In this experiment, you will use a spring balance (newton meter) to measure the weight of four laboratory objects labelled P, Q, R and S. You hangs each obj...
Question 1 Report
In this experiment, you will use a spring balance (newton meter) to measure the weight of four laboratory objects labelled P, Q, R and S. You hangs each object from the hook of the spring balance and waits until the reading is steady. The spring balance reads from 0 to 10 N with 0.1 N divisions. Fig. 2.1 shows the spring balance with object P attached.
| Object | Weight / N |
|---|---|
| P | 3.4 |
| Q | 1.8 |
| R | 5.6 |
| S | 0.7 |
(a) Record the weight of each object in Table 2.1. [1]
(b) Measure the difference in weight between the heaviest and lightest objects. [1]
(c) Calculate the mass of object R using weight = mass × g, where g = 9.8 N/kg. Show your working. [2]
(d) Describe how you should hold the spring balance to avoid a systematic error. [1]
(e) State the precision of the spring balance. [1]
(f) Record the order of the objects from lightest to heaviest. [1]
Answer Details
(a) The weights recorded for each object are: [1]
| Object | Weight / N |
|---|---|
| P | 3.4 |
| Q | 1.8 |
| R | 5.6 |
| S | 0.7 |
(b) The heaviest object is R (5.6 N) and the lightest is S (0.7 N): [1]
\[ \text{Difference} = 5.6 - 0.7 = 4.9 \text{ N} \]
(c) Using \( W = mg \), rearranged to find mass: [2]
\[ m = \frac{W}{g} = \frac{5.6}{9.8} = 0.571 \text{ kg} \approx 0.57 \text{ kg} \]
(d) Hold the spring balance vertically so the scale hangs straight, and read it at eye level. [1] If the balance is tilted or read from an angle, the pointer appears to be at a different position on the scale (parallax error), giving an incorrect reading. A systematic error results if the balance is consistently tilted in the same direction.
(e) The precision of the spring balance is 0.1 N. [1] This matches the smallest division on the scale and is confirmed by the data, which records all values to one decimal place.
(f) In order from lightest to heaviest: S, Q, P, R. [1]
\[ 0.7 \text{ N} < 1.8 \text{ N} < 3.4 \text{ N} < 5.6 \text{ N} \]
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