PHYSICS-1 MEASUREMENTS

EXPERIMENT-2: Measurements of Mass, Volume and Density

OBJECTIVES
In this laboratory experiment, the following objectives will be achieved:
(i) Determination of densities of three metal cylinders, an irregular shaped solid, and a copper wire, by
finding their volumes and masses.
(ii) Comparison of densities with the accepted values.

EQUIPMENT
1. Triple- beam balance 2. Vernier Caliper
3. Micrometer 4. Electronic balance (to measure mass of copper wire)
5. A ruler (inches and centimeters) 6. Graduated Cylinder
7. A roll of copper wire. 8. Wire Cutter
9. Irregular object (lead, zinc, etc)
10. Three cylindrical metals (brass, iron, aluminum, steel, tin, zinc, etc) and copper wire.

INTRODUCTION:
Physics is a science of measurement that involves measurements of various parameters. Therefore, we need to learn
how to take accurate measurements and how to use these numbers for calculations. In any measurement the
uncertainty associated with it and the number of significant figures should be of particular interest to the
experimenter. It should be underlined that the number of significant figures to be kept in a reading depends on the
measuring device used.

In this experiment the dimensions of various objects will be determined by means of a meter ruler, a vernier caliper,
and a micrometer caliper and the probable error in these measurements will be determined. The mass of each object
will be measured with a triple beam balance (or electronic balance if available) and the density of each object as well
as the material from which it is made will be determined.

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Density is the measurement of the compactness of matter in a substance. This might be done experimentally by
measuring the mass and obtaining the volume of the substance. The volume may be obtained depending on the
shape of the substance. For example, if the substance is cylindrical in shape then its volume can be computed from
the equation V = πr2h or V = πr2l, where h is the height or ll is the length of the substance. If the material is shaped
like a sphere, the density is calculated from the volume V = 4/3 π r 3 (where r is the radius of the sphere). For a
rectangle, the volume is L x W x H (Length x Width x Height).

In the case of an irregularly shaped object, its density may be determined by submerging object in water contained
in a graduated cylinder. Usually, an object displaces its own volume of water hence the difference in the cylinder
reading before and after the immersion gives the volume of the object. Density denoted by a Greek alphabet, ρ, is
usually expressed in g/cm3 or kg/m3, and sometimes in lb/ft3. Density is one of the useful quantities scientists use to
identify different materials with.

THEORY:
Density ( ρ ) = Mass/Volume

The volume of a cylinder is: V = πr2h, or (πd2/4)h

In order to make precise measurements one needs to use

accurate devices that will minimize the errors in our measurements:

a) Triple-Beam Balance
We use it to find the mass of each object. It consists of three beams along each one slides a weight. One beam
has a notch every 100 g, the next one every 10 g and the last one every 1 g. Since this beam consists of 100
divisions equaling a mass of 10 g then this balance can read to 0.1 g and estimate to 0.05 g.

b) Vernier Caliper
A vernier caliper is a common tool used to measure the length of an object, the outer diameter (OD) of a round
or cylindrical object, the inner diameter (ID) of a pipe, and the depth of a hole. The vernier caliper is more
precise than a metric ruler because it gives an accurate measurement to within 0.01cm. and can be used to
estimate to 0.001 cm.

Figure 1

The vernier consists of a main scale engraved on a fixed ruler and an auxiliary vernier scale engraved on a movable
jaw. The movable auxiliary scale is free to slide along the length of the fixed ruler. This vernier's main scale is
calibrated in centimeters with the smallest division in millimeters. The auxiliary scale has 10 divisions that cover the
same distance as 9 divisions on the main scale. Therefore, the length of the auxiliary scale is 9.0 mm. Once the
vernier is positioned to make a reading, the jaws are closed on the object and we make a note of where the first mark
on the auxiliary scale falls on the main scale. In Figure 2, we see that the object's length is between 1.2 cm and 1.3

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cm because the first auxiliary mark is between these two values on the main scale. The last digit (tenths of a
millimeter) is found by noting which line on the auxiliary scale coincides with a mark on the main scale.
In our example, the last digit is 3 because the third auxiliary mark lines up with a mark on the main scale. Therefore,
the length of the object is 1.23 cm.

Figure 2
c) Micrometer
It is used to measure very small thicknesses and diameters of wires and spheres. It consists of a horizontal scale
along a barrel divided into millimeters and a circular scale that has 50 divisions. The thimble has a scale of 50 equal
divisions, each division is 0.01mm. (Figure 3)

Figure 3

To take a measurement using the micrometer, place the object to be measured between the anvil and spindle. Grip the
ratchet and turn until the object is lightly gripped. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.

