The Vernier and Micrometer Calipers

Esturco, Miguel S.; Garcia, Ian Thadeus S.; Gatchalian, Jeremiah S.; Katigbak, Jose Seatiel V.; Lacorte,
Alice L.
Group No. 3: 2JMT
26 August 2016
Mesias, Justin, Pascua, Esperanza

Introduction
Accuracy and precision is needed in most
experiments,
most
specially
in
gathering
measurements. Objects such as marbles, metal cubes
and washers can be accurately and precisely
measured using either of the following instruments,
namely the Micrometer and the Vernier calipers. The
micrometer can measure up to 0.01mm while the
Vernier can measure up to 0.1mm.
In the experiment, the objective of the
researchers is to accurately gather the measurements
of the given objects and compare the experimental
value with the true value, with the least percentage
error possible. Also, the researchers aim to
familiarize the strengths and weaknesses of both
equipment to fully maximize their uses/purpose.
With this being said, the correct use of instruments
must be observed to successfully gather the required
data.

length. The volume of a cube is found by multiplying

the length of any edge by itself twice as the formula
goes:
V = s3
Meanwhile, the sphere being 3-Dimensional
will have formula for its volume as:
V= 4/3r3
And for the cylinder, having a height included on its
formula:
V = r2h
Given that the computed experimental and standard
value was obtained. The Percent Error is still need
thus having this formula:
%error = |accepted value experimental value| x 100

Theory
The Laws of Physics are expressed in terms
of basic quantities that require clear definition. In
mechanics, the three basic quantities are length,
mass, and time. All other quantities in mechanics can
be expressed of these three. (Resnick & Halliday,
1993)
The Metric System is a decimal system of
measurement based on its units for length, the meter
and for mass, the kilogram. It exists in several
variations, with different choices of base units,
though these do not affect its day-to-day use. Since
the 1960s, the International System of units (SI) is
the internationally recognized metric system. Metric
unit of mass, length, and electricity are widely used
around the world for both everyday and scientific
purposes.
The Vernier Caliper is a measuring
instrument consisting of an L-shaped sliding
attachment with a vernier, used to read directly the
dimension of an object represented by the separation
between the inner and outer edges of the two shorter
arms.
The Micrometer Caliper is a measuring
instrument whose conversion mechanism consists of
a screw-nut micro pair. Micrometer calipers are used
to measure linear dimensions by the absolute contact
method.
Measuring units of volume requires cubic
units. Recall that a cube has all edges the same

Accepted value
Results and Discussions
Table 1 below presents all the raw data recorded of
the metal cube using a vernier caliper.
Table 1: Measurements of the metal cube using a
vernier caliper
Material

Copper

Mass (g)

142.9g

Length(mm)

25.30mm

Length(cm)

2.530cm

Volume (cm3)

16.19cm3

Density(g/m3): Experimental

8.8g/cm3

Standard
Percentage error (%)

8.9g/cm3
1.12%

Table 2 below presents all the raw data

recorded of the metal cube using a micrometer
caliper.
Table 2: Measurements of the metal cube using a
micrometer caliper

Material

Copper

Thickness/height (mm)

3.00mm

Mass (g)

142.9g

Thickness/height (cm)

0.30cm

Length(mm)

25.33mm

Volume (cm3)

7.161cm3

Length(cm)

2.533cm

Density (g/cm3) ; Experimental

7.9 g/cm3

Volume (cm3)

16.25cm3

Density(g/m3): Experimental

8.8g/cm3

Standard
Percentage error (%)

Standard
Percentage error (%)

7.8g/cm3
1.28%

8.9g/cm3
1.12%

Table 1 and 2 shows the data of one specific

object, namely the metal cube which is made out of
copper. The difference between the two experiments
is the instrument used to gather the data. In table 1, a
vernier caliper is used, while in table 2, a micrometer
caliper is used. To further compare the two tables,
because a micrometer could measure to the nearest
0.01mm the length (mm) has a value of 25.33mm,
while for the vernier, the length has a value of only
25.30mm. Even the slightest discrepancy makes a
difference in the whole equation, because all the
other values are derived from the length(mm).
although the percentage error is the same, it is due to
the rounding off of values to follow significant
figures, but in the actual experimentation, the
micrometer has a lower percentage error than the
vernier. The rounding off of values affects also the
percentage error which is why it is better to use the
actual value rather than the rounded off.
Table 3 below presents all the raw data
recorded of the washer using a vernier caliper.
Table 3 : measurements of the washer using a vernier
caliper
Material

