The Vernier and Micrometer Calipers

Marquez, Flutz ; Michaelis, Kristina ; Nalangan, Dianne ; Ocampo, Athena ; Ogot, Charisse
Group No. 6: 2JPH
Kalaw, Justine & Mesias, Justin

Introduction component method. In a way, when using the

The precision and accuracy of measurement Graphical method in vector and scalar quantities,
may be obtained by using a device that uses a sliding accurate measurements from the ruler and protractor
vernier scale. Two instruments such as, vernier and are needed in order to arrive with an accurate and
micrometer calipers are widely used in the laboratory precise answer, just like what is done with the Vernier
to measure lengths of objects. Vernier principle states and Micrometer Calipers respectively.
that vernier scale of a measuring device is used to
measure the fractional part of the main scale. The Results and Discussion
Vernier Caliper is a device that can be used to Using the vernier caliper we measured a
measure internal and external distances while the metal cube made up of copper which weigh 133.7
micrometer is a measuring instrument incorporating a grams with a length of 25.2 millimeter which is
calibrated screw used widely for precise converted to centimeter obtaining 2.52 centimeters.
measurement of small distance. By using these two To get its volume, the length in centimeter is cubed to
devices random and systematic error may occur in get 16.00 cubic centimeter. By getting the density of
the experiment. Our main objective for this the metal cube, we computed the experimental value
experiment is to know how these two devices can with the formula of grams divided by the volume of
measure with precision and accuracy with errors like the object obtaining 8.36 grams per cubic centimeter.
systematic and random may occur and to know how The standard density of the object is 8.9 grams per
to measure the least count of every device. cubic centimeter. By the experimental and the
standard value, we can get the percentage error of the
Theory object by subtracting the standard value and the
Physics is defined in the Merriam-Webster experimental value divided to standard value of the
dictionary as a science that deals with matter and object which obtain a 6.06% percentage error.
energy and the way they act on each other in heat, Another object that was measured was a steel washer
light, electricity and sound or in other words weighing 6.2 grams. We also measure the outer and
knowledge of nature. In relation to the topic, inner diameter, the outer and the inner radius density
tackling the Vernier Caliper and Micrometer; it is of the object obtaining a percentage error of 4.2%.
evident that these tools were made to measure small
solids with accuracy and precision. Given those Using the micrometer caliper, we measured
measurements, the density may be determined using also a metal cube made up of copper weighing
the volume computations and given theoretical 133.79 grams. Measuring its length, mass and
density of such given solids. Furthermore be density, the experimental value is 8.56 grams per
compared to what is already said to be the theoretical cubic centimeter and the standard value of the
density to the experimental density. In relation to material which is copper is 8.9 grams per cubic
centimeter obtaining a percentage error of 3.82%. A
physics, since what is being done with the Vernier
marble made of glass is also measured by the use of
Caliper and Micrometer Caliper is handling the micrometer caliper weighing 5.3 grams. The
measurements, there is an evident relation of experimental value is 2.38 grams per cubic
measurements to the Scalar and Vector quantities centimeter subtracted from its standard value which
tackled in physics. Scalar and Vector quantities is 1.6 grams per cubic centimeter divided with the
require precision and accuracy when it comes to standard value obtaining the percentage error off
component method and especially graphical method 8.46%.
since exact measurements are being dealt with in
order to get an accurate answer similar to the
 Using Micrometer Caliper
The percentage error between the vernier Metal Cube
and micrometer caliper is different being the Material Copper cube
micrometer caliper getting the higher one because of
the least count of every measuring instrument. The Mass (g) 183.79 g
least count is equals to the least count of the main Length (mm) 25.31 mm
