Undergraduate Physics Labs, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Michigan State Univ.

THE VERNIER CALIPER

A vernier caliper consists of a high uality metal ruler !ith a special vernier scale attached
!hich allo!s the ruler to be read !ith greater precision than !ould other!ise be possible.
"he vernier scale provides a means of ma#ing measurements of distance $or length% to an
accuracy of a tenth of a millimeter or better. Although this section !ill be devoted to the use
of the vernier caliper, it should be noted that vernier scales can be used to ma#e accurate
measurements of many different uantities. &n the future, you !ill also use an instrument
!ith a vernier scale to ma#e precise readings of angular displacements.
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:igure .; 9ernier )aliper
Loo#ing at the vernier caliper in :ig. ., notice that !hile the units on the rule portion are
similar to those on an ordinary metric ruler, the gradations on the vernier scale are slightly
different. "he number of vernier gradations is al!ays one more than the number on rule for
the same distance. "he line on the vernier !hich is aligned !ith one on the rule tells us the
fraction of the units on the rule. :or e<ample, in :ig. . the vernier reads ..00- cm or -.415
in.
"o use the vernier caliper;
&ntroduction Page .

Undergraduate Physics Labs, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Michigan State Univ.
$.% 8oll the thumb !heel until the =a!s are completely closed $touching each other%. (o!
chec# !hether the caliper is reading e<actly >ero. &f not, record the caliper reading, and
subtract this number from each measurement you ma#e !ith the caliper.
$/% Use either the inside edges of the =a!s, or the outside edges of the t!o prongs at the top
of the caliper to ma#e your measurement. Do not use the tips of the prongs. 8oll the
thumb !heel until these surfaces line up !ith the end points of the distance you are
measuring.
$3% "o read the caliper;
$a% record the numbers !hich correspond to the last line on the rule !hich falls before
the inde< line on the vernier scale. ?n the follo!ing page, this !ould be 3/ since
the inde< line falls =ust after the 3/ cm line.
$b% count to the right on the vernier scale until you reach a vernier line !hich lines up
!ith a line on the rule and record the number of this vernier line as your last digit.
on the follo!ing page it is the ninth vernier line !hich is aligned !ith one on the
rule, so the !hole distance is 3/.6 cm.
"he follo!ing pages sho! si< vernier scales, similar to that on the vernier caliper, !hich !ill
allo! you to test your ability to read a vernier caliper.
&ntroduction Page /

Undergraduate Physics Labs, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Michigan State Univ.
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