Course Code NSCI 111

Description College Physics 1

Laboratory
Title of
Exercise 001 Introduction
Activity
No.
Page 1 of 5
LABORATORY EXERCISE

Objective/s:
At the end of this activity, the students are expected to have been able to:
 Find conversion formulas in metric and SI units.
 Convert from Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates, and vice versa.

Material/s Needed:
 meterstick, ruler, yardstick, and protractor
 paper, and pencil
 calculator

Procedure:
A. Finding metric and SI units conversion formulas.
1. Use the meterstick to find the length and width of a piece of paper.
2. Record these measurements.
3. Do the same using the inch side of the ruler, and the yardstick.

Measurement
Trial No.
Meterstick Ruler (inch) Yardstick
1 0.1 m x 0.12 m 3.9in x 4.9in 0.15yd x 0.02yd
2 0.099m x 0.125m 3.9in x 4.9in 0.108yd x 0.0136yd
3 0.099m x 0.125m 3.9in x 4.9in 0.108yd x 0.0136yd
Mean 0.099m x 0.125m 3.9in x 4.9in 0.108yd x 0.0136yd

Question: What is the conversion formula for centimeter, inch and yard?

Centemeter = 1mm/10
1mm=0.1cm

Inches = 1cm/2.54in
1cm/2.54in=0.394in
1
 Course Code NSCI 111

Description College Physics 1

Laboratory
Title of
Exercise 001 Introduction
Activity
No.
Page 2 of 5
LABORATORY EXERCISE

Yard = in*0.027778yd
1in*0.027778yd=0.027778yd

B. Converting from Cartesian Coordinates to Polar Coordinates

1. Plot the point (2,2) on the plane.
1. Use a ruler to measure its distance from the origin.
2. Use a protractor to measure the angle formed.

2
 Course Code NSCI 111

Description College Physics 1

Laboratory
Title of
Exercise 001 Introduction
Activity
No.
Page 3 of 5
LABORATORY EXERCISE

Question: What is the point (2, 2) in polar form?

Answer: the point (2, 2) is (8, 45⁰)in polar form.

C. Converting from Polar to Rectangular Coordinates

1. Draw a 2-unit ray from the origin at an angle of 60 deg.
2. Use a ruler to measure the x and y-coordinates of the ray.

3
 Course Code NSCI 111

Description College Physics 1

Laboratory
Title of
Exercise 001 Introduction
Activity
No.
Page 4 of 5
LABORATORY EXERCISE

Question: What is the point (2, 60 deg) in rectangular coordinates?

Answer: The rectangular representation of the polar point (2, 60°) is (1,√3)(1,√3).

4
 Course Code NSCI 111

Description College Physics 1

Laboratory
Title of
Exercise 001 Introduction
Activity
No.
Page 5 of 5
LABORATORY EXERCISE