DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Chemical Engineering Department

Engineering Thermodynamics Laboratory

Final Laboratory Report

Experiment # 4
Calibration and Use of a Polar Planimeter

Group Name N3P Section EA1

NAME SIGNATURE Criteria Score

1. Cellona, Kimberley B. Content (50%)
2. Dar, Lloyd Ross M. Presentation (25%)

3. Javier, Mona Lyndsay C. Relevance (25%)

4. Lopez, Maristela Ann F. Total (100%)

5. Soriano, Elijah Jeremie D. Percentage Equivalent

5 June 2018 19 June 2018

Date of performance Date of Submission

Dr. Lawrence P. Belo

Instructor
Engineering Thermodynamics Laboratory

Calibration and Use of a Polar Planimeter

Kimberley B. Cellona, Lloyd Ross M. Dar, Mona Lyndsay C. Javier,
Maristela Ann F. Lopez, Elijah Jeremie D. Soriano
Department of Chemical Engineering, Gokongwei College of Engineering, De La Salle University,
2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004, Philippines

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

AY 2017–2018 | Term 3 Getting the area of an irregularly shaped object is very common in the field of
LBYCHED EA1
engineering. To avoid tedious ways of measurement, another method could be used –
Final Laboratory Report
Experiment # 4 the use of a polar planimeter. In this experiment, the students calibrate and use a
Date Performed: June 5, 2018 polar planimeter to determine the area of both regular figures such as the square,
Date Submitted: June 19, 2018 rectangle, circle, and triangle, and irregular figures Lot A and Lot C. The
measurements are then compared to the theoretical area of the surfaces. The
Keywords
polar planimeter, Green's theorem, percentage errors for the circles with diameters 2cm, 4cm, 6cm, 10cm, and 12cm are
morphometry, calibration 9.800%, 0.822%, 1.049%, 0.2046%, and 5.187% respectively. For the square,
rectangle, and triangle given, the percentage errors are 0.500%, 0.111%, and
1.096% respectively. Moreover, the percentage error for Lot A is 0.492%, while the
percentage error for Lot C is 0.256%. From these results, it can be concluded that
the use of a polar planimeter in measuring surface area is an accurate way of
measurement, for it will produce a low percentage error.

I. INTRODUCTION The area measured by a planimeter Is based on

Green’s Theorem in multi-variable calculus. According to
Planimeters are versatile mechanical drafting devices Wheatley (1903), the general equation of the polar
used in the measurement or determination of the area of a planimeter is as follows:
graphically represented region, whether regular or
irregular. Two types of planimeters include the Polar A = crt (1)
planimeter and the Linear planimeter. The main parts of
both types are the same, each containing a rod (tracer where A is the area of the figure traced, c is the
arm), tracing point (on one end of the tracer arm), and a circumference of the wheel, r is the number of
wheel attached whose axis is parallel to the rod. A scale revolutions of the wheel in tracing, and t is the length of
attached to the wheel records the turns of the wheel. The the tracer arm (distance between pivot and tracer) [9].
difference in the two types is the movement of the end of
the tracer arm opposite the tracing point. The Linear Planimeters have a wide range of applications in
planimeter is restricted to move along a straight line, medicine, biology, agriculture, and engineering. In
while the Polar planimeter is restricted to move along a engineering, planimeters may be used in the
circle. measurement of profiles, P-V diagrams from power
engines, land area, and so forth.
As the tracer point of a planimeter moves, the wheel
partially rolls and slides on the paper, recording the In this experiment, the objectives are to be familiar
motion perpendicular to the tracer arm. Once the tracing with the use and principles of a polar planimeter and to
point returns to the origin, the net roll of the wheel is calibrate a polar planimeter.
proportional to the area of the region, and this area can be II. METHODOLGY
read from an attached scale. 2.1 Equipment
The materials used for this experiment were the
[1]
 following: digital polar planimeter, cross-section
papers, pre-drawn figures, and masking tape. Table 3. Data for drawing Lot C.
AUTOCAD was also used to draw lots A & B and Reference
Direction Distance (m)
determine their corresponding areas. Points
1 to 2 N 59o 04’ W 12.69
2 to 3 N 29o 15’ E 12.17
3 to 4 S 59o 04’ E 4.00
4 to 5 N 40o 49’ E 6.68
5 to 6 S 59o 12’ E 5.00
6 to 1 S 40o 49’ W 12.00

