What is Measuring: Definition and 1000 Discussions

Measurement is the quantification of attributes of an object or event, which can be used to compare with other objects or events. The scope and application of measurement are dependent on the context and discipline. In natural sciences and engineering, measurements do not apply to nominal properties of objects or events, which is consistent with the guidelines of the International vocabulary of metrology published by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. However, in other fields such as statistics as well as the social and behavioural sciences, measurements can have multiple levels, which would include nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio scales.Measurement is a cornerstone of trade, science, technology and quantitative research in many disciplines. Historically, many measurement systems existed for the varied fields of human existence to facilitate comparisons in these fields. Often these were achieved by local agreements between trading partners or collaborators. Since the 18th century, developments progressed towards unifying, widely accepted standards that resulted in the modern International System of Units (SI). This system reduces all physical measurements to a mathematical combination of seven base units. The science of measurement is pursued in the field of metrology.

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  1. L

    Measuring Torque: Lever & Torque Wrench Info

    Hello, How can I measure how much torque I'm exerting on a lever? Can it be done with a torque wrench? Or do I need ? Thanks
  2. R

    Measuring the Expansion of space

    We can measure the expansion of space via the galactic redshifting. Please for now excuse my order of mag. estimate, but in mks units, Hubble's constant is roughly: H=2\times 10^{-18} {\rm m/s/m} If this exapansion was much larger. Say H'=2\times 10^{-10} {\rm m/s/m} Could a...
  3. P

    Measuring Constant of Gravitation in Basement - Experiment

    The other day I was reading a simple experiment to determine (yes, very roughly) the constant of gravitation, all using simple tools in your basement. http://www.fourmilab.ch/gravitation/foobar/" What struck me about this experiment is another that I remember from childhood cartoon...
  4. L

    Measuring resistance of thermistor in potential dividers

    Hi there, first off I hope this is ok to post here. Quite a simple question. I have done an experiment simply to work out the resistance of a thermistor at different temperatures, I did a prelim with a simple circuit of just ohm meter + thermistor. Then I did the main one with a potential...
  5. H

    Measuring Elastic Modulus of Materials in Tensile Testing

    What could you do to obtain a more precise measure of the elastic modulus of a material in tensile testing?
  6. S

    Measuring Frequency: Capturing Vibrating Metal Sound

    How would I determine if attaching small crystals on a vibrating metal surface will make any significant sounds.. i know I can do an experiment where i record the sound of the metal vibrating without the crystals on and then again with the crystals attached but other than going by my natural...
  7. M

    Measuring wind in a vertical wind tunnel

    for a physics project i am designing a vertical wind tunnel made out of stovepipe and powered by a leaf blower. this experiment is designed to find the terminal velocity of different shapes. We already have a way to vary the wind speed, but what we don't have is an accurate way to measure this...
  8. L

    Measuring the coefficient of friction

    What is the coefficient of friction for a metal mass sliding down a wooden slope? Mass=0.50kg Slope distance=1.83m Angle=54 Degrees Time=1.06 s Vi=0m/s g=9.81m/s/s For this question we had to write out a formula and find mu. I first found acceleration to be 3.257m/s/s, Friction force to be...
  9. L

    Measuring Current Flow in Open Circuit R Phase

    how do i measure the current flow threw the neutral wire if phase R is open circuited? the impedance per load is 3+7j
  10. N

    Measuring Earth's Magnetic Field: Opposite Currents, Opposite Deflections?

    The point of the lab was to determine the vert comp of the Earth's mag field by measuring the deflection of a current-carrying wire stretched between 2 supports. I took measurements of the deflection with the current flowing in one direction and my partner did the same but with the current...
  11. T

    Measuring Currents with Rogowski Coils

    Homework Statement When a wire carries an AC current with a known frequency you can use a Rogowski coil to determine the amplitude Imax of the current without disconnecting the wire to shunt the current in a meter. The Rogowski coil, shown in the figure, simply clips around the wire. It...
  12. B

    Measuring the frequency of the e.m. oscillations in the em. wave

    Consider please that an observer is located in a plane sinusoidal and polarized e.m. wave. He erects a metalic antenna normal to the direction of propagation. A sinusoidal potential difference appears between the two ends of the antenna having the same frequency as the e.m. has. Is that a...
  13. E

    Measuring Engine Torque with Alternative Fuels | How-To Guide

    i've got an engine to work with, and i have the basic specs of it like peak hp @ an rpm. but, i don't have figures for torque. I need to know how i can measure the torque of the engine with different fuels. I calculated the torque of the engine from their hp figure, but I'm having trouble...
  14. M

    Measuring Bendiness: Exploring Units and Techniques for Accurate Measurements

    Homework Statement I need to draw a table measuring bendiness but I don't know what unit or how bendiness would be measured. Homework Equations // The Attempt at a Solution I have drawn the table up, just I need a unit for bendyness
  15. S

    Measuring Angular Momentum for Free Particles: L-square =l(l+1)?

