Length Mass and Density Lab Report
Determination of Length, Mass, and Density
Table of Contents
1 – Introduction ……………………………………………........…. Page 3
2 – Theory ………………………………………………………...... Page 3
3 – Experimental Procedure and Results …...………………..…. Page 6
4 – Discussion ………………….……………………….....….…… Page 9
5 – Conclusion ………………………………………….....…….... Page 9
6 – Bibliography …………………………………………......… Page 10 1- Introduction
The purpose of this experiment is to learn how use a variety of tools that will aid in the gathering of data. This data is then used to calculate different measurements including, volume and density. The experiment will also further understanding of measurement errors using the data collected.
2 – Theory
Along with the use of tools for basic measurements this laboratory practice introduces the students to the use of significant figures and some error analysis. Some basic calculations of volume, area and density will be used too.
2.1 - Significant Figures and Error Analysis
Significant figures are the digits required to express a number to the same accuracy as the measurement it represents. There are several rules for counting significant figures; such as, the nonzero integers are always counted, zeroes can be leading, captive and trailing. Leading zeroes are any zeroes that come before the nonzero numbers. Captive zeroes are the zeroes that can be found between nonzero numbers. Trailing zeroes are the zeroes that would follow the nonzero numbers.
Example of Leading Zeroes:
0.0045, or 4.5 x 10-3, this number has two significant numbers.
Example of Captive Zeroes:
8.0015, this number has five significant numbers.
Examples of Trailing Zeroes:
2000 or 2 x 103, this number has only one significant figure; however, if it is written as 2000.0, this number would have five significant figures.
Frequently, the result of an experiment will not be measured directly. Rather, it will be calculated from several measured physical quantities (each of which has a mean value and
Table of Contents
1 – Introduction ……………………………………………........…. Page 3
2 – Theory ………………………………………………………...... Page 3
3 – Experimental Procedure and Results …...………………..…. Page 6
4 – Discussion ………………….……………………….....….…… Page 9
5 – Conclusion ………………………………………….....…….... Page 9
6 – Bibliography …………………………………………......… Page 10 1- Introduction
The purpose of this experiment is to learn how use a variety of tools that will aid in the gathering of data. This data is then used to calculate different measurements including, volume and density. The experiment will also further understanding of measurement errors using the data collected.
2 – Theory
Along with the use of tools for basic measurements this laboratory practice introduces the students to the use of significant figures and some error analysis. Some basic calculations of volume, area and density will be used too.
2.1 - Significant Figures and Error Analysis
Significant figures are the digits required to express a number to the same accuracy as the measurement it represents. There are several rules for counting significant figures; such as, the nonzero integers are always counted, zeroes can be leading, captive and trailing. Leading zeroes are any zeroes that come before the nonzero numbers. Captive zeroes are the zeroes that can be found between nonzero numbers. Trailing zeroes are the zeroes that would follow the nonzero numbers.
Example of Leading Zeroes:
0.0045, or 4.5 x 10-3, this number has two significant numbers.
Example of Captive Zeroes:
8.0015, this number has five significant numbers.
Examples of Trailing Zeroes:
2000 or 2 x 103, this number has only one significant figure; however, if it is written as 2000.0, this number would have five significant figures.
Frequently, the result of an experiment will not be measured directly. Rather, it will be calculated from several measured physical quantities (each of which has a mean value and
Bibliography: 6.1 - Randall D. Knight, Brian Jones, Stuart Field (2007) Significant Figures, P.13, College Physics: A Strategic Approach, 1st Edition, Pearson Education, Inc., (San Francisco, CA)