Question

1. When measuring the inner and outer diameters of the hollow block, what were the main sources of experimental error? Group these errors into those that are systematic and those that are random.

2. How could you improve the measurement of the block diameters? In particular, consider how to improve the accuracy of the average value of diameter and how to reduce the uncertainty in the measurement.

3. To how many significant figures can you state the volume of material that makes up the block when calculated with measurements from the Vernier caliper? To how many significant figures can you state the volume of the steel ball when calculated with measurements from the micrometer screw gauge?

4. State the density of the hollow block in two different units: g/cm3 and kg/m3 .

Answer 1

1) Random errors are those errors which are caused by unexpected source of errors like noise, heat etc,. Random errors are unpredictable and might cause in measuring instruments or in environment. Random errors have Gaussian Normal distribution, so statical method can be used to analyze the data of experiment to find error. A repeated numbers of measurement will give the precision.

Systematic errors are caused by measuring instruments itself. Systematic error may be Offset or zero setting error (here the instrument don't gives the zero value of measurement, even if there's zero values from experiment. Multiplier or scale factor error in which the instrument consistently reads changes in the quantity to be measured greater or less than the actual changes.

2) Uncertainty can be reduced by calibration of measuring instruments,. Repeatability, reproducibility. Comparing the true value with measured values.

3) Using a Vernier caliper, one can make a measurement accurate upto a thousandth of a meter. The micrometer caliper is used for measuring short lengths. It is slightly more accurate than the vernier caliper, because it can measure to within thousandths of a millimeter.

4) You need to convert your answer(density of hollow block) into g/cm³ & kg/m³. I do not have any value here.