Physics
Lab: Measuring length
Name:
Date:
Purpose: Correctly measure length and expressing measurements to the correct
number of significant figures.
Procedure
Record all measurements on the data table.
Part 1:
1. Obtain a block of wood. Use a centimeter rule to measure the length, width
and height to the nearest 0.01 cm. Remember to estimate the last digit and to
consider that the end of the measuring device may not be at zero.
2. By formula, find the volume of the block in cubic centimeters. Keep in mind
that your answer can be no more accurate that your least accurate factor.
Part 2:
3. Obtain a meter stick and measure the length of a lab table. By formula,
determine the surface area of the tabletop. Consider significant digits in each
measurement and derived value,
4. If the tabletop has the same volume as the block of wood, what height would
it have?
Part 1 Data
Block
Part 2 Data
Lab Table Top
Length
Width
Length
Height of the table requested in step 4. =
Height
Width
Volume
Surface area
Part 3
5. Use a cm rule to measure the thickness of 50 pages in the physics book.
6. Use a cm rule to measure the thickness of 100 pages in the physics book.
7. Use a cm rule to measure the thickness of 200 pages in the physics book.
8. Determine the average thickness of one page from the measurements taken
in step 5-7.
9. Now use the cm rule and estimate to the best of your ability, the thickness of
a single page in the physics book
Part 3 Data
Thickness
Average thickness of 1
page
50 pages
100 pages
200 pages
Single page
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Questions.
1. What is a significant digit?
2. Why is a measurement less accurate if you use the end of a meter stick as a
zero point?
3. In part 3, which measurement for a single page is most accurate? Why?
Conclusion: