To measure the diameter of a given wire using a screw gauge and to find its volume.

~PARA TUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Screw gauge, a thin metallic wire and a metre scale.

hHEOR Y
Distance moved by the screw on the linear scale
1• Pitch = • s of ar
Number of rotation · cular scale

Pitch
2. Least count = Total be f di . •
num r o VIS1ons on the err·cular scale
3. Total reading = LSR + CSRx Least count= M + nx Least count
2
4. Volume of the wire = m- 21= 1t ( ~) 1

'
jl
~AGR AM

p Q
H
A B s.
C
I-----~ 5 _____ ·----

Wire
cs

Fig. 3.7 Measuring diameter of a wire using a screw gauge.

L!:.ROC EDURE

1. First check that the rachet R on the head of the screw is function ing properl y.
To find the pitch

2. Note the value of one small division on the linear scale.

3. Rotate the circular scale and coincide its zero mark with the referenc e line. Note the readin
on the linear scale.

4. Give four complete rotations to the circular scale and note the reading on the linear scal
5. Calculate pitch of the screw as follows :

Pitch = Distance moved by the screw on the linear scale p =y

Number of rotation s of the circular scale or x
34
 Chapter 3 : SCREW GAUGE

To find the least count

6. Note the total number of divisions on the circular scale, then

Least count = ______P_i_tch __ o_f_th_e_scr_e_w
_ _ _ _ __
Total number of divisions on the circular scale
To find the zero error
7. Bring the stud and the screw of the screw gauge in contact with each other.
(1) If the zero mark of the circular scale coincides with the reference line, then record the
zero error as nil.
(ii) If the zero mark of the circular scale lies m divisions below the reference line (i.e., 1st,
2nd, 3rd, etc., division of the circular scale coincides with the reference line), then zero
error is positive.
Zero error, e=+mx LC
(iii) If the zero mark of the circular scale lies mdivisions above the reference line (i.e., 99th,
98th, 97th etc., division of the circular scale coincides with the reference line), then the
zero error is negative.
Zero error, e = - m x LC
For example, if 97th division coincides with the reference line, then
Zero error, e=-(100-97)x LC =-3x 0.01 mm =-0.03 mm
To measure diameter of the thin wire
8. Tum the screw back and insert the wire between the screw and the stud. Move the screw
forward by rotating the rachet till the wire is gently gripped between the screw and stud, as
shown in Fig. 3.7. Stop rotating the rachet till you hear a clicking sound. In case the rachet is
not functioning properly, the circular cap should be gently rotated till the wire is just
gripped in the screw gauge and the finger starts slipping over the cap.
9. Note the linear scale reading (M) and the number of division (n) of the circular scale that
coincides with the reference line. Then find the observed diameter as
aa'=LSR+CSR= M+nxLC A B A B
a
10. The wire may not have
uniform area of cross-section.
I
To make correction for it, b - - - , - - - - b'
rotate the wire through 90° by
holding it ~ same position as
in step 9. Find the diameter a'
bb' of the wire in the perpen- (a) (b)
dicular position, as shown in Fig. 3.8 Measuring diameter of the wire (a) in one direction
Fig. 3.8. (b) in mutually perpendicular direction.
ll. The wire may not be exactly cylindrical. To make correction for it, we measure diameters of
the wire in two mutually perpendicular directions at four more places along the length of
the wire.
12. Take the mean of the different values of diameters so obtained. Add zero correction, if any,
with proper sign to get the corrected value of the diameter of the wire.
To llleasure length of the wire
13 tr
• S aighten the wire by removing kinks, if any, from it.
 14. positions of its two e d
Stretc h the wire along the lengt h of a metre scale. Read the
Take at least three rea~S · 'fhe
difference betw een the readi ngs gives the lengt h of the wire. gs for
the lengt h of the wire and find mean lengt h (I) of the wire.
OBSE RVAT IONS

A. For pitch and least coun t

Valu e of small est divis ion on the linea r scale = - - mm
Num ber of rotati ons given to the circular scale, x = _ __
mm
Linea r distan ce move d by the screw in x rotations, y = _ _
Pitch = Linear distance moved by the screw _y_
or p-- - _ _ mm
Num ber of rotations given to the circular scale X

