Additional Assignment # Length Measuring Instruments

Vernier Calliper
It has three parts
(a) Main scale: It consists of a steel metallic strip M, graduated in cm and mm
at one edge. It carries two fixed jaws A and C as shown.
(b) Vernier Scale: Vernier scale V slides on metallic strip M. It can be fixed in
any position by screw S. The side of the Vernier scale which slide over the
mm side ahs three ten divisions over a length of 9mm. B and D are two
movable jaws that are fixed to it. When Vernier scale is pushed towards A
and C, then B touches A and straight side of C will touch straight side of D.
In this arrangement, the instrument is free from error, zeroes of Vernier
sacle will coincide with zeroes of Main scale. To measure the external
diameter of an object it is held between the jaws A and B, while the straight
edges C and D are used for measuring internal diameter of hollow object.
(c) Metallic Strip: There is thin metallic strip E attached to the back of M and
connected with Vernier scale. When jaws A an B touch each other, the edge
of E touches the edge of M. When the jaws A and B are separated E moves
outwards. This strip is used for measuring the depth of a vessel.

Zero error Zero correction in Vernier Calliper: There are two kind of zero error
in the calliper as shown.
(a) Positive Zero error: In fig (a) zero error is + 0.05 cm. The zero correction in
the same diagram is 0.05 cm
(b) Negative zero error: In fig (a) zero error is 0.05 cm. The zero correction in
the same diagram is + 0.05 cm

Assignment # 1
Q1. 25 Vernier scale divisions coincide with twenty four main scale division. If the
main scale division is half milli-meter, then the least count of the vernier is
(a) 0.02 cm (b) 0.002 cm (c) 0.002 mm (d) 0.001 cm
Q2. N-division on the main scale of a Vernier calliper coincides with N + 1 divisions
on the Vernier scale. If each divisions on the main scale is of a units, determine
the least count of the instrument. JEE 2003
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Q3. A Vernier calliper is so constructed that 49 divisions on main scale coincides
with 50 divisions on Vernier scale. Find its Vernier constant in cm if each main
scale divisions equals 1mm.
Q4. The mains scale of a spectrometer is divided into 720 divisions in all. If the
evrnier scale consist of 30 divisions, the least count of the instrument is: (given
that 30 divisions on vernier scale coincide with 29 main scale divisions.)
(a) 0.10
(b) 1
(c) 1
(d) 0.1
Q5. The vernier calliper has its main scale of 10cm equally divided into 200 equal
parts. Its vernier scale of 25 divisions coincides with 12mm on the main sacle. The
least count of the instrument is
(a) 0.020 cm
(b) 0.002 cm
(c) 0.010 cm
(d) 0.001 cm
Q6. The vernier of a circular scale is divided into 30 divisions which coincides
against 29 main scale divisions. Each main scale divisions is 1/20. The least count
of the instrument is
(a) 30
(b) 10
(c) 1
(d) 0.1
Q7. In a vernier calliper, 10 smallest divisions of the evrnier scale are equal to nine
samalest divisions on main scale. If the smallest divisions on main scale is half
millimeter, then the vernier constant is
(a) 0.5mm
(b) 0.1mm
(c) 0.05mm
(d) 0.005mm
Q8. One centimeter on the main scale of vernier scale of vernier calliper is divided
into ten equal parts. If 10 divisons of vernier scale coincides with 8 small divisions
of the main scale, the least count of the calliper is
(a) 0.005 cm
(b) 0.05 cm
(c) 0.02 cm
(d) 0.01 cm
Q9. A vernier calliper has 20 divisions on the vernier scale, which coincide with 19
on the main scale. The least count of the instrument is 0.1 mm. The main scale
divisions are of
(a) 0.5 mm
(b) 1 mm
(c) 2 mm
(d) 0.25 mm
Q10. N divisions on vernier scale coincides with (N 1) main scale divisions on
main scale. What is the least count of the instrument if the length of one main
scale division is 1mm?
(a) 10N cm
(b) N cm

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(c) 1/10N cm
(d) 1/100N cm
Q11. The smallest division on main scale of a Vernier calliper is 1mm and 10
Vernier divisions coincides with 9 scale divisions. While measuring the length of
line, the zero mark of the Vernier scale lies between 10.2 cm and 10.3 cm and the
third division of Vernier scale coincides with a main scale division.
(a) Determine the least count of the Vernier calliper
(b) Find the length of the line.
Q12. Least count of a Vernier calliper is 0.01cm. when the two jaws of the
instrument touch each other the 5th division of the Vernier scale coincides with a
main scale division and the zero the main scale lies to the left of the zero of main
scale. Furthermore while measuring the diameter of the sphere, the zero mark of
the Vernier scale lies between 2.4 cm and 2.5 cm and the 6th Vernier division
coincides with main scale division. Calculate the diameter of the sphere.
Q13. In the diagram shown in the figure, find the magnitude and nature of zero
error.

Q14. A Vernier calliper is so constructed that 49 divisions on main scale coincides

with 50 divisions on Vernier scale. Find its Vernier constant in cm if each main
scale divisions equals 1mm.
Principle of Micrometer screw
The least count of Vernier Callipers ordinarily available in the laboratory is
0.01cm. When the length are to be measured with greater accuracy, say upto
0.001cm, screw gauge and spherometer are used on the principle of micrometer
screw discussed below.
If an accurately cut single threaded screw is rotated in a closely fitted nut, the in
addition to the circular motion of the screw, there is linear motion of the screw
head in the forward and backward direction, along the axis of the screw.
The linear distance moved by the screw, when it is given one complete rotation is
called pitch of the screw. This is also equal to the distance between the threads of
the screw. In most of the cases it is either 1mm or 0.5 mm.

