Measurement

- Prabhat Kumar Jha

• Importance of
Measurement and Physical
Properties

• Content

• Section 1: Understanding
Measurement
• Section 2: Exploring Mass
and Weight
• Section 3: Unraveling
Volume and Density
Introduction to Measurement
• Definition of Measurement: Measurement is the process of
quantifying the properties of objects or events using numbers and
units. It is essential for understanding and comparing physical
quantities.
• Importance in Science: Measurement is fundamental in scientific
experiments and observations, providing the basis for analyzing data
and drawing conclusions.
• Application in Daily Life: From cooking to construction, measurement
is crucial for accuracy and precision in various practical activities.
 Direct Measurement: This involves measuring a
quantity directly using instruments like rulers,
thermometers, and balances.

Indirect Measurement: Indirect measurement

Types of involves using formulas and calculations to determine
a quantity, such as using the volume of water
Measurement displaced to measure the volume of irregular objects.

Significance of Standard Units: Standard units, such

as meters, kilograms, and seconds, provide a universal
language for measurement, ensuring consistency and
comparability.
 Precision: Precision refers to the level of
consistency and exactness in repeated
measurements. It is crucial for obtaining
reliable and reproducible results.
Precision Accuracy: Accuracy is the closeness of a
measurement to the true value of the
and quantity being measured. It is essential for
ensuring the validity of experimental data.
Accuracy
Role in Scientific Inquiry: Precision and
accuracy are vital for drawing meaningful
conclusions in scientific investigations and
experiments.
 Importance of
Measurement in Science

• Quantitative Analysis: Measurement enables

scientists to quantify observations and data,
facilitating the formulation and testing of
hypotheses.
• Experimental Design: Proper measurement
techniques are essential for designing controlled
experiments and ensuring the validity of scientific
findings.
• Advancements in Technology: The development of
precise measurement tools and techniques has
driven significant advancements in scientific
research and innovation.
Understanding Mass
• Definition of Mass: Mass is the
measure of the amount of matter
in an object. It is an intrinsic
property and is typically
measured in kilograms or grams.
• Role in Physics: Mass plays a
fundamental role in physics,
influencing an object's inertia,
gravitational force, and
interaction with other objects.
 Unraveling Weight

• Definition of Weight: Weight is the force

exerted on an object due to gravity. It is
measured in newtons and is dependent on
the gravitational pull of the Earth.
• Distinction from Mass: Unlike mass, weight
can vary based on the gravitational field
strength, making it a non-intrinsic property.
• For determining the weight of an object use
the formula: weight = mass × acceleration
due to gravity (g).
 Relationship Between
Mass and Weight
• Mass and weight are two interrelated concepts, but they are
not the same thing.
Here's a breakdown of their distinction:
• Mass: Refers to the amount of matter an object contains.
• It's essentially a measure of how much "stuff" is in the object.
• Stays constant regardless of the object's location. Measured in
kilograms (kg) or grams (g).

• Weight: Is the force exerted on an object due to gravity.

• Varies depending on the strength of gravity, which changes
based on location.
• For instance, you'd weigh less on the moon than on Earth
because the moon has weaker gravity.
• Measured in Newtons (N).
The relation
• Weight is directly proportional to mass, but also depends
on the gravitational field strength (represented by the
symbol "g").
• This relationship can be expressed in the following formula:
Weight (W) = Mass (m) x Gravity (g)
• In simpler terms: An object with more mass will generally
weigh more, assuming they're in the same gravitational
field.
• The strength of gravity affects weight.
• A constant mass will weigh more on Earth (stronger gravity)
compared to the moon (weaker gravity).
 Grasping Volume

• Definition of Volume: Volume is the amount of

space occupied by an object or a substance. It is
typically measured in cubic units such as cubic
meters (m3) or cubic centimeters (cm3).
• Practical Applications: Volume helps us
measure the amount of space things take up,
which is crucial for:
• Recipes: Following measurements for
ingredients (cups, liters, etc.).
• Containers: Choosing the right size box for
storage or shipping.
• Dosage: Using precise amounts of medicine or
cleaning solutions.
• Fuel Efficiency: Knowing a car's gas tank
capacity for mileage.
 Understanding Density

• Definition of Density: Density is the

measure of mass per unit volume of a
substance. It provides insight into the
compactness of a material.
• Significance in Materials Science:
Exploring how density is a critical
property in material selection,
buoyancy, and the study of physical
properties.
• For determining the density of a given
material use the formula: density =
mass / volume.
THE PRINCIPAL OF
EUREKA
 The term "Eureka" itself doesn't represent
a scientific principle.
 It's a famous exclamation, supposedly
uttered by the ancient Greek scholar
Archimedes, meaning "I have found it!“
 However, the story of Archimedes'
"Eureka" moment is often linked to the
discovery of a well-known principle in
physics called Archimedes' Principle.
 THE LEGEND
 Archimedes was tasked with figuring out if a king's
crown was made of pure gold or if a less dense
metal had been mixed in.
 Legend says that while stepping into a bath, he
noticed the water level rose.
 This triggered a realization that the volume of
water displaced by his body equaled the volume
of water submerged.
 He then applied this idea to objects submerged in
fluids. This led to the formulation of Archimedes'
Principle
 Archimedes' Principle states that the
buoyant force on an object
submerged in a fluid is equal to the
weight of the fluid displaced by that
object.

 In simpler terms, an object

experiences an upward push
(buoyant force) when submerged in
a fluid, and the strength of that push
is equal to the weight of the fluid the
object pushes aside. This principle
explains why some objects float and
others sink.
BUOYANCY
• Buoyancy is the tendency of an
object to float in a fluid (liquid
or gas).
• It's all about the upward force a
fluid exerts on a submerged
object.
• This force opposes the object's
weight, making it easier for
certain objects to float.
 Relation • Volume is the three-
dimensional space enclosed by
between the closed surface.
• Density is mass per unit
Density volume.

and • The relation between density

and volume is directly
proportional.
Volume
RELATIVE
DENSITY
• Relative density compares the density of a
material to a reference material.
• It's like a ratio that tells you how much
denser one substance is compared to
another.
• Water is the most common reference
material for liquids and solids (density of
water = 1 g/cm³ at 4°C).
• Air is the reference material for gases.
• Relative density is unitless (no kg/m³ or
g/cm³).
 USES OF RELATIVE
DENSITY

• Easy comparison of buoyancy:

• Objects with a relative density less than 1
(like wood) will float in water.
• Objects with a relative density greater than 1
(like iron) will sink.
• Useful in various fields:
• Designing ships and submarines (considering
buoyancy)Understanding material properties
in engineering
• Analyzing purity of substances (e.g., gold vs.
fake gold)
 • Relative density is a comparison,
while density is an absolute value.
• Density tells you the exact amount
of mass per unit volume of a specific
material.
DENSITY V/S • Relative density tells you how much
RELATIVE denser a material is compared to a
reference material.
DENSITY • Example: Steel has a density of 7800
kg/m³. Its relative density to water is
about 8 (denser).
 It is based on the Archimedes
principal.

If the weight of the object placed in

FLOATING a fluid is greater than the buoyant
AND SINKING force, then it will sink in the fluid.

If its weight is equal to or less than

the buoyant force, then it will float
on the fluid.
 SOME APPLICATONS
OF FLOTATION:

• Icebergs float in seawater because ice has a lower

density than water.
• Objects made of wax float on water because wax has
a lower density than water.
• Seawater is denser than freshwater, so it is easier to
swim in seawater.
• Ships can float even though they are made of metal
because they are hollow and filled with air, which
lowers their overall density