OVERVIEW

This module serves only as an initial guide to Mechanical

Engineering Students who will be taking up Mechanical Engineering
Laboratory 2 and 3. It is made simple which can be performed at home.
This module includes working principle and laboratory exercises
intended to create experience—giving them insights and be able to cope
with the real-world scenario.
To best use of this module, laboratory exercise are provided at the
end of the session. The reader is also advised to follow all the instructions
provided and internalize every concept.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this manual, the reader expected to have an in-depth
understanding of engineering process and be able:
1. To determine the components, or process to meet the desired needs
within realistic constraints, in accordance with the standard.
2. To design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret
data.
3. To identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems.

LABORATORY POLICIES
For safety purposes, the following must be taken into consideration
when inside the laboratory.
1. Always wear your personal protective equipment.
2. Observe any hazardous or unsafe position—possible for electrical
shock, head or body parts injury. (review your safety 1)
3. Read and follow instruction, make sure all the machines are on
initial position.
4. Always be alert on unusual sound on the machines.

Laboratory Exercise No. I

1
 CALIBRATION OF THERMOMETERS

OBJECTIVE
1. To be able to determine the types of thermometers.
2. To know how to calibrate the thermometer

THEORY AND ANALYSIS OF THE EXPERIMENT

Temperature is a measure of intensity of heat in a
substance. An important parameter is used in many
parameter is used in many processes to determine the
condition of the material, Temperature measuring device
are classified according to which of these effects are
utilized.

MATERIALS AND INSTRUMENTS

Liquid in glass thermometer

Electric Heater / Gas Stove
Cracked Ice
Plastic Cap/ Styrofoam/ Rubber
Rounded metal pot

PROCEDURE
A. Melting point method

1. Prepare the plastic cap/ Styrofoam with a hole in it and

insert the liquid in glass thermometer.
2. Place the ice into the glass. (Please see below)

2
 Figure 1 Melting point of Water

3. Let the ice melt for 5 minutes or until the

temperature is stable.

4. Measure and record corresponding temperature

reading.
B. Boiling Point Method
1. Place 1 L of water in deep rounded metal pot.
2. Turn on the gas stove and let the water boil.
3. Place the Liquid in glass thermometer into the steam.
Just close to the center as possible.
4. Measure and record corresponding temperature
reading.

Figure 2. Boiling point of Water

3
 The melting and boiling point reading will be

compared to the standard melting point and boiling of

water which is about 32 deg F (0 deg C) and 212 deg F

(100 deg C) at sea level. Another method can be done by

comparing to the standard instrument. You can follow

procedure B record it every 10 deg rise in temperature

until it boils.

MELTING POINT

Data Sheet
Time Standard Digital Thermocoupl Dial Glass
(min) Temperatur e Probe Thermometer
Thermomet
e reading
er Reading Reading Reading Reading
5 0°C 0.9°C 6.8°C 0°C 0.7°C

Error(
%)

BOILING POINT – Digital Thermometer

Data Sheet
Time Standard Error (%)
Thermometer
(second) Temperature
Reading
reading
0 28°C 27.3°C 2.5
110 38°C 35.2°C 7.37
170 48°C 44.1°C 8.84
251 58°C 56.4°C 2.84
332 68°C 71.9°C 5.74
422 78°C 78°C 0
522 88°C 86.8°C 1.36
652 98°C 93.8°C 4.29
772 100°C 99.9°C 0.1

4
BOILING POINT – Glass Thermometer

Data Sheet
Time Standard Error (%)
Thermometer
(second) Temperature
Reading
reading
0 28°C 27°C
110 38°C 38°C 0
170 48°C 41.4°C 13.57
251 58°C 52.8°C 8.97
332 68°C 60.8°C 10.6
422 78°C 69C 11.54
522 88°C 77.9°C 11.48
652 98°C 97°C 1.02
772 100°C 100°C 0

BOILING POINT – Thermocouple

Data Sheet
Time Standard Error (%)
Thermometer
(second) Temperature
Reading
reading
0 28°C 26°C
110 38°C 28°C 26.32
170 48°C 38.8°C 19.17
251 58°C 40.5°C 30.17
332 68°C 51.7°C 23.97
422 78°C 57°C 26.92
522 88°C 64.6°C 26.6
652 98°C 80.8°C 17.55
772 100°C 80.8°C 19.62

OBSERVATION:

A. Both steam bath and ice bath are open systems due to
the presence of holes at the topmost part of the container.
This might incur small errors as open system could not be
in equilibrium.

