Physica Lab 1: Measurements

Objectives of the Experiment:

The objective of this lab is to learn the purpose of taking data, become familiar with the standards of measurement, learn the basics of the analysis of data set and learn how to determine and report errors in measurement.

Theory behind the Physics:

The theory of uncertainty and measurement in respect to physics, states that accurate, precise measurements are an important part of physics but that there is no measurement absolutely precise. There is an uncertainty associated with every measurement; that is the limited accuracy of every measurement instrument and the inability to read an instrument beyond some fraction of the smallest division shown.

Experimental Materials and Apparatus:

1. Computer 2. Spring 3. Personal Calculator

4. Weighs 5. Data set

Experimental Procedure:

1. Complete Hooke's Law Data. Make a graph of the results and find the value of the spring constant k, with error estimates.

2. Calculate the mean, deviations from the mean, square-deviations from the mean, mean square deviation and root mean square deviation.

3. Report values in a table.

4. Report the end result as mean value obtained ± one standard deviation, using the correct number of significant figures.

Calculations:

Mass of weights

1.) 1x 20g weight: 20.4g ÷ 1000g x 1Kg = 0.020Kg

2.) 2x 20g weights: 20.4g + 20.5g = 40.9g ÷ 1000g x 1Kg = 0.041Kg

3.) 3x 20g weights: 20.4g + 20.5g + 20.4g = 61.3g ÷ 1000g x 1Kg = 0.061Kg

De Jesus 2

4.) 3x 20g + 10g weights: 20.4g + 20.5g + 20.4g + 10.2g =71.5g ÷ 1000g x 1Kg = 0.072Kg

5.) 20.4 + 20.5g + 20.4g + 10.2g + 10.3g = 81.8g ÷ 1000g x 1Kg = 0.082Kg

6.) 20.4 + 20.5g + 20.4g + 10.2g + 10.3g + 10.2g = 92.0g ÷ 1000g x 1Kg = 0.092Kg

Displacement

1.) 1.5 cm => 0.015m

2.) 3.6 cm => 0.036m

3.) 6.2 cm => 0.062m

4.) 7.4 cm => 0.074m

5.) 8.6 cm => 0.086m

6.) 10 cm => 0.10m

K = F/x (9.8) F = kg x 9.8m/s² = # in N

1.) 0.020 Kg ÷ 0.015m x 9.8N = 13.07 N/m 1.)

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