64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

Name

Lab Date

ID

Lab Group

TA Name

Day of the Week: M T W R F

Partners' Last Names

EXPERIMENT 1
Simple Measurements
SAFETY:

None particular to this experiment apart from what was outlined in the
introductory reading.

Objective:

1. To identify the different types of errors in an experiment

2. To make measurements with several length measuring devices
3. To report measurements with the appropriate error value

Instructions:

Read Chapter 1 on Errors and Statistics before coming to the laboratory session.
The laboratory report consists of five parts that should be completed in sequence.
When you complete a part of the experiment, ask the TA to come over and check
your work. You may be asked to rewrite or repeat that experiment. When the TA
considers your work acceptable, he/she will initial the checkpoint and record its
completion. You may then proceed to the next part of the experiment.

Apparatus:

Micrometer screw gauge, Vernier caliper, balance, two metal cylinder

Theory Part 1: Answer the following questions based on your reading of Sections 1.1 1.3.
Refer to the resource Rounding and Error found at the end of the lab.
Question 1
What is the difference between accuracy and precision? Explain what it would mean to be:
a) precise, but inaccurate
b) accurate, but imprecise
c) neither accurate nor precise
d) both precise and accurate
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64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

Question 2
After running an experiment you notice that the reading error is higher than the calculated error.
In this case which error should you use?

Question 3
What is the reading error on the following measurement devices?
a) A typical ruler (with ticks every mm).

b) A digital scale which gives a reading in kg to 2 decimal places (i.e. 1.52 kg).

Question 4
Why in an experiment does one take more than one measure of a particular quantity? What is the
purpose of repeating measurements?

PRELAB CHECKPOINT
Mark: __________
Get your TAs initials before proceeding onto the next part.

____________
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64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

Theory Part 2: Answer the following questions based on your reading of sections 1.4 1.6.
Question 4
How are the standard deviation and standard error related?
standard error in an experiment?

How can one reduce the

Question 5
How many significant figures do the following numbers have?
14
13.1416
2.141
Question 6
Round off the following up to one significant figure.
23.288
5.655
107
Question 7
Round the following values and errors to match (i.e. error to one significant figure and value to
match in decimal places):
81.731 0.0139

156.1 28.7

7.0 0.0057

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64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

Theory Part 3:
Question 8
The table below contains a set of sample measurements. Using equations (2) and (3), calculate
the standard deviation (s) and standard error (x) of the data set. Next, remove trial 6 and
recalculate the standard deviation and standard error of the data set. How do the values differ
after trial 6 was removed? (You do not need to put anything in the shaded cells).
n

x
i 1

(2)

n 1

Trial Number

Distance

(3)

With Trial 6

Without Trial 6

Mean ( )

10.23

11.24

12.04

9.58

10.85

1.09

11.77

With Trial 6
Distance: _____________ ______________

Without Trial 6
Distance: _____________ ______________

PRELAB CHECKPOINT
Mark: __________
Get your TAs initials before proceeding onto the next part.

____________
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64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

Procedure:
Part 1 Measuring with a Micrometer:
Use the micrometer gauge to find an accurate value of the mean diameter of the copper tube.
Carefully read the description of the apparatus to understand how the micrometer is used.
Micrometer
A
0

Anvil

Frame

B
5

0
5

Thimble
45

Ratchet
Head

Figure 1
Reading: 8.990 mm

This experiment uses a micrometer which is illustrated in Figure 1. This is a type of caliper
which is opened and closed by means of an accurately machined screw thread whose pitch is
0.5 mm. The pitch is the distance moved by the anvil and the thimble when the thimble rotates
through one complete revolution.

When the thimble is rotated clockwise as far as it can go, the flat end of the anvil contacts the
flat end of the fixed part attached to the frame and the position of the left end of the thimble
is approximately at the 0 mark on the A scale which is the longer mark above the horizontal
line. The 5 mark is also a longer line and indicates the 5 mm position of the anvil. The
marks above the line on the A scale indicate the mm positions and the marks below the line
indicate the 0.5 mm positions. In Figure 1, the position of the thimble is past the 8.5 mm
mark and almost at the 9.0 mm mark.

The B scale has 50 divisions for a complete revolution, so that division of the B scale
corresponds to the movement of the thimble and anvil by 0.5/50 mm = 0.010 mm = 10 m =
10 microns. The B scale in Figure 1 is indicating 49, corresponding to 0.490 mm, so that the
width of the opening between the anvil and the frame is 8.500 + 0.490 = 8.990 mm.

