Laboratory Preparation & Procedure

Materials: 

• Metric Rulers A & B
• Object W
• Object X
• Object Y
• Object Z
• Scissors

Safety:

No chemicals are in use but be aware of your surroundings in your handling of the scissors.

Procedure:

1. Collect the metric ruler designated as ‘A.’
2. Use metric ruler A to measure the length and width of Object W. Report your measured values to the correct precision of the device. Record in Table 1.
3. Record the number of significant figures in each measured length (cm) and width (cm) measurement.
4. Convert each of your measured centimeter values to meters. Show your conversion.
5. Repeat steps 2 -4 for Objects X, Y, and Z.
6. Calculate the area of each object using the appropriate formula for its shape. Record the calculator value in Table 2.
7. Applying the rules of significant figures, adjust your calculator value to reflect the correct number of significant figures based on the mathematical operation.
8. Complete Table 2 by writing the number of significant figures that should be reflected in your adjusted value. Be sure that your adjusted value and the number of significant figures agree!
9. Determine the perimeter of each object. Record the calculator value in Table 3.
10. Applying the rules of significant figures, adjust your calculator value to reflect the correct number of decimal places based on the mathematical operation. Record this adjusted value in Table 3.
11. Collect the metric ruler designated as ‘B.’
12. Use metric ruler B to measure the length and width of Object W. Report your measured values to the correct precision of the device. Record your measured values in Table 4.
13. Record the number of significant figures in each measured length (cm) and width (cm) measurement.
14. Convert each of your measured centimeter values to meters. Show your conversion.
15. Repeat steps 12-14 for Objects X, Y, and Z.
16. Calculate the area of each object using the appropriate formula for its shape. Record the calculator value in Table 5.
17. Applying the rules of significant figures, adjust your calculator value to reflect the correct number of significant figures based on the mathematical operation.
18. Complete Table 5 by writing the number of significant figures that should be reflected in your adjusted value. Be sure that your adjusted value and the number of significant figures agree!
19. Determine the perimeter of each object. Record the calculator value in Table 6.
20. Applying the rules of significant figures, adjust your calculator value to reflect the correct number of decimal places based on the mathematical operation. Record this adjusted value in Table 6.