5
 B. Upon subjection of the thermometer to the steam bath,
and regardless of the thermometer used, the temperature
approached quickly than on the ice bath.
C. It takes time to calibrate using block calibrator.
D. Different thermometer has different calibrations.
E. The thermocouple instantly reads the fixed
temperature. However, it is the most unprecise
temperature measuring device as it only gives whole
number values.
F. Although the thermometers registered different values
of temperatures, the temperature change upon heating
and cooling of the bath is almost the same for all
thermometers.

QUESTIONS:

1. Convert the temperature difference of 30 deg c to

absolute scale in Sl and English units.

30 deg c to absolute scale

30 deg c + 273.15 = 303.15 k

Conversion of 30 deg c to deg f

30 deg c (9/5) + 32 = 86 deg f

86 deg f to absolute scale

R = 86 deg f + 459.67 R

2, What are the types of devices used to measure

temperature and how do they differ?

Thermocouple- a thermocouple would do the

measurement between two functions and not the
absolute temperature so one of the junctions would be
maintain at a known temperature and the other one
measures the process temperature.

6
 Dial Probe- dial thermometer use a metal printer on a
circular scale to indicate temperature measurements.
They have two main components: the needle and a
temperature sensor. The way a dial thermometer
works depends on the type of thermometer it is.

Digital Thermometer- are temperature-sensing

instruments that are easily portable, have permanent
probes, and a convenient digital. It is used to verify a
smart temperature transmitter under flowing
conditions and a successful calibration of the smart
temperature transmitter.

Glass thermometer- in a mercury thermometer, a

glass tube is filled with mercury and a standard
temperature scale is mark on the tube. With changes
on temperature, the mercury expands and contracts,
and the temperature can be read from the scale

Documentations:

7
 STEP 1: Prepare all the necessary materials and equipment.

STEP 2: Perform the needed operation in boiling point of water.

STEP 3: Record the datum presented by the devices.

8
STEP 4: Perform the necessary operation on melting point of the water.

STEP 5: Repeat step number 3.

9
STEP 6: Cooperate and do the group observation for idea solicitation to answer some inquiries.

Laboratory Exercise No.2

Calibration of Platform Scale

OBJECTIVES:
1. To determine the level of accuracy of a platform scale in the
comparison to standard weights.
2. To know the proper use of the platform scale.

THEORY AND ANALYSIS:

10
 Weights and forces are measured by comparison with known
weights with the aid of the system of levers such as in a beam balance, or
by reference to the amount they deform some elastic object such as a
spring, which has been previously calibrated against standard weights.
Scales have been constructed to weigh a million pounds or more, as
in industrial plants, while the chemical balance, at the opposite extreme,
will easily weigh a millionth of a pound.
The common platform scales used in a laboratory. The sensitiveness
of a platform scale is determined by placing a large weight on the
platform, weighing it, and then finding the smallest additional weight that
will cause a deflection of the beam which can be solely balanced by rider.
w nm
The relation of = is called the leverage, which is the ratio of
W tL
weight on the pan necessary to balance the weight of the platform. Or
w
simply, if the leverage ratio is , w kg is necessary to balance W kg on
W
the platform.
The graduations on the beam therefore must conform to the relation
between the weight of the pan and the beam together with the poise.
By using standard weights and increasing the platform loads by
equal increments, the error may be determined for a given range of
loading. The error can be seen by comparing the reading of the scale to
the standard weight of the load.
This may also be done by pleasing the weights on different locations
of the platform scale, upon which the discrepancy in the values obtained
will reflect the accuracy of the platform scale.

APPARATUS:
1. Platform Scale
2. Weights specified by the Bureau of Standards

PROCEDURE:
1. Take the platform off and measure the length of all the lever arms
−1
between knife edges to the nearest of an inch. Draw a simple
100
line sketch showing all arms and lengths.
2. Observe the means provided to adjust the beam to read zero.

