COURSE TITLE : MEASUREMENT IN SCIENCE
PROGRAMME : DSE
COURSE CODE : 102
YEAR OF STUDY : YEAR I
SEMESTER : SEM II
DATE :
Instructions
I. Time allowed: 3 Hours
II. Attempt any THREE questions. Question eight compulsory
III. Involvement in exam malpractice will lead to disqualification or
further disciplinary action
IV. Poor hand writing may lead to loss of marks
V. Use of relevant examples and illustrations earns you extra credit
QUESTION ONE
a) State different types of system of units and name fundamental quantities in
them with their units.(5mks)
b) Write brief notes about the following with relevant examples.(1mk@)
i. Zero errors
ii. Absolute error,
iii. Average absolute error,
iv. Relative error,
v. Percentage error.
vi. Resolution
vii. Threshold
viii. Zero drift.
ix. Systematic errors
x. Random errors
c. Explain the challenges with solution faced in conducting science experiment in various
schools across the country.(5mks)
QUESTION TWO
a. Describe briefly the steps involved in measuring the relative density of oil while using a
density bottle.(5mks)
b. Suggest four precautions that must be considered when using it to avoid instrumental error.
(5mks)
c. A systematic error causes a random set of measurement to be spread out about a value
other than the true value. This effect can result from.? Give five causes.(5mks)
d. A random error is one that has equal chances of being positive or negative. State six ways
how it can be caused and eliminated.(5mks)
QUESTION THREE
a. Briefly explain how the external diameter of a rubber tube is measured using a vernier
caliper. types of error likely to occur and precaution measurement.(5mks)
b. State and explain procedures and six precautions which must be considered when using the
hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of a substance.(5mks)
c. A laboratory technician has ten pieces of plastic all cut from the same thin sheet. The
technician wishes to find the thickness of a piece of plastic as accurately as possible
i).Advice the technician on the instrument that should be used and describe how the
instrument should be used to find the thickness of the plastics.(6mks)
d. Define unit of physical quantity and state requirements of good unit.(4mks)
QUESTION FOUR
a. Explain the mode of operation of analoge and digital measurement with examples and
precaution of overcoming the errors arising from each types.(6mks)
b. Describe the various types of measurement in science with examples.(4mks)
c. Explain the four repetitive phenomena occurring in nature which could/are used to measure
or determine standard time.(4mks)
d. State with examples why it is importance to have two units combined in the measurement
of one substance.(2mks)
e. The stopwatch is used to measure the period taken by simple pendulum in a science
experiment. State the type of errors that occurred, how to minimised, and significance of the
experiment.(4mks)
QUESTION FIVE
a). You have been given the following apparatus in order to find the density of a piece of rock
88g mass, a meter rule, suitable pivot on which the rule will balance, measuring cylinder
contained water. The rock has the mass of 88g.
i. Draw and labelled the set up diagram so that the mass of a rock can be determine.(3mks)
ii. State the reading you should take and how these would be used to find the mass of a rock.
(2mks)
iii. If the mass of the rock is 88g and its volume is 24cm3. Calculate the density of the rock
and comment on your answer.(3mks)
b). A scientist need to find out the density of a sample of stone while down a mine. He has
only a spring balance, a measuring cylinder, some water and thread.
i. Draw a two labelled diagram one to show the spring balance being used and the other to
show a measuring cylinder being used with a suitable stone sample.(3mks)
ii. The spring balance is calibrated with stone. State how the mass of the rock sample may be
found from the reading of the spring balance.(2mks)
iii. State the reading that would be taken from the measuring cylinder.(2mks)
vi. State how the volume of the rock would be found from the reading.(2mks)
v. State in words the formula that would be used to find the density of the sample.(3mks)
QUESTION SIX
a). A student used a suitable measuring cylinder and a spring balance to find the density of a
sample of the stone
i. Describe how the measuring cylinder and a spring balance can be used to find the density
of a sample of the stone.(3mks)
ii. Describe how the spring balance is used and state the reading that are taken.(2mks)
iii. Write down an equation from which the density of the stone is calculated.(1mk)
vi. What is the significances of the experiment.(2mks)
v. The student then wishes to find out the density of a cork suggest how the apparatus and the
method would need to be changed.(2mks)
b). Define static characteristic of the instrument and to what extend is it importance in
measurement.(5mks)
c). Define and explain the types of static errors possible in an instrument.(5mks)
QUESTION SEVEN
a).Explain errors in science measurement.(1mk)
b). Explain Sensitivity and Linearity of the measuring instrument.(4mks)
c). What are Precaution taken when purchasing measuring instrument.(5mks)
d). Distinguish reproducibility and repeatability of the measuring instrument.(4mks)
e). What are the functions of instruments and measurement systems?(6mks)
QUESTION EIGHT(compulsory)
Define measuring instrument.(1mk)
Distinguish between direct and indirect methods of measurements.(2mks)
State the difference between accuracy and precision of a measurement with example.(2mks)
What are the three categories of systematic errors in the Instrument and explain in detail.
(3mks)
Discuss in detail various types of errors associated in Measurement and how these errors can
be minimized?(2mks)
NOTE: Answer FOUR questions in total
END
