U3 Measurement and Measurement Systems

US Customary Measurement System The U S Customary System System of measurement used in the United States Similar to the British Imperial System of Measurement, but not identical Common U S Customary Units Measurement Symbol Unit

in. inch ft Foot mi mile

mass slug slug force lb pound time

s second thermodynamic temperature F Fahrenheit degree length

Common Items: Size Comparison Human hair Diameter of paper clip 0.2 mm. 0.1 mm 0.8 mm

SI US Customary System Two sheets of paper Recording Measurements Measurements must always include units Always errors in measurements

measurements are the best estimate of a quantity A measurement is only good if you are know that it is reasonable close to the actual quantity It is important to indicate the accuracy and precision of your measurements Scientists and engineers use significant digits to make the accuracy and precision of measurements clear Precision and Accuracy Precision (repeatability) = the degree to which repeated measurements show the same result

Accuracy = the degree of closeness of measurements of a quantity to the actual (or accepted) value High Accuracy Low Precision High Precision Low Accuracy High Accuracy High Precision

Recording Measurements Ideally, a measurement device is both accurate and precise Accuracy depends on calibration to a standard Precision depends on the characteristics and/or capabilities of the measuring device and its use Use significant digits to indicate the accuracy and precision of experimental results Record only to the precision to which you and your measuring device can measure Significant Digits

Accepted practice in science is to indicate accuracy and/or precision of measurement Significant digits are digits in a decimal number that carry meaning contributing to the precision or accuracy of the quantity The digits you record for a measurement are

considered significant Include all certain digits in a measurement and one uncertain digit Note: fractions are fuzzy numbers in which significant digits are not directly indicated Recording Measurements Manufacturers of equipment usually indicate the

accuracy and precision of the instrument General Rules Digital Instruments read and record all the numbers, including zeros after the decimal point, exactly as displayed Decimal Scaled Instruments record all digits that you can certainly determine from the scale markings and estimate one more digit Preferred over fractional scaled instruments Fractional Scaled Instruments need special consideration

Fractional Length Measurement A typical ruler provides A 12 inch graduated scale in US Customary units Each inch is graduated into smaller divisions, typically 1/16 increments The Inch The divisions on an U S Customary units scale are easily identified by different sized markings. The largest markings on the scale identify the inch. The Inch

Each subsequently shorter tick mark indicates half of the distance between next longer tick marks For example the next smaller tick mark indicates half of an inch = inch 1/2 The Inch Half of a half = inch. An English scale shows inch and inch marks. All fractions must be reduced to lowest terms

1/4 3/4 The Inch Half of a quarter = 1/8 inch 1/8 3/8 5/8

7/8 The Inch Half of an eighth = 1/16 inch 1/16 5/16 9/16 13/16 3/16 7/16 11/16 15/16 Measurement: Using a Fractional Scale How long is the rectangle? Lets look a little closer

Measurement: Using a Fractional Scale How long is the rectangle? What fraction of an inch does this mark represent? 3/16 1/4 1/2 1/8 Measurement: Using a Fractional Scale How long is the rectangle?

What is the midpoint of 2 1/8 and 2 3/16? 5/32 1/8 3/16 Measurement: Using a Fractional Scale How do we determine that 5/32 is midway

between 1/8 and 3/16? Convert each fraction to common a denominator: 32 Find the average of the two measurements 5 Recording a Measurement: Using a Fractional Scale How long is the rectangle?

Remember the General Rule Fractional Scaled Instruments require special consideration Is 6 significant digits appropriate??? 1/16 in. = .0625 in. Recording a Measurement: Using a Fractional Scale For the standard ruler marked in 1/16 inch increments Record fraction measurements to the nearest 1/32 inch.

2 5 in. 32 Record decimal equivalent to the nearest hundredths of an inch. 2.16 in. Your Turn Record each measurement in fractional and decimal inches.