PHY122
Lab # 1
Making Calculations
NAME ____________________
Lab Partners:
Purpose: The purpose of this lab is to practice manipulating data using the proper rules
of mathematics, as well as to practice using various measuring instruments.
Apparatus
triple beam balance
vernier caliper
1 graduated cylinder (100 ml or 250 ml)
1 overflow tank with capture bucket
3 different size cylinders
Procedure for Part A
1) Obtain the materials listed in the apparatus section of this lab.
2) Measure the diameter of the first object and record it in the data table provided.
3) Calculate and record the surface area of the base of the first cylinder.
4) Measure and record the height of the first cylinder.
5) Repeat steps 2 to 4 using the second and third cylinders.
Note: all measurements are to be made using the most precise measuring instrument
capable of making that measurement and are to be recorded to show the full precision.
DATA TABLE
Object
Number
Diameter
of Base
Area
Of Base
Height
Of Cylinder
First
Cylinder
Second
Cylinder
Third
Cylinder
(Make sure to indicate the units used in the measurements.)
Procedure for Part B
1) Measure and record the mass of the graduated cylinder.
The mass of the graduated cylinder is
__________________.
2) Fill with water to the 10 ml level. Measure and record the mass of the graduated
cylinder and water.
The combined mass of the graduated cylinder and water is ________________.
3) Calculate the mass of the water in the graduated cylinder.
The mass of 10 ml of water is
_________________.
4) Fill with water to the 50 ml level. Measure and record the mass of the graduated
cylinder and water.
The combined mass of the graduated cylinder and water is ________________.
Total
Volume
5) Calculate the mass of the water in the graduated cylinder.
The mass of 50 ml of water is
_________________.
6) Fill with water to the 100 ml level. Measure and record the mass of the graduated
cylinder and water.
The combined mass of the graduated cylinder and water is
________________.
7) Calculate the mass of the water in the graduated cylinder.
The mass of 100 ml of water is
_________________.
Based upon your measurements for the mass of 100 ml of water, what would you say that
the mass of 1ml of water is __________________?
Procedure Part C
1) Place the capture bucket next to the overflow tank so that any water that comes out of
the tube on the side of the overflow tank will fall into the capture bucket.
Note: there should be a small space between the overflow tank and the capture bucket so
that the bucket can be removed without disturbing the overflow tank.
2) Using the graduated cylinder to “top it off”, fill the overflow tank up until the water
starts coming out of the overflow tube. Wait for it to stop coming out of the tube.
Note: You must be careful to make sure that the table is not disturbed. The waves would
cause more water to leave the tank than it should.
3) Pour the water inside the capture bucket out and then measure and record the mass of
the “empty” capture bucket at this point. (Note: any water inside the capture bucket at
this point will not really matter.
The mass of the “empty” capture bucket is
___________________.
4) Slowly submerge the largest size cylinder used in part A into the overflow tank while
capturing all of the water in the capture bucket. (Lower the cylinder to the bottom of the
tank with a piece of string and let it rest on the bottom of the tank. You tend to get motion
and “ripples” on the surface if you try to hold the cylinder off the bottom of the tank, but
below the surface of the water.)
5) Measure the mass of the capture bucket again. Record the mass below. (Note: This
will give you the mass of the capture bucket plus the mass of the water inside it.)
The new mass of the capture bucket and water is
___________________.
6) Using the change in mass of the capture bucket, determine the volume of the object
lowered in to the tank.
The apparent volume based upon part C is
_________________.
The volume that was calculated in part A was
_________________.
7) How close are these two volumes obtained for this large cylinder? (Remember… any
time I ask you how “close” two numbers are, you need to calculate the relative
difference.)
Questions for Lab # 1 Making Calculations
Using the method for “comparison” discussed in class, which pair of
numbers is closer.
First compare
Then compare
870 to 850
94 to 89
Using the proper rules of mathematics, what should you say that you get
when you perform the following calculations:
2) Add a length of 1.73 cm to 19.2 cm.
3) Subtract 7.2 mm from 9.1 cm.
4) Multiply 25.8 cm by 2.3 cm.