1is tabulated.
iii) The uncertainty of the measurement is determined.

Experiment B
i) The diameter of a marble/steel ball is measured by using micrometer screw gauge.
ii) The results obtained in Table 2 is tabulated.
iii) At least three readings is recorded.
iv) Determine the uncertainty of the measurement.

Experiment C
i) The length, width, height (thickness) and mass of a glass block is measured using
vernier caliper and triple beam balance.
ii) The results that have been obtained in Table 3 is tabulated.
iii) The uncertainty of the measurement is determined.
 7. Data :

Experiment A: Measure the length of A4 paper for various dimensions.

Device used: Ruler in cm SI Unit

Table 1

No. Dimension Length, l Uncertainty, ± Length, l ± Δl

Δl
1. Side A 29.5 0.1 29.4
2. Side B 21.0 0.1 20.9
3. Side C 29.5 0.1 29.4
4. Side D 21.0 0.1 20.9

Experiment B: Measure the diameter of a marble/steel ball.

Device used: Micrometer screw gauge

Table 2

No. Diameter, d Radius, r Uncertainty, ± Δr Radius ± Uncertainty, r

± Δr
1. 24.0 12.0 0.001 11.999
2. 24.5 12.25 0.001 12.249
3. 24.0 12.0 0.001 11.999
Average 24.167 12.083 0.001 12.0823

Experiment C: Measure the length, width, height (thickness) and mass of a glass block.

Device used: Vernier Caliper

Table 3

No. Dimension Reading Uncertainty Reading ± Uncertainty

1. Length 6.0cm 0.01 5.99
2. Width 1.6cm 0.01 1.59
3. Height 10.1cm 0.01 10.09
4. Mass 300g 0.01 299.99
Data analysis

i) Calculate the perimeter, P of the A4 paper and its uncertainty (ΔP). Give the
answer in forms P = (P ± ΔP) m.

Perimeter, P A4 paper = 29.5 cm + 21 cm + 29.5 cm + 21 cm

= 101 cm
101 cm = 1.01 m

P = (1.01 ± 0.1) m

ii) Calculate the surface area, A of the marble/steel ball and its uncertainty (ΔA).
Give the answer in forms A = (A ± ΔA) m2

Surface area, A steel ball = 4πr2

= 4π (12)2
= 4π (144)
= 12.57 (144)
= 1810.08 mm2
1810.08 mm2 = 1.81008 m2

A = (1.81008 ± 0.001) m2

iii) Calculate the volume, V of the glass block and its uncertainty (ΔV). Give the
answer in forms V = (V ± ΔV) m3.

Volume, V glass block = l × w × h

= 6 cm × 1.6 cm × 10.1 cm
= 97 cm
97 cm3 = 0.97 m3

V = (0.97 ± 0.01) m3

iv) Calculate the density, ρ of the glass block and its uncertainty (Δρ). Give the
 answer in forms ρ = (ρ ± Δρ) kg/m3
Density, ρ glass block = m / v
= 300 / 0.97
= 309.28 g/m3
309.28 g/m3 = 0.309 kg/m3
ρ = (0.309 ± 0.01) kg/m3

8. Discussion
i) Discuss the factor(s) that have contributed to the error(s) in the experiment.
- Calibration error
An error that occurs when the instrument is not calibrated correctly.

- Human error
If the observer consistently read an instrument scale from one side rather than
directly above, parallax error will occur.

ii) Explain how to overcome the factor(s) mentioned in (i)

- Calibration error
This error will result in readings that are either consistently lower and higher than
the actual ones by a certain percentage.

- Human error
To overcome these errors, eye’s level of the observer should be parallel with the
apparatus’s scale while taking the readings.

9. Conclusion
Quantitative observations or measurements are central to physics. The ability to make and
interpret measurements is essential not only in physics but in any other science or field where
experimental work is important. In this laboratory we measured simple physical quantities
and used the results of those measurements to calculate other physical quantities. We also
found that the uncertainties in our measurements propagate into any quantity calculated using
those measurements, sometimes giving very large uncertainties in the calculated quantities.

1. Exp No. : 02
2. Title : Archimedes Principle
3. Objectives :
i) To find the buoyant force of an object.
ii) To determine the density of the fluid.
4. Apparatus :
Newton scale, meter ruler, retort stand, beaker, steel cylinder, wooden cylinder, water and
liquid X.
5. Theory :
According to Archimedes Principle, the buoyant force, FB of an object wholly and partially
submerged in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

FB = Wfluid displaced = ρ fluid Vobject g

(1)
Where
ρ fluid = density of the fluid
Vobject = the volume of the object that is submerged
= the volume of the fluid displaced by the object
g = the acceleration due to gravity

