Mass – Weight Measurement

In this tutorial we will demonstrate ways to calculate the mass of a solid body using a force sensor and data logger equipment and the mass of a liquid using an electronic scale and a metered plastic cylinder tube.

Contents

Start

Equipment

  • Electronic balance PCB1001.19
  • Metal base PCB1001.1
  • Metal support rod PCB1001.2
  • Boss PCB1001.3
  • Metal rod with metal clamp PCB1001.4
  • Weight set Α and Β PT2011.6 & PT2011.7
  • Metal cylinders PT2012.12
  • Plastic cylinder 100 ml CT3001.18
  • Force sensor RS106
  • Data logger DL120RS
  • Windows PC with iLab software

Safety Note

For using the force sensor please refer to the guide.

Close Course
  1. Setup the metal base and adjust the metal clamp. Hang the sensor by its hole to the opposite side of the metal clamp. The sensor’s hook should be downwards.
  1. Connect the data logger with the PC and the force sensor.
  1. a. Download, unzip and open the experiment to iLab PC software directly. Click Continue to advance to step 12.
Download iLab experiment
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– OR –

  1. b. Run the iLab software and in the main menu select  «Setup».

Make sure that the “DL120RS” option is already chosen.

Continue
  1. In the main menu select “Start“ and the experiment screen will open automatically.
  1. In the experiment screen you can see the following functional areas:
  1. In the operating bar select “New page (F2)”

and choose the digital display option.

By right clicking, choose the force sensor.

Continue
  1. You can adjust the time of the experiment and the recording intervals according to your preferences but also default settings fulfill the requirements of the particular experiment.
  1. Force sensor should be calibrated before each experiment. In order to calibrate the sensor click the calibration button on the channel information bar.
  1. On the calibration screen select the “force sensor” at Channel1.

On the next screen select the “zero” button.

  1. To the next screen select the  “Calibrate” button click ok and you are ready to proceed with the experiment.
Continue
  1. When you are ready select “Start (F6)” to start collecting data.

Mass of solid body

  1. Hang a mass to the sensor’s hook. Record its weight W and knowing that g=9.8 m/s2 calculate the mass m.
Continue
  1. Weight the mass by the electronic balance and compare the value you found to the previous step.

To measure the mass of a body an electronic balance is used. The indication of the particular balance is not the weight but the mass in grams (g).

  1. Experiment on different weights and masses. Use the metal cylinder. The cylinders is supposed to be of equal masses. Do you agree? Is the weight the same?
  1. In each case the weight can be calculated by the formula. Compare the values with the sensor.
Continue

Mass of liquid

  1. Place the plastic cylinder and record its mass mΑ.
  1. Add water into the cylinder and record the new mass mΒ. Which is the water mass?
  1. Finally, calculate the water weight that is contained into the plastic cylinder. Experiment with different kinds of liquids (oil, alcohol etc).
Continue

Conclusion

  • During the experiment it was proved that mass and weight are two different sizes.
  • Mass in each case is a basic size and weight is derivative. This is also proved  by the mathematical equation of weight which is equal to the product of the mass m with the acceleration of gravity g.
  • Another fact that demonstrates the difference between the two sizes is that they have different units of measurement in the International System (SI).
  • For example, the mass is always the same but weight is verified according to the geographical location and the different value of gravity acceleration. For example:
Continue

Question 1

Basic sizes are:

  1. force.
  2. mass.
  3. acceleration of gravity.
Continue

Question 2

Derivative size is:

  1. mass.
  2. length.
  3. weight.
Continue

Question 3

Basic unit is:

  1. kilograms Kg.
  2. grams g.
  3. Newton N.
Continue

Question 4

The mass of a solid is affected by:

  1. its shape
  2. its color
  3. its volume
  4. None of the above
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Question 5

If the density of water is 1g/cm3 and the density of ice is 0,92g/cm3, which has more volume, 1kg of water or 1kg of ice?

  1. Ice.
  2. Water.
  3. They have the same volume.
Continue

Question 6

Two solid objects A and B have densities ρΑ>ρΒ and the same mass. So:

  1. VA > VB
  2. VA < VB
  3. VA = VB
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Question 7

A piece of cork is cut into two equal pieces. The density of each piece is:

  1. the same with the initial piece.
  2. twice the density of the initial piece.
  3. the half of the density of the initial piece.

End of tutorial

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