ACTIVITY 1

OBJECTIVE
To make paper scale
a of givenleast counte.&, 0.2 cm, 0.5 em.

APPARATUS
A thick white paper sheet, pencil, scale with sharp edge marked in cm and mm, fevicol,
a pair of sCIssors, a paper cutter, thick ivory sheet used by engineering students.

A B
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15
R

X Y

Fig. 1. Scale of least count 0.2 cm.

P
A B
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15)
14 15
R

Fig. [Link] of least count 0.5 cm.

THEORY
Least count. The minimum observation that can be measured by the instrument
accurately is called the least count of instrument.

Range of an [Link] maximum observation that can be measured by

instrument is called its range.

PROCEDURE
(A)Paper scale of least count 0.2 cm
1. Fold a white paper sheet in the middle along lengthwise.

2. Mark in the upper half along the length a line PQ 15 cm long by a sharp pencil. [Fig. 1].
3. Take P as zero mark points on PQ at a distance of 1.0 cm and write as 0, 1, 2, .... upto
15.

117
18 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICAL PHYSICs.v.

4. Mark the vertical lines to line PQ at the position of each mark 0, 1, 2, upto 15, ...
5. Draw another shatp line RS which is parallel to PQ at a distance of 8 mm.
6. Draw another line XY parallel to PQ at a distance of about 25 mm. And complete the
rectangle ABXY.

7. Now divide each 1,0cm interval into five equal divisions on PQ by marking points at
every interval of 2 mm. Mark these points upto 15 cm mark.
8. Now draw sharp small lines about 3mm long perpendicular to PQ on each of the point
which is separated by 2mm.
9. Draw another line AB parallel to PQ at a gap of 3mm.
10. Darken each line and division by the sharp black pen, and write 1, 2,.. 15 ateachcm
mark.

11. Cut the rectangular scale by a sharp paper cutter and paste it on a thick ivory sheet
and cut the sheet along the boundary of the rectangle with the help of scissors.
12. Paper scale of least count 0.2 mm and of the range of 15 cm is ready.

(B)Paper scale of least count 0.5 cm

1. Repeat the steps 1 to6 as in part A of the above activity.

2. Divide each 1.0 cm interval into two equal divisions on PQ by marking points at every
interval of 5mm
and mark these points up to 15 cm mark. (Fig. 2).
3. Draw sharp small lines about 3 mm long perpendicular to PQ on each of the point

which is separated by 5mm.

4. Draw another line AB parallel to PQ at a gap of 3 mm.
5. Darken each line and division by the sharp black pen and write 1, 2, .... 15 at each
cm mark.
6. Repeat the step 11 as in part A of the Activity 1.
7. Paper scale of least count 0.5 cm and of the range of 15 cm is ready.

(C) Measure the length of pencil with the paper scale

1. Place one end A of the pencil along the scale (A) in such a way so that A lies at full
mark say 1 cm and read the position of the other end. Repeat. the observation by
placing the one end A of the pencil at 2 cm mark and take the reading of the other
end.

2. Use the second scale (B) of least count 0.5 cm in the similar manner as explained in

step 1 and record the observations.

OBSERVATIONS
Least count of the scale (A) = .... 0.2 cm. 0 isoe aeok aos
 of the peneil using seale (A)
Tablefor
length
ofthepencil
=ag -a,
end A of the Reading at other end B Length
Reading at one (cm)
[Link]. a, fem)
pencil ay (cm)

1.0
1.
2.0
2.

Mean length of
the pencil =:(B)
cm.

pencil using scale

Table for length of the
A of the Reading at other end B Length ofthepencil
=a,- aj
Reading at one end
[Link].
pencil a,(cm)
ay (cm)eiA (cm)

1.0
1.

2.0
2.

Mean length of the pencil = ...

cm.

RESULT
and 0.5 cm have been made.
1. The scales of the least count 0.2 cm
2. The length of the pencil, using scale (A)
... cm.=
The length of the pencil, using scale
(B)=......cm.

PRECAUTIONS (tobe taken)

should be longer than 0.2 cm and 0.5 cm markings.

1. The cm markings
using fine tipped black ink pen.
2. Final lines and marking should be drawn by
paper.
3. Paper scale should be pasted on the thick ivory
marks.
4. Use very sharp pencil for the graduation

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. Graduation marks may not be equally separated.

2. The lines showing graduations may not be sharp as required.

ACTIVITY 2

OBJECTIVE
To determine the mass of a given body using a metre scale by principle of
moments.

APPARATUS
A metre scale, a broad heavy wedge with sharp edge, a weight box, a body of unknown
mags.
120 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICAL
PHYSICS--X

THEORY
If m and M be the mass of the body and mass of the weight used and aj and a, be th.
distances of their loops from wedge. Then, power (mass)arm = a,weight arm =a2
From principle of moments mg a =Mg ag

or m=
M ay
, which can be calculated.

Two Different Methods

()Arm lengths fived and equal,weight adjustable.

The thread loops are suspended atpositions forming both arm of equal [Link]
the paper pan are adjusted till the metre scale becomes horizontal. (Fig.3).
In this case

Hence, mga,=Mga,
or m =M
A physical balance makes use ofthis method.

