Test Metal Lab Report

A. Mass of the Test Metals The mass of the hard silver rectangular prism-like metal (Metal 1) is 1.26± 0.01 grams and the dark brown hollow metal cylinder (Metal 2) is 7.12 ± 0.01 grams. B. Volume of the Test Metals Table 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 show the values of the length, width and thickness of Metal 1 in millimetres (mm) using a meter stick, ruler and vernier caliper respectively.

Table 1.1 Volume of Metal 1 using a meter stick

Trial Length (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Volume

(mm3)

1 10 ± 5 10 ± 5 5 ± 5 5  102

2 10 ± 5 10 ± 5 5 ± 5 5  102

3 10 ± 5 10 ± 5 5 ± 5 5  102

4 10 ± 5 10 ± 5 5 ± 5 5  102

5 10 ± 5 10 ± 5 5 ± 5 5  102

Average 10 ± 5 10 ± 5 5 ± 5 5  102

Std.Error 0 0 0 0

Table 1.2 Volume of Metal 1 using a ruler

Trial Length

Theoretically, the meter stick should have the highest standard error because of its poor precision. Several errors are considered to be the variable to alter the measurements gathered and these are incomplete definition, parallax, failure to calibrate or check zero of instrument error. The group did not talk about the specific end of the tube to be measured, which affects the calculation of the volume; the specific conditions are not specified and considered it is the incomplete definition error [12]. Similar to the error mentioned above, parallax error occurred in the measurement of metal 2. And lastly, the consideration of 5 mm in the inner diameter of the cylinder, instead of a 0 mm thickness using the meter stick is a failure to calibrate or check zero of instrument error, wherein the group failed to round off the measurement to its right calibration [13]. Based on the gathered data from the experiment the meter stick gives the most accurate precision and accuracy than a ruler and a vernier caliper; since it has the lowest percentage error on Metals 1 and 2. Theoretically, the vernier caliper is the most precise and accurate device to be used but random and systematic errors were considered in the result of the