Lab #: 1

Topic: Measuring length

Objective: The aim of this experiment is to:
1. Learn how the number of significant figures in a measured value depends on the smallest
division of the measuring instrument.
2. To practise the proper way to express the value of a measured quantity.
3. Determine experimentally the density of a substance.
Equipment:
Triple beam balance, Vernier calliper, Metre rule, Micrometer small steel ball bearings of
equal mass, a 500 g mass steel ball bearing.
Background:
Density is defined as the mass per unit volume of a substance or in other words how much
matter is contained within a certain amount of space. The density of an object can be found by
dividing the mass by the volume, the S.I unit for this equation is kg m⁻³. A measurement is used
to quantify the amount, size or extent of something. Taking a measurement can be done in
various ways. However, to ensure measurements are nonsubjective and accurate. Metric systems
and standardised equipment are put in place to ensure consistency. Nevertheless there is always a
certain degree of error that comes with taking a measurement. This is why calculating deviations
and finding the absolute error of any data value is essential when identifying the true value of
something.

Method:
1. The mass of a ball bearing was measured.
2. The mass of 10 ball bearings were measured.
3. The standard deviation was recorded using a beam balance.
4. A metre rule was used to measure the diameter of 1 ball bearing.
5.A metre rule was used to measure the total length across 10 ball bearings.
6. The standard deviation was recorded using a metre rule.
7. A Vernier calliper was used to measure the diameter of a ball bearing.
8. The standard deviation was recorded using a Vernier calliper.
9. A micrometre was used to measure the diameter of a ball bearing.
10.The standard deviation was recorded using a micrometre.
11. A vernier calliper was used to measure the diameter of the large ball bearing.
 Data Collected:

TABLE SHOWING MASS, DIAMETER AND SD OF SMALL AND LARGE BALL

BEARINGS USING SCALE, METRE RULE, VERNIER CALLIPER AND
MICROMETRE

1 small ball bearing 10 small ball bearing 1 large ball bearing

Mass/g Diameter Mass/ Mass/g

g Diameter Diameter

Metre Vernier Micro Metre N/A N/A Vernier

rule/cm Calliper/ metre/ rule/cm Calliper/cm
cm mm

5.6 1.00 1.15 11.04 51.2 10.8 ? 2.50

S.D 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.02 0.1 0.1 0.1

Data Analysis:
Calculations:
● Calculate the average mass of 1 ball bearing.
Data: Mass of a single ball bearing using the 10 ball bearings
m = (51.2 ± 0.05)g
Δm = (0.05/51.2*100) = 0.097 → 0.1%

m = (51.2 ± 0.1)g / 10 = (5.12 ± 0.1%)g

m = (5.12 ± 0.1%)g

Data: Mass of a single ball bearing using a digital scale

m = ( 5.60 ± 0.05)g
Δm = (0.05/5.60*100) = 0.9%
m = ( 5.60 ± 0.9%)g
 ● Calculate the average diameter of 1 ball bearing using the measurement
obtained from the Vernier calliper.

Data: Diameter of a single ball bearing using the 10 ball bearings.

L = (10.80 ± 0.05)cm
ΔL = ( 0.05/10.80*100) = 0.462 → 0.5%

L = (10.80 ± 0.5%)cm / 10 = (1.08 ± 0.5%)cm

L = (1.08 ± 0.5%)cm

Data: Diameter of a single ball bearing using a metre rule, vernier calliper and a
micrometre.
Metre rule = (1.00 ± 0.05 )cm → (1.00 ± 5.0% )cm

Vernier calliper = (1.15 ± 0.05)cm → (1.15 ± 4.0%)cm

Micrometre =(11.04 ± 0.1)mm /10= (1.10 ± 0.1)cm → (1.10 ± 0.1%)cm

● Using the most reliable measurement obtained, calculate a value for the
density of steel.

