Units of Measurement

GENERAL PHYSICS 1
 Precision vs. Accuracy

Accuracy - a measure of the closeness to the actual value

Precision - refers to the reproducibility of a measurement
 Precision vs. Accuracy

The center of the target is the actual or true value.

 Target A is neither precise nor accurate.
 Target B is precise (reproducible) but not accurate.
 The average of Target C gives an accurate result but the precision is poor.
 Target D is both accurate and precise.
 Precision vs. Accuracy

The volume of a liquid is 20.5 ml. Which of the following sets of measurement the
value with good accuracy?
a. 18.6 ml, 17.6 ml, 19.6 ml, 17.2 ml
b. 18.8 ml, 19.0 ml, 19.2 ml, 18.8 ml.
c. 19.3 ml, 19.2 ml, 18.6 ml, 18.7 ml
d. 20.2 ml, 20.5 ml, 20.3 ml 20.1 ml
 Precision vs. Accuracy

The mass of unknown substance is 2.86 g. Which of the following sets of

measurement represents the value with precision?
a. 1.78 g, 1.80 g, 1.79 g, 1.81 g
b. 1.90 g, 2.02 g, 1.96 g, 2.01 g
c. 2.81 g, 1.98 g, 2.00 g, 2.78 g
d. 2.80 g, 2.86 g, 2.84 g, 2.89 g
 Uncertainty

Uncertainty (or error) indicates the maximum difference between the measured
value and the actual value
- the presence of uncertainty is indicated by the symbol ±

Examples:
a. 56.47 ± 0.02 mm
- the actual value is unlikely to be less than 56.45 mm or greater than 56.49 mm
b. 1.6454(21) or 1.6454 ± 0.0021
- the numbers in parentheses show the uncertainty in the final digits of the main
number.
 Uncertainty

Fractional Uncertainty vs. Percent Uncertainty

Consider: 56.47 ± 0.02 mm
Fractional Uncertainty: (0.02 mm)/(56.47 mm) = 0.0004
Percent Uncertainty: 0.0004 × 100% = 0.04%

Relative Uncertainty is the same as fractional uncertainty or percent uncertainty

Absolute Uncertainty is the actual size of the uncertainty with units (example: ±
0.02 mm)
 Uncertainty

Best Estimate ± Uncertainty

When scientists make a measurement or calculate some quantity from their data,
they generally assume that some exact or "true value" exists based on how they
define what is being measured (or calculated). Scientists reporting their results
usually specify a range of values that they expect this "true value" to fall within.
The most common way to show the range of values is:

measurement = best estimate ± uncertainty

 Uncertainty

Best Estimate ± Uncertainty

Example: A measurement of 5.07 g ± 0.02 g means that the experimenter is

confident that the actual value for the quantity being measured lies between 5.05
g and 5.09 g. The uncertainty is the experimenter's best estimate of how far an
experimental quantity might be from the "true value." (The art of estimating this
uncertainty is what error analysis is all about).
 Uncertainty

How many digits should be kept?

Experimental uncertainties should be rounded to one significant figure.

Experimental uncertainties are, by nature, inexact. Uncertainties are almost
always quoted to one significant digit (example: ±0.05 s). If the uncertainty starts
with a one, some scientists quote the uncertainty to two significant digits
(example: ±0.0012 kg).
Wrong: 52.3 cm ± 4.1 cm
Correct: 52 cm ± 4 cm
 Uncertainty

How many digits should be kept?

Always round the experimental measurement or result to the same decimal place
as the uncertainty. It would be confusing (and perhaps dishonest) to suggest that
you knew the digit in the hundredths (or thousandths) place when you admit that
you unsure of the tenths place.

Wrong: 1.237 s ± 0.1 s

Correct: 1.2 s ± 0.1 s
Micrometer and
Vernier Calipers
GENERAL PHYSICS 1
 INTRODUCTION

Physics is a quantitative science concerned with the description and

understanding of nature.

Measurement is very important in physics and one of its major

contributions to other sciences and society is the measuring devices and
techniques that it developed.

Measurement in physics is often about precision that is necessary

even in typical activities in daily life
 Vernier Caliper

A Vernier caliper is an instrument for making very accurate linear

measurements introduced in 1631 by Pierre Vernier of France. It measures
internal or external dimensions and distances and allows to take more precise
measurements than regular rulers could.

