Vernier and Micrometer Caliper

Experiment 1

Adolfo, Angela Nicole G.

Aliman, Stephanie T. Bauzon, Franchesca D.

Astor, Jashmin D.
Cabral, Danica Rose G.

Abstract Calipers are device used to measure the distance

between two opposite sides of an object. Two of the different The vernier caliper is a type of measuring device that
types were used in the experiment, namely the vernier and measures the internal and external distances in an object. In a
micrometer caliper. These 2 calipers were used to measure the vernier caliper, there are two scales to be used in reading
different objects: cube, washer, and marble. The different objects
measurements: the main scale and the vernier scale. The main
possess different measurements based on their appearance. Out
of the results, the readings of the micrometer caliper showed a scale contributes to the main number(s) in the reading,
more accurate measurement than that of the vernier caliper. whereas the vernier scale contributes to the second decimal
place to the reading. Addition of the two scales will give the
Keywordscomponent; formatting; style; styling; insert (key overall measurement of an object.
words)
Image 1. Parts of the Vernier caliper
I. INTRODUCTION
Calipers are a type of measuring device used to
measure the distance between two opposite sides of an
object. Its first appearance in recorded history dates to as
far back as 6th century BC, inside a shipwreck located
near the Italian coast. The initial caliper had been crudely
made with wood, but nonetheless held the same basic
principle in measurement. Since then, more modern
renditions of the calipers have been made. The readings
eventually became miniscule, allowing for more exact
measurements. Today, calipers have been divided into
different types, all of which are used in different fields
and professions as required:

a) Inside caliper
b) Outside caliper
c) Divider caliper
d) Oddleg caliper The micrometer caliper, on the other hand, is a type of
e) Vernier caliper measuring device that is specifically used for measuring
f) Dial caliper diameters, and as such, has a rotary handle designed for that
g) Digital caliper purpose. Much like the vernier caliper, the micrometer caliper
h) Micrometer caliper has two scales used in reading measurements: the main scale,
and the rotating vernier scale, which is located in the thimble.
Of the different types of calipers, only two will be given The object to be measured is placed between the anvil and the
focus in this experiment, namely, the vernier caliper and the spindle, and the ratchet is used to lock the object in place (a
micrometer caliper. clicking sound will be heard if the object cannot be tightened).
The sleeve scale, which is the main scale, provides the
primary main numbers in the reading, while the vernier scale
provides the secondary reading. Addition of the two readings
will result in the overall measurement of the diameter of an
object.
Image 2. Parts of a Micrometer caliper
To use a
caliper in
measuring an object, proper force should be applied to the
object, as too much or too little force can cause inaccuracies
in the measurement. Calipers have different types, most
notably the vernier caliper and the micrometer caliper, of
which the former was considered to be the first to make an
appearance in recorded history.
The objectives of this experiment are to study the concepts
underlying the principles of calipers and to elaborate on the
differences of accuracy between the vernier calipers and the
micrometer calipers.
II. THEORY
The basic tools used in experiment 1 were carefully used
by the members such as the micrometer caliper, vernier
caliper. The measured materials used were described by what
they have been made of and it was stated as follows; the
blocks was made up of copper, the marble was glass, and a
steel washer. We also used a triple beam balance to measure
the weight in grams of the materials used.
The members used different formulas and computations
to have the accurate weight/measurements of the materials
used aside from the calipers.
The formula used were as follows:
LC = least count of main scale (1)
number of divisions in vernier scale
Density: p= M/V where M: mass V: volume (2)
Volume:
Cube: V = s^3 (3)
Where s: measurement of side (cm)
Marble: V = 4/3(3.14*r3) (4)
Where R: radius (cm)
Washer: V = 3.14 (R^2 -r^2) h (5)
Where R: outer radius r: inner radius h: thickness
There could also be common errors, and percentage errors can
be computed by using the formula:
% error = (standard value - obtained value) (6)
(Exact Value)
III. METHODOLOGY
In experiment 1, the materials and tools used were
micrometer caliper, vernier caliper, copper block, glass
marble, and a steel washer. The members also used the triple
beam balance to measure the weight in grams of the materials
and a calculator to compute the data gathered. Procedures:
The three objects were measured by using the vernier and
micrometer caliper and the triple beam balance for weighing.
The students used vernier caliper to measure the copper
cube/block and the washer. Each of them was placed
separately into the outer and inner jaw to measure its different
dimensions. By rotating the the lock screw until the object is
stable, the measurement would be accurate. When the object
measure in the vernier once went to it's last stable position, it's
the time they went reading the measurements. It has been
observed that the inner and outer jaw were closed on the
object. Observe the first mark on the auxiliary sclae falls on
the main scale. While in measuring the the glass marble,
micrometer caliper were used. To get its diameter and
thickness, it should be placed between the anvil and spindle of
the tool. By turning the ratchet until the object is gripped,
there would be a click sound if it is completely on place. The
first measurement is taken from the sleeve. Then the thimble
reading must be added after.
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The first experiment given to the members was to
measure three different objects, that differs within their
material, shape, weight, depth, thickness and others. The
materials given was measured using a Vernier caliper and
Micrometer Caliper. The first object tested with a Vernier
Caliper was a metal cube.
Table 1: Using Vernier Caliper (Metal Cube)
Metal Cube
Material: Copper
Mass (g): 143 g
Length (mm): 25.00 mm
Length (cm): 2.500 cm
Volume (cm): 15.625 cm
Density (g/cm)
Experimental: 9.150 g/cm
Standard: 8.90 g/cm
Percentage error (%): 2.81%
 As seen from Table 1, the metal cube tested was made of
copper. That has a length of 25.00 in millimeter and 2.500 in Figure 1: Formula for Density
centimeter, that has a volume of 15.625 cm. And from
Archimedes formula (Figure 1) the density was obtained by But as seen from the data (Table 1) there is a difference
dividing the mass by the volume of the object. Which would between the Standard density and the experimental density of
be 9.150 g/cm. the metal cube. So then the members computed for the
percentage
error (Figure
2).