Total numb er of divisions on the circular scale = - -

Pitch _ mm
Least coun t of the screw gauge =
Total numb er of divisions on the circular scale - -
B. For zero correction
below/above the reference line,
Num ber of divisions by which the zero mark of the circular scale lies
(i) m= __ (iz) m= __ (iii)m = _ _

Zero error , e = + mx least count [Use prope r sign of zero error]

(z)e= _ _ (ii) e= _ __ (iii)e= _ _
Mean zero error , e = ___ mm
Mean zero correction, c=-e = _ _ mm
C. For meas urem ent of diam eter of the wire
Table : Measurement of diameter of the wire

Diameter in one direction Diameter in perpending direction Observed diameter

Diameter Linear Circular division Diameter aa' + bb'
s. Linear Circular division Do=
coinciding with aa' =M + n x scale coinciding with bb' = M + n x 2
No. scale LC
reference line LC reading reference line (mm)
reading
M (mm) - ~n
(mm) M (mm) . n
~ ,,-,
(mm)
q
1.
D2
2.
D3
3. /

D4
4.
5.
Ds
D1 + D2 + D3 + D4 + Ds = ___ mm
Mean obser ved diam eter, D0 =
5
Mean corre cted diam eter, D = D0 + c = ___ mm = ___ cm

D. For measurement of length of the wire

Least count of the metre scale = ___ mm = ___ cm
Leng th of the wire : (i) 11 = _ _ cm (ii) 1 = _ _ cm (iii) 13 == --
2
ll + 12 + 13
Mean lengt h, I= - _ _ cm
3
 Chapter 3 : SCREW GAUGE

CALCULATIONS
~ 1tD2 l
Volume of the given wire, V = - - ____ cm 3
4

RESULT ,
-- The diameter of the given wire as measure d by screw gauge = ___ mm
3
The volume of the given wire = ___ cm

PRECAUTIONS
1. See that the screw moves freely without friction.
2. The screw must always be rotated by ho]ding it from the rachet and not from the cap so as to
avoid any undue pressure Qn the wire.
3. The rotation of the screw must be stopped as soon as the rachet starts producing clicking sound.
4. The zero error, if any, should be noted carefully with proper sign and taken into account. If
there is no zero error, it should be recorded as nil.
5. To avoid backlash error, the screw should always be rotated in the same direction while
making the final adjustme nt.
6. The diameter of the wire should be measure d in two mutually perpendi cular directions at
five different places along the length of the wire.
7. View all the readings keeping the eye perpendi cular to the scale to avoid error due to parallax.
8. Before measurin g the length of the wire, remove the kinks in it, if any.

~URCE S OF ERROR
1. The cross-section of the wire may not be uniform.
2. Error due to backlash though minimise d but cannot be completely eliminated.
3. The graduati ons on the linear scale and the circular scale may not be evenly marked.
4. If the rachet arrangem ent is not functioni ng properly , the w1due pressure on the wire may
change its diameter .

