Experiment 1 — Measure an Odd-Shaped Stone

Topic: Physics · Classes 6–7 · Measurement: volume by displacement

Aim: Measure the true volume of the stone: 30 ml , with no measuring error.

Daily: A jeweller checks gold this way, and you use the same idea whenever water rises as you step into a full bucket. Doctors and engineers all depend on measurements taken without error.

Obs: The water rose from 50 ml to

Question: You read the measuring cylinder by looking down from above instead of at eye level. Your answer will be…

Exp: Viewing from an angle makes the water line appear at the wrong mark. Always read at eye level.

Exp: The rise in water level equals the stone’s volume.

Question: Why must a cork be pushed under with a sinker?

Exp: A floating body displaces water equal to its weight, not its volume.

Question: The curved surface of water in a cylinder is called the…

Exp: Read the bottom of the meniscus, at eye level.

Question: Keeping your finger in the water makes the measured volume…

Exp: Your finger displaces water too, adding to the reading.