Experiment 1: Errors, Uncertainties, and Measurements

Adrielle Hernandez, Czarina Hernandez, Mhariel Ilagan, Reggiana Lanuza, & Paulo Latonio
Department of Biology
College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
Espaa, Manila Philippines

Abstract
Measurement is a collection of quantitative
data and made by comparing a quantity with
a standard unit. Measuring devices like
Vernier Caliper, Micrometer Caliper and
Foot Rule were used and well studied and
compared with each other. Due to different
factors, errors and uncertainties occurred.
Mathematical formulas like average
deviation, mean, % error and volume of the
sphere were also used.
Introduction
In order to have a reliable
data, appropriate instruments must be used.
Failure of using the right instrument is one
of the sources of error. Different measuring
devices can be used. Each measuring
devices have their own usages and functions.
Foot rule is a rule for taking length or
distance in feet and inches.
Vernier Caliper is a measuring
instrument consisting of an L-shaped frame
with a linear scale along its longer arm and
an L-shaped sliding attachment with a
vernier. It is used to read directly the
dimension of an object represented by the
separation between the inner or outer edges
of the two shorter arms.
Micrometer Caliper is a measuring

instrument whose conversion mechanism

consists of a screw-nut micropair. Both are
used to get extremely precise measurements
but Micrometer caliper is more accurate
compared to Vernier caliper.
This experiment aims to (1)
familiarize the students with the different
measuring devices and compare their
accuracy, (2) study the errors and how they
propagate, (3) determine the average
deviation and mean of the set of
experimental values as well as set of average
deviation of the mean and (4) determine the
density of an object given its mass and
dimensions.

Theory
Mean Diameter (md) = diameter/n
- sum of all measured diameters divided by
number of observations.
Deviation (d) = |reading-mean diameter|
Average deviation (a.d.) = d/n where n=
number of observations
- sum of the deviations divided by the
number of observations
Average deviation of the mean (A.D.) =
d/n

Volume (v) = 4/3 r^3 where r= radius

Density= mass/volume
%error =| (experimental value-accepted
value )/(accepted value)|x100

Methodology
Activity 1
The errors in the measuring device were
determined and were added/subtracted from
the final measurement. The least count of
the Vernier caliper, micrometer caliper and
the foot rule were determined. Ten
independent measurements for the diameter
of the sphere were made. The mean diameter
of the sphere, deviation (d) of each
measurement of diameter from the mean
diameter The average deviation (a.d.) was
calculated, the average deviation (A.D.) of
the mean diameter were determined. The %
error was also computed. The weight of the
sphere was determined using the electronic
gram balance. The density of the sphere was
also calculated. The % error was determined
by determining the spheres accepted value
of density. The same steps were repeated for
the Vernier and micrometer caliper.
Activity 2
The thumb of each group member was
obtained using the Vernier caliper. The
results were then compared

Results and Discussion

A. Results

Trial
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Mean
Diameter
Average
Deviation
(a.d)
Average
Deviation
of the Mean
(A.D)
Volume
(cm3)
Mass (g)
Experiment
al Value of
Density
(g/cm3)
Accepted
Value
of
Density
% Error for
Density

Diameter of Sphere (cm)

Foot
Vernier Micromet
Rule Caliper er Caliper
1.80
1.90
1.8970
1.60
1.90
1.8860
1.70
1.90
1.8810
1.80
1.90
1.8670
1.80
1.90
1.8850
1.90
1.90
1.8840
1.60
1.90
1.8810
1.80
1.90
1.8860
1.70
1.90
1.8810
1.70
1.90
1.8860
1.74
1.90
1.8834
0.08

0.0047

0.025
3

0.0015

2.758
3
27.90

3.5914

3.4981

27.90

27.90

10.11
49

7.7686

7.9758

7.8

7.8

7.8

29.68
%

0.40 %

2.25 %

Table 1. Results of measurement of sphere using Foot

rule, Vernier Caliper and Micrometer caliper

Group Member
Width of thumb (in)

1
0.56

2
0.49

Table 2. Results of measurement of thumb using

Vernier Caliper

3
0.49

B. Discussion
With the given data using the three
measuring devices, the use of the Vernier
caliper gave the least % error having a
0.40% error, which is close to the accepted
value while the use of foot rule gave the
most highest % error of 29. 68%, which is
very high and most likely inaccurate. Human
error may be a possible reason why the use
of foot rule gave a high % error. The use of
Micrometer caliper gave a 2.25 % error. The
measurement using the Micrometer caliper
should be the most accurate among the three
because the micrometer provides a greater
degree of accuracy but because of human
error or maybe the inappropriate use of the
tool, it became slightly less accurate than the
Vernier caliper.
The group members with the widest
thumbs are student 1 (Hernandez, A.) and
student number 5 (Latonio), the width of
their thumbs are both 0.56 inches. student
number 4 (Lanuza) came second with a
thumb width of 0.59 inches, while student
number 2 (Hernandez, C.) and student
number 3 (Ilagan) have the smallest thumb
widths that measured 0.49 inches. The width
of the thumb of each person may differ from
one another because of their body types.

One person may have more body fat in their

thumb while others may have less body fat
in that area.

Conclusion
Through
performing
the
experiments, the group was able to observe
errors and how they happen. The importance
in taking multiple measurements is
emphasized because one trial will not
always give a accurate and precise
measurement and that although the
measurements may be close, there is still
room for error.

References
The Physics Classroom. (2015). 1-D
Kinematics [Data file]. Retrieved from
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/PhysicsTutorial/1-D-Kinematics
Cutnell, J. & Johnson, K. (2009). Physics
(8th ed.). USA: Wiley & Sons, Inc.