Lab 1
Measurement
In this lab we are going to get use to using some measuring devices. The three devices we are going to use are a meter stick, an electric scale, and a stop watch.
The first thing we are going to do is measure the area of the top of the lab table. To do this you will measure the length and width of the table. Make the measurements three times each. To find the area of the table you need to multiply the length by the width.
| Measurement in meters | 1 | 2 | 3 | Average Area |
| Length | ||||
| Width | ||||
| Lab Table area in m2 |
What is the smallest subdivision on the meter stick (called the least count)?
Next use the meter stick to measure the volume of the block provided. Do each measurements three times. To do this use the meter stick to measure the length, width and height and then multiply them together.
Why do we make more then one measurements?
| Measurement in meters | 1 | 2 | 3 | Average Volume |
| Length | ||||
| Width | ||||
| Height | ||||
| Volume of block in m3 |
Next use the electric scales over by the windows to find the mass of the wooden block. The scales measure mass in grams (g) so you will have to convert the measurement into kilograms (kg).
What is the least count of the electric scales?
| Mass in grams | |
| show how you convert the grams into kilograms.
|
|
| Mass in kilograms | |
| Density of wooden block = mass/volume | |
In the next part of the lab we will be using a stopwatch to measure time.
The next part of lab you are going to measure the period of a pendulum. The period is how long it takes the pendulum to go out and come back to you. You will have the tie the bob to a piece of string and then attach the string the holder.
You will need to measure the distance from where the string is attached to the holder to the center of the bob. Then measure the period of the pendulum. You will repeat this 5 times.
| Length (m) | Period 1 (s) | Period 2 (s) | Average Period (s) | (Average Period)2 (s2) |
Now using EXCEL graph the (Period squared) vs. the length. When you have the graph you will want to find the slope. In Lab I will tell you how to find the acceleration due to gravity from the slope.