(ii)Masses and power arm fixed, weight arm adjustable.

Mass is suspended ata fixed distancea,.

|
Length of power arm is adjusted by moving weight loop thread in and out till the metre
scalebecome horizontal (Fig.4).

In this case a, = 1,a, =A

Hence mg a, =Mg a,becomes mg a =Mg A
or m = A M.

DIAGRAM (Figs. 3 and 4)

20/ /50 80/ 100

Body Paper pan

ose tt mg
Wedge
Mg
Weights

Fig. 3. Metre-scale balance Power and weightarms of equal length.

 o /20 /50 90/100,

Body -Paperpan

Weights
mg
Wedge Mg

Fig. 4. Metre-scale balancePower and weight arms of unequal length.

PROCEDURE (Stepwise)
()First method
of the broad
1. Arrange the metre scale horizontally by supporting it at the sharp edge
heavy wedge at 50 cm mark.
2. Suspended the body of unknown mass by a loop thread ata fixed mark on the left of
the wedge.
with some weights
3. Suspended paper pan at same distance on the right of the wedge
in it.

horizontal.
4. Adjust the weights in the paper pan till the metre scale becomes
5. Note the mass of the weights in the pan.
the length of the arms in equal steps
6. Repeat steps 2 to 5, three times by increasing
keeping the lengths equal.
7. Record the observations as given in the following table.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Weight in Unknown mass
S. No. Length of weight Mass of the

(or powver) arm Paper pan

M(g) m(g)
a (cm)

2
3

(Observations are as sample)

+ m, t mga astj odte

Mean mass,
m = m

3 g=... g

It will be found that M,= M =M3 =m in all cases.

RESULT
The unknown mass of the body, m= ...... g.

(ii) Second method

1, 2. Step l and 2 of first
method.
someknown weight in it.
wedge with
3. Suspend the paper pan on the right of the
122 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICAL PHYSICS-XI

4. Adjustthedistance of the paper pan till themetre scale becomes horizontal.

5. Notethe position of the paper pan and thus length of the weight arm.
6. Repeat steps 2 to 5, three times by inereasing the mass of the weights by equal
amount.
7. Record the observations as given below in table.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Fixed length of poucer arm,a =[Link]
S. No. Mass ofuoeight Lengthofthe Unknown mass

MA
inthe Paper Pan Weight arm

M(g) A(em) mg)

5°3
2 35
3

(Observations are as sample)

Mean mass, m =m +m, t my g=

3 ... g
It will be found that m, =m, = M =m in all cases.

RESULT
The unknown mass of the body, m =....
PRECAUTIONS (tobe taken)
1. The wedge should be broad and heavy with sharp edge.
[Link] scale should have uniform mass distribution.

3. Threads used forloops should be thin, light and strong.

SOURCESOF ERROR
1. wedge may not be sharp.
The
2. Metre scale may have faulty calibration.
3. The threads used for loops may be thick and heavy.

ACTIVITY3

OBJECTIVE
To plot a graphfor agiven setof data, with proper cholce of scales and error
bare.
 ACTIVITY 4
BJECTIVE

To study the effect of detergenton surface tension by observing

capillary rise.
PPARATUS
Set up of Experiment 4,page 167.

THEORY
A detergent when added to distilled water reducessurface tension of
water. Ifwe use same
capillary tube to study the rise of pure distilled water and
then the rise ofdetergentmixed
water (solution), weshall find that the rise will beless in
case of solution. If quantity of
detergent (solution concentration) is increased,
rise will be still
lesser.

T= h+32
rpg
cos
but h >>r tsshe ot .(1)

rphg
T=
2 cos heondw.2)
upilbnodestmo
Hence, Th ..3)
DIAGRAM (Fig. 11.03 (with onecapillary tube only))
238 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICAL PHYSIC

PROCEDURE (Stepwise)

1. Set the apparatus as in Experiment 4.

2. Find the rise of pure distilled (grease free) water through the capillary tube followinr
all the steps of Experiment 4.
3. Take a known volume of distilled water from same sample.
4. Dissolve a small known mass of a detergent in thewater to make a dilute solution
5. Find the rise of the solutionin same capillary tube. The rise will be less than that fo.

pure water.

6. Add double mass of detergent in samevolume of water to have a solutionwith douhle

concentration.

7. Find the rise of this concentrated solutionin same capillary tube. The rise will be still
lesser.

8. Repeat with solution of same detergenthaving increasedconcentration. Rise will decrease

as concentration increases.

OBSERVATION
The rise in capillary tube decreases with additionof detergent in pure water. With more
addition of detergent,rise becomes lesser and lesser.

RESULT
The detergent reduces the surface tension of water.

PRECAUTIONS (to be taken)

Same as in Experiment 4.

SOURCES OF ERROR
Same as in Experiment 4.

ACTIVITY 5ode onosioe) o 6

OBJECTIVE
Tostudy the factors affecting therate ofloss of heatofa liquid.

APPARATUS
Two calorimetersA and B of different areas, two thermometers, two stands,stop watch,
wooden lids, burner and liquid (water).