    In case of 3d free particle Schrodinger equation solution, the angular momentum eigenvalue L-square =l(l+1) and a free particle has a wavefunction as the superposition of all 'l'(angular momentum) states.Now the difficulty is that when I will measure the L-square, is it true that I will endup...
  16. H

    Measuring the speed of sound in air

    1. The problem statement Hi all, My AS physics coursework is comming up and I'm starting to plan. I will be measurng the speed of sound in air...lots and lots of times as I will then have to speculate as to how accurate my readings are. How would you do it if it was you? The...
  17. L

    Measuring atom positions in a crystal

    I heard that it is possible to measure positions of individual atoms in a crystal. Is this true? I understand the principle of measuring crystal orientation and base vectors of Bravais lattice with X-ray, but I have no idea how positions of individual atoms can be obtained. I suppose it is...
  18. N

    Measuring Forces on an Angle: An Exploration

    Homework Statement how do we measure 2 forces on an angle? let's say we get an object that is moving ( a rocket?) the gravity pull it down while the rocket engineer gives more force. however to reach the highest height, we shot it at 90 degree(horizon). and also at that time, the...
  19. P

    Measuring Frequency: Equipment & Best Way for Newbies

    I am newbie in this forum as well as in this field. Recently, I learned human body has certain frequency. I want to experiment measuring the frequency, volt, current upon the human body. any recommended equipment and the best way to measure all three? 1. frequency 2. volt 3. currency...
  20. H

    Measuring Viscosity (Viscometer)

    Hi, even though this is my first post, Physics Forums have helped my a over that past couple of years. Just searching old PF threads usually gave me the answer I was looking for. So thanks. I am currently doing Advanced Higher (Scottish Qualification) Physics Investigation on Viscosity. During...
  21. J

    Optimizing CO2 Measurement: Exploring the Use of Barium Nitrate as a Reagent

    What would be a relatively simple methodology to measure the CO2 concentrations of the air? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
  22. C

    Can Momentum be Calculated Without Measuring Position in Quantum Mechanics?

    If we measure a particle's momentum don't we need to use some measure of the particle's position to find out the momentum ? How is momentum calculated if not through a measure somehow of the particle's position and how does this relate to the uncertainty principle?
  23. A

    Instantaneous EPR: Measuring Reception Times

    Assuming a system A with v=.8c wrt system B At x=0 in A we have 4 EPR "transmitters" wih receivers at x=10 , x=(-10) in A and x'=10, x'=(-10) in B At x=0=x' at time t=0=t' an instantaeous epr polarization event is transmitted simultaneously by the four transmitters. Can anyone suggest...
  24. P

    Effect on Flow measuring device due to turbulent flow of air

    effect on Flow and pressure measuring due to turbulent flow of air Hi, I want to measure the air flow rate using a device which will basically measure the velocity of air and converts that in terms of flow rate reading. For creating flow of air i have used vacuum pumps which is connected by...
  25. B

    What exactly is dark energy and how does it interact with normal matter?

    I have heard numbers like our Universe is 75% Dark energy, 25% Dark matter, and 5% baryonic matter or something. For my question, the numbers are irrevelant. My question is just what exactly is being measured? Brandon
  26. X

    Momentum in Quantum Mechanics: Defining, Measuring, & Interpreting

    In CM, we have a prescription for measuring momentum. Velocity is defined, and we can measure it, and we can find out the momentum. Now, does quantum mechanics have the same prescription for measuring momentum (for a single free particle at least) ? I mean, for a single free particle, can we...
  27. C

    Constant output from measuring angular speed

    Hello all, Im new to the site so please don't hurt me :blushing: ! My final goal is to measure linear speed of a pedal powered car, and send the speed wirelessly to my laptop which will record the speed profile. My problem is that I can't find a sensor that will measure angular...
  28. J

    Correct method of measuring a pulse

    I am currently working a project to evaluate the power output of a single pulse through an air core transformer. Using a scope to measure the secondary output and I am confused on what voltage to use. Scope shows DC voltage, peak voltage, drop Voltage differntial of peak and drop voltage. Would...
  29. C

    Measuring CO2 pressure in a soda bottle

    Is it possible to test the CO2 pressure in a soda bottle as simple science project that can be done at home? What kind of apparatus is need? The original goal is to test if CO2 pressure changes at different temperatures. It would be helpful if anybody had any suggestions on how to go about...
  30. S

    Measuring cross-sectional area of a cable

    How do we measure cross-sectional area of a cable (obviously circular)? For example, diameter of a cable as measured from vernier caliper was 19.5 mm. If we apply A = pi(3.14) r2, answer is 298.49 mm square but tag on said cable is showing Area = 10mm square? Please explain.
  31. U

    Measuring thickness of adhesive layer without damaging it

    I need to come up with parameters that will affect adhesive bond strength; tensile strength, shear modulus, yield strength, hardness. (The adhesive is UV-curable) So far I have come up with 3 parameters - thickness, duration of expoure to UV-light and property. I am intending to plot a...
  32. H

    Discover the True Magnification of Your Magnifying Glass: A Complete Guide

    How to Measure magnification How can I see how strong a magnifying glass is? I hear a lot of people talk about magnifying and how strong the magnification is, but I would like to know the true magnification of my magnifying glass. I have a few of them and some seem stronger then...
  33. M

    Measuring the spin of a Higgs Boson.