On some micrometers, the A scale is graduated in mm and the B scale has 100 divisions. In
each case, one division of the B scale corresponds to 0.010 mm. By interpolating between
the divisions of the B scale, one can estimate the anvil position to 0.003 mm.
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University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

To use the micrometer, the object whose dimension is to be measured is placed between the flat
end of the anvil and the flat piece which is attached to the frame after first unscrewing the
thimble. The thimble is then rotated by the Ratchet Head until the anvil and frame are in tight
contact with the object and the ratchet head will click gently and the thimble will not rotate any
further. The ratchet head is to prevent the jaws from being too tightly closed, which would
damage the surface of the jaws and the thread, and might also squash and damage the object
being measured. Since hundredths of mm are being measured, this would detract from the
precision of the instrument. When closing the jaws, always use the ratchet head.
Usually, a micrometer will not read exactly zero when the jaws are completely closed. This zero
reading should be noted using the ratchet head to close the jaws, and the zero reading is then
subtracted from the readings with the object to obtain the correct dimension of the object.
Data Collection:
Tube No.

__________

Make four measurements of the zero reading of the micrometer. Remember to report the
error that is largest between reading and statistical.
Reading error = ___________
i

Micrometer Reading d0i (cm)

1
2
3
4

s0
The average micrometer zero reading:

d0 =

The sample standard deviation:

s0 =

The standard error is then

d 0 s0 / n

Error in d0 is the above or the reading error, whichever is larger:

d0 =
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64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

Make eight measurements of the diameter of the tube. Measure the diameter twice at each
end, and twice at one-third the distance from each end of the tube. Do this for both ends of the
tube for a total of eight measurements. Rotate the tube about a quarter of a turn between
measurements. Use the Excel sheet provided to obtain the sample standard deviation.
i
Micrometer
Reading di

The average micrometer reading:

d =

The sample standard deviation:

s =

d s/ n =

The standard error is then

Error in d is the above or the reading error, whichever is larger:

d =
d d0 =

Tube diameter:

d 2 d 0 2

Error in Tube diameter:

Tube Diameter =

Question 4:
Which error was larger? The calculated standard error or reading error? What could you do to
improve the quality?

CHECKPOINT 1
Mark: __________
Get your TAs initials before proceeding onto the next part.

____________
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64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

Part 2 Measurements with a Vernier Calliper and Balance:

Using the aforementioned tools, find the density of a cylindrical metal ring.
Vernier Callipers:
This experiment uses Vernier callipers, an exact tool, which are shown in Figure 5.
understand how they work, we look at the theory of the Vernier scale.
0

10

Figure 2
Reading: 0.000 cm

10

Figure 3
Reading: 0.245 cm

To

10

Figure 4
Reading: 0.300 cm

Figures 2, 3, and 4 show scales with a Vernier, an ingenious device for accurately measuring
fractions of scale divisions. The 20 divisions on the upper Vernier scale range from 0 to 10 in
units of 0.5 and have a total length of 1.9 lower scale divisions, which are in cm in your
apparatus. This means that each Vernier division is 1.90/20 = 0.095 lower scale divisions.
Figure 3 shows the same scale with the Vernier scale moved to the right so that the Vernier 0 is
between the 0.2 and 0.3 divisions on the lower scale. In Figure 4, the top scale has been moved
further to the right so that the Vernier 0 lines up with the 0.3 mark on the lower scale. The
Vernier 10 also lines up with a lower scale division in both Figures 2 and 4, but in Figure 3, only
one upper scale division lines up with a lower scale division. In Figure 3, the 4.5 on the upper
scale lines up with the 1.1 on the lower scale.
In Figure 3, the zero division of the Vernier lies between 0.2 and 0.3 on the scale. In order to
obtain the position of the zero of the Vernier scale to the nearest 1/20 of a lower scale division,
one looks for a Vernier division which exactly coincides with a lower scale division. In Figure
3, the division at 4.5 on the Vernier scale is in line with 1.1 on the lower scale. The distance
from 0 to 4.5 on the Vernier is 9 0.095 = 0.855 lower scale divisions. The distance from 0 to
1.1 on the lower scale is 1.100 scale divisions. Hence the distance between 0 on the lower scale
and 0 on the Vernier scale is 1.100 0.855 = 0.245 lower scale divisions, which lies between 0.2
and 0.3 as we can see. The simple way to obtain the reading is to take the first two digits
from the position of the Vernier scale zero (i.e. 0.2 in Figure 3) and the second and third
digits from the Vernier scale reading which most closely aligns with a scale reading (i.e.
4.5). The position of the zero of the Vernier scale is at 0.2 + 4.5/100 = 0.245 cm on the lower
scale.

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64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

Figure 5

Figure 6

The Vernier calliper is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Two pairs of jaws are so arranged that the left
jaw of each pair is fixed to the rule or lower scale, and the right jaw is fixed to the Vernier scale,
which can be slid along the rule. The scale reading gives the separation of the jaws to the nearest
1/20th of a mm ( = 0.05 mm = 50 microns). The calliper can measure inside dimensions, outside
dimensions or depth dimensions using the probe shown in Figure 6 which is at the opposite end
to the jaws. In the picture shown in Figure 5, the 0 of the Vernier scale lies between 0.5 cm and
0.6 cm which is the jaw separation, d, apart from the possible zero error of the calliper. The 5.0
division on the Vernier scale lines up with the 1.50 cm mark on the lower scale. The distance d
is therefore 0.500 cm + 5.00/100 cm = 0.550 cm = 5.50 mm. The lower Vernier scale and the
lower fixed scale are not shown in Figure 5, but the give the same measurement in inches.