For object weighted in air, its weight is object object W = mobject g = ρobject Vobject g when
the object wholly or partially submerged in a fluid, its apparent weight, Wapparent is less than
its real weight because of the buoyant force.
W = Wapparent + FB
FB = W – Wapparent
(2)
Since the volume is equal to the cross-sectional area, A multiplied by the submerged height, h
the buoyant force is given by
FB = (ρ fluid A g)h
(3)
So, if the object is lowered into the fluid while the buoyant force is measured, a graph of the
FB versus h will give a straight line having a slope which is proportional to the density of the
fluid.
6. Procedures :
 i. The Newton scale is attached to a retort stand.
ii. The dimension of the object (length and radius)is recorded.
iii. The object is hang to the Newton scale and record its weight, W.
iv. 800 ml of water is poured into the beaker and the beaker is placed below the hanging
object.
v. The object is immersed, lower the spring by adjusting the clamp. The amount
submerged is increased by increments of 1 cm, each time records the weight of object
in Table 1. Continue until the cylinder is fully submerged.
vi. Results obtain is tabulate inTable 1.
vii. Steps i to vi is repeated using liquid X instead of water.

7. Data :
Radius, R = 0.96cm ; Length, L = 4.9cm ;
Area, A = 35.35cm²; Object weighted in air, W = 0.2N

Table 1 Water

No. Submerged height, h Apparent weight, Wapparent Buoyant Force, FB

(cm) (N) (N)
1 1 0.2 8.73
2 2 0.2 8.83
3 3 0.1 8.93
4 4 0.1 9.03
5 5 0.1 9.12
 Table Liquid X

No. Submerged height, h Apparent weight, Wapparent Buoyant Force, FB

(cm) (N) (N)
1 1 0.2 7.848
2 2 0.2 7.848
3 3 0.2 7.848
4 4 0.2 7.848
5 5 0.2 7.848

Data analysis :
i) Plot the graph of B F versus h for both tables.
ii) Determine the cross-sectional area, A of the object.
iii) Calculate the gradient of both graphs in each case.

Answer:
ii)Cross-section of the area,A= πr²
=3.142×0.96²
=2.896cm²

y2− y 1
iii)Graph 1: m =
x2−x 1
9.21− 8.73
=
5 −1
=0.0975
y2− y 1
Graph 2: m =
x2−x 1
7.484 −7.484
=
5 −1
=0
8. Discussions :

i. Calculate the density of water and liquid X by using equation (3).

water liquid X
FB = ( ρ fluid Ag) h FB = ( ρ fluid Ag) h
8.928 = ρ fluid (9.408)(9.81)(3) 7.848 = ρ fluid (9.408)(9.81)(3)
8.928 = ρ fluid (276.88) 7.848 = ρ fluid (276.88)
8.928 7.848
= ρ fluid = ρ fluid
276.88 276.88
0.032 = ρ fluid 0.028 = ρ fluid

ii. Compare the calculated value in (i) with theoretical value.

Water Liquid X
FB = ρgV FB = ρgV
8.928 = ρ(9.81)(8.69) 7.848 = ρ(9.81)(8.69)
8.928 = ρ(85.21) 7.848 = ρ(85.21)
8.928 7.848
=ρ =ρ
85.21 85.21
0.105 = ρ 0.028 = ρ
iii. Calculate the percentage discrepancies for this experiment. Explain.

Water
% Error = Actual value - Theoretical value × 100
Theoretical value

% Error = 0.032 - 0.105 × 100

0.105
= -70 %
= 70%

Liquid X
% Error = Actual value - Theoretical value × 100
Theoretical value

% Error = 0.028 - 0.092 × 100

0.092
= - 70%
= 70%

9. Conclusion :
In this lab, Archimedes’ Principle was investigated. Using the idea that the buoyant force of
an object is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object, the density of the fluid the
object is submerged it can be calculated. This information is confirmed when this calculated
density is compared to the density calculated by simply taking the mass of the fluid divided
by the volume. These result yield a very low percent difference, and from this information it
can be concluded that the values are nearly the same. This information confirms Archimedes’
Principle, and its value in practical situations.
1. Exp No. : 03
2. Title : Heat and Temperature
3. Objectives :
i) To determine the specific heat capacity of a metal block
4. Apparatus :
Copper block, brass block, aluminium block, calorimeter set, electric kettle, stopwatch,
thermometer, thread and electronic balace.
5. Theory :
 Heat is energy transferred from one body to to another because of a difference in
temperature SI unit for heat is Joule (J).
 Heat Capacity, C, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of the
substance by one degree Celcius. ( 1ºC or 1 K). The SI unit of heat capcity is (J ºC ̄ 1 )
or (JK ̄ 1).
 Specific Heat Capacity, c, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1
kg of the substance by 1 ºC or 1K. The SI unit of specific heat capacity is
(J kg ̄ 1 ºC ̄ 1 ) or ( J kg ̄ 1 K ̄ 1)
Q = mc ∆θ

Where Q is the amount of heat, m is the mass of a substance; c is the specific heat
capacity and ∆θ is the change in temperature.

