PHYSICAL QUANTITIES AND MEASUREMENT

OBJECTIVES:
1.To expose students to use measurement equipment and right measurement techniques.
2.To obtain derived quantities from base quantities.

INFERENCES:
1.

Base quantities are physical quantities that cannot be defined in terms of other physical
quantities. Base quantities are fundamental physical quantities upon which other physical
quantities - known as derived quantities - are derived. The following physical quantities,
units and symbols are chosen by the SI (International System of Units) as base quantities.

HYPOTHESIS:
1.Measuring physical quantities precisely.
2.Differentiate between base and derived quantities.

EXPERIMENT 1a:
APPARATUS:

Ruler

Wooden Block

Vernier caliper

Electronic Balance

PROCEDURS:
1.Measure the dimension of the wooden block by using ruler and vernier caliper.
2. Weigh the mass of the wooden block by using ruler and vernier caliper.
3. Record all the data in the table 1a
4. calculate density by using formula

= =

DATA:
DIMENSION

READING

ZERO ERROR
Height, h

Ruler
0
90mm

Vernier Caliper
0
91.4mm

Width, w

0.09m
40mm

0.0914m
41.64mm

Length, l

0.04m
65mm

0.04164m
65.2mm

0.065m

0.0652m

Mass , m

214.3g
0.2143kg

Volume , V
Density , p =

2.34 x m

2.48 x

2.34 x
9.16 x

2.48 x
8.64 x

CALCULATION:
Ruler:
Height, h 9 x 10 = 90 mm
9 1000 = 0.009 m
Width, w 4 x 10 = 40 mm
4 1000 = 0.04 m
Length , I 6.5 x 10 = 65 mm
6.5 1000 = 0.065m

Volume , V 90mm x 40mm x65mm = 2.34 x

0.09m x 0.04 m x 0.065m = 2.34 x
Density ,

0.2143 kg 2.34 x = 9.16 x kg

Vernier Caliper:

Height, h 0.02 x 2 = 0.04 + 91= 91.4 mm

91.4 1000 = 0.0914 m
Width, w 0.02 x 2=0.04 + 41.6 = 41.64 mm
41.64 1000 = 0.04164 m
Length , I 0.02 x 2= 0.04 + 65.16 = 65.2 mm
65.2 1000 = 0.0652m

Volume , V 91.4mm x 41.64mm x 65.2mm = 2.48 x

0.0914m x 0.04164 m x 0.0652m = 2.48 x
Density ,

0.2143 kg 2.48 x = 8.64 x kg

EXPERIMENT 1b:
APPARATUS:

Coin 20 cent

Micrometer Screw Gauge

PROCEDURS:
1. Measure the dimension of the coin 20 cent by using Micrometer Screw Gauge.
2. Record all the data in Table 1b.

V=
DATA:
MICROMETER SCREW GAUGE
ZERO ERROR: -0.08mm
Average Actual = average zero error
READINGS
Diameter, d
Thickness, l

1
23.88
1.62

2
23.88
1.62

3
23.88
1.62

23.88

23.96 mm

1.62

2.40 x m
1.7 mm
1.7 x m

Volume, V

7.26 x

7.26 x

7.26 x

7.26 x

7.26 x
7.26 x

CALCULATIONS:
Diameter, d

23.5 + 0.38 = 23.88

Volume, V =

22 7( 23.88(1.62) / 4 = 7.26 x

Actual = average zero error

Diameter, d

23.38 (- 0.08) = 23.96mm

23.96

1000 = 2.40 x m

Thickness, l 1.62 (-0.08) = 1.7 mm

1.7 1000 = 1.7 x mm

Volume, V =

7.26 x - (-0.08) = 7.26 x

7.26 x ( x 7.26 x

ANALYSIS:
Result from measurement taken show various reading achieve although the measurement is
done with constancy which give a reading is too high, sometimes reading is too low.The
difference result is caused by error when measurement is done.The error can be reduced by
repeating readings being taken and calculating the mean or average value.When we write
down the result, of a measurement we only write it to number of figures the accuracy will
allow, these being termed significants figures.

QUESTIONS:
1. State the precautionary steps to avoid errors in the experiment.
- Repeated reading are taken and the average value is calculated.
- Avoid parallax error.
- Avoid zero error.
- Use instruments which is not defective.
2. From the experiment 1(a), is there any difference between using ruler and Vernier
caliper? Give your reason.
- Yes. Because a ruler is a straight edge used for imprecise measurements. If we
lay the ruler next to an object and then using eyes the eyes must judge the closest
measurement. Other than that, a caliper is much more precise instrument. Two
edges of the caliper contact the item similar to a clamp, then read the
measurement off of a dial or guage.
3. What are you understand with consistency and accuracy from experiment 1(b)?
- The consistency of a measuring instrument is its ability to register the same
-

reading when a measurement is repeated.

The accuracy is the degree of how close a measured value is to the actual value.

CONCLUSION:

- The derived quantities can be calculated or expressed in terms of base quantites.

-

Exercising greater care and effort when taking readings.