Lab 1

Measurement: Mass, Volume and Density

Goals: The goal of this laboratory is to measure the mass and the dimensions of solids and to
determine their volume and density. We will also calculate probable error in a measurement.
Theory: Mass and length represent two of the most fundamental dimensions in the physical
world. Density is fundamental quantity that describes the properties of matter. The density does
not depend on the shape or size of the object. The density depends on the nature of the atoms,
and on the pacing. Therefore, each substance has its own unique density.
!f the geometry of bloc is simple then the volume can be calculated from the linear
dimensions. "owever, most objects found in nature are not as simple. #onsider a piece of roc.
Measuring the mass is still simple, but determining the volume is not possible by measuring the
linear dimensions. $ technique to determine the volume in such cases is to measure the volume
of water displaced by it.
$n important aspect of learning in physics is learning to tae accurate measurements and
to have an estimate of the error involved in maing such measurements. This will be one of the
primary focuses of our e%periments today.
We will use the e%ample of volume measurement to e%plain how to find the probable
error in your measurements. &et an idea of the error in your measurements early by calculating
the standard deviation. To calculate the standard deviation, tae five measurements of the same
quantity. #alculate the average of the measurements and the difference between each of the
measurements from the average. 'um the squares of the differences and divide by the number of
measurements. Tae the square root and this is your standard deviation. !n equation form this
method loos lie(
=

(a
i
a)
2
i

n
where, is the standard deviation, a
i
is a measurement, a is the average of the measurements
and n is the number of measurements made.
Apparatus: 'et of metallic and wooden blocs, roc sample, ruler, dial calipers, mass balance,
graph paper, glass jar, and measuring cylinder.
Caution: Be careful not to drop the mass blocks on the floor and on your fingers!
Procedure:

). *ift the heaviest of the two types of blocs and try to guess the mass in ilograms of each
and their density ratio. +ote your estimates in your journal.
,. Measure the mass of the two types of blocs using the mass balance -tabulate your
measurements..
/. 0se a ruler to measure the length, height, and width of the bloc. To what accuracy can you
measure the dimensions1 +ow use the calipers to measure the dimensions. Measure at three
locations and note down the readings and the average. Why is this a good idea1 #alculate the
corresponding volumes and the average.
2. 3lot each set of mass versus volume data in a separate graph. Draw the best fitting straight
line through the points. This line should pass through the origin -4,4.. -Why1.
5. 6ind the slope of the line. !f you plotted mass on the vertical a%is and volume on the
horizontal a%is, then the slope is equal to the density. #ompare the density you found for the
metallic bloc set with the densities of common substances. #an you identify the substance1
"ow does the density ratio compare to your initial estimate1
7. #ompletely fill the glass beaer with water. Tie a string around the roc and gently immerse
into the water in the jar. The e%cess water will spill over. +ow remove the roc from the jar
taing care that no e%cess water is spilled, and all the water that drips from the roc falls
bac into the glass jar. 0sing the graduated cylinder fill bac the water that was lost in the
glass jar. The volume of water you poured using the measuring cylinder is the volume of the
roc. -Why can we say this1. -+ote( ) ml 8 ) cm
/
.. 0sing this data determine the density of
the roc9sample. To estimate the possible error, use one of the rectangular blocs of similar
size scale and find its volume and density using the water displacement technique. "ow does
it compare to the density you calculated measuring the linear dimensions1