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Home-Based Experiments Guide EXP 1

This document outlines an experiment on physics measurements and uncertainty. It discusses measuring the length of various objects using tools like rulers, vernier callipers, and micrometer screw gauges. Students are instructed to take multiple readings of an object's length and calculate the average and uncertainty. They are also directed to screenshot measurements from online simulation tools to attach to their lab report. The document provides theory on measurement uncertainty and equations for calculating average and uncertainty from a series of repeated readings.

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ANIS AZALIA BINTI NEEL AZWAR Moe
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52 views

Home-Based Experiments Guide EXP 1

This document outlines an experiment on physics measurements and uncertainty. It discusses measuring the length of various objects using tools like rulers, vernier callipers, and micrometer screw gauges. Students are instructed to take multiple readings of an object's length and calculate the average and uncertainty. They are also directed to screenshot measurements from online simulation tools to attach to their lab report. The document provides theory on measurement uncertainty and equations for calculating average and uncertainty from a series of repeated readings.

Uploaded by

ANIS AZALIA BINTI NEEL AZWAR Moe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Section 3: Physics Experiments

MEASUREMENT AND UNCERTAINTY

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:


i. measure length of various objects; and
ii. determine the uncertainty of length of various objects.

THEORY

Measuring some physical quantities is part and parcel of any physics


experiment. It is important to realise that not all measured values are exactly
the same as the actual values. This could be due to errors that we made during
the measurement, or perhaps the apparatus that we used may not be accurate
or sensitive enough. Therefore, as a rule, the uncertainty of a measurement
must be taken and it has to be recorded together with the measured value.

The uncertainty of a measurement depends on the type of measurement and


how it is done. For a quantity x with the uncertainty 𝛥x, its measurement is
recorded as below:

x ± Dx

The relative uncertainty of the measurement is defined as:

Dx
x

and therefore its percentage of uncertainty is:

Dx
´ 100%
x .

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Section 3: Physics Experiments

Single Reading

(a) If the reading is taken from a single point or at the end of the scale,
1
´
Dx = 2 (smallest division from the scale)

(b) If the readings are taken from two points on the scale,
é1 ù
2 ´ ê ´ (smallest division from the scale) ú
Dx = ë 2 û

(c) If the apparatus uses a vernier scale,


∆x = 1 × (smallest unit from the vernier scale)

Repeated Readings

For a set of n repeated measurements of x, the best value is the average value
given by
n
å xi
i =1
x=
n 3.1

where n = the number of measurements taken


xi = the i th measurement

The uncertainty is given by

n
å x - xi
i =1
Dx =
n 3.2

The result should be written as

x = x ± Dx 3.3

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Section 3: Physics Experiments

APPARATUS

Two books
A 30 cm ruler
A vernier callipers from website
A micrometer screw gauge from website
Two oval shape objects from website
Two dumbbells from website

PROCEDURE

1. Choose the appropriate instrument for measurement of the:


(i) length of a book.
(ii) diameter of an oval shape object.
(iii) width of a dumbbell handle.

2. For task (i) to (iii), perform the measurement and record your data in
the following table for at least 5 readings. Refer to Table 3.1 as an
example.

Table 3.1 Length of a book

Length of a book,
No. |𝑙, − 𝑙! | (𝑐𝑚)
𝑙 (± 0.1𝑐𝑚)
1
2
3
4
5

∑"!#$ 𝑙! ∑"!#$ 2𝑙, − 𝑙! 2


Average 𝑙, = 𝛥𝑙 =
𝑛 𝑛

3. Repeat step (2), for another one object with a different size.

4. Determine the percentage of uncertainty for each set of readings.

27
Section 3: Physics Experiments

5. For task (ii) and (iii), use the following websites:


(for best experience, use computer/laptop)

http://bit.do/MICROMETERSCREWGAUGE

http://bit.do/VERNIERCALLIPER

6. Screenshot the best picture of the measurement with one reading for
each task. Attach the picture in your lab report.

*Alternative apps:

http://bit.do/VernierCaliper (Vernier Caliper)

or

scan using QR code:

28
Section 3: Physics Experiments

*Note: This application available for Android only.

Choose these two icons from this apps.

Figure 3.1 Application Vernier Calliper

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Measurement and Error Analysis, (2011), Retrieved from;


https://www.webassign.net/question_assets/unccolphysmechl1/measurements/
manual.html, College Physics Labs Mechanics, University of North Carolina

29

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