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IAS Physics - Study Note 11 - Measurements

This document discusses different tools used to measure length: meter rulers, measuring tapes, vernier callipers, and micrometers. It explains that meter rulers can measure lengths up to 1m with 1mm resolution, while measuring tapes are used for lengths over 1m. Vernier callipers can measure internal, external, and depth lengths with 0.1mm resolution by reading the main and vernier scales. Micrometers can accurately measure external lengths with 0.01mm resolution using a main scale and circular secondary scale. Both vernier callipers and micrometers may have a zero error if their scales do not align at the closed position.

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29 views

IAS Physics - Study Note 11 - Measurements

This document discusses different tools used to measure length: meter rulers, measuring tapes, vernier callipers, and micrometers. It explains that meter rulers can measure lengths up to 1m with 1mm resolution, while measuring tapes are used for lengths over 1m. Vernier callipers can measure internal, external, and depth lengths with 0.1mm resolution by reading the main and vernier scales. Micrometers can accurately measure external lengths with 0.01mm resolution using a main scale and circular secondary scale. Both vernier callipers and micrometers may have a zero error if their scales do not align at the closed position.

Uploaded by

thriyampakan dhivyakrishnan
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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IAS– Unit 03 - Practical Skills in Physics I Page 1 of 4

Study Note 10: Measurements

 Length Measurement
Meter Rule
A length measurement of 1m or less than 1m
can be measured by using Meter ruler.
When a length measurement is taken using a
ruler, parallax errors occur. It an error, that
occurred due to the gap between the scale
and the measuring point. The parallax error
can be reduced by keeping the eye level
with the point and then taking the reading
from the scale. The resolution is 1mm
* Any length measurement greater than 1m should be measured by using a measuring tape.

Vernier calliper

To measure a small length measurement


accurately, a vernier calliper can be used. It can
be used to measure internal measurements by
using inside jaws, external measurements by
using outside jaws and depth measurements by
using depth bar. The resolution is 0.1mm. The
final reading is obtained by using Main Scale
reading and Vernier Scale reading as given
below.

𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 = 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 + (𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 × 𝟎. 𝟏𝒎𝒎)

Main scale reading: It is the main scale length from main scale zero division to vernier scale
zero division.
Vernier scale reading: It is the number of vernier divisions from vernier scale zero division
to the vernier division coincides with the main scale.

When the jaws are in contact, the reading of the vernier calliper should be zero. It means
the main scale zero division coincides with the vernier scale zero division. If not, the vernier
calliper has a zero error.
IAS– Unit 03 - Practical Skills in Physics I Page 2 of 4

Micrometre

A Micrometre can be used to measure external


length measurements accurately. The object should
be fixed between anvil and spindle. By rotating the
thimble, the spindle can be moved towards and
away from the anvil. It consists of main scale and a
circular scale. The resolution is 0.01mm. A
measurement can be taken by using the main scale
and the circular scale as given below.

𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 + (𝐶𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 × 0.01𝑚𝑚)

Main scale reading: It is the length of the main scale from main scale zero division to the
edge of the circular scale.
 The main scale consists of 0.5mm divisions.
Circular scale reading: It is the circular scale division coincides with the horizontal line in the
main scale.

Zero error of the micrometre

When the anvil and spindle are


in contact, the reading of the
micrometre is zero. It means the
main scale zero division is
coincide with the circular scale
zero division. If not, the
micrometre has a zero error.

01. The width of a wooden block is measured using vernier callipers.

What is the width of the block?

A 3.5 mm B 5.3 mm C 8.0 mm D 8.5 mm


IAS– Unit 03 - Practical Skills in Physics I Page 3 of 4
02. The diagram shows part of a vernier scale.

What is the correct reading?


A 30.5 mm
B 33.5 mm
C 38.0 mm
D 42.5 mm

03. What is the reading on this micrometre?

A 5.43 mm B 6.63 mm
C 7.30 mm D 8.13 mm

04. The diagram shows a micrometre scale.

Which reading is shown?

A 5.64 mm B 7.14 mm
C 7.16 mm D 7.64mm

05
IAS– Unit 03 - Practical Skills in Physics I Page 4 of 4

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