EXP 1: ACCURACY, PRECISION AND MEASUREMENT

Objectives.
To study some of the instruments and methods used in Precision measurements, and to compute
the volume and density of various items.

Apparatus
Meter rule, vernier calipers, micrometer screw gauge, and electronic balance, travelling
microscope. Such items as copper cylinder, steel balls are also supplied.

Method
The experiment comprises the measurement of the various objectives supplied with the
appropriate instruments. Where feasible, at least two instruments should be used for each
measurement and precision obtained in each case compared. In this way, the volume and density
of at least two metal objects should be deduced.
.
NB.
In all cases an estimate of the precision obtained should be given i.e. note the reading errors on
all measurements. Where appropriate note the Zero error.
Record the data in Worksheet1, working out any calculations asked for. Answer the questions
posed on the sheet

Worksheet 1
N.B. You must include in the table the units of any measurements you take.
METER RULE VERNIER MICROMETER BALANCE
CALLIPERS SCREW GAUGE

Zero error
Reading Error
Copper cylinder:
*Height

*Diameter
Steel Ball
 Copper wire:
*Length

*Diameter
Capillary tube:
length

Internal diameter of capillary tube using Travelling microscope=

Volume Density
Copper Cylinder
Steel ball
Capillary tube Internal volume=

Errors
Now work out the errors in Volumes and Densities calculated above by using the readings errors
of the appropriate instruments.
Error in: Volume Density
Copper cylinder
Steel ball
Capillary tube Internal volume

QUESTIONS
1. Why is it appropriate to use the meter rule for measuring the length of the copper wire
but the micrometer screw gauge for diameter?

2. What is the difference between accuracy and precision?

Give a conclusion on all the measurements you made.

 EXP 2: SIMPLE PENDULUM
Objective
a) To determine the factors affecting the acceleration due to gravity in oscillatory
motion
b) To determine the acceleration due to gravity using a simple pendulum

Apparatus
Pendulum bob, thread, clamp and stand, stopwatch.
stand clamp
table bob

Theory
The time period, T, of a simple pendulum oscillating with small amplitudes (less than 10 o) is
given by the expression:

T=2 π
√ L
g
Where L=length of Pendulum thread
g=acceleration due to gravity

Method
PART A: CONSTANT MASS AND AMPLITUDE, VARYING THE LENGTH OF THE
STRING
1. Set the pendulum thread to 1-2meters and set the pendulum swinging with small oscillation
2. Time 10 oscillations
3. Repeat for a number of different pendulum by shortening the thread by 20cm
4. Note the reading errors in time and length
5. Draw a graph and deduce the acceleration due to gravity from the graph. Indicate error bars on
the graph. Estimate the error in g.
6. Answer the question in the worksheet.
 Worksheet 1
Length(m) Time for 10, Period T T2
oscillations
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6

Units: Length: Time:

Reading error: Length: Time:

i) Plot a suitable graph of L (y-axis) against T2 (x axis)

ii) From the graph, deduce a value for g
iii) Estimate the error

PART B: CONSTANT LENGTH AND AMPLITUDE, VARYING THE MASS

1. Set the pendulum thread to 70 CM and set the pendulum swinging with small oscillation
2. Time 10 oscillations
3. Repeat for a number of different pendulum by varying the mass by 20g
4. Note the reading errors in time
5. Draw a graph of mass(kg) against T
MASS(KG) Time for 10, Period T T2
oscillations
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
PART C: CONSTANT LENGTH AND MASS, VARYING THE AMPLITUDE
1. Set the pendulum thread to 70 cm, and the mass to be 40g. Let the amplitude be 10 degrees
and set the pendulum swinging with small oscillation
2. Time 10 oscillations
3. Repeat for a number of different pendulum by varying the amplitude.
4. Note the reading errors in time
5. Draw a graph of amplitude against T
Amplitude Time for 10, Period T T2
oscillations
10
20
30
40
50
60
70

Questions
1) Why are 10 oscillations timed instead of only one?
2) what happened when a larger amplitude was used?
 EXP 3: COMPOUND PENDULUM

Objective:
To determine the acceleration due to gravity with the help of a compound pendulum.

Apparatus required:
1. Bar type compound pendulum.
2. Stand.
3. Measurement Unit
Diagram:

Figure 8
Fig.: The point M is representing the position of centre of gravity in the bar pendulum and the length
h and l are those across which we find the acceleration due to gravity. S and O are the centre of
suspension and centre of oscillation respectively.

Procedure:
1. Take Compound Pendulum, the centre hole of bar works as centre of gravity (C.G.) for this
pendulum (it should be same number of holes on either side of centre of gravity)

Note: Take one side as A and another side as B of centre of gravity.

2. Mount the Compound Pendulum on the stand using knife edge and two nuts.

3. Fix the knife edge on first hole on side A and place it on the slot provided such that the pendulum
is hanging parallel to the scale provided in stand.
4. Now Compound pendulum is ready for oscillation. To determine the time of oscillations, use
measurement unit.
Note: At the time of performing this experiment, turn the position of object
Platform box in back side.

5. Take 12V adaptor, plug it in power supply and connect it with measurement unit. (See rear part of
measurement unit).

6. Switch ‘On’ measurement unit (look rear panel of measurement unit).

7. Now using the flow chart given above go for pendulum method.

8. Now measurement unit is ready for time measurement.

9. Set the pendulum into oscillation and allow it to make a few oscillations so that these become
regular. Count when the pendulum is passing through the same position and same direction. Number
of oscillations should be fixed for every position in bar pendulum (Suppose for 10 oscillations).

10. Press timer switch of measurement unit when you start oscillations.

11. Take the time for particular number of oscillations.

12. When the number of oscillation is completed, press timer switch again.

13. Record the time‘t’ in table given below.

14. Repeat the above procedure by suspending the bar from the successive holes. On reaching the
center of gravity, the bar is turned upside down. Continue till the last hole at the other end is reached.
(Except center hole)

15. Now measure the distance between the C.G. and the center of hole at which bar is suspended.

Note: The knife-edges are always placed symmetrically with respect to C.G.

16. Plot the graph between the distance from C.G. and time period for both the sides
A and B.

Observation table:

S no. SIDE A SIDE B

Time for N Time Distance Time for N Time Distance
oscillations period from C.G. oscillations period from C.G.
t sec T = t/N t sec T = t/N
1
2
17. Take the Y-axis in the middle of the graph paper. Represent the distance from
C.G. along the X-axis and the time period along the Y-axis.

18. Plot the distance on the side A to the right and the distance on the side B to the left of the origin.

Note: Draw smooth curves on either side of the Y-axis passing through the points.

Precaution: The graph drawn should be a free-hand curve.

Figure 9
19. To find the value of “g” from graph

(i) Draw two lines parallel to the X-axis cutting the curve at the points ABCDE and FGHIJ
respectively. Also draw the line PQR touching thetwo portions of the graph at P and R respectively.

(ii) Select points which having the same time period like B and E, A and D etc. on the graph on the
two sides of C.G., not equidistant from it. Measure the distance AD, BE, FI and GJ.
 S. No. Length of equivalent simple Time t
2 L/t2
pendulum period t

1
2

Mean of L/t =
2

Now on putting all the values in below formula:

4 πL
g= = ……cmS-2
t