Figure 2:
Formula for
Percentage
Error

The
Percentage
error obtained
from the data
was 2.81%. It
is helpful to
know by
what percent
the
experimental
value differs
from the
standard
value, or to
some established value. In most cases, a percent error or from Figure 1) of dividing the mass of the object by its
volume, giving us 9.7 g/cm.
Metal Cube
Material: copper Just like in the experiment with the Metal Cube, there is
Mass (g): 143 g still a difference with the experimental density and standard
Length (mm): 25.00 mm density. And just like in the first portion of the experiment, the
Length (cm): 2.500 cm members also computed for the percentage error (same
Volume (cm): 15.625 cm formula as seen in Figure 2) by dividing the difference of the
Density (g/cm) experiment from standard with the standard, and then
multiplying it by a hundred. Giving us a percentage error of
Experimental: 9.150 g/cm
2.43%.
Standard: 8.90 g/cm
Percentage error (%): 2.81% In the second half of the experiment, instead of a Vernier
difference of less than 10% will be acceptable. Errors may Caliper, a Micrometer Caliper was used for the measurement
have been obtained in two ways, systematically and randomly. of the objects. The first object measured by the Micrometer
Systematic errors, may have been from imperfectly made Caliper is the Metal Cube and the same data was also obtained
instrument/s or to the personal technique and bias of the from the micrometer. Comparing Table 3 from Table 1.
observer. This can be reduced by applying a correction or
correction factor to compensate for the effect. Random errors
Marble
Material: glass Washer
Mass (g): 5.5 g Material: steel
Diameter (mm): 16.00 mm Mass (g): 6.5g
Diameter (cm): 1.600 cm Outer diameter (mm): 28.00 mm
Radius (cm): 0.800 cm Outer diameter (cm): 2.800 cm
Volume (cm): 2.1447 cm Outer radius (cm): 1.400 cm
Density (g/cm) Inner diameter (mm): 11.450 mm
Experimental: 2.565 g/cm Inner diameter (cm): 1.145 cm
Standard: 2.600 g/cm Inner radius (cm): 0.5725 cm
Percentage error (%): 1.54% Thickness/Height (mm): 1.300 mm
are errors for which the causes are unknown or indeterminate, Thickness/Height (cm): 0.130 cm
but are usually small and follow the laws of chance. Random Volume (cm): 0.37 cm
errors can be reduced by averaging over a large number of Density (g/cm)
observations.
Experimental: 9.7 g/cm
Standard: 7.8 g/cm
The second object measured using a Vernier caliper was
the Washer, which is a small flat ring made of steel that is Percentage error (%): 2.43%
usually fixed under a nut or the head of a bolt to spread the Table 3: Using Micrometer Caliper (Metal Cube)
pressure when tightened or between two joining surfaces as a
spacer or seal. The last object measured by a Micrometer Caliper was
the Marble which is made of glass, has a weight of 5.5g and a
Table 2: Using Vernier Caliper (Washer) volume of 2.1447 cm. From the data obtained, a density of
2.565 g/cm was calculated and a percentage error of 1.54%.

As seen from Table 2, the inner and outer diameters and Table 4: Using Micrometer Caliper (Marble)
radius of the washer with the use of the Vernier caliper. While
the (experimental) density was obtained by the formula (seen
 V. CONCLUSION
The Vernier and Micrometer calipers have a lot in
common and differences when it comes to obtaining the
measurement of an object. Both calipers are good source of
measurement for small objects, although they differ in how an
object is measured and its ways of presenting the
measurement. During the experiment, both types of caliper
resulted to the same measurement for the metal cube but this
can be because of errors that occurred while measuring the
object. After the experiment, it was concluded that the
Micrometer caliper is more accurate in measuring than the
Vernier. The former can measure to the nearest 0.01 mm while
latter can only measure to the nearest 0.1 mm. This makes the
Micrometer more precise of the two measuring devices.
REFERENCES
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types-of-calipers-used-for-measuring-objects-105.html
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from http://www.technologystudent.com/equip1/vernier3.html
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http://www.technologystudent.com/equip1/microm1.html
[4] Taylor, J. (1997). An Introduction to Error Analysis, 2nd. ed. University
Science Books: Sausalito
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