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Jeshua+Lopez+-+Measurement+Lab

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6 views

Jeshua+Lopez+-+Measurement+Lab

Uploaded by

kamdenmilob5799
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CLASS SET – PLEASE DO NOT WRITE ON OR REMOVE FROM ROOM

LAB: Accuracy and Precision in Measurement

Background: The metric system is used for observation and measurement by scientists, and it is the standard in most
developed countries throughout the world (except the USA) because it is based on 10 for easy conversions between
units, such as km, meters, cm, and mm.

Materials: meter stick, metric ruler, string, quadruple-beam balance, graduated cylinder, 3”x5” index card, marble

Information: The calibration of the instrument determines the number of significant figures that can be used, and
therefore determines the precision of the measurement. The smallest lines of measurement indicate the smallest place
value to which a measurement can be certain, and the following place value is estimated.

Pre-Lab: Suppose that the following measurements were made as shown in the images below. Write the measurements
using the appropriate number of significant figures, and be sure to include the unit of measurement.

1. Metric Ruler 2. Quad-beam balance 3. Graduated cylinder – choose 1


a. 1.10
__________ 183.455g
a. __________ a. 56 mL
b. __________
3.00 183.600g
b. __________ b. 56.0 mL
c. __________
4.15 183.770g
c. __________ c. 57 mL
d. 57.5 mL

a b c

Procedure

Part A: Index Card

1. Use a metric ruler to measure in centimeters the length and width of an index card as accurately and precisely
as you can. The hundredths place in your measurement should be estimated.
2. Calculate the perimeter [2 x (length + width)] and the area (length x width).
3. Write your values for length, width, unrounded area, and rounded area on the board.
Index Card Perimeter Area
Length Width unrounded rounded unrounded rounded
12.92 8.13 42.1 42 105.0396cm 105 cm

Part B: Mass and Volume

1. Measure the mass of the filter paper on the analytical balance.


2. Measure the mass of a marble or other object your instructor provides you. Be sure to place it on the filter
paper and subtract the mass of the paper to find the actual mass.
3. Measure the mass of the 5-gram weight on the balance. Repeat 3x and record all results.
4. Calculate the average mass of the 5-g weight.
5. Measure exactly 5.0 mL of water in a graduated cylinder.
6. Add the marble or other object your instructor provides you and record the new volume.
7. Calculate the volume of the object.
Mass of filter paper: _________________
Object Marble 5-g #1 5-g #2 5-g #3 5-g #4 5-g Avg
recorded 6.25 5.85 5.85 5.85 5.85 5.85
mass

5.40 5g 5g 5g 5g 5g
net mass

2cm^3
Marble Volume: ____________

Part C: Length

Measure the parts of the body indicated, using string and measuring the length of the string where needed.

Body Part jingbo fu jeshua chris


Classmates Average

187 179 181 182.33 cm


height
around
54cm 58cm 62cm 58 cm
head

44cm 43cm 57cm 48 cm


1 step

Analysis

1. How many significant figures are in your measurements of length and of width?
2. How do your measurements compare with those of your classmates?
3. How many significant figures are in your calculated value for the area? In your calculated value for the
perimeter? Do your rounded answers have as many significant figures as your classmates’ measurements?
4. Assume that the correct (accurate) length and width of the card are 12.70 cm and 7.62 cm, respectively.
Calculate the percent error for each of your two measurements.
5. Based on your measurements of the 5-g weight, is your balance precise? Explain.
6. Assume that the mass of the 5-g weight is 5.000 g. Are any of your measurements accurate? Explain.
7. Calculate the percent error of your average mass for the 5-g weight.
8. The formula for density is mass/volume. Calculate the density of the marble.
9. How many times is your height larger than the circumference of your head?
10. What is the ratio between your height and the length of your step?

Conclusion:

Describe how significant figures represent the precision of an instrument. Use examples from the lab to illustrate your
points.

For your results from questions 8-10, explain how the accuracy of your answers is limited by the precision of your
measurements.

Describe the importance of using significant figures in scientific calculations.


1. for the length we have 4 and the width Conclusion:
we have 3 Significant figures represent the precision of an
2. our values are close instrument because when using the tool the least
3. for the perimeter we have 3 and the count measuring instrument is defined by the least
area we have 3 ( all rounded). Our count significant figure
rounded numbers do have as many
significant figures as our classmates. the accuracy of my answers is limited y the precision
4. we have 1.73% chance of error for the of your measurements because i can only use the
length and for the width have 6.69% measurements i got from the tool i was provided. the
chance of error use of significant figures is useful in scientific
5. yes it is precise because we got the calculations because it shows which part of a
same result after many attempts number is important
6. yes al of our measurements are
accurate because if you subtract the
mass of the filter paper you will get
5.000g
7. the percent of error was 0%
8. the density is 0.675
9. my height is 3.1 times larger than the
circumference of my head
10. the ratio of my height and the length of
my head is 179/43

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