PICZON, KATRINA Group 7

RAMOS YEO, RAYMOND 2H MT

RAMOS, RANIEL OLIVER
RILLERA, JANINE
SALVADOR, KATRINE

EXPERIMENT NO. 1
THE VERNIER AND MICROMETER CALIPERS

I. ABSTRACT

This experiment presents the use of the Vernier and micrometer calipers in accurate
measuring and determination of the dimensions of an object and solving for the density of
solids through mass and volume. We used a Vernier caliper, micrometer caliper, a steel
cube, glass marble (sphere) and a steel washer. First, we used a micrometer calliper in
determining the dimensions of the steel cube; with this we obtained the following results:
mass=131.40 grams, length=2.4980 cm (24.980mm) and calculated the volume from the
formula: V= S3(s =length) and obtained 15. 588 cm 3. With this, we computed for the percent
(%) error:

m
Density=
v
% error= |standardstandard
−experimental
| x

100
131.40 g
=
15.588 cm3
7.8 g /cm3−8.4296 g/ cm3
=8.4296 g/cm 3 =
| 7.8 g /cm
3 |x

100
−0.6296 g/cm3
¿ | 7.8 g /cm
3 x 100
|
= 8.072%

Secondly, we used a micrometer caliper to determine the volume and density of the glass
sphere and with this, we obtained the following results: mass=4.10 grams, diameter= 1.4300
diameter 4
cm, radius= =¿0.715 cm and calculated the volume= π r 3 which resulted to
2 3
1.4367cm3 . With this, we computed for the percent (%) error:

% error= |standardstandard
−experimental
| x 100

2.8 g /cm3−2.85 g/cm3

=
| 2.8 g /cm
3 |x 100
 −0.05 g/cm3
=
| 7.8 g / cm
3 |
x 100

=2 %

Thirdly, we used a Vernier calliper to determine the dimensions and density of the steel
cube, we obtained the following results: mass= 131.40 grams, length= 2.540 cm(25.40mm),
volume from the formula: V= S3(s =length) and obtained 16. 39 cm3, volume= 8.017 g/cm 3 .

m
Density=
v
% error= |standardstandard
−experimental
| x

100
131.40 g
=
16.39 cm3
7.8 g /cm3−8.017 g/cm3
=8.017 g/cm3 =
| 7.8 g /cm3 |
x 100
−0.2 g /cm3
=
| 7.8 g /cm3|x 100

= 2.78%

Lastly, we used a Vernier calliper to determine the dimensions of the steel washer and we
obtained the following results: mass=18.20 grams, outer diameter=3.720 cm, inner
diameter= 1.330 cm, outer radius=1.860 cm, inner radius= 0.6650 cm, height= 0.270 cm.

2
V= πh ¿-r i ¿
= [(0.270 cm)π ] [(1.860cm ¿ ¿2 – (0.6650cm ¿ ¿2)]
= [0.848 cm] [3.460cm 2-0.4422cm 2]
= 0.848 cm (3.0174cm3)

=2.56 cm3

% error=|standardstandard
−experimental
| x 100

7.8 g /cm3−7.11 g/cm3

=
| 7.8 g /cm3
x 100
|
0.69 g /cm3
=
| 7.8 g /cm |
3 x 100

= 8.8%
 II. Guide Questions
1. Differentiate the Vernier and micrometer scales.

The Vernier caliper scale has two main scales, the main scale and the secondary scale.Each scale is
divided into 10 equal divisions and therefore has a least count of 0.1 mm each. The main scale reading is
taken by looking where the mark, which is just on the left of 0, coincides on the Vernier scale, whereas
the secondary reading is taken by looking at that mark on the Vernier scale which coincides or comes
extremely close to a mark on the main scale. It has a capacity of 155 mm, an accuracy of 0.05 mm and
measurements are written in two decimal points in millimeters and three decimal points in centimeters.

A micrometer scale has an accuracy of 0.01 mm and has a capacity of 25.00 mm. Measurements are
written in three decimal points in millimeters. It also uses two scales – main and secondary scales. The
secondary scale is provided on the thimble (near the handle).This means that the reading on the
secondary scale measures the distance moved by the thimble per rotation. The scale in the sleeve
determines the measurement before the decimal point and the measurement in the thimble determines
the number after the decimal point.

2. Draw the figure for the micrometer readings below:

i. 3.68mm ii. 1.59mm

3. State some of the errors that one might make in measuring length using both the Vernier and
micrometer calipers.

In measuring using delicate devices there are several factors that can cause error in determining
measurements of objects like its length. It can be caused by human error, when the reader of
the measurement fails to read the scale properly and correctly (parallax). Errors can also be
caused by instrumental error or the error lies on the device itself. Lack of knowledge in using the
device itself can also cause errors.
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= |standardstandard
−experimental
| x 100

1.117 x 10−5 g /cm3 −1.112 x 10−5 g/cm3

=
| 1.117 x 10−5 g /cm3 |
x 100

5.000 x 10−8 g/cm3

=
|
1.117 x 10−5 g /cm3 |
x 100

=0.4476%