The first part of the measurement is taken from the sleeve. Each division is 0.5mm (note that the millimeters and half
millimeters are on opposite sides of the line). Care is needed as the thimble may partially obscure this reading, particularly
when the thimble reading is close to zero. In the diagram the reading on the sleeve is 6.5mm. Note that the ‘0.5’ mark is
just showing.

The thimble reading must now be added to this. In the diagram the line on the sleeve is in line with the seventh division on
the thimble, showing 0.07mm. The total reading is therefore 6.5 + 0.07 = 6.57 mm.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1) Determine the mass of each cylinder, the copper wire and the irregular solid.
2) Determine the zero reading of the vernier caliper. This is when the jaws are in contact with each other. Record
the values in centimeters. Make sure to open and close the jaws before each measurement.
3) Measure the length and diameter of each cylinder with the vernier caliper. Record them in centimeters to two
decimal places.

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4) Measure the length of the copper wire with the metric ruler
5) Determine the zero reading of the micrometer by allowing the anvil and the screw to approach each other very
slowly. Record the values in centimeters. Make sure to open and close the micrometer before each
measurement.
6) Measure the diameter of the wire with the micrometer by gripping the wire between the anvil and the screw. Try
to change the location of the measurement on the wire in order to get different diameters.
7) Determine the volume of the irregular solid by submerging it in a graduated cylinder and measuring the volume
of the liquid that is displaced.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Uncertainty in Measurements

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EXPERIMENT 2- Measurements of Mass, Volume, and Density

REPORT FORM
Name: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

Part I. Length and Diameter of Metal Cylinders with Vernier Caliper

1 2 3 4 Average

Zero reading

Length of cylinder-1: ……….….

Length of cylinder-2: …………..

Length of cylinder-3: …………..

Diameter of cylinder-1: ………..

Diameter of cylinder-2: ………..

Diameter of cylinder-3: ………..

Length of copper wire with

metric ruler

Part II. Diameter of Copper Wire with the micrometer

1 2 3 4 Average

Zero reading

Reading with wire

Diameter of wire

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Part III. Determination of Mass

1 2 3 4 Average

Zero reading of triple beam balance

Mass of cylinder-1: ………..….

Mass of cylinder-2: …………...

Mass of cylinder-3: ………..….

Mass of irregular Object

Zero reading of Electronic balance

Mass of copper wire with

Electronic balance

Part IV. Calculation of Density

Computed Accepted
Mass Radius Volume Percent
Material Length cm Density Density
g cm cm3 error
g/cm3 g/cm3

Cylinder-1: ………..

Cylinder-2: ………..

Cylinder-3: ………..

Copper wire

Irregular Solid
Computed Accepted
Average Percent
Material 1 2 3 Density Density
volume error
g/cm3 g/cm3

Level before immersion

Level after immersion

Volume of solid

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CALCULATIONS
1) Calculate the volume and density of each object.
2) Find the percent error for the density of each object:
Percent error = [(computed value - accepted value)/ (accepted value)] x 100%

Cylinder-1:
Volume:

Density:

Percent Error:

Cylinder-2:
Volume:

Density:

Percent Error:

Cylinder-3:
Volume:

Density:

Percent Error:

Irregular Solid:
Density:

Percent Error:

Copper Wire:
Volume:

Density:

Percent Error:

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EXPERIMENT-2: Measurements of Mass, Volume, and Density

Post- Laboratory Questions
Name: ___________________________________________

1. Suppose you were given an irregularly shaped object that floats on water. How would determine its volume.

2. In measuring the volume of the cylinders, which dimension you should be more accurate about, the length or the
diameter, and why.

3. A thin circular sheet of aluminum has a radius of 20 cm and a thickness of 0.50 mm. What is the mass of the
sheet in grams and in kilograms?

4. Which of the length measuring devices listed in the apparatus part should be used in measurement of
a. Length of a human hair
b. Diameter of a human hair
c. thickness of a piece of paper
d. area of A4 size paper
e. length of a string used in a simple pendulum (about 0.8 m long)

5. According to Legend, Archimedes was given a crown, which was supposed to be made of pure gold but may
have contained some silver alloy, by King Heron-II of Sicily. He was asked by the king to prove or disprove his
suspicion. If you were asked this question, how would you determine whether or not the crown was pure gold?