Measurement Techniques 2021
Measurement Techniques 2021
Theoretical ideas in physics are generally tested by experiment before being fully accepted. All experiments
that are designed to obtain a quantitative result for a physical quantity involve measurements. These
measurements must be some combination of the basic quantities; length, mass, time, temperature and
current.
You should be able to make a sensible choice of the instrument to use to measure a particular physical
quantity.
Methods of measuring length
The metre rule (or half –metre rule)
This has the great advantages of being cheap, convenient and simple to use. The smallest division on the
meter rule scale is 1mm (0.1cm) thus while using a metre rule the uncertainty is ±0.5mm or ±0.05cm
However, you should be aware of three possible sources of error in using a meter rule;
✓ The first may arise if the end of the rule is worn out, giving rise to a zero error.
For this reason, it is bad practice to place the zero end of the rule against one end of the object to be measured
and to take the reading at the other end. You should place the object against the rule so that a reading is made
at each end of the object. The length of the object is then obtained by subtraction of the two readings.
A zero error like this is a systematic error, because it is involved every time a reading is taken from the
zero end (it comes with the instrument) In general, the zero reading of any instrument may be subject to an
error.
✓ The calibration of the metre rule may give rise to another systematic error because the
markings are incorrect.
Try comparing the 30cm graduated length of one rule with the same nominal length on another. You are quite
likely to find a discrepancy of one or two millimeters.
One of the reasons why wooden or plastic meter rules are cheap is that the manufacture does not claim any
great accuracy for the scale markings. If you compare an engineer’s steel rule with a plastic or wooden rule,
you will see at once that the engraved marks on the steel rule are much finer than the impressed marks on the
plastic or wooden rule. Ofcourse the extra care which has been taken in engraving the steel rule has to be paid
for that’s why a one metre steel rule is many times more expensive than a plastic or wooden rule.
✓ Another source of error with the meter rule is the parallax error
If the object to be measured is not on the same level as the graduated surface of the rule, the angle at which
the scale is viewed will affect the result. This is a random error because the angle of view may be different
for different readings. It may be reduced by arranging the rule so that there is no gap between the scale and
the object.
While taking measurements using a ruler the eye must be placed in line with the point where the reading is to
be taken. I.e position the eye perpendicularly to the scale in line with the mark on the scale to avoid parallax
errors. This has been clearly demonstrated below.
Example
For small distances, the vernier calipers or the engineers calipers is used. While for very small distances less
than a centimeter such as the diameter of copper wire, thickness of paper, the micrometer screw gauge is used.
Both the vernier calipers and the micrometer screw gauge give readings with reasonable accuracy.
Note: Instead of dividing the vernier reading by 10 to get the answer in mm and then by 10 to change
to cm, we can divide the value directly by 100 to get the answer once in cm.
Example 2
Find the readings of the verniers shown figures 2.7 (i) and (ii) below.
5 6 1 2
Example 3
Sometimes the mechanical vernier calipers have what we call zero error
The vernier calipers are said to have zero error if the zero marking on the main scale is not in line with
the zero mark on the vernier scale when the jaws are fully closed. Always remember that this error should
be subtracted from the final reading to give an accurate value or the measurement.
Before using the vernier calipers, it is important to check the instrument for zero error.
(a) (b)
The Micrometer screw gauge
The type of micrometer screw gauge available in school laboratory may be used to measure dimensions of
objects up to a maximum of about 50mm. E.g. diameter of fine wires, thickness of paper etc.
The micrometer screw gauge is calibrated in mm on the sleeve and some small divisions on the thimble scale.
There are two types of thimble readings:
(i) One with 50 divisions on the thimble scale and
(ii) The other with 100 divisions on the thimble scale.
However, the two types give the same reading when used to measure the same distance.
The diagram of the micrometer screw gauge is shown in the figure below.
Example 2
Find the reading on the micrometer screw gauge shown in the diagram below.
Qn. You are provided with a thin copper wire. Determine the diameter of the wire. Show how you would
make your results more reliable.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Summary
Instrument Range Uncertainty in notes
length/ precision
Meter rule 1m (100cm) 1mm Check zero, calibration errors
Vernier caliper 100mm 0.1mm Versatile: inside and outside diameter, depth
Micrometer screw 50mm 0.01mm Check zero error
gauge
In deciding which instrument to use in a particular experiment, you should consider first the nature of
the length measurement you have to make. For example, if you need to find the diameter of steel
sphere, the screw gauge and calipers technique are obvious candidates. You should then consider
whether you need the greater precision of the instrument.
(i) (ii)
(iii) (iv)
2. Find the reading on the micrometer screw gauge shown in the figure below.
(i) (ii)
(iii) (iv)
Measurement of mass
Mass is measured with a balance. The balances compare the weight of the un-known mass with the weight of
a standard mass. Because weight is proportional to mass, equality between the unknown weight and the
weight of the standard mass means that the unknown mass is equal to the standard mass.
