Using the Vernier Caliper

Micrometer and the Triple Beam

Balance

A Powerpoint Presentation
by
Mr. Gillespie
 Try this.
• When you use your ruler, how do you
measure the diameter of a PENCIL OR A
PEN TUBE?
A Better Way
The Vernier
Caliper
Parts of a Vernier Caliper
Internal Jaws

External Jaws
Parts of a Vernier Caliper
Parts of the Vernier caliper cont’
Two Scales Are Better Than One
The vernier caliper has two scales: the main
scale and the vernier scale

The main scale is similar to the scale found on

an Orion plastic ruler, graduated in millimeters
(mm).

The vernier scale is graduated into 0.050 mm

marks.
Main Scale

Vernier Scale
Vernier Scale
 Reading the Vernier Caliper
1. Locate the “0” mark on the vernier scale.

2. Determine the last mark on the main scale

which was passed by the “0” mark of the
vernier scale. (to the left)

3. Determine which mark on the vernier scale

lines up with ANY mark on the main scale.

4. Complete the reading by adding the

doubtful figure, usually “0” and the units (i.e.
mm)
13
13
13.65
!! !!?
13.650 mm
23
23
23.70
!! !!?
23.700 mm
48
48.55
48.550 mm
75
75.40
75.400 mm
 Activity
• See the work sheet Vernier caliper, activity is
graded,
• Activity should be complete on papers and
attach.
• Please labeled activity sheet by heading up.
Write topic (Measurements) write subtopic as
(measuring instrument – Vernier caliper).
• Write off question number and answer. No
need to draw diagrams.
The Micrometer
Screw Gauge
Micrometer
http://feh.eng.ohio-state.edu/tutorials/micrometer/parts.html
 Two Scales Are Better Than One
The micrometer has two scales: the main or
linear scale and the rotating scale.

The main scale or linear scale is graduated into

0.500 mm marks.

The rotating scale is composed of 50 divisions,

each graduated into 0.010 mm marks.
Linear scale divided
into 0.500 mm marks
Whole Marks: 0.000, 1.000, 2.000, 3.000, etc

Half Marks: 0.500, 1.500, 2.500, 3.500 etc

Rotating scale with
50 divisions, each
equal to 0.010 mm
 Like Clockwork
The micrometer scales work like the minute and
hour hands of a clock.

Each complete revolution of the minute hand

(12 numbers) advances or sets back the hour
hand by 1 number.

Each complete rotation on the rotating scale (50

divisions) advances or closes the linear scale
by 0.500 mm.
Micrometer closed - 0.000 mm
After first rotation - 0.500 mm
After second rotation - 1.000 mm
After third rotation - 1.500 mm
 Linear Scale: 3.000
To get the final reading, simply
add the readings on the linear
and rotating scales
Rotating Scale: 0.270

!!!?
Reading: 3.270 mm
Linear scale: 6.500

Rotating scale: 0.170

! ! !?
Reading: 6.670 mm
Linear scale: 1.000

Rotating scale: 0.205

! ! !?
Reading: 1.205 mm
How to Use the Triple Beam
Balance
 Key Words to Remember in this lesson
• Triple beam balance
• Rider
• Pan
• Pointer
• Zero point
• Mass
• Gram
• beam
 Triple Beam Balance

The triple beam balance is used to measure

mass, or the amount of matter in an
object.

Mass is measured in units called grams.

Larger masses would be measured in
kilograms.
 Before using the Balance
• Zero the balance before you determine the
mass of any substance.
• Slide all of the riders back to the zero point.
• You must repeat this procedure every time you
use the balance in order to be acurate.
• You are now ready to measure the mass of
your object. Place the object on the pan.
Follow the following steps:
 How to properly use a Triple Beam
Balance:
First Step: Move the 100 gram (the largest
mass) rider along the beam to the right, one
notch at a time, until the pointer drops below
the zero balance point.
Now, move the rider one notch back to the left.
How to properly use a Triple Beam
Balance:
• Make sure the rider is in the notch! The arrow
engraved in the 100 and 10 rider should be directly
over the number.
 How to properly use a Triple Beam
Balance:

Second Step: Move the 10 gram rider

along the beam to the right, one notch at
a time until the pointer drops below the
zero balance point.
When this happens, move the 10 gram
rider back one notch to the left.
 How to properly use a Triple Beam
Balance:
Third Step: The front beam has no notches. Use
the tip of your pencil to gently move the 1
gram (smallest) rider along the beam to the
right until the point lines up with the zero
balance mark.

Final Step: To find the mass of the object on the

pan, simply add the numbers from the three
beams. Make sure you line up the decimals!
 Example

• Hundred Rider ------- 200.0

• Tens Rider ------------ 70.0
• Ones Rider ----------- 1.5
Mass of object or substance 271.5 grams

Remember to write your unit after your answer.

There are “no naked numbers” in science. The unit tells the
reader what you are measuring. Are you measuring distance,
mass, volume, force, density, temperature?
 How to Read a Triple Beam Balance

• EXAMPLE #1
· the hundreds rider is on the 0g mark,
· the tens rider is on the 90g mark,
· and the ones rider is on the ninth line
past the 7g mark for a total of 97.9
grams. This is the mass of the object.
EXAMPLE # 2
· the hundreds rider is on the 400g mark,
· the tens rider is on the 70g mark,
· and the ones rider is on the first line past
the 5g mark for a total of 475.1 g. This is
the mass of the object.
When we have finished using the
balances, we need to move all of the
riders to the right so that the pointer is
at zero.

Please be gentle with the triple beam

balances. They cost $$$.