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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MAIN CAMPUS

General Physics 1
First Laboratory Activity
First Quarter

Comparing Measuring Devices

Accuracy vs Precision

Introduction

There are two common attachments that helps in reading accurately fractional part of a
scale division, these are the vernier caliper and micrometer caliper. Vernier caliper is an auxiliary
scale that slides along a main scale. It was invented by Pierre Vernier in the year 1631. The
graduations in the vernier are different from those of the main scale but still have a simple
relation with them. A caliper that is provided with a vernier scale is called a vernier caliper. The
parts of the vernier caliper are shown in Figure 1-1. The fixed scale or main scale is calibrated in
metric and English units. In this manual, we shall use the metric scale. The metric fixed scale is
divided into centimeters and millimeters, which are tenths of a centimeter. The vernier scale is
usually divided into ten equal parts, which measure 0.1 mm or 0.01 cm per division. Note though
that there are some vernier scale models that are divided into 20 parts. In this case, each division
measures 0.05 mm or 0.005 cm (least count).

Figure 1-1. Parts of a vernier caliper

To use the caliper, clamp the object that will be measured between the instrument’s jaws.
The small jaws are used to measure internal diameters. Read on the main scale the exact number
of centimeters and millimeters between the zero mark of the main scale and the zero mark of the
vernier scale. The hundredth place (or the thousandths place for the caliper models that have 20
vernier divisions) is determined by noting which division on the vernier scale coincides with a
division on the main scale.

Observed Reading = main scale reading + fractional reading

OR = MR + FR
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OR = MR + (VD x LC)

Where VD means vernier division coinciding with a mark in the main scale and
LC means least count.

The illustrated caliper below shows a reading of 1.16 cm.

Figure 1-2. Scales of a vernier caliper giving a reading of 1.16cm

A micrometer screw is just another device for measuring very small distances. This
instrument is made up of a screw that has a circular scale attached to it. It is used to know the
pitch of the screw, which is the distance the screw moves forward in one turn. A liner or
longitudinal scale enables one to record the number of turns, while the circular scale enables the
user to read the fraction of turns.
A micrometer caliper consists of a micrometer screw mounted on a strong frame. The
longitudinal scale is marked on the barrel upon which the screw rotates. The circular scale is
engraved in around the thimble which rotates with the screw and moves along the scale on the
barrel.
A common model of a micrometer caliper has the longitudinal scale graduated in
millimeters with a pitch of 0.5 mm, and its circular scale has 50 divisions. For every, revolution
of the thimble, the screw advances by half a millimeter. Since there are 50 divisions, in the
circular scale for every one revolution of the thimble, it follows that rotating the thimble through
one scale division will make the screw move by 1/50 of 0.5 mm or 0.01 mm. Hence, one division
of the circular scale is equivalent to 0.01 mm.

Figure 1-3. Parts of a micrometer caliper

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To use the micrometer caliper, put the object to be measured between the spindle (the end
of the screw) and the anvil (the projecting end of the frame). Most calipers are provided with the
ratchet knob that clicks as soon as the object is gently pressed between the spindle and the anvil.

To read the caliper, count the number of millimeters and half-millimeters from the
longitudinal scale’s zero mark to the edge of the thimble. Read the division on the circular scale
that is in line with the scale line of the longitudinal scale. Remember that one division of the
circular scale is equivalent to 0.01 mm. Therefore, you would need to multiply the reading on the
circular scale by 0.01 mm. After multiplying, add this figure to the reading on the longitudinal
scale.

Figure 1-4. Scales of a micrometer caliper giving a reading of 4/75 mm

Note that there are times when a vernier caliper and a micrometer caliper do not read zero
when the jaws or the anvil and spindle are completely closed. In such cases, this reading called
zero correction should be added to or subtracted from each measurement taken from these
calipers.

Zero correction for micrometer caliper

ZC = thimble reading (closed) x least count

Zero correction for vernier caliper

ZC = VDclosed x LC

Objectives
1. Use and compare different measuring devices
2. Exercise diligence in making and recording measurements
3. Compute the density of a sphere from its dimension and mass

Materials
Any solid sphere with known density
Digital or analog Weighing balance
Transparent foot ruler
Micrometer caliper
Vernier caliper
String
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MAIN CAMPUS

Estimated Time Frame

1 hour

Procedure

Determination of Density of Sphere.

1. Find out if the measuring devices have errors. If your calipers have errors, be sure to add
or subtract the discrepancy from your measurement.
2. Determine the least counts of your devices – the vernier caliper, the micrometer caliper,
and the foot ruler. Record your data in table 1-1.
3. Ask each member of the group to make an independent measurement for the diameter of
the sphere using the foot rule. This can be done by encircling the sphere with a string then
measuring the length of the string. The length of the string is a measure of the
circumference of the sphere. Compute for the diameter by dividing the circumference by
π. Note that
Circumference = πd.

4. Calculate the mean diameter of the sphere.

5. Compute for the volume of the sphere. Use the significant figures.
��3
�=
6
where d is the diameter

6. Weigh the sphere using the electronic gram balance.

7. Calculate the density of the sphere from the values obtained in steps 5 and 6.
����
������� =
������

8. Ask your teacher for the accepted value of the density of the sphere. Compute the percent
error.
9. Repeat steps 3 through 8 using the vernier caliper and the micrometer caliper. This time,
the diameter of the sphere can be measured directly by the calipers.
10. Write all your data in table 1-2.
 Liceo de Cagayan University
RNP BLVD., Kauswagan Road, Cagayan de Oro City
Tel. No. (8822)722244 (08822) 8584093 to 95 local 216
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MAIN CAMPUS

Full name: ___________________________

Group No.: ___________________________
Section: ______________________________
Date Performed/Date Submission: ________________________
Rating: ________________________

Comparing Measuring Devices

Accuracy vs Precision

Table 1-1
Least Count
Measuring Device Least Count

Table 1-2
Measurements of Diameter of the Sphere

Diameter of Sphere (cm)

Trials Foot Ruler Vernier Caliper Micrometer Caliper
1
2
3
4
5
Mean Diameter
Volume (cm3)
Mass (g)
Experimental value
of density (g/ cm3)
Accepted value of
density (g/ cm3)
% Error

Computations
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Tel. No. (8822)722244 (08822) 8584093 to 95 local 216
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MAIN CAMPUS

Conclusion

Post-laboratory Questions

1. Can the accuracy with which scale is read be increased by dividing the scale more
and more finely?

2. Sketch (a) a vernier caliper that reads 3.36 cm and (b) a micrometer caliper that reads
4.02 mm

References
Books/Manual
1. Silverio, A. & Bernas-De Castro, G. (2012). Physics Laboratory Manual: Exploring Life
Through Science. Second Edition. Phoenix Publishing House. pp. 5-10
Images
1. Parts of a vernier caliper
https://yaletools.com/components-of-the-caliper/

2. Parts of a micrometer caliper

https://www.mechanicalmeasuring.com/micrometer-parts-main-function/