11
 3. Carefully level the scale so that the platform is in a horizontal plane.
Be sure that there are no strong sources of ventilation inside the
testing room to produce erroneous readings.
4. With no weight on the platform, adjust the balance lever so that the
arm shall same be rest widely between the steps. This balance may
be secured by adjusting the weight of the pan on the poise hook or
by means of special adjustable counter weight incorporated in the
weighing mechanism.
5. Test the platform scale starting with a 10 kg weight. The weight is
first placed on the upper left corner of the platform and the reading
on the scale is recorded on the data sheet. Obtain the readings with
the weight placed on the lower left corner, upper right corner, lower
right corner and at the center of the platform.
6. Repeat step 5 with increments of 5 kg.
7. Obtain the average of every load and calculate the percentage of
error.
8. Plot the calibration curve between the error of scale as ordinates
and weight in kg. as read from the scale beam as abscissas, plus
errors plotted above and minus errors below the axis of abscissas.
9. Determine sensitiveness at no load, half load and full load scale.

PLATFORM SCALE DATA SHEET

Platform Beam Readings, kg Error, Error,
Load, Corners Center Average kg Percent
kg. 1 2 3 4
5
10
20
Sensitiveness
Platform Load, kg Beam Load Increment Load Increment
Reading, to Lower Stop
Initial Center
Load

12
Zero
One-fourth Capacity
One-half Capacity
Three-fourth Capacity
Full Capacity

SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS:
In Table 1:

In Table 2:

CONCLUSIONS:
This laboratory focused on the calibration of the platform balance.
This lab has two objectives which are to determine the level of accuracy of
a platform scale. In the accuracy test determining the platform scale and
standard weights at the four corners and the center should be the same,
so the data we get from the result are closer to the actual or original data,
therefore, we are doing it well.
Knowing the proper use of the platform scale is very important, it is
because an improper or inaccurate reading can make a big effect on
object’s weigh. The ways of using platform balance are important, easy to
do, and to make sure that the result is accurate.

13
QUESTIONS:
1. How would the sensitiveness of a platform scale be determined?

2. With the aid of the diagram, define the leverage ratio of the
platform scale used in the experiment.

3. If there are 454 grams in a 1-lb mass, what will this mass weigh in
grams, at an altitude where q = 20.6 ft/sec? What is the mass in
grams at the point?

4. If the platform balance is raised to an elevation of 5000 meters, Will

there be any change in the scale reading? Explain.

14
 Laboratory Experiment No. 3
FLASH AND FIRE POINTS

OBJECTIVES:
1. To determine the flash point of lubricating oil.
2. To determine the fire point of lubricating oil.

THEORY AND ANALYSIS:

Flash and fire points are significant as safely
precautions for handling and storing lubricating oil. It is
used to check the fire hazard, which implies the lower the
flash point, the greater the fire hazard.

15
The temperature at which a substance will give off vapor
that will flash or burn momentarily when ignited is know as
the flash point. Fire point is the temperature at which the
oil vapor will continue to burn after being ignited.
There are two types of apparatus that are used for
determining the flash and fire points of oil, they are the
open type and the closed type. For this experiment, what
will be used is the open type. It is the common type of
tester used for laboratory and commercial testing of
lubricating oil.

APPARATUS:
1. Oil cup
2. Electric heater
3. High temperature thermometer

16
PROCEDURE:
1. Place the lubricating oil in the oil cup and fill to the
brim.
2. Turn on the electric heater.
3. Place the oil cup on the top of the electric heating
plate, which must be heated evenly; rise in the
temperature should be constant.
4. The thermometer is placed vertically in the oil and is
to be located halfway between the center and the
farthest side of the cup.
5. The test flame should be drawn across the cup on the
horizonal plane of its top edge and should be applied
at 5℉ intervals throughout the test. Great care must
be taken in this test assure that the temperature of
the oil rises continuously, as any invalidate the results.
6. The temperature at which the first flash of vapor on
the top of the surface of oil is to be recorded as the
flash point of the oil on the data sheet.
7. Continue heating the oil until more of the vapor is
raised by the increase in temperature and distilled
from the surface of the oil at a sufficient rate to
maintain combustion indefinitely. As the test flame is
passed horizontally, a small fire will occur is known as
the fire point of the oil. When this happens, remove
the thermometer and immediately cover the cup with
the lid to stop the fire.
8. Record the results in the data sheet.
9. Repeat the steps for the two remaining lubricating oils.

17
DATA SHEET:
OIL Flash point Fire point
SAMPLES Temperature Temperature
,℃ ,℃
2T
Powerburn
Brake
fluid
Gasoline

Used oil

SAMPLE COMPUTATION:

CONCLUSION:

SET-UP of the EXPERIMENT:

18
19
 Laboratory Experiment No. 4
PROPERTIES OF SOLID FUELS

0BJECTIVES:
To determine the proximate analysis and the heating
value of the solid fuel.