Density of a single ball bearing

Data:
⌀= (1.10 ± 0.1%)cm

m = (5.12 ± 0.1%)g

Equation:
4
V= 3
3π𝑟

4
V=3π× ( )
𝑑 3
2
 𝑚
⍴= 𝑉

6𝑚
⍴= 3 =
π𝑑

6 × 5.12
⍴= 3 = 7.35gcm⁻³
π × (1.10)

Δ⍴ = 0.1 + 3(0.1) = 0.4%

⍴ = 7.35gcm⁻³ ± 0.4%

● Calculate the mass of a large spherical ball using the density calculated and
the diameter measured

Data: Diameter of large ball

⌀ = (2.50 ± 0.05)cm

Δ⌀ = (0.05/ 2.50 * 100) = 2%

⌀ = (2.50± 2%)cm

Data: Density of 1 small ball bearing

⍴ = (7.35 ± 0.4%)gcm⁻³

Equation:
6𝑚
⍴= 3
π𝑑

3
⍴ ×π𝑑
m= 6

3
7.35×π(2.50)
m= 6
= 60.1g

Δm = 0.4% + 2% = 2.4%
m = (60.1 ± 2.4%)g
Discussion:

When gathering data from an experiment two different general types of error can be
made. These are known to be random errors and systematic errors. A random error can be
seen when there is a fluctuation in the measurements centred around the true value. This
is caused by disturbances occurring in the surroundings. Examples of random error
include fluctuations in room temperature as well as human error. A systematic error can
be observed when all the data values collected are similar however they deviate from the
true value. Systematic errors occur due to faulty or improper use of instruments during an
experiment. Examples of this type of error include not calibrating an instrument correctly
or an incorrect method of measurement. The accuracy of an experiment refers to how
close the data values collected are to the true value of the quantity being measured while
the precision centres around how similar all the data values collected are. Random errors
affect the precision of an experiment as it causes fluctuation in the data collected. By
reducing the likelihood of a random error occurring it increases the precision of the
experiment. Random error can be reduced by averaging measurements. Systematic errors
affect the accuracy of the experiment as systematic errors result in data obtained being
different from the true value. Therefore by reducing the likelihood of a systematic error
occuring in an experiment it increases the accuracy of the experiment. Systematic error
cannot be reduced by averaging multiple measurements.
While doing calculations for the data collected an uncertainty is expressed to account
for possible error. Significant figures are the digits of a number that convey the accuracy
and precision of the measurement. When stating the significant figures of a measurement
it is important to note that the number of figures stated cannot be more than the smallest
unit of the instrument used or the number of figures in the result of a calculation cannot
be more than the value with the least number of significant figures used. When the
values measured during the experiment, half of the smallest division of the instrument
used to measure the quantity was written as being both added and subtracted from the
value written; this accounts for the uncertainty of the measurement. During this
experiment multiple instruments were used to obtain the diameter of the ball. This was
done to compare the values and find the most accurate measurement. The instruments
used include a vernier calliper, metre rule and micrometre. The method of lining up 10
balls and measuring the length then dividing it by 10 was also implemented. The
measurement determined to be the most accurate was measurement where the length of
10 smalls was taken and then divided by 10. This method worked because when
measuring the diameter of a single ball, there might be random errors associated with the
measurement process. Therefore by measuring multiple balls and averaging the results,
these random errors tend to cancel out, leading to a more accurate average measurement.
Conclusion:
When a quantity is being measured depending on the mass and size the appropriate
instrument or method should be chosen. This will give a more accurate and precise
measurement. In this case the most appropriate method of measurement was the one
where multiple balls were lined up and the total length was obtained which was then
divided by the number of balls lined up. This resulted in the possible deviation being
divided.
Significant figures are used to show the accuracy and precision of an instrument When
stating the significant figures of a measurement the number of figures stated cannot
exceed the number of significant figures in the smallest subdivision of the instrument
used or the number of figures in the result of a calculation cannot be more than the value
with the least number of significant figures used.
The density of the ball bearing was calculated to be (7.35 ± 0.4%)gcm⁻³ while the mass of
the larger ball bearing was calculated to be m = (60.1 ± 2.4%)g.