Measurement Lab
Data and Measurements
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
Purpose
The purpose of this lab is to become familiar with the process of writing labs, as well as using the various technology accessible in the classroom, such as Vernier calipers and scales.
Materials
String
Brass Cylinder
Vernier Calipers
Meterstick
Spring Scale
Electric Scale
Stopwatch
Photogate/Data Studio
Procedure
I first used the Vernier calipers to measure the length and diameter of the cylinder. Its length was 6.355 cm +/- .005 cm. The diameter was 2.220 cm +/- .005 cm. Next I used the meterstick to measure the same dimensions; I got a length of 6.35 cm +/- .01 cm and a diameter of 2.20 cm +/- .01 cm. For both dimensions, using the Vernier calipers yielded more precise measurements. I then proceeded to measure the mass on four electric scales. The masses were 208.4 g, 208.5 g, 208.5 g, and 208.6 g, each with an uncertainty of .1 g. I also used a spring scale to measure the mass of the cylinder; this method resulted in a measured mass of 207 g +/- 5 g. This was the least precise measurement of the group. Next, I created a pendulum and suspended the brass cylinder from a piece of thread. I used a stopwatch to calculate the period of ten consecutive periods and got a time of 19.33 seconds. I then took this number and divided it by ten, yielding an average period of 1.933 s +/- .001 s. Lastly, I used the Photogate application in DataStudio to measure the average period of the pendulum calculated from ten periods. Using a much shorter swing, the application yielded an average of .270288 s +/- .000001 s. This was by far the most precise measurement of all.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I achieved the goal of this lab, that being to become acquainted with the tools available in the lab and to practice creating labs on a website.
The purpose of this lab is to become familiar with the process of writing labs, as well as using the various technology accessible in the classroom, such as Vernier calipers and scales.
Materials
String
Brass Cylinder
Vernier Calipers
Meterstick
Spring Scale
Electric Scale
Stopwatch
Photogate/Data Studio
Procedure
I first used the Vernier calipers to measure the length and diameter of the cylinder. Its length was 6.355 cm +/- .005 cm. The diameter was 2.220 cm +/- .005 cm. Next I used the meterstick to measure the same dimensions; I got a length of 6.35 cm +/- .01 cm and a diameter of 2.20 cm +/- .01 cm. For both dimensions, using the Vernier calipers yielded more precise measurements. I then proceeded to measure the mass on four electric scales. The masses were 208.4 g, 208.5 g, 208.5 g, and 208.6 g, each with an uncertainty of .1 g. I also used a spring scale to measure the mass of the cylinder; this method resulted in a measured mass of 207 g +/- 5 g. This was the least precise measurement of the group. Next, I created a pendulum and suspended the brass cylinder from a piece of thread. I used a stopwatch to calculate the period of ten consecutive periods and got a time of 19.33 seconds. I then took this number and divided it by ten, yielding an average period of 1.933 s +/- .001 s. Lastly, I used the Photogate application in DataStudio to measure the average period of the pendulum calculated from ten periods. Using a much shorter swing, the application yielded an average of .270288 s +/- .000001 s. This was by far the most precise measurement of all.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I achieved the goal of this lab, that being to become acquainted with the tools available in the lab and to practice creating labs on a website.