6. Procedures ;

i. A calorimeter set and a copper block is weighed using electronic balance. The data is
tabulated in Table 3.1.
ii. The calorimeter is filled about one-half with water and reweighed. Its value is
recorded.
iii. The initial temperature of the water in the calorimeter is recorded, and recorded it as
teta 1.
iv. Some water is boiled in an electric kettle.
v. Once the water boiled, the copper block is immersed quickly inside the kettle by hang
it with a thread.
vi. The temperature of hot water is observed until it achieves thermal equilibrium. The
temperature value is recorded as teta 2.
vii. Next, the copper block is transferred into the calorimeter.
viii. The water temperature is observed every 10 seconds until it reaches maximum
degrees below the maximum reached. The final temperature observed is taken as teta
3.
ix. Steps (i) – (viii)is repeated for brass block or aluminium block. The data is recorded
in Table 3.2.
7. Data analysis :

Table 1 Copper Block

COPPER BLOCK
Mass of copper block, mb 0.11 kg
Mass of calorimeter set, mc 0.14 kg
Mass of calorimeter set + water, mcw 0.2 kg
Mass of water in calorimeter, mw 0.06 kg
Initial temperature of water in calorimeter, θ1 26 ℃

Temperature of hot water + copper block, θ2 76 ℃

Final temperature, θ3 30 ℃

Table 2 Brass / Aluminium Block

Brass Block / Aluminium Block
Mass of block, mb 0.066 kg
Mass of calorimeter set, mc 0.14 kg
Mass of calorimeter set + water, mcw 0.2 kg
Mass of water in calorimeter, mw 0.06 kg
Initial temperature of water in calorimeter, θ1 26 ℃

Temperature of hot water + block, θ2 73 ℃

Final temperature, θ3 29 ℃
Calculation :
 Heat lost by a metal = heat gained by water and calorimeter set.
 If cb is the specific heat capacity of metal block, cc is the specific heat capacity of
calorimeter (900 J kg ̄ 1 K ̄ 1 ) and mw the mass of water of specific heat capacity
cw = 4200 J kg ̄ 1 K ̄ 1, then

mb cb (θ2 – θ3 ) = ( mw cw + mc cc )( θ3 – θ1 )

 With mw, ma and mc in kg, calculate the specific heat capacity of the metal blocks, cb.
Show your calculation below.

Copper Block
mb cb (θ2 – θ3 ) = ( mw cw + mc cc )( θ3 – θ1 )
0.11(cb)( 76 – 30 ) = ( 0.06×4200 + 0.14×900 )( 30 – 26)
5.17(cb) = 1512
(cb) = 292.45 J kg ̄ 1 K ̄ 1

Aluminium / Brass Block

mb cb (θ2 – θ3 ) = ( mw cw + mc cc )( θ3 – θ1 )
0.066(cb)( 73 – 29 ) = ( 0.06×4200 + 0.14×900 )(29 – 26 )
2.904(cb) = 1134
(cb) = 390.50 J kg ̄ 1 K ̄ 1
8. Discussion :

1. When heat is added to an object, what factors determine its change in temperature?

 The mass of material.

 The substance of material.
 The amount of energy put into the system

2. Suppose the amount of heat is applied to two bars. They have the same mass, but
experience different changes in temperature. Are the specific heat capacities the same
for the two bars? Justify your answer.

If both are made a good conductor, then their specific heat capacities must be
different. If both are metals, specific heat capacities of different metals can vary by
quite a bit.

If one of the bars is a good conductor and the other is a good insulator, then, after the
surface application of heat, the temperatures at the surfaces are almost bound to be
different. This is because the heat will rapidly conducted into the body of the
conducting bar, soon achieving a constant temperature throughout the bar. Whereas,
with the insulator, the heat will tend to stay where it’s put, heating the bar
considerably over that area. As the heat slowly conducts into the bar, it will also start
to cool from its surface, because it’s so hot, and even if it has the same heat capacity
as the other bar, which might be impossible, it will eventually reach a lower, steady
temperature throughout.

9. Conclussion :
In this heat and temperature experiment, after comparing all calculations, we could identify
each material by its specific heat capacity. Sample 1 had a specific heat capacity of 292.45 J
kg ̄ 1 K ̄ 1 , therefore the material would be copper be as it is known that copper has an actual
specific heat capacity of 385 J kg ̄ 1 K ̄ 1. Sample 2 had a specific heat capacity of 390.50 J kg
̄ 1 K ̄ 1 which would suggest the material of sample 2 would be aluminium. However, I believe
there is a large source of error in this experiment and due to this factor, I cannot give an
accurate results based on the experiments. Thus, repeating this experiment, would give better
results as averages would be able to be taken a more precise data would be achieved.