Experiment 1: Errors, Uncertainties and Measurements Svette Santiago, Jayson So, Ella Urbano, Angelle Valenciano Department of Math

and Physics College of Science, University of Santo Tomas Espana, Manila Philippines

Abstract In the 1st experiment, errors, uncertainties and measurements were studied. To do this, a metal ball was measured with a foot rule, a vernier caliper and a micrometer caliper. The volume and the density of the metal ball were also obtained. After which, the obtained densities from every measuring device were compared with the given density of the metal ball. The percent error was computed for the measurements of every measuring device. It was founded that the foot rule had the largest percent error which is 14.24%. The least percentage error, 0.41%, was from the measurement of the micrometer caliper followed by the measurement of the vernier caliper, 0.94%. I. Introduction Accuracy is dependent on the measuring device. Different measuring tools have different least counts. The lesser least count the more accurate the measurement is; the lesser percentage error and the lesser value for the average deviation. In the experiment, errors were propagated and the average deviation, mean

of the diameters, and the density were obtained for each measuring device. After which, accuracy of every measuring device were compared. Furthermore, this experiment will familiarize students with the vernier caliper, the micrometer caliper and the foot rule.

II. Theory

a.d. =
where a.d. is the average deviation which is the sum of the deviations, d, and divided by number of observations, n.

A.D. =
where A.D. is the average deviation of the mean diameter which is a.d. divided by the square root of n. % error = III. Methodology In the experiment, the materials used were a metal ball with a mass of 18.85g and


a density of 7.86g/cc, foot rule, vernier caliper, micrometer caliper and electronic gram balance.

Measurements of the width of the thumb of each member were obtained by measuring with a foot rule. IV. Data and Analysis of Data Table no. 1 Measurements of the Metal Ball using the Foot Rule, Vernier Valiper and the Micrometer Caliper. Diameter of Sphere (cm) Foot Vernier Micromet Trial Rule Caliper er Caliper 1.50cm 1.670cm 1.663cm 1 1.60cm 1.665cm 1.663cm 2 1.50cm 1.665cm 1.663cm 3 1.60cm 1.665cm 1.663cm 4 1.60cm 1.665cm 1.663cm 5 1.60cm 1.666cm 1.663cm Mean Diameter 0.04cm 0.002cm 0.000cm a.d. A.D.
0.02cm 1.8%

Figure 1. Vernier Caliper

Figure 2. Metal Ball

Figure 3 Micrometer Caliper

Firstly, the measuring devices were checked from errors. Least counts of every device were obtained. 5 independent measurements of the diameter of the metal ball for each measuring device were taken. After which, the mean diameter for each measuring device and the deviation of each measurement from the mean were obtained. Next, the average deviation, a.d., was obtained. With the recently computed average deviation, the average deviation, A.D., of the mean diameter was computed. Then, the percentage error was obtained. The volume of the metal ball was computed using the obtained diameter and with the volume and the mass of the metal ball, the density was computed. The computed density was compared with the given accepted density and the percentage error was calculated.

% Error of Diameter Volume Mass Experimental value of density Accepted value of density % error of density

0.0009c m 0.05%

0.000cm 0%

2.1cc 18.85g 8.98g/cc

2.421cc 18.85g 7.786 g/cc

2.408cc 18.85g 7.828 g/cc

7.86 g/cc

7.86 g/cc 0.94%

7.86 g/cc

14.24%

0.41%

Table no. 2 Measurements of the Width of the Thumb of the Group Members GroupMem. 1 2 3 4 Width of 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.2 Thumb(in)

It is noticed from the data that the micrometer caliper has the least percentage error. This is because the least count of the micrometer caliper is less than the other two making the micrometer calipers measurement to be more accurate. Errors of measurement may be due to the measuring devices because like for the foot rule, the calibrations had larger spaces. For the calipers the errors were from variations of the independent measurements of the diameter of the ball. To avoid errors, it is needed to check the measuring devices for errors and fixing the measuring devices. As for the thumb, it may not be a standard for measurement since it varies in length for every person. V. Conclusion The experimental density of the metal ball by using the obtained diameter from the measurement of the micrometer caliper had the closest value to the accepted value. This is because the micrometer caliper had the smallest value of the least count out of the three measuring device. Also, the micrometer caliper had the least percentage error for the density. We can say that the micrometer caliper is accurate in giving measurements. VI. Applications 1. Which among the three measuring devices give you the least % error? Is the accuracy of a measurement affected by the least count of the measuring device?

The micrometer caliper gave the least % error. The least count affects the accuracy of the device because it gives us the least possible value that it can measure. The lesser the least count, the more accurate the results are. 2. What do you mean by error? What are types of errors? What are the errors you encountered in this experiment? In mathematics, error is the difference between a computed or measured value and a true or theoretical corrected value. In the experiment, errors were made on the measurements of the metal ball using the measuring devices. 3. Sketch a. vernier caliper that reads 5.08cm

b. A micrometer caliper that reads 2.55mm.

Suppose that you group is required to make only four determinations for the mass of the sample. If you are the leader of the group, which data will you omit? Recalculate the mean a.d. and the A.D. without this data. Which results will you prefer? Mean =

= 14.30g a.d. = A.D. = =0.01g =0.03g

I will omit the 14.23 since it is the farthest from the mean. 4. A student weigh himself using a bathroom scale calibrated in kilograms. He reported his weight in pounds. What is the percentage error in his reported weight if he used this conversion: 1kg=2.2 pounds? The standard kilogram is equal to 2.2406 pounds. % Error = X 100% I prefer the second results because the average deviation is lesser compared to the 1st one. VII. References Houghton Mifflin Company. (2009). The american heritage dictionary of the english language 4th ed. Mean = =14.32g a.d. = =0.008g

A.D. =

= 0.004g

Where A.W. is the actual/accepted weight and E.W. is the experimental weight. % Error = x 100% = 1.8%

5. In an experiment on determination of
mass of a sample, your group consisting of 5 students obtained the following results: 14.34g, 14.32g, 14.33g, 14.30g and 14.23g. Find the mean, a.d. and A.D.