fEXP ERI MEN T

~~~~~

To measure the thickness of the given sheet using screw gauge and to find the gauge
of the sheet using Standard Wire Gauge table.

~PARA rus AND MATERIA L REQUIRE D

Screw gauge, a metallic sheet, standard wire gauge (SWG) table.
a_THEORY
. Distance moved by the screw on the linear scale
1. Pitch=-. ::....=..:: .:::::...:.. .::...~:..: ._--=---- ---:------ :---
Number of rotations of circular scale
37
 Pitch
2. Least c o u n t = - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total number of divisions on the circular scale
3. Total reading = LSR + CSRx Least count= M + nx Least count
4. The gauge of the metallic sheet can be determined by using standard wire gauge (SWG) tabI
~AGRAM e.
p Q R

sheet

Fig. 3.9 Measuring thickness of a thin sheet using a screw gauge.

~OCEDURE
1. First check that the rachet R on the head of the screw is functioning properly.
To find the pitch
2. Note the value of one small division on the linear scale.
3. Rotate the circular scale and coincide its zero mark with the reference line. Note the reading
on the linear scale.
4. Give four complete rotations to the circular scale and note the reading on the linear scale.
5. Calculate the pitch of the screw as follows :
. Distance moved by the screw on the linear scale
Pitch = Number of rotations
• of the crrcu
• lar seale

To find the least count

6. Note the total number of divisions on the circular scale, then
Pitch of the screw
Least count = ... .
Total number of divisions on the arcular scale
To find the zero error
7. B~g the stud and the screw of the screw gauge in contact with each other.
(z) If the zero mark of the circular scale coincides with the reference line, then record tbe
zero error as nil.
1st
(iz) If the zero mark of the circular scale lies m divisions below the reference line (i.e.,
2nd, 3rd, etc., division of the circular scale coincides with the reference line), then zero
error is positive.
Zero error, e=~m x LC . . iJ9tll
(iii) If the zero mark of the arcular scale lies m divisions above the reference line (i.e., ¢0
98th, 97th etc., division of the circular scale coincides with the reference line), then the
error is negative.
Zero error, e=-mx LC
 Cha pter 3 : SCREW GAU GE

the reference line, then

For example, if 97th division coincides with
mm
Zero error, e == - (100 -97 ) x LC == -3 x 0.01 mm == _ 0.03
et
To measure thickness of the metallic she
. Move
n metal shee t betw een the screw and the stud
S. Tum the scre w back and inse rt the give the screw
till the sheet is gen tly grip ped between
the screw forw ard by rota ting the rachet a click ing sound.
the rachet the moment you hear
and stud, as sho wn in Fig. 3.9. Stop rotating
(M) and the num ber of division (n) of
the circular scale that
9. Not e the line ar scal e read ing
the observed thickness as
coincides with the reference line. The n find
t 0 =LS R+C SR= M+ nxL C
sure the
met al shee t may not hav e unif orm thickness. To mak e correction for it, mea
lO. The s.
thickness of the shee t at four mor e position
ssary zero
Find the ave rage thic kne ss and calc ulate the correct thickness by applying nece
11.
correction.
sheet for its
Usin g the stan d wir e gau ge (SW G) table, find the gau ge of the given metal
12.
mea sure d thickness.

lQ_ssERVATIONS
A. For pitch and least cou nt
line ar scale = __ _ mm
The length of the sma lles t divi sion on the
scale, x = _ __
Number of rota tion s give n to the circular
rotations, y = __ _ mm
Linear distance mov ed by the scre w in x
. Lin ear dist anc e mov ed by the screw or p- _y--- __ _ mm
f . . h . cul 1·
e
Pitch = Num ber o rota tion s given tot e cir ar sea X

sca le= _ __
Total num ber of divi sion s on the circular
Pitch mm
the scre w gau ge= Tota l num ber of divi sions on the circular scale= - - -
Least cou nt of
B. For zero correction rence line,
k of the circular scale lies below/above the refe
Number of divisions by whi ch the zero mar
(ii) m =_ _ (iii) m= _ _
(i) m =_ _
[Use pro per sign of zero error]
Zero error, e = + mx LC
(ii)e = _ _ mm (iii) e = __ _ mm
(z)e= _ _ mm
e = __ _ mm ; Mea n zero correction, c=- e= __ _ Illµl
Meap zero erro r,
the metallic she et
C. For measurement of the thic kne ss of
metallic sheet
· Tab le : Measurement of the thickness of the
division coinciding Observed thickness
Circular scale
S.No. Linear scale reading t =M +nx LC mm
with reference line n
M (mm)
 LAB MANUAL PHYSICS-XI

M ea n ob ser ve d thickness, t = tl + t2 + t3 + t4 + t5
0 = - - - mm
5
M ea n corrected thickness, t = t + c = _
0 _ _ mm
~S U LT

1. Thickness of the given metallic sheet

= _ _ _ mm
2. Fr om sta nd table, SWG of the metallic
sheet = __
~E CA UT IO NS

Sa me as in Experiment A2(a) on page 37.

~U R C ES OF ER RO R

1. Th e sh ee t ma y no t be of un ifo rm thi
ckness.
2. Er ror du e to ba ck las h ca n be mi nim
ise d bu t cannot be eliminated completely
3. Th e gra du ati on s on the lin ea r scale .
an d the circular scale ma y no t be evenly
marked.
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