The following formulas were used to calculate the

areas of the circle, square, rectangle, and triangle,
respectively. Areas for lots A & C were calculated
through AUTOCAD to be 69.79cm2 and 46.88cm2
(using 1cm:2m scale), respectively.

A=π r 2 (2)
where r = radius
Figure 1. Digital polar planimeter [8]
A=s 2 (3)
where s = side length
2.2 Experimental Procedure
The planimeter was turned on and the unit was set to
A=bh (4)
where b = base and h = height
cm2. The following figures were prepared in
3 (5)
paper/board and were carefully traced in a clockwise A= √ s
direction using the planimeter: circles with 2 cm, 4 4
cm, 6 cm, 10 cm, and 12 cm diameters; 10 cm x 10 where s = side length
cm square, 10 cm x 12 cm rectangle, 14 cm
equilateral triangle, and two lots A & C with the
coordinates given below. For each figure, three trials III. RESULTS & DISCUSSION
were done, recording the planimeter reading after
The polar planimeter readings, listed in Table 4 in
every trial.
Appendix B, were observed to exhibit precision and
Table 1. Data for drawing regular figures. considerable accuracy with the percentage error of at
Figure Dimension most 9.8% for all regions. This signifies that the
Square 10 cm by 10 cm planimeter used was properly calibrated and is a suitable
Rectangle 10 cm by 12 cm device in measuring the area of enclosed regions. For
Circle 12 cm diameter Lots A and C the percentage error values are both less
Triangle 14 cm equilateral than 1%, and for the given figure, the error was also
minimal at 1.174%.
Table 2. Data for drawing Lot A.
Reference However, it can also be observed that the highest
Direction Distance (m)
Points percentage error in the experiment was obtained for the
1 to 2 S 64o 07’ E 12.69 smallest figure measured, the 2 cm diameter-circle. In
2 to 3 S 27o 23’ W 12.17
examining Table 4, it can be analyzed that the absolute
3 to 4 S 72o 23’ W 4.00
4 to 5 N 62o 38’ W 6.68 error obtained for this figure (A=3.14 cm 2, absolute
5 to 6 N 19o 42’ W 5.00 error=0.31 cm2) is nearly similar for the figure of nearly
6 to 7 N 29o 55’ W 20.00 9 times its area, the 6 cm diameter-circle (A=28.27cm 2,
7 to 8 S 64o 07’ E 5.32 absolute error=0.30 cm2), nonetheless the latter’s
8 to 1 S 64o 07’ E 12.00 percentage error is valued significantly lower at 1.049%.
Cruz, Dela Cruz, Francisco(your last names only) Dr. Lawrence P. Belo
[2]
Similarly, other larger figures exhibited larger differences and steadily trace the figure/s and avoid taking
from their theoretical areas yet have percentage errors the tracer off or away from the boundary of the
below 9.8%. This indicates, therefore, that the figure. (Cellona)
planimeter’s accuracy is also affected by the size of the (2) When using the planimeter, the pole arm must
area being measured, particularly in the case for very always be perpendicular with the figure and the
small regions. To further describe, as the percentage motion must be clockwise, in order to correctly
errors are determined relative to the theoretical area, measure its area. Similarly, having a faulty
absolute errors close to the theoretical area for smaller equipment often reads an area way bigger than
regions, despite being similar to those for larger regions, the actual one, making it difficult to accurately
will correspondingly lead to significant percentage errors determine the area (Dar).
due to the lack of range between the error and the (3) Even very little movements will change the
considered true value. On the other hand, minor absolute measurement (Javier).
errors in measurements for larger figures result to (4) Another factor that affected the values obtained
minimal percentage errors due to the significant from the polar planimeter was the way that the
difference between the absolute error and the theoretical measurement was conducted. It is important,
value. The errors in accuracy obtained in the experiment therefore, to observe the proper ways in
are mainly attributed to the human error inherent in the measuring such as securing the area of the region
method of tracing the boundary of the region by hand. being measured to prevent unnecessary
movements while tracing the region, tracing the
Given these, a calibration curve establishing the area in a clockwise manner, and focusing on
relationship between the theoretical area and the maintaining the tracing point on the boundary
planimeter reading is necessary in order to be able to line during the process (Lopez).
obtain the true area from a planimeter reading. Fig. 2 (5) The accuracy of the polar planimeter greatly
shows this below. depends on the steadiness of the hand of the user
(Soriano).

300 Polar Planimeter Parity Plot

Planimeter Reading (cm2)

250 f(x) = 1.01 x + 0.27 IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

R² = 1
200
The polar planimeter provides an accurate way of
150 measuring the area of regular and irregular surfaces as
100 shown by the relatively small percent errors obtained in
50 the experiment. These percent errors also show that the
planimeter used is not calibrated yet that is the reason
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 why the calibration equation was derived. The obtained
Theoretical Area (cm2) equation has a high r-square value of 0.9995 which
Figure 2. Calibration curve for Polar Planimeter Reading means that the equation obtained is reliable to calculate
the true area from the planimeter reading.
From the graph, a linear trendline is fitted for the data
points and is described by the equation above with a
The accuracy of the experiment relies upon two
positive slope. The coefficient of determination, highly
components, one is the natural factor and the other is
close to unity at 0.9995, indicates that the line fitted
human error. The working region can influence the
properly describes the relationship between the
precision of the trial esteem. On the off chance that the
planimeter reading and the theoretical area.
surface is not leveled with the roller in the planimeter.
Lastly, individual observations from the experiment Additionally, if the testing subject or the planimeter itself
are that: is not in great condition, outcomes will not be right. On
(1) In order to get accurate measurements in using the other hand, human factor also affects the accuracy of
the digital polar planimeter, one must carefully the experiment. A decent eye, steady hand, and tolerance
Cruz, Dela Cruz, Francisco(your last names only) Dr. Lawrence P. Belo
[3]
in tracing the area are critical in order to obtain good coordinates of the points [7].
results.
4. Will the planimeter work if the anchor point is
within the region being measured? Why and
V. ANSWERS TO GUIDE QUESTIONS why not?

1. Describe the zero circle of the planimeter. Generally, the anchor point is set outside the
figure, for a more convenient method of
The zero circle of the planimeter is the result of determining its area. However, the planimeter
a circular motion created by the tracer arm, will still function, even if the anchor point is
while having the pole inside the region's area inside the figure. As seen in Eqn. 6, an additive
[2]. The zero circle doesn't record any readings constant is placed whenever the anchor point is
since the wheels performs a linear or sliding inside the area [3]. Having said that, the
motion, which prevents it from rotating. Thus, traditional way of putting the anchor point
no measurements would be read [3]. This outside the figure is still preferred, since it
equipment error is not a function of the area avoids errors, such as not being able to
being measured, rather, from the dimensions of completely trace the outline or creating a zero
the planimeter [2]. circle.