A circular cap is fitted at one end of the screw and the circumference is equally
divided into 100 or 50 equal divisions.
The least count (L.C.) is defined as the pitch of the screw per unit number of
circular divisions on the circular scale. Thus;
Pitch
L.C. =
Number of circular scale division
Screw Gauge also works on the above principle. A screw gauge is as shown:
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It consists of a U-shaped metal frame M. At one end N of M carries a cylindrical

hub H. It is graduated in millimetres and half-millimeters depending on the pitch
of the screw. This scale is called linear scale or pitch scale.
Zero error Zero correction in Screw Gauge: There are two kind of zero error in
the device as shown.
(c) Positive Zero error: In fig (a) zero error is + 0.05 cm. The zero correction in
the same diagram is 0.05 cm
(d) Negative zero error: In fig (a) zero error is 0.05 cm. The zero correction in
the same diagram is + 0.05 cm

Back Lash Error: When the sense of rotation of the screw is suddenly changed,
the screw head may rotate, but the screw itself may not move forward or
backwards. Thus, the scale reading may change even by the actual movement of
the screw. This is known as back lash error. This error is due to
Loose fitting of the screw.
Due to wear and tear of threading due to prolonged use of screw.
To reduce this error; the screw should always be rotated in the same direction for
the particular set of observations.
Assignment # 2
Q1. The pitch of screw gauge is 0.5mm. Its head scale constains 50 divisions. The
least count of the screw gauge is
(a) 0.001 mm
(b) 0.01 mm
(c) 0.02 mm
(d) 0.025 mm
Q2. The pitch of a screw gauge is 1mm and there are 100 divisions on the circular
scale. When faces A and B are touching each other without anything in between,
the studs 32nd division of the circular scale coincides with the reference line. When
a glass plate is placed between the studs, the linear scale reaches 4 divisions and
the circular scale reads 16 divisions. Find the thickness of the glass plate. Zero of
the linear scale is not hidden from circular scale when A and B touches each other.
Q3. The pitch of the screw gauge is 1mm and there are 100 divisions on the
circular scale. In measuring the diameter of the sphere there are six divisions on

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the linear scale and forty division on the circular scale coincides with the reference
line. Find the diameter of the sphere.
Q4. The pitch of a screw gauge is 1mm and there are 100 divisions on the circular
side. When nothing is put between the jaws, the zero of the circular scale lies 6
divisions below the reference line. When a wire is placed between the jaws, 2 linear
scale divisions are clearly visible while 62 division on circular scale coincides with
the reference line. Determine the diameter of the wire.
Q4. The circular scale of a screw gauge has 50 divisions and pitch of 0.5 mm. Find
the diameter of sphere. Main scale divisions is 2. First figure is without wire in the
jaws.

(a) 1.2
(b) 1.25
(c) 2.20
(d) 2.25 IIT 2006
Q5. Which of the following is the most precise device for measuring length?
(a) A Vernier calliper with 20 divisions on the sliding scale.
(b) An optical instrument that can measure length to within a wavelength of
light.
(c) A screw gauge of pitch 1mm and 100 divisions on the circular scale.
(d) All of the above are equally precise.
Spherometer
A Spherometer is an instrument for measuring the
curvature of a surface. For example, it can be used to
measure the thickness of a microscope slide or the
depth of depression in a slide. Even the curvature of
a ball can be measured using a Spherometer.
The Spherometer consists of a micrometer screw
threaded into a small tripod with a vertical scale
fastened to it. The head of the screw has a graduated
disk used to measure fractional turns of the screw.
The vertical scale is used to measure the height or
depth of the curvature of the surface.
The vertical scale divisions are on 1 mm, which is
the pitch of the threads of the screw. The head of the
screw is graduated into 100 divisions.
The spherometer also works on the concept of screw. Hence its least count is
given by
The least count (L.C.) is defined as the pitch of the screw per unit number of
circular divisions on the circular scale. Thus;
Pitch
L.C. =
Number of circular scale division
The formula for calculating radius of curvature with a spherometer is
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L2 h
R= +
6h 2
Where; L = average distanc between two legs of spherometer
h = saggitta
Assignment # 3
Q1. A spherometer has 250 equal divisions marked along the periphery of its disc
and one full rotation of the disc advances on the main scale by 0.0625 cm. The
least count of system is
(a) 2.5 x 10 4 cm.
(b) 2.5 x 10 3 cm.
(c) 2.5 x 10 2 cm.
(d) None of these
Q2. The spherometer has a least count of 0.005 mm and its head scale is divided
into 200 equal divisions. The distance between consecutive threads on the
spherometer screw is
(a) 0.005 mm
(b) 1.0 mm
(c) 1.0 cm
(d) 0.0025 mm
Q3. To measure radius of curvature with a spherometer, we use the formula
L2 h
(a) R = +
h 2
L2 h
(b) R = +
6h 2
L2 h
(c) R = +
6 2
2L2 6
(d) R = +
h L

End of Assignment

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