Data Collection:
Cylinder No. __________
Ensure that the balance reads zero when there is no mass on it. Adjust the balance if necessary.
What is the smallest measurement increment on the balance. You should be able to estimate the
measurement to within half an increment which will be your reading error.
Mass reading error =

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64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

Using the balance, make four measurements of the mass of the cylinder.
Mass M (g)

i
1
2
3
4

sM
Average Mass M = _________

M =

sM = __________

M =

Error in M is the above or the reading error, whichever is larger:

Cylinder Mass =

__________

CHECKPOINT 2
Mark: __________
Get your TAs initials before proceeding onto the next part.

____________

Reading error of the Vernier calliper is

Using the Vernier calliper, take six measurements of the height, the outside diameter, and the
inside diameter of the cylinder. Distribute the measurements over the body to get a good
average. Refer to the Excel sheet for standard deviations, use them to calculate the standard
error. Record results in cm.

Reading

Outer Diameter D

Inner Diameter d

Height h

1
2
3
4
5
6
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64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

Average Outer Diameter D =

sD = __________

D=

Average Inner Diameter d =

sd = __________

d =

Average Height h =

sh = __________

h=

If the reading error is larger than the calculated standard errors, use the reading error.

D=

d =

h=

Give the final measured dimensions of the cylinder.

Remember to watch your units!
Outer Diameter

D = _____________ _______________

Inner Diameter

d = _____________ _______________

Height

h = _____________ _______________

D 2 d 2
Cross-sectional Area: A R 2 r 2 D 2 d 2 _________________
2 2 4

Volume:

Density =

V Ah

M
Mass
4M

Volume V D2 d 2 h

____________

= ____________

The standard error in the density is calculated using error propagation formulas not learned in
this course. Use the Excel sheet to find the error in the density.

=
Density of the cylinder is

_____
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64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

From the information below, determine the material of the cylinder. Pay attention to units!

Material

Density [kg m-3]

Copper

8930

Brass

8200 8700

Aluminum

2710

Stainless Steel

7930

Material of the cylinder is

CHECKPOINT 3
Mark: __________
Get your TAs initials before submitting the report and leaving the lab room.____________

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64-140 Experiment 1

University of Windsor, Physics Dept.

Rounding and Error

Error in physics may be treated differently than in other disciplines. When reporting error
in your results round the error to one significant digit. Then match the number of significant
digits in your result to the same decimal place (note units). Be aware of the round to even rule
for error results ending in 5 (0.75 rounds to 0.8, 0.65 rounds to 0.6). Error is explained in more
detail in the lab manual. DO NOT ROUND PRIOR TO YOUR FINAL ANSWER.
A number of examples of how to round error are given below.
Measurement
4.82 cm
9.813 s
0.0499 kg
134 m

Error
0.175 cm
0.5 s
0.0033 kg
16 m

Reported Result
4.8 0.2 cm
9.8 0.5 s
0.050 0.003 kg
130 20 m

10.1 kg

0.05 kg

10.10 0.05 kg

1000 m
1000 g

35 m
65 g

1000 40 m
1000 60 g

5 nodes
6321.7
1 km

5.1
2m

5 nodes
6322 5
1000 2 m
1.000 0.002 km

0.00137 mm

0.354 mm

0.0 0.4 mm

0.67 s

0.32 s

0.7 0.3 s

0.000497 m

6.34 10-5 m

5.982 10-7 m

4.8 10-9 m

0.00050 0.00006 m
5.0 10-4 0.6 10-4 m
0.050 0.006 cm
0.50 0.06 mm
598 5 nm
598 10-9 5 10-9 m

Notes

Trailing 0s are always meaningless

unless followed by .0.
It is the error that sets the bound for
accuracy.
Error ending in 5 round to even.
Error ending in 5 drop last digit to
stay even.
Some quantities do not contain error.
Some results may not have units.
Be wary of mismatched units. There
are multiple ways to report results
the best result considers the context
of the experiment.
If the error is significantly larger
(more than an order of magnitude)
than the measurement, the
measurement has a value of 0.
Error and measurement same order
of magnitude.
All are correct. In general, use the
least cumbersome notation that bears
the best context to the experiment.
Either is correct. Note the context of
the experiment i.e. If this is the
wavelength of visible light, reporting
in nm is generally preferred.

DO NOT HAND THIS PAGE IN. KEEP IT WITH YOU FOR REFERENCE.
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