This physics practical document outlines procedures for measuring the volume of a wooden block, diameter of copper wires, and dimensions of a test tube. It involves using a ruler, vernier caliper, and micrometer screwgauge to take multiple readings which are then averaged and used to calculate values like volume. Taking more than one reading improves accuracy by reducing risks of outliers. Errors are reduced by ensuring proper eye level placement and noting any zero errors which are subtracted from readings before calculation.

1. Physics Practical 2
Measurement

2. Objective
To calculate the volume of a wooden
block
To measure the internal and external
diameter of a test tube
To measure the diameter of a copper wire

3. Apparatus Used
Ruler
Wooden block
Vernier Caliper
Test tube
Micrometer screwgauge
Copper wire

4. Procedure

5. Wooden Block
1. Place the block onto
the zero mark of the
ruler.
2. Place block in front
of the eye level.
3. Take the reading
and record in the
table.

6. Wooden Block
4. Repeat step 1,2 and
3 for the width and
the breadth.
5. Record the
measurements in the
same table of results

7. Copper Wire
1. Check for zero error
by turning thimble
to close the anvil
2. Note and record the
error. (error = -0.01
mm)
Copper Wire (Thick)

8. Copper Wire
3. Turn the thimble so
that the anvil can fit
the wire.
4. Place the wire in
between the anvil.
5. Turn the thimble
back gently.
Copper Wire (Thick)

9. Copper Wire (Thick)
6. Read the main scale
and the thimble
scale.
7. Record the reading
in a table of results.
8. Repeat steps 1-7 for
another 2 sets of
reading.

10. Copper Wire (Thin)
9. Repeat steps 1-8 for
the thin wire.

11. Boiling Tube
1. Check for zero error
by closing the jaws
together. (error = 0
cm)

12. Boiling Tube
2. Open the jaws and
place the boiling tube
in between.
3. Close the jaws gently
until it touches the
side of the tube.

13. Boiling Tube
4. Read the scales and
record the values in a
table.

14. Boiling Tube
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for
the external
diameter.

15. Boiling Tube
6. Repeat steps 1-4 for
the depth of the tube.

16. Results

17. Results - Wooden Block
Reading 1 2 3
Height /
cm
Width /
cm
Length /
cm
9.8 9.7 9.9
4.5 4.4 4.6
4.6 4.7 4.4

18. Result - Copper Wire (Thick)
Reading 1 2
Top / mm
Middle / mm
Bottom / mm
0.73 0.72
0.74 0.73
0.72 0.73

19. Result - Copper Wire (Thin)
Reading 1 2
Top / mm
Middle / mm
Bottom / mm
0.37 0.37
0.38 0.37
0.36 0.36

20. Results - Boiling tube
Reading 1 2 3
External /
cm
Internal /
cm
Depth /
cm
2.41 2.42 2.43
2.28 2.29 2.27
14.68 14.65 14.63

21. Calculations

22. Wooden Block
Average length of wooden block
= (9.8 + 9.7 + 9.9)/3
= 9.7 cm

23. Wooden Block
Average width of wooden block
= (4.5 + 4.4 + 4.6)/3
= 4.5 cm

24. Wooden Block
Average height of wooden block
= (4.6 + 4.7 + 4.4)/3
= 4.6 cm

25. Volume of wooden block
= length x width x height
= l x b x h
= 9.7 x 4.5 x 4.6
= 200.79 cm3
= 200.8 cm3 (1 d.p.)
Wooden Block

26. Copper Wire (Thick)
Average diameter of wire
= [(0.73 x 3)+ 0.74 + (0.72 x 2)] / 6
= 0.72833333...
= 0.73mm (2 d.p.)

27. Copper Wire (Thin)
Average diameter of wire
= [(0.37 x 3)+ 0.38 + (0.36 x 2)] / 6
= 0.368333333...
= 0.37mm (2 d.p.)

28. Boiling Tube
Average external diameter
= (2.41 + 2.42 + 2.43)/3
= 2.42 cm

29. Boiling Tube
Average internal diameter
= (2.28 + 2.29 + 2.27)/3
= 2.28 cm

30. Boiling Tube
Average depth
= (14.68 + 14.65 + 14.63)/3
= 14.65 cm

31. Discussion
1. Why is it important to take more than 1
reading?
It is to improve accuracy. It is risky to
rely on one answer because that answer
maybe 0.1 more or less than it should be.

32. Discussion
2. How do you reduce errors?
When taking measurements, makes
sure the eye is place in front of the object
and not from the side.

33. Discussion
2. How do you reduce errors?
When recording measurements, always
take note of the zero error. Tools such as
micrometer often give an error of 0.01
mm so that value must be subtracted
from the reading before doing
calculations.

34. Discussion
2. How do you reduce errors?
Taking measurements repeatedly to
obtain an average value can reduce the
uncertainty.

35. The End
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