Measurement and Calculation Edited
Measurement and Calculation Edited
Measurement and Calculation Edited
Measurements are the basis of all scientific works. Fortunately, metric system is
now used universally in science and health professions. The modified form of the metric
system is the International System (Systeme Intenationale or SI).
The basic units of SI are as follows:
Physical Quantities Units Symbol
Length Meter m
Mass Kilogram kg
Time Seconds s
Electric Current Ampere A
Luminous Intensity Candela cd
Temperature Kelvin K
Amount of Substance Mole mol
All other units can be expressed as combination of these basic units, they are
called derived units
DERIVED UNITS:
1. Volume, V
Vcube = s3
Vrectangle = L x W x H
Vsphere = 4πr3
3
Vcylinder = πr2h
Vcone = πr2h
3
2. Density
The density is the mass of the substance per unit volume. Common units
for expressing density include g/mL, g/liter, lb/ft3. The densities of gases are
usually expressed in g/L, whereas the liquids and solids g/mL is used. The density
of water at 4oC is 1g/mL.
ρ = mass/volume
ACCURACY OF MEASUREMENT
Accuracy expresses the degree to which experimental data approach
corresponding absolute values while precision relates to the agreement between
experimental values.
The degree of accuracy of measurement will depend on two factors.
1. Your ability to use the measuring device property
2. The precision of the device.
The first factor is entirely dependent on the person making the measurement while
the second depends on the instrument. Practice on the measurement will be enough to
take care of the first factor while analysis is necessary for the second factor.
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
Significant figures are important in any experimental measurements and
calculations. The proper number of significant digits indicates how accurately the
measurements are made.
To determine what figures are significant in a number it is usually necessary to
count the number of digits expressed.
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
1. When a decimal point is moved to the left, the exponent is positive.
2. When a decimal point is moved to the right, the exponent is negative.
CONVERSION FACTOR
Conversion factor is a comparison of two units that measure the same quantity.
The factor is written as fraction.
Time 1 min = 60 s
1 hour = 60 min
TEMPERATURE
The temperature is a measure of the hotness and coldness of an object.
Temperature is thus the property of a body that determines the direction of heat flow
K = oC + 273
Standard prefixes for the SI units
Exercises:
1. Determine the number of significant figures
a. 4789 f. 0.000531
b. $ 25000 g. 6.00020
c. 8004 h. 0.0025300
d. 35.00 i. P 160000
e. 201.0 j. 3920 g
2. Perform the following conversions within the metric system of measurement.
a. 2.76 kg to g c. 8162 mm to m e. 0.367 L to cm3
b. 368 mg to g d. 725 ml to L
3. Perform the following conversions within the English system of measurement
a. 15.50 ft to in c. 1.5 h to s e. 2.30 mi to ft
b. 12.0 yd to ft d. 348 oz to lb
4. Perform the following conversions between the metric and English systems.
a. 12 cm to in c. 9867 ml to gal e. 3500 kg to lb
b. 22.5 ft to m d. 14 oz to g
5. Covert the following:
a. normal body temperature to oF and K c. 40oF to oR e. 1235oC to oR
o o
b. – 176 F to C d. 723 K to oF
6. The price of a ream of paper is 133 pesos. There are 500. sheets of paper in a ream. If a
sheet of paper weighs 0.500 oz, what is the price per pound of paper? There are 16 oz in
a pound.
7. Find the capacity in liters of a box 0.60 m long, 11 cm wide and 55 mm deep.
8. The average diameter of the earth is about 7,920 miles. Assuming that earth to be
spherically shaped, calculate its volume in cubic kilometers.
9. Calculate the density of a platinum-iridium alloy in g/ml if mass is 1.0 kg, shape is
cylindrical, diameter is 39 mm, and height is 39 mm.
10. If the gasoline tank in your automobile holds 20.0 gallons, what is the weight of the fuel
when the tank is filled with gasoline that has a density of 0.7429 g/mL at 15°C?
11. Calculate the density of a body in g/L that has a mass of 4.2 kg and a volume of 5.2 cubic
meters.
12. A casting of an alloy in the form of a disc has a mass of 50.0 g. The disc is 1.0 cm thick
and has a circular cross section of diameter 3.50 cm. What is the density of the alloy in
kilograms per cubic meter?
14. A child appeared to be running a high fever. The only thermometer available was
calibrated in degrees Celsius and gave a reading of 42oC. What is the child’s temperature
in oF, K and oR?
15. A cube of lead measures 3.00 cm. On an edge and has a mass of 301 grams. Calculate it’s
the density.
16. Carry out the following conversions:
a. 2.56 m2 to km2, cm2 d. 75.7 psi to g/cm2, lb/m3, kg/in2
3 3 3
b. 928 ft to in , cm e. 3,479 BTU to calories, ergs
c. 4500 ml to gal, liter
17. What is the density of a steel ball which has a diameter of 7.50 mm and a mass of
1.765g? (Vol. sphere = 4/3πr3).
18. When 20.2 g of a metal is placed in a graduated vessel containing 12.0 mL of water, the
water level rises to the 14.1 mL mark. What is the density of the metal?
19. Spiders are said to have a top speed of 1.4 mile per hour. This speed is how many
cm/second?