Steel

Mass

56.40g

Outer diameter(mm)

62.20mm

Outer diameter(cm)

6.220cm

Outer radius (cm)

3.110cm

Inner diameter (mm)

28.80mm

Inner diameter (cm)

2.880cm

Inner radius (cm)

1.440cm

Because a washer is a cylinder with the

middle part open, it is best to use a vernier caliper
because of its part and function, mainly the ear/jaws.
It is easier to measure the inner circle using a vernier
because the inner ears can easily fit the inner circle
thus giving an advantage over the micrometer. While
in the outer circle we could use the outside ears/jaw
to clamp the whole circle and easily record the
data. There is still room for error because a vernier
measures only up to the tenths (0.1) place thus it may
or may not be exact, also some values were rounded
up to meet the significant figures.
Table 4 below presents all the raw data
recorded of the marble using a micrometer caliper.
Table 4 : measurements of the marble using a
micrometer caliper
Material

Glass

Mass

5.50g

Diameter (mm)

16.1mm

Diameter(cm)

1.61cm

Radius (cm)

0.805

Volume (cm3)

2.185cm3

Density(g/cm3) ; Experimental

2.5 g/cm3

Standard
Percentage Error (%)

2.4-2.8 g/cm3
0%

A marble is a sphere thus it would be easier

to use a micrometer caliper because the anvil and
spindle would hold the marble firmly. The data
recorded achieved a 0% error because (1) the
micrometer accurately recorded the value. (2) The

density has a range, wherein it is easier to achieve the

range rather than an exact value, there is room for
discrepancy.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The data gathered using both equipment had
a low discrepancy which led to having relatively near
percentage error between the two data. Comparing
the two instruments, namely the micrometer and
Vernier; the micrometer would measure the nearest
0.01mm while the Vernier would measure the nearest
0.1mm, therefore the micrometer would be more
accurate to use. Which in fact, in the experiment, the
researchers proved that the micrometer had a lower
percentage error, but due to the significant figure, the
researchers had to round up/down the values which
made the values of both experiments equal.
Errors
or
discrepancies
in
the
experimentation is inevitable. These discrepancies are
due to the precision limitations of the
instruments/measuring devices or it could also be
caused by imperfect calibration of measurement
instruments. In the case of the researchers, another
problem that persisted was the use of significant
figures, if you round up or down a value to comply
with the correct number of significant figure, the
percentage error will be affected
For those wanting to reproduce this
experiment, make sure that equipment used are
properly calibrated beforehand. Also, familiarize
yourself with the equipment, not only to maximize its
capacity but also to know what the best equipment is
to be used in a specific experiment. Lastly, be
mindful of the number of significant figures, at most,
use the exact value gathered in order to reduce the
percentage error.
Questions and Answers
1) Differentiate Vernier and Micrometer Scales
Vernier calipers and Micrometers are both
used to measure distances too small to be measured
using a meter rule with a least count of 1 mm.
The main difference between Vernier caliper and
micrometer is that the Vernier caliper uses two
sliding scales with different spacing between
markings on each scale while a micrometer makes
use of a screw to translate small distances moved by
its jaws to larger distances along the marked scale.

2) Draw the figure for the Micrometer Readings

below: a) 3.680 mm; b) 1.590 mm
a)

b)

3) State some the errors that one might make in

measuring lengths using both Vernier and
micrometer calipers.
One does not always get the same result in
making a series of measurements. This one is
unavoidable because there will always be some
uncertainty in the measurements and there is no
perfect measurement. This is an example of random
error the group encountered in the experiment.
Another error encountered is the inadequate
calibration of the Vernier caliper and micrometer
caliper which resulted to a systematic error.
4) Determine the percentage error for an observed
value of 1.112 x 10-5 if the standard value is
1.117 x 10-5.

%error = |accepted value experimental value| x 100

Accepted value
%error = |(1.117 x 10-5) (1.112 x 10-5)| x 100
1.117 x 10-5
%error = .4476%
Hence, .4476% is the percent error.
References

[1] The Micrometer. Retrieved on September 1, 2016

from
http://www.technologystudent.com/equip1/microm1.
htm
[2] S. Resnick, and D. Halliday, (1993). Level of
Measurement. Encyclopedia of Public Health