NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER STUDIES
Cotabato City, Philippines
PHYS 1201B – Physics for Engineers Laboratory
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Laboratory Exercise No.: ____
Measurement of Length, Mass and Density
OBJECTIVES
- to measure basic quantities and measurement errors
MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT
AutoCAD
Ruler (cm and in) String or Yarn Tin Can
Course pack
Beaker (measuring cup) Weighing scale Rock (medium)
THEORY/DISCUSSION
A measurement is the quantitative description of a physical property of an object. Such
properties include speed, length and mass, to name a few. Measurement of physical quantities
is a necessary element of the observation of physical phenomena. Accurate measurement is
essential to the experimental verification of physical laws and theories.
In the metric system of measurement, length, mass and time are expressed using the
following units: meter, kilogram and second, respectively. On the other hand, the English
system uses the foot and the pound as units of linear measure and weight, respectively.
The density of a substance is defined as the ratio of mass per unit volume.
mass
Density ( ρ )=
volume
−3
Density is expressed in kilograms per cubic meter (kg ∙ m ) or in grams per cubic
−3
centimeter (g ∙ cm ), and 1 g ∙ cm−3 =1000 kg ∙ m−3
While the density of a regular solid may be calculated by weighing its mass and
measuring its dimensions to get its volume, the method of water displacement is better suited
for determining the density of an irregular solid. In this method, the mass of the object is
divided by the volume of water that the object displaces.
PROCEDURES
A. Volume of a Prism
1. Using a ruler, measure the dimensions of your AutoCAD course pack (i.e. length,
width and height) in centimeters (cm). Repeat three (3) times.
2. Measure the same quantities using inches (in) as its unit of measurement. Repeat
three (3) times.
3. Compute the volume of the course pack in terms of the two unit of measurement.
4. Solve for the average values of each dimension in cm and in.
5. Determine the ratio by dividing the average value in centimeters to the average
Ave (cm)
value in inches. Use Ratio= .
Ave (¿)
6. The theoretical value of the ratio between cm and in is : Ratio=2.54 . Solve for the
percentage error.
7. Record your measurements on Data Table A.
B. Volume of a Cylinder
1. Using a ruler find the height (in cm) of the tin can. Do these in three trials.
2. Wrap a yarn (string) around the tin can and mark the point where the string has
exactly one rotation around the tin can. Do these in three trials.
3. Measure the length between the end of the yarn and the marking you made. Label it
as L.
L
4. Solve for the radius of the circle using the formula: r = .
2π
5. Record your data on Data Table B.
C. Density of Irregular Solid
1. Using a weighing scale, measure the mass of the rock. Label it as M.
2. Fill the beaker with water up to 500 mL (H1).
3. Carefully place the rock on to the beaker. Record the new water level. Label it H2.
4. Solve for the volume of the rock (V) by subtracting the initial water level from the
new water level.
5. Calculate the density ( ρ ) of the rock.
6. Record your data on Data Table C.
DATA TABLES
Data Table A
Dimension In Centimeters (cm) In Inches (in)
Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Ratio
Ave Ave
1 2 3 1 2 3
Length (L)
Width (W)
Height (H)
Volume Ave:
V =L x W x H
Percentage Error: _________
Data Table B
Dimension In Centimeters (cm)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Ave
Height (H)
Length (L)
Radius (r)
Volume
2
V =π r H
Data Table C
Quantities Measured Values
Mass (M)
Initial Height of Water Level (H1)
New Height of Water Level (H2)
Volume of the Rock
Density
QUESTIONS
1. What is the smallest possible reading you can get in:
a. Ruler in cm = ___________
b. Ruler in inches = ________
2. Do you think the density determination of the irregular solid is a reliable method? Is it
accurate? Explain your answer.
3. Ten (10) one-peso coin were stacked and the height measures 20.5mm. Each coin has a
mass of 6 grams and a diameter of 23mm. Find the density of a one-peso coin.
4. A cylindrical tin can was opened to form a (15.71mm x 31.42mm) rectangular metal
sheet. Find the mass of the tin can if its density is 7.31 g/cu.cm.
CONCLUSION
REMOVE THIS PAGE FROM YOUR REPORT
REQUIREMENTS FOR LAB 4
Documents:
FILLED IN LABSHEETS
- cover page
- Lab sheets with filled in data tables, questions and conclusion
(HANDWRITTEN)
- CALCULATIONS (show all important calculations on a separate
page)
Video File:
- You are to demonstrate the laboratory exercise.
- Some parts of the lab requires several trials. There must be
different members conducting each trial.
- Measurements must be seen clearly on the video. You may zoom
in at this point of the video or have a different camera angle.
- Your video must present the objectives, the materials needed,
an overview of the lab and the demonstration of the lab exercise
together with the important calculations as presented in the
procedures and your conclusion.
FILENAME:
PHYS 1201B_LAB04_[GROUP NUMBER]
Ex. PHYS 1201B_LAB04_G01
