2.1.1

Measuring Length, Time & Volume

Test yourself

Measuring Length

We normally measure length using a ruler. Very small lengths can be measured using a screw micrometer.

Illustrative background for MethodIllustrative background for Method ?? "content

Method

  • When using a ruler, it is important to line up the object with the start of the divisions on the ruler.
  • To avoid parallax errors (when your eyes and the scale are not lined up), we should read the ruler at right angles.
Illustrative background for Measuring very small lengthsIllustrative background for Measuring very small lengths ?? "content

Measuring very small lengths

  • A ruler is not suitable for measuring very small lengths, such as the thickness of a sheet of paper.
  • To work out the thickness of one sheet of paper, we can stack together lots of sheets so that the total thickness of the stack can be accurately measured with a ruler.
  • The average thickness of one sheet of paper is the total thickness of the stack divided by the number of sheets in the stack.
Illustrative background for Screw micrometer gaugeIllustrative background for Screw micrometer gauge ?? "content

Screw micrometer gauge

  • Small lengths may also be measured with a screw micrometer gauge.
Illustrative background for CallipersIllustrative background for Callipers ?? "content

Callipers

  • To measure the lengths of objects with a pair of callipers, place the object into the jaws.
  • Slide the moving part of the jaw against the object, reading the length of the object from the scale.

Volume

Volume is the amount of space contained in an object.

Illustrative background for Measuring volumeIllustrative background for Measuring volume ?? "content

Measuring volume

  • Measuring cylinders are used to measure volume.
  • Read a measuring cylinder with your eye at the level of the liquid.
  • Take the reading from the bottom of the meniscus (curve in the surface of a liquid) with the measuring cylinder placed on a flat surface.

Time

Time is measured with stopwatches or timers. Timers can be analogue or digital.

Illustrative background for AnalogueIllustrative background for Analogue ?? "content

Analogue

  • Timers can be analogue, where a pointer moves continuously to tell the time.
Illustrative background for DigitalIllustrative background for Digital ?? "content

Digital

  • Some timers do not move continuously to tell the time.
  • These are digital timers.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Quantities & Units

2Measurement Techniques

3Kinematics

4Dynamics

5Gravitational Fields

6Deformation of Solids

7Thermal Physics

8Oscillations

9Communication

10Electric Fields

11Current Electricity

12Magnetic Fields

13Modern Physics

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium