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UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE
PHYSE – PHYSICS FOR ENGINEERS

Name: _____________________________ Date Submitted: ___________________

Group Number: _____________________ Schedule:___________________

LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 2

PRECISION INSTRUMENTS

At the end of this experiment, the student should be able to:

TLO 1: Determine the least count of precision instruments and use them to measure objects.

INTRODUCTION

Precision instruments are essential tools in various fields of science, engineering,

and manufacturing, where accurate measurements are critical. These instruments are
capable of measuring distances with high precision.

The Vernier Caliper is a tool that allows for precise measurement of the dimensions
of an object. It consists of two jaws, one of which is stationary, while the other is movable.
The movable jaw is adjusted using a Vernier scale, which allows for accurate readings of
the object’s dimensions.

A micrometer is capable of measuring dimensions to within one-thousandth of an

inch, by using a calibrated screw mechanism to move the measuring jaws. To measure
radius of curvature of spherical surfaces, a spherometer is used.

Least Count (LC) refers to the smallest increment that a measuring instrument can
detect or display accurately. For a vernier caliper, the least count is equal to the smallest
division of the main scale divided by the number of divisions on the vernier scale, while
for a micrometer, the least count is calculated by dividing the smallest division on the
thimble by the number of divisions on the sleeve.

I. OBJECTIVES:
1. To determine the least count of precision instruments.
2. To be able to measure accurately the dimensions of an object using
precision instruments.

II. APPARATUS/MATERIALS NEEDED:

Vernier caliper metal cylinder
micrometer screw steel ball
spherometer plane glass plate
hand lens

III. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

A. THE VERNIER CALIPER
1. Examine carefully the caliper and take note of the smallest main scale division, S in
each system of measurement (English or FPS and Metric or CGS).
2. Find out the number of Vernier scale divisions, n. Divide S by n to obtain the least
count, LC of the caliper.
3. With the jaws of the caliper closed, determine the zero reading of the caliper. (The
zero error of a caliper means how far from an actual reading of zero the caliper
is when it is fully closed. Refer to the figure below:

Zero Reading, ZR = ± n x LC

METRIC FPS
Smallest Scale Division, S
Number of Vernier Divisions
LC
Zero Reading

4. Measure the length and diameter of the cylinder in the CGS and FPS units each
time subtracting the zero reading of the caliper (one student – one trial).
Final Reading = Main Scale Reading + (Vernier Scale Reading x LC) -ZR

Record as follows:
METRIC SYSTEM ENGLISH SYSTEM
TRIALS LENGTH DIAMETER TRIALS LENGTH DIAMETER
1 1
2 2
3 3
AVERAGE AVERAGE

5. Using the average dimensions, compute for the volume of the cylinder in the CGS
and FPS units and the percentage difference between the two measurement
systems. (Convert one of either of the two unit systems before computing for the
percentage difference.
Volume of cylinder = __________ cm3
Volume of cylinder = ___________ in3
Percentage Difference = ___________%
B. THE MICROMETER SCREW

1. Examine the micrometer screw carefully and find the pitch of the screw by
making one complete rotation of the thimble of the micrometer (starting from zero
mark). The pitch is the total distance travelled through one revolution.
2. With the micrometer closed, find the zero reading.
Zero Reading = ±Number of Thimble Divisions x LC
3. Record the data:
Smallest scale division, S
Number of thimble divisions , n
Pitch of screw,p
LC = p/n
Zero Reading

4. Position the steel ball between the anvil and spindle of the micrometer. Ensure that
the ball is positioned squarely between the measuring faces and is not tilted.
5. Slowly rotate the thimble using the ratchet stop until the spindle gently contacts
the ball being measured.
6. Note the number of whole millimeters indicated on the barrel scale, and then
record the number of divisions on the thimble scale. The total reading is the sum
of the millimeter reading and the thimble reading multiplied by the least count of
the instrument.
Final Reading = Main Scale Reading + (LC x Thimble Reading) -ZR

TRIAL Main Scale Thimble Final Reading

Reading Reading
1
2
3
AVERAGE

7. Compute for the volume of the steel ball.

VOLUME = _______________________cm3

C. THE SPHEROMETER
1. Place the spherometer on a flat surface, and adjust the leveling screws so that all
three legs make contact with the surface.
2. Determine the pitch of the instrument. (The pitch of a spherometer is the distance
covered by the circular disc in one complete rotation along the main scale.)
3. Compute for the LC. The LC is the pitch divided by the number of vernier divisions.
4. Place the spherometer on top of the glass plate and adjust the center screw by
rotating the Vernier until the center screw just touches the glass plate (check by
inserting a thin sheet of paper).
5. Determine the zero reading.
Smallest vernier scale division
Number of vernier divisions
Pitch of screw
LC
Zero Reading
6. Place a coin (preferably a 25 centavo coin) on top of the glass plate and adjust
the center screw until it just touches the coin.
7. Note the number of whole millimeters indicated on the central leg scale, and then
record the number of divisions indicated on the circular scale around the central
leg. The total reading is the sum of the millimeter reading and the circular reading
multiplied by the least count of the instrument. (PERFORM THREE TRIALS. Do not
forget to reset the micrometer every after a trial.)

TRIAL Vertical Reading Circular Reading TR-ZR

1
2
3
AVERAGE
*TR - Total Reading *ZR -Zero Reading

IV. QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS:

1. A vernier caliper has a least count of 0.01 inch. There are 25 divisions in its vernier.
Determine the length of the smallest scale division and sketch a diagram showing
a reading of 0.150 inch.
2. There are 40 divisions per inch on the main scale of a micrometer. There are 25
divisions in the vernier and the pitch of the screw is equal to one division of the
main scale. Find the least count and draw a diagram showing a reading of 0.205
inch.
3. In a spherometer, there are 100 divisions in the circular vernier and the smallest
vertical scale division is 1/16 inch. If two rotations of the vernier will cover one
vertical division, what is the least count in inches? In miles?