THEORY AND ANALYSIS:

Engines may be operated using solid fuels. Solid fuels for

internal-combustion engines are converted first into gaseous
forms outside the engine in a separate gas producer and the
engine simply works as a gas engine. Before these fuels are
used, they are thoroughly filtered; however, there is still a
problem in using these fuels since they affect the engine parts,
due to the abrasive action of the particles.

There are two types of solid fuel analysis—the proximate

and the ultimate. Proximate analysis comprises the four

20
constituents; volatile matter, fixed carbon, moisture, and ash.
The ultimate analysis determines the
percentage of carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen and sulfur content of the fuel.

APPARATUS:

1. Weighing balance sensitive to

1/1000 of the amount weighed.
2. Porcelain crucible.

3. No. 5 Meker burner

SET-UP of the EXPERIMENT:

21
PROCEDURE:

A. Volatile Matter
1. Weigh a gram sample of coal in a crucible with cover.
2. Place this on the No. 5 Meker burner and ignite for 7
minutes (highly volatile coals should be preheated).
3. Without disturbing the cover, transfer the crucible to a
desiccator after it has cooled below redness, then weigh
when cooled. Loss of weight, minus moisture, results in the
degree of volatility of matter.
4. Record all results on the data sheet.
B. Ash
1. Weigh 1 gm of coal in a crucible without cover. If the
moisture sample is use for this determination, it must be
subjected to preliminary heating for about 15 minutes to
expel the volatile matter.
2. Place the crucible in the burner for ignition up to a certain
temperature. Stir coal continuously until all the carbon
particles disappear.
3. Cool in a desiccator, and weigh.
4. Continue alternate heatings and weighings until the weight
is constant.
5. Record all the results on the data sheet.

DATA SHEET:
FUEL TYPICAL PERCENT HIGHER
SAMPL MOISTUR FIXED AS HEATIN
E E CARBON H G VALUE

22
CONCLUSIONS:

EXPERIMENT NO.5
Calibration of Volume Tank

OBJECTIVE:
To calibrate the volume tank in reference to thoorition procedures.

THEORY AND ANALYSIS:

Volume tanks range in size from those holding several
thousand gallons down to the chemists burettes and graduates.
Many types of gases and devices are used to indicate the liquid
level, such as floats, leakages, gage-glass scales and hook gages.
The volume tank that holds relatively large volumes generally
consists of the tank itself, a side gage glass scale, a weight scale
and an outflow pipe. It also an inflow pipe of the liquid located at the
mouth of the tank.
Liquids under low pressures and even up to several
atmospheres are incompressible and possess a fixed density as long
as the temperature does not vary considerably. For general
purposes of calibration, liquid water is employed because of its
accessibility and known properties.
The weight of the water placed in the tank can be measured
theoretically by determining the volume and then multiplying by the
density of the water at room temperature. The volume may be
obtained by measuring the inner dimensions of the tank, the

23
longitudinal and latitudinal widths, and the proposed height of the
water. This weight is then compared to the weight of the water in
the tank: that is obtained through actual weight measurements.
The reverse procedure may also be performed that is,
determining the weight of the water to be placed in the tank by
actual weighing and then comparing it with the theoretical weight
that its volume will occupy in the tank.

APPARATUS:
1. Volume Tank
2. Meter Stick
3. Thermometer
4. Platform balance

SET UP OF THE EXPERIMENT:

PROCEDURE:
1. Measure the longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions of the
tank.
2. Measure the weight of the volume tank (empty), with the
platform scale

24
 3. Pour water into the tank until it reaches the maximum level as
indicated by the gage glass.
4. Measure the height of the water and determine the volume
5. With the use of the platform scale, measure the weight of the
tank (total) and record by subtracting the weight of the empty
tank to determine the actual weight of water. The temperature
of water each time.
6. Divide the maximus level by at least 10 equal increments. For
each increment, drain water through the quick opening valve
and repeat as in (5).
7. Prepare a calibration curve.
DATA SHEET:
Run Experimental Data Standard Data Percentage
No. Heigh Computed Weight Weight Actual Error
t Volume of of tank weight
(m3) water when of
(cm) and empty water
tank (kg) (kg)
(kg)

SAMPLE COMPUTATION:

