Metric Measurements and Metric Measurements and Biological ScalingBiological Scaling

When making measurements:

Figure out the smallest scale divisions on the instrument being used.

Figure out the unit of measurement requested in the lab manual for each specific object being measured – eg. cm versus mm.

Report your measurement using the correct number of significant figures –equal to the digits definitely known from the scale divisions marked on the instrument plus one estimated or doubtful digit.

For the first part of the lab:

Object # 1 = the wooden block Object #2 = the styrofoam block Object #3 = the ice

Work quickly with the ice to measure the length, width, height, and mass to minimize error from melting. NOTE: the denisty will not change as it melts.

If you are short of time, skip over the line graphing exercises on pages 13-15, they can be done outside of lab.

You will write and submit in the Angel dropbox a lab report following lab report guidelines including exactly four sections:

INTRODUCTIONPROCEDURERESULTSCONCLUSION

Your report should ONLY cover the last part of the lab – the SCALING EXERCISES. However it is expected that you do all parts of the lab and that the exercises in your lab manual are complete. At some point lab manuals may be collected and reviewed.

For the scaling exercises be sure to make the predictions requested on pages 17 and 18 BEFORE you make measurements and analyze your data. These predictions are the hypotheses that you will include in the INTRODUCTION of your report.

As there are a limited number of setups, you will have to work with your classmates to share work stations. Your lab instructor will help organize execution of the lab.