The Vernier and Micrometer Calipers

Abatay, Beatrice R.; Aniceto, Sabrina C.; Asenci, Jim G.; Babista, Christine S.; Ballesteros, Elyssa L.;
Cadelina, Katherine DC.
Group No. 1: 2JMT
August 26, 2016
Mesias, Justin

Introduction
When describing natural phenomena,
measurements of various aspects of nature must be
made. Each measurement is associated with a
physical quantity, such as the length, weight, density,
and area of an object.
In the experiment, the measurements of
various objects namely, a washer, a marble and an
aluminum cube; were obtained using the triple beam
balance, the Vernier, and the Micrometer calipers.
The other measurements of the objects were also
obtained through computations. With this, one
learned how to use such tools and recalled the basic
topics in physics.
Theory
The precision of length measurements may
be increased by using a device that uses a sliding
vernier scale. Two such instruments that are based on
a vernier scale which you will use in the laboratory to
measure lengths of objects are the vernier callipers
and the micrometer screw gauge. These instruments
have a main scale (in millimetres) and a sliding or
rotating vernier scale. (Using the Vernier Calipers &
Micrometer Screw Gauge, 2016)
The micrometer screw gauge is used to
measure even smaller dimensions than the vernier
callipers. The micrometer screw gauge also uses an
auxiliary scale (measuring hundredths of a
millimetre) which is marked on a rotary thimble.
Basically it is a screw with an accurately constant
pitch (the amount by which the thimble moves
forward or backward for one complete revolution).
(Using the Vernier Calipers & Micrometer Screw
Gauge, 2016)
In 1960, an international committee
established a set of standards for the fundamental
quantities of science. It is called the SI (Systme

International), and its fundamental units of length,

mass, and time are the meter, kilogram, and second,
respectively. (Serwey & Jewett, 2012)
Sometimes, it is necessary to convert units
from one measurement system to another or convert
within system (for example, from kilometers to
meters). (Serwey & Jewett, 2012) We use equations
to express relationships among physical quantities,
represented by algebraic symbols. Each algebraic
symbol always denotes both a number and a unit.
(Young & Freedman)
Measurements always have uncertainties.
(Young & Freedman) This is the reason why the rule
of significant figures is used. In this rule. the
uncertainty of digits is addressed for the meaningful
digits are obtained.
The Vernier and Micrometer Calipers and
the triple beam balance are used to obtain the
dimensions and weight of objects, respectively. The
measurements obtained from these devices are used
to solve for the volume and density. To compute for
the volume, different formulas are used for
differently shaped objects. Cylinders (1), spheres (2)
and cubes have different dimensions. This in turn,
means that different equations are used for computing
for their volumes, all of which are indicated below.
Volume:
(1) V=r^2h
(2) V=4/3r^3
(3) V=a^3
In terms of fundamental quantities, density
is a ratio of a mass to a product of three lengths.
(Serwey & Jewett, 2012) Unlike volume, the formula
for density is used regardless of the objects
dimensions. The formula for density (4) is indicated
below:
(4) D=m/v

Table 4. Raw data from the marble using the

micrometer caliper

Results and Discussion

The tables below present all the raw data
recorded from the experiment.
Table 1. Raw data from the metal cube
using the vernier caliper
Material
Mass (g)
Length (mm)
Length (cm)
Volume (cm3)
Density (g/cm3)
Experimental
Standard
Percentage error (%)

Aluminum
42.4
24.35
2.435
14.44
2.94
2.7
8.91

Table 2. Raw data from the washer using the

vernier caliper
Material
Mass (g)
Outer Diameter (mm)
Outer radius (cm)
Inner diameter (mm)
Inner diameter (cm)
Inner radius (cm)
Thickness/Height (mm)
Thickness/Height (cm)
Volume (cm3)
Density (g/cm3)
Experimental
Standard
Percentage error (%)

Steel
6.3
22.5
1.4275
10.42
1.042
0.520
160
0.160
0.888
7.09
7.8
9.10

Table 3. Raw data from the metal cube using the

micrometer caliper
Material
Mass (g)
Length (mm)
Length (cm)
Volume (cm3)
Density (g/cm3)
Experimental
Standard
Percentage error (%)

Aluminum
42.4
24.6
2.46
14.9
2.85
2.79
5.6

Material
Mass (g)
Diameter (mm)
Diameter (cm)
Radius (cm)
Volume (cm3)
Density (g/cm3)
Experimental
Standard
Percentage error (%)

