Experiment 1: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements Laboratory Report
Experiment 1: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements Laboratory Report
Experiment 1: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements Laboratory Report
Laboratory Report
The sphere was weighed using the Table 2. Diameter of Sphere using a Vernier Caliper
electronic gram balance and the density of
Trial Vernier Caliper
the sphere was calculated using the values 1 1.900 cm 0.000 cm
we obtained in computing the volume of the 2 1.900 cm 0.000 cm
sphere and its mean radius. Our mean radius 3 1.900 cm 0.000 cm
is 0.875 cm. 4 1.900 cm 0.000 cm
5 1.900 cm 0.000 cm
mean diameter 6 1.900 cm 0.000 cm
mean radius=
2 7 1.900 cm 0.000 cm
8 1.900 cm 0.000 cm
9 1.900 cm 0.000 cm
10 1.900 cm 0.000 cm
4. Results and Discussion Mean Diam. 1.900 cm
a.d. 0.000 cm
Tables 1, 2, and 3 show the diameter A.D. 0.000 cm
of a sphere in centimeters, using a foot rule, Vol. 3.780 cm3
Mass 27.93 g
vernier caliper, and a micrometer caliper. Exp. Val. 7.389 g/cm3
Ten trials were made in order to get the Acc. Val. 7.860 g/cm3
% Error 5.992 %
precise measurements of the sphere using Table 3. Diameter of Sphere using a Micrometer
Caliper
the different instruments.
Trial Micrometer Caliper
1 1.841 cm 0.028 cm Table 4 shows the width of the
2 1.925 cm 0.056 cm thumb of the four group members in inches
3 1.815 cm 0.054 cm using a foot rule.
4 1.805 cm 0.064 cm
5 1.800 cm 0.069 cm
Table 4. Width of thumb (in)
6 1.905 cm 0.036 cm
7 1.901 cm 0.032 cm Member 1 2 3 4
8 1.900 cm 0.031 cm Width of
13/16 in 11/16 in 11/16 in 12/16 in
9 1.900 cm 0.031 cm thumb (in)
10 1.902 cm 0.033 cm
Mean Diam. 1.869 cm Member 1 has the widest thumb in
a.d. 0.043 cm the group, followed by member 4, and then
A.D. 0.014 cm members 2 and 3.
Vol. 3.654 cm3
Mass 27.93 g
Exp. Val. 7.644 g/cm3 5. Conclusion
Acc. Val. 7.860 g/cm3
% Error 2.748 %
Random error is always present in
measurement and it refers to the statistical
The instruments used gave precise
fluctuations in the measured data due to the
measurements, but not exact measurements.
precision limitations of the measurement
Precision evokes how close the
device while systematic errors are caused by
measurements are to each other. Accuracy
the imperfect calibration of measurement
shows how close the measurements are to
instruments or imperfect methods of
the true value.
observation, or interference of the
environment with the measurement process,
The instrument with the least percent
and always affect the results of an
error is the micrometer caliper. It has the
experiment in a predictable direction.
most precise and accurate values in
comparison with the accepted value. The
Using the foot rule, vernier caliper
micrometer caliper happens to measure
and micrometer caliper, respectively, the
0.001 cm. The vernier caliper and the foot
researchers got an average deviation of
rule were precise measurements. The vernier
0.140cm, 0.000cm and 0.043cm.
caliper measures 0.005 cm.
After 10 trials of measuring the
The probable sources of % error may
metal sphere using the foot rule, vernier
be the uncalibrated instruments used or the
caliper and micrometer caliper, the
consistent misreading of an instrument, the
researchers got the mean of 1.750cm,
measurement procedure, the environment, or
1.900cm and 1.869cm respectively; and the
the person himself.
average of the mean were 0.44cm, 0.000cm
and .014cm respectively.
From comparing the results of the errors you encountered in this
experimental measurements done with the experiment?
sample metal sphere using the foot rule,
vernier caliper and micrometer caliper, it An error is a deviation from accuracy or
can be concluded that the micrometer gives correctness and from standard or accepted
the least % error for density having only value. Measurement errors may be classified
as either random or systematic, depending
2.748% error.
on how the measurement was obtained.
Random error is always present in
The density of the sample metal measurements. It is the statistical
sphere given was 8.709g/m3 using the foot fluctuations in the measured data due to the
rule and 7.389g/m3 using the vernier caliper precision limitations of the measurement
while using the micrometer caliper it was device. Systematic errors are caused by
7.644g/cm3. imperfect calibration of measurement
instruments or imperfect methods of
observation, or interference of the
environment with the measurement process,
6. Applications
and always affect the results of an
1) Which among the three measuring experiment in a predictable direction.
devices give you the least % error? Is
the accuracy of a measurement One does not always get the same result in
affected by the least count of the making a series of measurements. This one
measuring device? is unavoidable because there will always be
some uncertainty in the measurements and
Among the three measuring devices used, there is no perfect measurement. This is an
the micrometer caliper gave the least percent example of random error the group
error. Upon calculation it only showed encountered in the experiment. Another
error encountered is the inadequate
2.748% error compared the foot rule that calibration of the vernier caliper and
gave 10.802% and the vernier caliper giving micrometer caliper which resulted to a
5.992%. All measuring equipments have a systematic error.
least count which is the smallest quantity
that can be measured accurately using that
instrument. The least count indicates the
degree of accuracy of measurement that can
be achieved by the measuring instrument.
Thus, the least count of an instrument is
indirectly proportional to the accuracy of the
instrument.
a .d .
A . D.=
√n
=0.023 cm
√4
=0.016 cm
7. References