PHYSICS FOR TECHNOLOGY

(TTX2313)
Lab Session 01
Name
: .
Registration No : .
Group No
: ..
Date
: ..

Department of Textile and Apparel Technology

Faculty of Engineering Technology
The Open University of Sri Lanka
2011 Open University of Sri Lanka

TTX 2313 - Physics for Technology

Practical Session -01
Measurements
Introduction
Science may be defined as the systematic investigation of the physical world. Its
claim to be regarded as such is based on the method by which it searches for
knowledge. First and basic thing in scientific method is experimental
investigations.
Foundation of Science is based on experiments. When an experiment is to be
carried out, we cannot rely too much on our senses of touch, sight, hearing, etc to
make accurate observations. We have to use equipments and apparatus. Scientific
work therefore requires taking of measurements and observations with the greatest
possible accuracy and reliability. In this context Practical Physics plays a very
important role.
Objectives of the practical sessions are therefore to develop the practical skills in
physics in the students. The skills include taking measurements, handling
instruments, etc. In every measurement you take there is an error or uncertainty
associated with it. Therefore it is appropriate to discuss about the errors and
measurements.

Errors & Measurements

Since all measurements are affected by errors of observation, the students should
not in general rely upon a single measurement. Several measurements should be
made for such quantities and arithmetic mean is taken as the probable value for
particular measurement.
In many experiments divergences from the mean value are not due to the errors of
observations only. It gives the real differences of the quantities measured. For
example, when the diameter of a wire is measured at different places, the
difference may be due to the non-uniformity of the wire.

Assessments of Errors
Experiments and observations in Physics necessarily have their limitations on
account of inherent limits to the accuracy of headings possible with measuring
instruments.
There is some error of uncertainty associated with every measurement we make. It
is convenient for the purpose of discussion to divide these errors formally into
three main classes.

(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Systematic errors
Random errors
Personal error

(i) Systematic errors

A systematic error is one which tends to repeat itself in the same way for
readings in an experiment. E.g.: The zero error of a measuring instrument.
For example in voltmeter, if the zero error is 0.5 V and the actual voltages
are 2.0V, 4.0V, and 6.0V, the measurements would be registered on the
voltmeter as 2.5V, 4.5V and 6.5V respectively.
(ii) Random Errors
Random errors occur frequently along a series of readings. Random errors
can occur due to,
a).

Variational errors

b).

Setting errors

a) Variational errors:
Variation in the property of the material gives the Variational error.
For eg: - diameter of a wire.
The diameter of a wire varies from place to place. Theoretically it is
assumed that diameter is uniform but in fact in practice it is not so. The
diameters in various places and in various orientations are measured and the
mean value is calculated. From this the error can be worked out.

b) Setting Errors:
This is in many ways, similar to the scale reading error but it depends not on
the

observation of one particular instrument but on the setup of the

apparatus of the equipment.

(iii)

Personal Errors:

The difference between the mean obtained by experiments done by a person

and the mean of readings of a large number of people is called the personal
error.
Record of an Experiment
We would suggest writing the practical report under following sub-headings.
(i)

Date on which the practical is performed.

(ii)

The title of the practical.

(iii)

Theory and Principle.

(iv)

Apparatus with diagrams whatever necessary.

(v)

A concise account of the method & procedure.

(vi)

Readings / Observations

(vii) Calculations
(viii) Error correction
(ix)

Brief discussion.

TTX 2313 - Physics for Technology

Experiment 01
Measurements of length using a Vernier Calliper
Following measurements are taken using the vernier calliper
(i)
(ii)

Dimensions of a wooden block and Calculation of its volume

Internal and External Diameters of a cylindrical cavity

Note: The students should know how to calculate LEAST COUNT of a

vernier scale before taking up this experiment. Please refer session 1 of the
unit 01
Procedure (i) Move the jaws of vernier calliper to sides and keep the base
side of prism In between the jaws. Tighten the jaws against the sides of the
prism and take down the Readings for three positions.
Procedure (ii) Using the relevant jaws calculate the inner diameter and
outer diameter of the tube.
Procedure (iii) Obtain the diameter of the spherical object by means of the
outer jaws of the vernier calliper.

TTX 2313 - Physics for Technology

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Experiment 01
Work Sheet
Observations on Vernier Calliper:
divisions of vernier scale coincide with . divisions of main
scale
Least count of the vernier scale =
Zero error
(i)

Observations on wooden block.

For length ( l ) (in m)
(i)
(ii)
(iii) .
Zero Error Correction of Average =..
Average length ( l ) =..
Width (b) (in m)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Zero Error Correction of Average =..

Average breadth (b) =
Height ( h ) (in m)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Zero Error Correction of Average =..
Average height ( h ) =
Volume of the block ( l x b x h ) =
= .
Diameter of the Cavity (in m)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Zero Error Correction of Average =..
Average Diameter = ...
Radius
=
Depth of the Cavity (in m)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Zero Error Correction of Average =..

Average Depth = ...........
Volume of Cavity ( r x h) = ...
2

Volume of the block

= ..
= ..

(ii)

Observations on cylindrical cavity (test tube).

Internal Diameter (d)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Zero Error Correction of Average =..
Average diameter (d) =...
External Diameter (d)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Zero Error Correction of Average =..
Average diameter (d) = ..

TTX 2313 - Physics for Technology

Experiment 02

Measurements of length using a Micrometer Screw gauge

(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Diameter of a thin wire

Thickness of a glass slide
Diameter of a Steel ball

Method: - Find the least count of the instrument. Place the object in
between the anvil and the spindle. Turn the head till the object is gently
pressed in between the anvil and the spindle. Then obtain the necessary
readings.

Pitch line
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TTX 2313 - Physics for Technology

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Experiment 02
Work Sheet
Least count of M.S.G

=.

Zero error of the instrument

=.

(i)

Measurements on diameter of the wire.

(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Average diameter
(ii)

=.

Measurements on thickness of glass slide

(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Average thickness

=.

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(iii)

Measurements on diameter of a Steel ball.

(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Average diameter

=.

(iv) Volume of a steel ball (large)

Diameter (d)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Zero Error Correction of Average =..
Average Diameter = ..
Radius

Volume =

= ...

4
r
3

= ...
= ...

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TTX 2313 - Physics for Technology

Experiment 03
Measurements of Mass using Physical
Balance

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TTX 2313 - Physics for Technology

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Experiment 03
Work Sheet
Measurements using Physical Balance
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Weight of a steel ball

Weight of a Test tube
Weight of a wooden block

Steel ball (kg)

Block (kg)

Test tube (kg)

1)
2)
3)
(i) Measurements on weight of steel ball.
Average weight =...
(ii) Measurements on weight of Test tube.
Average weight =...
(iii) Measurements on weight of the block.
Average weight =...

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(iv)

With the readings of experiment (i), (ii) and (iii) calculate the
densities of
(i)

Block

(ii)

Steel ball

Block
Volume = .
Mass

= .

Density = .
Steel ball
Volume = .
Mass

= .

Density = .

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TTX 2313 - Physics for Technology

Experiment 04
Measurements of length using a spherometer
(Estimation of the diameter of a curved surface)
Theory: The radius of curvature of the curved surface R is given by

R=

a2 h
+
6h 2

Method:
Place the instrument on a flat surface and turn the circular scale until its tip O
touches the flat surface. Note down the reading on the spherometer.Now place the
instrument on the convex side of the curved surface and turn the circular scale in
the anti-clockwise sense until the three legs A, B, C and the tip O touches the
curved surface. Note down the reading on the spherometer.Measure the distance
between two legs of spherometer by the Vernier calliper.

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TTX 2313 - Physics for Technology

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Group No
Date

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Experiment 04
Work Sheet
Least count of instrument
=
Zero error of the instrument
=
Reading when A, B, C and O are in the same plane (mm)
(i)
(ii)
(iii) .
Zero Error Correction of Average =..
Average =..

Reading when A, B, C and O are all touching the convex surface (mm)
(i)
(ii)
(iii) .
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Zero Error Correction of Average =..

Average =..
h =.

Distance between two legs a (mm)

Least count of Vernier calliper
=
(i)
(ii)
(iii) .
Zero Error Correction of Average =..
Average =..

R=

a2 h
+
6h 2

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Discussion

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Viva marks = ..
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