Glass
5
15.77
1.57
0.785
2.03
2.41
2.4-2.8
0

All the tables above show all the data

gathered from using the Vernier and micrometer
calipers. Tables 1 and 2 contain the data obtained
from using the Vernier caliper while tables 3 and 4
contain the data from the micrometer caliper.
In the tables above, all the data show a
pattern in which the first few rows show the data
obtained from the calipers. Then, in the next rows,
the computed values for the volume and density. In
the rows where the densities are indicated, the
experimental values are compared with standard
values. This guided us in determining the accuracy of
our measurements. In the last rows, the percentage
error values were indicated. Quantifying the value of
the errors helped us obtain a better gauge of the
closeness of the experimental value to the standard
value.
In using the Vernier caliper in measuring the
dimensions of the steel washer, the data gathered
resulted to a slightly high percentage error which is
9.10 %. With this, it can be said that it is hard to be
able measure really thin cylinders using the Vernier
caliper.
On the other hand, using the micrometer in
determining the dimensions of a glass marble resulted
to a successful result. It resulted to a percentage error
of 0%. This implies that the micrometer is preferable
in measuring the dimensions of a sphere.
As shown in table 1, in measuring the
aluminum metal cube, it read 42.4 g on the triple
beam balance and 24.35 mm on the Vernier caliper.
These measurements were used to solve for the
volume and density of the cube which resulted to an
8.91% percentage error.
In table 3, in measuring the aluminum metal
cube, it measured a 24.6 on the micrometer caliper.

Resulting to a 5.6 % percentage error. A percentage

error that is lower than the value in table 1. This
clearly shows the difference in accuracy between the
Vernier and micrometer calipers.
Comparing our raw data from tables 1 and 3,
it can be said that the values taken from table 3,
which is the data collected from the micrometer, is
more accurate for the reason that using the
micrometer lead to getting a lower percentage error.
With this, we can say that the micrometer can be used
to get more accurate measurements.
This experiment let us learn how to use the
Vernier and micrometer calipers. Which in turn,
helped us understand their similarities and
differences. It also guided us in verifying our
assumptions regarding the qualities of the Vernier and
micrometer calipers.

2. Draw the figure for the micrometer

readings below:

Conclusions and Recommendations

b.) 1.590 mm

The Vernier and Micrometer calipers were

used to obtain the measurements of the aluminum
cube, washer, and marble. Using the Vernier in the
aluminum cube, it was found to have be 2.94 g/cm3.
The standard density value is 2.7 g/cm 3 with a
percentage error of 8.91% between the standard and
experimental value. The washer was found to have
7.09g/cm3 and a standard density of 7.8g/cm 3. The
fair amount of percentage error between experimental
and standard density was calculated to be 9.10%.
Using the Micrometer caliper in measuring the
marble, it was found to have an experimental density
of 2.46 g/cm3 and standard density of 2.4-2.8 g/cm 3
which gives percentage error of 0%.
The possible sources of the small amounts
of errors may include (1) calibration error of the
factory wherein it gives a small difference of the
measurement value. (2)When the jaws of the calipers
are in contact, the 0 of the vernier and the 0 of the
main scale should coincide . Otherwise, there is a 0
error. (3) Parallax error occurs if the observer's eye is
not held directly in front of the reading to be taken.
For those who will be measuring using a
vernier and micrometer caliper, make sure that the
tool is properly calibrated. Also, in the measurement,
one must be careful on doing it. The eye must be
directly in front of the reading to be taken.

Guide Questions
1.

The Vernier caliper is used to measure the

internal and external length of things, while
the micrometer caliper is used only to
measure the external length of things. The
Vernier caliper has an accuracy of 0.05mm,
while the micrometer caliper has an
accuracy of 0.01mm. The length capacity of
a Vernier caliper is 155mm, while the
micrometer caliper is only 26mm. The
measured value of the Vernier caliper should
be 2 decimal places, while the micrometer
caliper should be 3 decimal places.

Differentiate Vernier and Micrometer scales.

a.) 3.680 mm

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

measuring lengths using both the Vernier
and micrometer calipers.
Errors will always, if not mostly,
be present when a person is measuring
using the Vernier Caliper and the
Micrometer. In the case of both, human
error leads as the most common cause
of mistake. For instance, one might
think that the line he/she first sees is the
answer since it is aligned to another
line, when in fact it is not. There will be
times that another measurement is
perfectly/better aligned to another line
so it is better not to overlook this.
Another instance would be setting the
object subjected to measurement at a
faulty angle. Setting the object at this
angle would cause a different
measurement and might cause a huge
difference to the observers answer in
relation to the correct one. Other factors
that would lead to human errors could
be natural errors such as changes in the
temperature.
Changes
in
the
temperature would likely cause the
instrument to malfunction since the
instrument will undergo changes in its

body structure like rusting and melting.

Another would be instrumental error
since it is possible that the instrument is
damaged due to constant use.
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.
Experimental Value: 1.112 x10-5
Standard Value: 1.117x10-5
Answer:
|1.112 x10-5 - 1.117x105|

x100

1.117x105
|-111700|
1.117x105
111700
1.117x105

x100
x100

= 100.0

References:

Percentage Error: 100.0%

Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2012). University

Physics 1.
Young, H. D., & Freedman, R. A.
(2012). University Physics (13th ed.).
Using the Vernier Calipers and the Micrometer
Screw Gauge. (2016). Retrieved September 1,
2016, from
http://www.phy.uct.ac.za/courses/phylab1/vernier
#sthash.mtPtBYG5.dpuf
Israel Science and Technology Homepage. (n.d.).
Retrieved September 01, 2016, from
http://www.science.co.il/formula.asp