    Premature, I am well aware. However, I was given an assignment to write an experimental procedure for measuring the spin of the Higgs Boson. I've already finished the paper so this isn't homework, but I am curious as to the motivations of my Professor. It is my understanding that the Higgs...
  34. H

    Discovering the True Magnification of Your Magnifying Glass: Tips and Tricks

    How to Measure magnification How can I see how strong a magnifying glass is? I hear a lot of people talk about magnifying and how strong the magnification is, but I would like to know the true magnification of my magnifying glass. I have a few of them and some seem stronger then...
  35. E

    Wouldn't the Geiger Counter be considered a measuring device in SC?

    I think I am missing something in Schrodinger's Cat... Wouldn't the Geiger Counter cause the wave function of the decay to collapse because the Geiger Counter is interfering with the wave function? Would the Geiger Counter end the superposition of the particle? Does the problem lie with what the...
  36. P

    Measuring device used for a stressed crystal microphone

    Homework Statement Choose an instrument to measure the output from the crystal, when measuring variations in stress. The maximum voltage from the crystal is 200mV. current in circuit is 2 x 10-8 A, p.d is 4 x 10-15 full scale deflection, sensitivty...
  37. S

    Measuring E and f in Product Space of Borel Measures

    Show that if E is a Borel measurable subset of R, then {(x,y)| x-y is in E} is also measurable in the product space of Borel measures... Also, if f is a measurable function, show that F(x,y)=f(x-y) is also measurable..
  38. M

    Lab work: measuring Kerr effect

    Homework Statement the main idea is this i have an 'Alternate current' I which i know the intensity I have also 2 Helmholtz plates of radius 'R' separated by a distance 'R' (the separation between plates is equal to their radius ) then by magnetic induction the alternate current 'I' we...
  39. S

    Pressure measuring device sensitivity

    Homework Statement An inclined tube reservoir manometer is constructed as shown in the figure. Analyze the manometer to obtain a general expression for the liquid deflection L in the inclined tube in terms of the applied pressure difference \Delta p. Also obtain a general expression for the...
  40. N

    Direct Position Measurement on a Microscopic Scale with Twin Photons

    Can anybody provide an example of a device capable of "directly" measuring position relative to some origin on a microscopic scale? By microscopic I mean on the scale that QM is important.
  41. S

    Measuring the gas temperature inside a vessel on the outside of the vessel

    Hello, I got a pratical problem; I want to know the gas temperature of SF6 gas inside a vessel. I can't insert a temperature probe to measure the temp. What i can do is clamp a temp. probe to the ouside of the vessel. Does this gives me a realistic reading, bare in mind the wetter...
  42. J

    Diffusion of laser light for measuring laser power

    Hi, I've decided to make my own meter for measuring laser power to around 10% accuracy if possible. Optical power meters are way too expensive for me though. One building block I've decided to use is a phototransistor, because I've found one which has very good linear response - when measuring...
  43. J

    Measuring laser output with Lux meter

    Hiya, Question 1: (Main question) I bought a lux meter while understanding very little about how light is measured. I'm hoping to measure the output of a laser in mW. I assume it's possible to do this at least to an accuracy of about 10-20% which is all I need? If so, please could someone help...
  44. N

    Measuring Position: A Microscopic Being's Perspective

    How would an imaginary microscopic being measure distance or more precisely measure its position in some spatial coordinate system?
  45. pellis

    Measuring angular momentum in atomic systems

    Perhaps rather an elementary question, but I can't find a clear answer in my textbooks: Would I be right in thinking that we never actually measure directly the angular momentum of atomic systems, but rather: using the results of QM calculations about structure, and knowledge of the selection...
  46. K

    TOOLS? For measuring surface friction?

    TOOLS? For measuring surface friction? Are there any good tools out there for measuring the friction of a surface such as a road or ice or other surfaces?
  47. R

    Measuring Instantaneous speed

    Homework Statement Describe how you would use a mask, light gate and motion computer to measure the instantaneous speed of the trolley at the bottom of the slope. (specify what the computer measures, what it calculates and what has to be programmed into its memory. (3 Marks)...
  48. O

    Measuring curvature with parallel transport

    Parallel transport, as one means of quantifying the curvature of a coordinate space, enables changes in a vector's components, when it is carried around variously oriented loops in that space, to be properly measured, i.e. by comparisons made at the same location. Those changes which are...
  49. S

    Measuring Force: A Quick Guide

    Can you measure a force?
  50. B

    Measuring the concentration of dye

    I was wondering if someone could help me understand how to measure different concentrations of dye in water. My experiment is to test out different concentrations of dye, that will be able to change the color of a flower. I didnt want to use the simple way of putting 1 drop, 2 drop, etc...in...
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