It utilizes two graduated scales:

• a main scale similar to that on a ruler and
• an especially graduated auxiliary scale, the Vernier scale, that slides parallel
to the main scale and enables readings to be made to a fraction of a division
on the main scale.
 Vernier Caliper

An illustration of a vernier caliper with its parts is presented on the image below:
 Vernier Caliper

A Vernier caliper outputs measurement readings in centimetres (cm) and it is

precise up to 2 decimal places. In order to read the measurement readings from
Vernier caliper properly, two things are needed to remember:
 the main scale contributes the main number(s) and one decimal place to the
reading and
 the Vernier scale contributes the second decimal place to the reading.

The final reading may be obtained using the given equation:

Obtained reading = Main Scale Reading + Vernier Scale Reading

 Vernier Caliper

For example, in the given figure:

• To obtain the main scale reading, look at the immediate left of the zero on the
Vernier scale. Hence, the main scale reading is 2.1 cm.
 Vernier Caliper

For example, in the given figure:

• To obtain the Vernier scale reading, look closely for an alignment of the scale
lines of the main scale and Vernier scale. In the image above, the aligned line
corresponds to 3 (from the Vernier scale). Hence, the Vernier scale reading is
0.03 cm.
 Vernier Caliper

For example, in the given figure:

• In order to obtain the final measurement reading, add the main scale reading
and Vernier scale reading together.
This will give 2.1 cm + 0.03 cm = 2.13 cm.
 Vernier Caliper

For example, in the given figure:

• In order to obtain the final measurement reading, add the main scale reading
and Vernier scale reading together.
This will give 2.1 cm + 0.03 cm = 2.13 cm.
 Micrometer Caliper

Micrometer, in full Micrometer caliper, instrument for making precise linear

measurements of dimensions such as diameters, thicknesses, and lengths of
solid bodies; it consists of a C-shaped frame with a movable jaw operated by an
integral screw.
The fineness of the measurement that can be made depends on the lead of
the screw—i.e., the amount the spindle moves toward or away from the anvil in
one revolution and the means provided for indicating fractional parts of a
revolution.
The accuracy of the measurements depends on the accuracy of the screw-
nut combination.
 Micrometer Caliper

.An image and parts of a Micrometer is given below.

 Micrometer Caliper

Similar to the way a Vernier caliper is read, a Micrometer reading contains two
parts:
 The first part is contributed by the main scale on the sleeve and
 the second part is contributed by the rotating Vernier scale on the thimble.
 Micrometer Caliper

To measure using a Micrometer, refer to the image below and follow the following
steps.

• To obtain the first part of the measurement, look at the number 5 to the
immediate left of the thimble. In this image, it’s the 5.0 mm reading. Notice that
there is an extra line below the datum line, this represents an additional 0.5
mm. So, the first part of the measurement is 5.0 + 0.5 = 5.5 mm.
 Micrometer Caliper

To measure using a Micrometer, refer to the image below and follow the following
steps.

• To obtain the second part of the measurement, look at the number on the
rotating Vernier scale coincides with the datum line on the sleeve. Hence, 0.28
mm is the second part of the measurement.
 Micrometer Caliper

To measure using a Micrometer, refer to the image below and follow the following
steps.

• Add the first part and second part of the measurement to obtain the
Micrometer reading: 5.5 + 0.28 = 5.78 mm.
Examples

0.76

1.15
Examples

+0.01 -0.02
Examples

0.89 cm 0.38 cm
Examples

6.01 12.5
Examples

-0.13 mm +0.48 mm
Examples

12.39 mm 1.75 mm
 REFERENCES

Physics for Laboratory Manual Physics for the Life Science I. Spring 2018

Sio, Janina Andrea et.al. Experiments: Errors, Uncertainties and

Measurements Laboratory Report. Manila, Philippines.

Tabujara Jr., Geronimo D. K-12 Compliant Worktext for Senior High School
General Physics 1. Manila, Philippines: JFS Publishing Services.

The Language of Physics: Physical Quantities and Units. Austin, Texas:

Texas Education Agency.