Length (cm) 2.5 cm
Using Vernier Caliper 3
Volume (cm ) 15.63 cm3
Metal Cube 3
Density (g/cm )
Material Copper
Experimental 8.56 g/cm3
Mass (g) 133.7 g
Standard 8.9 g/cm3
Length (mm) 25.2 mm
Percentage error (%) 3.82%
Length (cm) 2.52 cm
3 Marble
Volume (cm ) 16.00 cm3
3 Material Glass
Density (g/cm )
Mass (g) 5.3 g
Experimental 8.36 g/cm3
Diameter (mm) 16.16 mm
Standard 8.9 g/cm3
Diameter (cm) 1.62 cm
Percentage error (%) 6.0%
Radius (cm) 0.81 cm
Washer
Volume (cm3) 2.23 cm3
Material Steel
Density (g/cm3)
Mass (g) 6.2 g
Experimental 2.38 g/cm3
Outer diameter (mm) 28.55 mm
Standard 2.6 g/cm3
Outer diameter (cm) 2.855 cm
Percentage error (%) 8.46%
Outer radius (cm) 1.43 cm
Inner diameter (mm) 10.50 mm devices since the tools are very delicate. The vernier
caliper is a ruler like tool used to measure small
Inner diameter (cm) 1.05 cm
solids with precision. On the other hand, the
Inner radius (cm) 0.525 cm
micrometer is a smaller tool used to measure smaller
Thickness/Height 1.5 mm
objects with both accuracy and precision since it is
(mm)
able to measure up to the thousandths digit but more
Thickness/Height (cm) 0.15 cm
exact than the vernier caliper. One foul mistake and
Volume (cm3) 0.83 cm3 the device would become defective. Although some
Density (g/cm3) of the readings were off when it came to the
Experimental 7.47 g/cm3 measurement of some of the solids, the group was
Standard 7.8 g/cm3 still able to perform well with the other solids and got
Percentage error (%) 4.2% the correct measurements for the other solids leading
scale divided by the division of the vernier scale. The to a small percent error when it came to the density.
experiment may have encounter systematic error by The group successfully found the experimental
measuring the objects but the experiment went well. density of the given solids with minimal percentage
We can also say that the micrometer caliper gives
error to the theoretical density of those solids. The
more accurate measurements compared to vernier
caliper. group therefore concludes that the objectives were
Table 1: Results using the vernier caliper attained knowing that the group was able to perform
and finish the assigned tasks with minimal error in
the results.
Table 2: Results using the micrometer caliper To save time in the computation part of the
experiment, the group recommends that mm must not
Conclusions and Recommendations be converted to cm because it can consume some
When measuring a very small solid, it is time and it can cause confusion to students. The
wise to use the vernier caliper and the micrometer. In Vernier caliper and Micrometer caliper is read on a
addition, the student must be cautious in using the very small scale, which is difficult to read. We
recommend the use of a magnifying glass to help the 4. Determine the percentage error for an observed
students read the measurements more accurately. value of 1.112 x 10-5 if the standard value is 1.117
x10-5.
Post-lab Questions
standardexperimental
error = 100
1. Differentiate the Vernier and micrometer scales standard
The Vernier and Micrometer (Micrometer screw
gauges) scales are both used to measure distances too 1.117 x 1051.112 x 105
small to be measured using a metre rule with a least error =
1.117 x 105
count of 1 mm. The main difference between vernier
caliper and micrometer is that the vernier caliper uses
error =4.476 x 1013
two sliding scales with different spacings between
markings on each scale while a micrometer makes
use of a screw to translate small distances moved by
References
its jaws to larger distances along the marked scale.
The Vernier & Micrometer. (n.d.).
Retrieved February 07, 2017, from
2. Draw the figure for micrometer readings below:
(1)http://physics.sierracollege.edu/People/dcalabrese/
a. 3.68 mm
P2A/Physics 2A Labs/VernierMicrometer.pdf

Physics. (n.d.). Retrieved February 07, 2017, from

(2)http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/physics
(3)Phttp://www.phy.uct.ac.za/courses/phylab1/vernier

b. 1.59 mm

3.State some of the errors that one might make in

measuring length using both the Vernier and the
micrometer calipers.
Random errors- caused by unknown and
unpredictable changes in the experiment. The error
may due to the measuring environment or
environmental conditions.
Systematic errors- usually come from the measuring
instruments.