Theoretical Vs Experimental Density

1
Experimental vs.
Theoretical Density
Matt Rodriguez
Fatmaelzahraa Abdelmola
EML 3523C-003
Report #: 7
Due Date: 7/24/18
This study source was downloaded by 100000855869206 from CourseHero.com on 10-31-2022 12:06:45 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/36138518/Lab-7docx/
2
Abstract
The purpose of this lab was to use a strain gage to find the weight of
different masses. We can first calibrate the gage to convert strain caused by
adding a weight to the hook, to applied force. Taking the dimensions of each
object will give us the volume. Then using the gage to find the mass in grams of
each object. Doing so, we can find the density and therefore compare it to the
theoretical value of each material. Comparing to the theoretical values, we found
that there were some with bigger % errors than others, with the brown material
with the largest at 6.06%. And these errors were caused by chips in the materials.
3
Table of Contents
Introduction 4
Background Theory 4
Apparatus 5
Procedure 5
Data & Results 7
Conclusion 9
4
Introduction
The purpose of this lab will demonstrate the use of a strain gage as a force
sensor. This can be achieved by calibrating the sensor by hanging weights of
known value, and recording it. The volume of each object can be calculated from
the dimensions. The mass of each object can be found by hanging it on the strain
gage after it has been calibrated to convert strain to applied force. Once the mass
and volume are found, we can calculate the density and compare it with the
theoretical density of each material.
I will explain how a strain gage works in the background theory, go
over the steps taken in Labview and in the lab to achieve this task in the
procedure section, show and discuss the results in the data and results section
and then finally conclude.
Background theory
A strain gage reads a change in resistance that corresponds to the amount
of strain it is receiving. A Wheatstone bridge circuit is used to measure this
electrical resistance. On the gage, there is a thin metallic strip. When this strip
deforms, it creates strain. This deformation happens when there is an applied
force, such as the weight of an object hanging in this case. A change in resistance
5
is caused by this strain. By calibrating the device, the strain can be converted to
force applied, therefore, measuring an objects weight in the case of this lab
Apparatus
1. Computer with NI Labview 2013 installed

2. Microsoft Excel for post-Labview data analysis
3. Omega full bridge load cell with mounting bracket
4. NI data acquisition board
5. NI block 9237/9949 to read in strain data
Procedure
A new VI was started and a while loop was constructed on the block
diagram. A DAQ block was added on the block diagram, so that way we can
acquire the data being read by the data acquisition board. In the DAQ block, the
acquisition mode was set to continuous, retain the sampling rate value of 25k and
samples to reead was set to 5k. The vex value was changed to 10 V and the gage
resistance was set to 1200 ohms. A waveform chart was added to the front panel
so that the data from the DAQ block can be sent there and be displayed. The
dimensions of each object was measured and recorded. The device was then
calibrated by using weights of 0, 20, 50, 70, and 100 grams. The corresponding
strain was recorded for each weight. The mass hangar was taken into account for
each weight and subtracted from it. The strain data from each weight was
https://www.coursehero.com/file/36138518/Lab-7docx/ Figure 1: Block Diagram

6
recorded and linear regression was used to find a formula that we can use in
Labview to convert the strain to force in grams. A formula block was added to the
block diagram and the formula found was put into the formula block. The output
from the formula block was sent to another waveform chart that was created on
the front panel, so we can see the relation between strain and mass. The weight
of each object was found and recorded in the worksheet so we can compare them
to the theoretical.
Data & Results
Figure 2 on the
right is the front panel
used for this lab. On top is the waveform chart for strain and on the bottom, the
waveform chart for the corresponding force applied in grams. The program was
run with no weight hanging from the hook, so the strain and mass in the
waveform charts is from the hook alone.
https://www.coursehero.com/file/36138518/Lab-7docx/ Figure 2: Front panel

7
The next figure,
figure 3, shows the strain
recorded from each weight
that was used to calibrate
the sensor. The graph
shows the calibration fit
which gave us the formula
to use to convert the strain
into force applied.
Figure 3: Calibration Curve Fit
And Figure 4 on the next page shows the chart with each material on there.
This chart has the dimensions, the calculated volume, the mass recorded from the
8
sensor, and then the calculated density. This density was compared to the
theoretical density given in the chart in the lab and the percent error was
calculated and added to this chart as well.
Figure 4: Materials chart
The densities compared to the theoretical density values are very close with
minor percent errors. The one with the largest percent error was due to a chip in
it.
The sources that will cause the sensor to have error is first, there were chips
in some of the materials, causing the mass reading to be less from the labview
output.
Conclusion
9
The materials with the largest percent errors were due to chips in the
masses. These chips caused the sensor to read a different weight than it really
should’ve been. The orange mass had a small chip, blue mass had two small
chips, violet had a large chip and the brown had a small chip. Because of these
chips, the volumes weren’t 100% accurate due to them missing parts of those
dimensions. Checking the theoretical mass values, after subtracting the mass of
the hook from the measured mass values, they were less than 1 gram apart from
the measured values. Also, dimensions might’ve been different from the
theoretical amounts because of slight calibration errors in the caliper. These
dimension errors when calculated to find the volume and then calculated with the
mass to find the density adds up which gives us those percent errors.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Theoretical Vs Experimental Density

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Theoretical Vs Experimental Density

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Theoretical Vs Experimental Density

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1

Due Date: 7/24/18

theoretical value of each material. Comparing to the theoretical values, we found

Data & Results 7

sensor. This can be achieved by calibrating the sensor by hanging weights of

theoretical density of each material.

I will explain how a strain gage works in the background theory, go

and then finally conclude.

A strain gage reads a change in resistance that corresponds to the amount

of strain it is receiving. A Wheatstone bridge circuit is used to measure this

deforms, it creates strain. This deformation happens when there is an applied

1. Computer with NI Labview 2013 installed

https://www.coursehero.com/file/36138518/Lab-7docx/ Figure 1: Block Diagram

Data & Results

right is the front panel

waveform charts is from the hook alone.

https://www.coursehero.com/file/36138518/Lab-7docx/ Figure 2: Front panel

The next figure,

figure 3, shows the strain

recorded from each weight

that was used to calibrate

the sensor. The graph

shows the calibration fit

which gave us the formula

to use to convert the strain

into force applied.

Figure 3: Calibration Curve Fit

calculated and added to this chart as well.

Figure 4: Materials chart

theoretical amounts because of slight calibration errors in the caliper. These

You might also like