In the laboratory, there are a number of different types of balance, including the top-pan balance, the lever
balance and spring balance.
Before placing the object of unknown mass on the pan, check for
zero error. There is likely to be zero –error adjustment screw on the
Lever balances balance
Lever balances are based on the principle of moments. In one common type, the unknown mass is placed on a
pan, and balance is achieved by sliding a mass along a bar, calibrated in mass units, until the bar is horizontal.
This represents the condition in which the moment of the load is equal and opposite to the moment of the
sliding mass and the bar.
A reading is taken from the edge of the sliding mass on the divisions marked on the bar. In this case, parallax
error is less likely to be serious. Again, check for zero before taking a reading.
Another type of lever balance shown above has a pointer moving along a circular scale.
Measuring an angle
Angles are measured using a protractor. This looks like a semi –circular, or sometimes circular, ruler, with its
scale marked out in angular measure, invariably degrees rather than radians. The center of the circle is clearly
marked.
To measure the angle between two lines, the center of the circle of the protractor is placed exactly over the
point of intersection of the lines and one line is aligned with the 0o direction of the protractor. The angle
between the lines is then given by the reading on the scale at which the second line passes through the
circumference of the circle.
Most protractors used in schools are such that the interval between scale divisions is 1o. It is very easy to
make a reading to the nearest degree, and sometimes to half a degree, if the line being measured is fine
enough.
Stop clock
A mechanical, spring –powered stopclock will have an analogue display as shown in (b); that is, a hand (or
hands) which move round a dial. Such an instrument is likely to read to the nearest one –fifth of a second
When using a stopwatch/clock, reset it to zero then start it immediately when the activity starts and stop it
when the activity is finished. Reset it again and repeat the experiment say three times.
• You should familiarize yourself with the way of operating the instrument before you start a timing
experiment in earnest.
Note:
• For repeated events, an average time can be found by measuring a number of repeats then dividing the
recorded time by the number of repeats/cycles. This gives a more accurate value of time.
• The oscillation of a simple pendulum is an example of regularly repeating motion.
• The time for 1 complete oscillation is referred to as the period of the oscillation.
Note : You will look at this again under waves but detailed measurement of voltage using a cathode –ray
oscilloscope is only required in the A Level course so you will cover it under alternating voltages and
currents. In A’Level you will note that the c.ro is the best instrument to measure rapidly changing voltages of
any specification.
• The liquid– in–glass thermometers are based on the thermal expansion and
contraction of a liquid. A liquid is contained in a bulb at the end of a thin
capillary tube. If the bulb is placed in a beaker of water which is gradually
heated, the liquid expands and the thread of liquid occupies more and
more of the capillary tube. The capillary tube is graduated and the position
of the end of the thread gives the temperature.
• Most thermal physics experiments will involve the measurement of
temperature between 0oC (the temperature of pure melting ice) and 100oC
(the temperature of steam above boiling water at a pressure of 1
atmosphere).
Some of the precautions you should take when using the thermometer include;
o Always allow time for the thermometer to reach thermal equilibrium with
its surroundings.
o If you are measuring the temperature of a beaker of liquid which is being
heated, the liquid must be thoroughly stirred before taking the readings.
(because of conventional currents, there is a temperature difference of
several degrees between the top and the bottom of the liquid so stirring is
vital)
Examples
Solution
By interpolation between the scale divisions, the temperature reading
is -2.5oC.
The uncertainty is about ± 0.5oC
Thermocouple thermometer
Choice of method
The choice of a particular thermometer in a given application will depend on range of temperatures to be
covered, the heat capacity of the object, and whether the temperature is varying rapidly.
The heat capacity of the bulb of a liquid –in –glass thermometer is much greater than that of the hot junction
of a thermocouple. For this reason, the thermocouple is particularly useful when a rapidly varying temperature
is to be measured, or when the object whose temperature is required, has a small heat capacity
• Mercury –in –glass thermometers are available to cover the temperature range from -40oC to 350oC.
Thermocouples using different pairs of metal or alloys wires can cover a much larger range.
The galvanometer
A galvanometer is a sensitive current – measuring analogue meter. It
may be converted into an ammeter by a connection of a suitable
resistor in parallel with the meter. Such a resistor is called a shunt.
The galvanometer may also be converted into a voltmeter by the
connection of a suitable resistor in series with the meter. Such a
resistor is called a multiplier.
Multimeters
A multimeter measures electrical properties such as AC or DC voltage,
current, and resistance. Rather than have separate meters, this device
combines a voltmeter, an ammeter, and an ohmmeter. Electricians and the
general public might use it on batteries, components, switches, power
sources, and motors to diagnose electrical malfunctions and narrow down
their cause.
Multimeters are thus sometimes called multifunction instruments.