Grp # 8

2DPH

Date Performed: February 2, 2015

Date Submitted: February 9, 2015

Members: Tuazon, Kim Genesis

Ubana, Carl Jason
Versoza, Anjelica
Villaflores, Karen Faith
Vivar, Jeremiah Jan
Experiment #1
The Vernier and Micrometer Calipers

ABSTRACT
The objective of this experiment is to properly and accurately measure the dimensions of
the sample objects, metal copper cube, metal steel washer and a marble, using the vernier and
micrometer calipers and compute their densities using the obtained measurements. The first
step of the experiment was recording and measuring the mass of the sample objects using the
triple beam balance. Then the group measured the dimensions of the sample objects using the
vernier and micrometer calipers. Using the obtained measurements of each of the object, the
group computed for the density and then compared it to the standard value by solving for the
percentage error. The computed density and the standard density value were almost the same
because of the low percentage error.
Question and Answer:
1. Differentiate the Vernier and micrometer scales.
Vernier calipers and micrometers are devices that are used in measurements. The
vernier caliper consists of a main scale and a vernier scale which is attached to the main scale
but movable throughout the length of the main scale. The vernier caliper measures the
separation between the jaws of the vernier caliper. The micrometer is composed of the screen
gauge, and is capable of measuring a smaller length. The micrometer caliper is used to make
very fine measurements beyond the hundredths of a centimeter. The main difference between
the Vernier caliper and micrometer is that the Vernier scale is generally capable of measuring a
difference of 0.05mm in the most extreme cases, while the micrometer scale is capable of
measuring a difference as small as 0.01mm generally. They differ also in the decimal places in
terms of reading, Vernier caliper with two decimal places and micrometer with three decimal
places.

2. Draw the figure for the micrometer readings below:

a) 3.680 mm

01 2 3

25
20
15

b) 1.590 mm

15
10
5

3. State some of the errors that one might make in measuring length using both the vernier and
micrometer callipers.
The most common source of error in Vernier Calipers and Micrometers is Zero
Error. When the jaws are closed, the vernier zero mark must coincide with the zero
mark on its fixed main scale. If not, one must note the reading. This reading is called
zero error. The zero error is of two types: the positive zero error and the negative zero
error. Positive zero error occurs when the zero on the vernier scale is to the right of the
main scale. Therefore, the zero correction should be subtracted from the reading which
is measured. On the other hand, Negative zero error occurs when the zero on the
vernier scale is to the left of the main scale; thus, the zero correction should be added
from the reading which is measured.

4. Determine the % error for an observed value of 1.112x10-5 if the standard value is 1.117x10-5
% error=

% error =

% error =

% error = 0.4476%