2. What is morphometry? A=M (FR−IR+10 N +C) (6)

Morphometry is defined as the process of where A is the figure's area to be determined, M

determining the external form of any particular is the multiplier constant found in the
subject, for instance an object, a life form, or a table/manual, FR and IR are the final and initial
geographical land [4]. readings, respectively, N is the number of
occurrences that the dial's zero mark passes
3. What is the Cartometer method? through the index mark, and C is the additive
constant found in the table.
A cartometer is an easy way to measure the
distances laid out in a map, particularly the
measurement of shoreline lengths [5, 6].
Similarly, a cartometer can determine the area
through the series of points on the line. From
graphical data, this method creates numerical
information, and from that information, the
cartometer measures, reads, and records the

REFERENCES

[1] LBYCHED Manual [PDF Document]

Cruz, Dela Cruz, Francisco(your last names only) Dr. Lawrence P. Belo
[4]
 [2] Available online at http://www.hpmuseum.org/planim/guide.htm
[3] Chapter01 Introduction [PDF Document]
[4] Available online at https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/morphometry
[5] Kumar, A. (2006). Biotechniques of ecology. New Delhi: Discovery Publishing House.
[6] Florida LAKEWATCH. (2001, September). A beginner’s guide to water management – Lake morphometry.
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.
[7] Fialovszky, L. (1991). Surveying instruments and their operational principles. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science
Publishers.
[8] Available online at https://www.amazon.com/DIGITAL-PLANIMETER-ROLLER-TYPE-Drafting-
Engineering/dp/B004IMAQ2I
[9] Wheatley, J. Y. (1903). The polar planimeter and its use in engineering calculations: Together with tables,
diagrams and factors (1st ed.). New York: Keuffel & Esser Co.

Cruz, Dela Cruz, Francisco(your last names only) Dr. Lawrence P. Belo
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APPENDICES
A. Area measurements from AutoCAD

Fig 3. Digital drawing of Lot A with area measurement of 69.79 cm 2 (1cm:2m scale).

Fig 4. Digital drawing of Lot C with area measurement of 46.88cm 2 (1cm:2m scale).

B. Raw Data

Table 4. Calculated areas and polar planimeter readings for regular figures in the experiment.
Theoretica Polar Planimeter Reading (cm2)
Percentage
Figure l Area Trial 2 Trial 3
Trial 1 Average Error (%)
(cm2)
Circle
2 cm diameter 3.14 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.83 9.800
4 cm diameter 12.57 12.6 12.6 12.2 12.47 0.822
6 cm diameter 28.27 29.2 28.4 28.1 28.57 1.049
10 cm diameter 78.54 78.2 79.2 78.8 78.73 0.246
12 cm diameter 113.10 117.2 120.3 119.4 118.97 5.187
Square, 10x10 cm 100.00 99.8 100.2 98.5 99.50 0.500
Rectangle, 10x12cm 120.00 119.8 119.6 120.2 119.87 0.111
Triangle, 14cm equilateral 84.87 85.2 85.8 86.4 85.80 1.096
Given Figure 84.87 85.6 85.8 86.2 85.87 1.174

Table 5. Calculated areas and polar planimeter readings for irregular figures in the experiment.
Cruz, Dela Cruz, Francisco(your last names only) Dr. Lawrence P. Belo
[6]
 Scaled Theoretical Polar Planimeter Reading (m2) Percentage
Figure
Area (cm2) Area (m2) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average Error (%)
Lot A 69.79 279.16 281.6 285.2 274.8 280.53 0.4920
Lot C 46.88 187.52 188.4 185.2 190.4 188.0 0.2560

C. Sample Calculations

 Theoretical area for Lot A

2m 2 2m 2
Theoretical area=Scaled area × ( )
1cm
=69.79 c m 2 ×
1 cm ( )
=279.16 m 2

 Average reading for Lot A

Trial 1+ Trial 2+Trial 3 281.6+285.2+274.8 2
= m =280.53 m 2
3 3
 Percentage error for Lot A
|Theoretical Area− Average Planimeter Reading| |279.16−280.53|
×100= ×100=0.4920 %
Theoretical Area 279.16

D. Photos

Figure 5. Securing the drawings with masking tape prior to planimeter reading.

Figure 6. Using the polar planimeter.

Cruz, Dela Cruz, Francisco(your last names only) Dr. Lawrence P. Belo
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 Figure 7. The magnifier and anchor point of the planimeter.

Cruz, Dela Cruz, Francisco(your last names only) Dr. Lawrence P. Belo
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