25
CONCLUSION:

26
 Laboratory Experiment 6
Measurement of Speed and Time

APPARATUS:
1. Variable speed motor
2. Stroboscope
3. Tachometer
4. Revolution counter and timer SET UP OF THE EXPERIMENT:
SEP UP OF THE EXPERIMENT:

27
28
PROCEDURE:
1. Start the motor or generator that drives the shaft and
regulate the speed of the motor with the use of the voltage
regulator provided in the set-up.
2. Adjust the voltage to 10 percent of the input voltage.
Measure the speed with the use of the three different
methods of speed measuring devices such as tachometer,
stroboscope, and revolution counter.
3. Adjust the speed by increasing the voltage load by increment
of 10 percent and stop when the maximum load is applied.
Measure the angular speed of the shaft at each increment.
4. Record all values on the data sheet.
5. Compare the values of the speed obtained with each other
and with their percentage ratings against the input voltage.
6. Plot a curve for instruments reading against the percentage
of the input voltage.

DATA SHEET:
Run No. Distance Time Speed Revolution
(ft) (s) (ft/s) per Seconds
(RPS)
1
2
3
4
5

29
SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS:

CONCLUSION:

Laboratory Experiment No.7

30
 Measurement of Humidity

INTRODUCTION

Measuring temperature to determine relative humidity (RH) can be

accomplished with a psychrometer, a relatively simple and reliable
instrument when properly used. The psychrometer is used to make spot
readings, to take readings in areas where there are no
hygrothermographs or other monitoring devices, and to calibrate
hygrothermographs and hygrometers. Sling psychrometers are available
in various sizes ranging from pocket-size models to larger units
approximately a foot in length. The longer the thermometer, the smaller
the increments, and the more accurate the reading .

The sling psychrometer, though simple and reliable, can be

incorrectly used; however, with proper instruction and practice, the user
can become adept at measuring relative humidity.

The advantages of
this instrument are its simple
design, low cost, and portability. The sling psychrometer is constructed of
two thermometers secured to a frame. The frame either pivots on a
handle or is attached to a handle by means of a chain. A cotton wick,
which is wetted prior to use, covers the bulb of one of the thermometers.
This thermometer is referred to as the wet bulb, while the other
thermometer is termed the dry bulb. The dry bulb measures room
temperature. The thermometers may be graduated in degrees Celsius or
degrees Fahrenheit. By using a psychrometric chart or slide rule to
compare the dry bulb (room temperature) reading to the wet bulb
reading, the relative humidity is determined. The activity aims to

31
understand the concept and relationship between temperature (dry bulb
and wet bulb) to humidity.

II. Scientific Sketches

Figure 2: Sling
Psychrometer

Figure 3: Timer

32
 Figure 4: Psychrometric Chart

III. Procedure

1. Whirl the instrument rapidly for at least two minutes, but no more
than three. The dry bulb thermometer simply reads the temperature of
the surrounding air. However, as the wet bulb passes through the air,
water evaporates from the wick causing the wet bulb thermometer to
read a lower temperature than the dry bulb. This happens because
evaporation has a cooling effect on the wet bulb thermometer. The
temperature of the wet bulb thermometer will decrease as the instrument
is swung until the moisture content of the wet wick reaches equilibrium
with that of the surrounding air.

2. Whirl the psychrometer until the wick achieves equilibrium with

the surrounding air otherwise the resulting wet bulb temperature will be
too high and the relative humidity determination incorrect.

3. Use caution that the psychrometer is not whirled too long. This
will cause the wick to dry out and the wet bulb temperature to rise from
its minimal reading, thus, resulting in an erroneous relative humidity
reading.

33
 4. As soon as the swinging is stopped, read the thermometers.
Always read the wet bulb temperature first, since it will begin to rise once
the instrument is stopped.

5. The readings from the wet bulb and the dry bulb are then used to
determine the relative humidity from a psychrometric chart or slide rule
that is provided with the instrument. Readings taken from charts are
generally accurate than those from a slide rule because the slide rule
introduces another interpretive factor. Some charts require that the wet
bulb temperature first be subtracted from the dry bulb temperature. Other
charts allow for direct comparison of the wet bulb and dry bulb
temperatures.

IV. Data Sheets and Computation

Table 1:

Trials Dry Bulb Wet Bulb Relative Scientific Saturation

Temp. Temp. Humidity Humidity Temperature

1
2
3

V. Result and Discussion

VI. Conclusion

34