MARA University of Technology

Sabah Branch
Faculty of Applied Science
Diploma in Science
PHY 110
Basic Measurement
( Length, Volume and Density )

Objective :
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the volume and density of ball bearing and
glass block using the apparatus given.
Apparatus :
Vernier caliper, micrometer screw gauge and mechanical balance.

Procedures :
a) Micrometer Screw Gauge
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.

Firstly, the zero error of the micrometer screw gauge was determined.
After that, the diameter of the ball bearing was measured and recorded.
Step 2 was repeated 3 times at different position of the ball bearing.
All the data were recorded in a suitable table.
Then, the actual diameter reading was calculated by taking into consideration
the zero error obtained earlier.
Then, the weight of the ball bearing was determined.
Lastly, the density of the ball bearing was calculated.

b) Vernier Caliper
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.

The zero error of the vernier caliper was firstly determined.

Next, vernier caliper was used to measure the length, width and thickness of
the glass block.
Step 2 was repeated 3 times at different position of the glass block.
All the datas were recorded in a suitable table.
After that, the actual diameter reading was calculated by taking into
consideration the zero error obtained earlier.
The weight of the glass block was determined.
Lastly, the density of the glass block was calculated.

Results / Data :

1. The diameter of the ball bearing was measured using a micrometer screw gauge and
the volume was determined.
The formula below is used to calculate the value of v,

4
v = r3
3
Zero error = -0.02 mm
Observed Reading
First attempt
Second attempt
Third attempt
Average

True Reading
First attempt
Second attempt
Third attempt
Average

Diameter of Ball Bearing (mm)

5.70
6.38
6.37
5.70+6.38+6.37 = 6.15
3

Radius of Ball Bearing (mm)

2.85
3.19
3.19
2.85+3.19+3.19 = 3.08
3

Diameter of Ball Bearing (mm)

5.72
6.40
6.39
5.72+6.40+6.39 = 6.17
3

Radius of Ball Bearing (mm)

2.86
3.20
3.20
2.86+3.20+3.20 = 3.09
3

Mass of ball bearing = 0.900g

2. The length, width, and height of glass block were measured using a vernier caliper
and the volume was determined.
The formula below is used to calculated the value of v,

v =l w h
Zero error = 0.00 cm
Observed Reading
First attempt
Second attempt
Third attempt
Average

Length (cm)
13.86
13.86
13.86
13.86

Width (cm)
2.01
1.80
2.01
1.94

Heigth (cm)
7.71
7.71
7.51
7.64

True Reading
First attempt
Second attempt
Third attempt
Average

Length (cm)
13.86
13.86
13.86
13.86

Width (cm)
2.01
1.80
2.01
1.94

Heigth (cm)
7.71
7.71
7.51
7.64

Mass of glass block = 7.90g

Calculations / Data Analysis :

[ All answers are in SI unit ]
Questions :
1. Calculate the volume ( v ) of the ball bearing and the glass block.
2. Calculate the density ( ) of the ball bearing and the glass block.

Discussions:
In this experiment, micrometer screw gauge and vernier caliper have been used to
measure the diameter of a ball bearing and to measure the length, width and height
of a glass block respectively. Micrometer screw-gauge is an apparatus used for
measuring accurately the diameter of a thin wire or the thickness of a sheet of metal.
The screw has a known pitch such as 0.5 mm. Pitch of the screw is the distance
moved by the spindle per revolution. Hence in this case, for one revolution of the
screw the spindle moves forward or backward 0.5 mm. This movement of the spindle
is shown on an engraved linear millimetre scale on the sleeve. On the thimble there
is a circular scale which is divided into 50 or 100 equal parts. Therefore, the
micrometer screw gauge has a sensitivity of 0.01mm.

Least count

= 0.01 mm

Vernier caliper is used to measure diameter or thickness accurately. It has a

sensitivity of 0.01cm.
The least count of the vernier

= 0.01 cm

To determine the diameter of a ball bearing, a micrometer screw gauge was used, for
it is more sensitive in measuring small objects compared to vernier caliper. By
applying the formula,

4
v = r3
3
we have found that the volume of average ball bearing after the true readings have
been obtained ( true reading = observed reading - zero error ) is v=124mm3. The
zero error occurred in this experiment is -0.02mm. A zero error results when the zero
mark of the scale does not match with pointer. The zero error exists maybe due to
instrument error and also parallax error. To determine the length, width and height of
a glass block, a vernier caliper was used. By applying the formula,

v =l w h
the volume of average glass block after the true reading have been obtained is
v=205 cm3. No zero error occurred on the vernier caliper.

The density () of the ball bearing and glass block were calculated using the formula,

Density , =

mass
volume

By using a mechanical balance, the mass of ball bearing and glass block were
determined. The mass of ball bearing is 0.900g, whilst the mass of glass block is
7.90g. To get the density of both materials, the mass is divided over the volume of
average true reading.
The density for ball bearing is,

ball bearing =7 .26 x 10 3 kg/m3

The density for the glass block is,

glass block =38.5 kg/m3

Conclusion :
In the end of the experiment, it is found that, micrometer screw gauge and vernier
caliper can be used to measure accurate measurement for diameter (by using
micrometer screw gauge) and length, width, and height of objects (by using vernier
caliper) with respect, there are no zero error (zero error is deducted). The volume
and density of ball bearing are v=124 mm3 and

ball bearing =7 .26 x 10

kg/m3

respectively and the volume and density of glass block are v=205 cm3 and

glass block =3 8.5 kg/m3 respectively.

Reference (s) :
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

http://www.tutorvista.com/content/physics/physics-i/measurement-andexperimentation/screw-gauge.php
http://www.tutorvista.com/content/physics/physics-i/measurement-andexperimentation/vernier-callipers.php
http://www.google.com.my/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
(images)