Grade : 9

Measuring Length

Length, l/m, is how far one point is from another point or how long a body Length is a
is.
fundamental quantity and its basic unit is the metre. The metre is equal to the distance travelled by light
in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second.

The Micrometer Screw Gauge

Smallest Division: 0.01 mm

Range: 0 – 25 mm

Micrometers are the most commonly used

instrument for measuring small length because of
their high degree of precision. In reading the
micrometer, two readings are ta en:

a. the reading on the sleeve or shaft;

b. the reading on the thimble.

These two readings are combined to obtain the distance occupied between the jaws of the micrometer.
 Using a Micrometer

 Ensure that the reading is zero when the jaws are closed. If zero error is observed, read and
compensate for zero error.

 Place the object between the jaws of the micrometer and turn the ratchet until it clicks once. Do
not force the ratchet (or thimble) any further along. Close the locking device so that the jaws
remain stationary when reading the scales.

 Read firstly the value on the sleeve or shaft as the whole number and the value in line with the
mid-line as a decimal or fraction of a millimetre. (Take care to avoid parallax).

 Read the last visible division that can be seen on the sleeve/shaft and record.

 Take the reading on the thimble by observing where the mid-line from the sleeve cuts the
thimble. The line on the thimble in line (or closest in line) with this mid-line gives the reading.

V ery Important

There are two ranges of circular scales found on the thimble; 0.00 – 0.50 mm and 0.00 – 1.00 mm,
which starts and ends at zero. In the case that the graduation on the sleeve ranges from 0.00 – 1.00
mm, then you go straight ahead and read directly (See Example 1). However, for the micrometer screw
gauges with a range of 0.00 – 0.50 mm, a special addition has to be done (See Example 2). Note that
each graduation on the underside of the mid-line is 0.50 mm
NEWS

0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
0 0

95 45

90 40

Example 1: Sleeve Reading = 3.00 mm Example 2: Sleeve Reading = 3.50 mm

T himble Reading = 0.97 T himble Reading = 0.47 mm To t a l / F ina l R e ad i n g =3 . 9 7

mm -- - - - - - -- - -- -
mm
The Vernier Calliper

Smallest Division: 0.01 cm

Range: 0 – 12 cm

The vernier calliper is another instrument that is used to measure length. However, it is not as
precise as the micrometer screw gauge. It has two scales: the main scale and the vernier scale. The
internal jaws are used for internal lengths (diameters), while the external jaws are used to measure
external lengths The depth gauge is used to measure depth.
(circumferences).

Using a Vernier Calliper

 Ensure that the reading is zero when the jaws are closed. If zero error is observed, read
and compensate for zero error.

 Read the main scale so as to avoid parallax. Note the value of the line on the main scale.

 Look for the vernier division which coincides (in line) with the line on the main scale.

 Add the main scale reading to the vernier scale reading.

Example:
5 6

Main Scale Reading = 5.3 cm

V ernier Scale Reading = 0.04 cm Final Reading = 5.34 cm
0 5
0

The Rule (Metre)

Smallest Division: 1 mm

Range: 0 – 100 cm (0 – 1 m)

The rule is by far the most widely used instrument for measuring length. They come in many different
sizes; from the ones with small ranges (0 – 12 cm) that are found in geometry sets to th metre rule that is
essential for laboratory work.

Using a Rule (Metre)

 Look to see if there is a zero on the rule. If no zero error is identified, utilize the next major
marking
  Place the marking (or if it is a zero) at one end along the body to be measured and identify
and read off where the length of the body ends.

 If the rule did not start from zero and another major graduation was used, take away the
initial value from the final value (which is really the basis on which the measurement is
acquired).

Activity – Question

1. a) A rule was used to measure a piece of wood as shown in the figure below. What is the measurement
of the piece of (2 marks)
wood?
WOO D

0 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 cm
9 10
3

b) State the range of the rule. (2 marks)

Total = 4 marks