Experiment No.

Objective:

• To measure the diameter of a small spherical / cylindrical body.

• To measure the internal diameter and depth of a given beaker/calorimeter and hence find its
volume.

Materials Required :

Vernier callipers, A spherical body ( it can be a pendulum bob),A beaker or a calorimeter.

Theory :

Parts of a Vernier Calliper

Least Count
The least count or the smallest reading which you can get with the instrument can be calculated as;
Least Count = one main scale division (MSD)– one Vernier scale division (VSD)
= 1mm- 9/10mm = 1/10 mm = 0.1 mm = 0.01 cm
Measurement of diameter: diameter of the bob = Main Scale Reading (MSR) + Vernier Scale
Reading(VSR)
!" ! $
Measurement of volume = %
, where D is the internal diameter of the beaker and h is the depth

Procedure:

1. Now, bring the movable jaw in close contact with the fixed jaw and find the zero error.
2. Open the jaws of the Vernier Calliper and place the sphere or cylinder between the two jaws and adjust
the movable jaw, such that it gently grips the body without any undue pressure on it.
3. Note the position of the zero mark of the Vernier scale on the main scale. Record the main scale reading
just before the zero mark of the vernier scale. This reading is called main scale reading (MSR).
4. Note the number (n) of the Vernier scale division which coincides with the division of the main scale.
Multiply it by L.C. to get Vernier Scale reading (VSR)
5. Now find total reading using the equation, TR = MSR+VSR = N+(n x L.C) and apply the zero correction.
6. Take the mean of the different values of the diameter and show that in the result with the proper unit.
7. To measure the internal diameter of a calorimeter or beaker, place the beaker upside down over the
internal jaws of the Vernier callipers of the beaker repeat the step 3 and 4 to find total reading for
diameter
8. To find the ‘Depth’ of the beaker, move the metallic strip till it touches the bottom of the beaker.Then
repeat steps 3 and 4 to get total reading for depth.
Observations:

1. Determination of Vernier constant (Least Count ) of the Vernier callipers:

1 M.S.D. = 1 mm
10 V.S.D.= 9 M.S.D.
1 V.S.D.= 9/10 M.S.D. = 0.9 mm.
Vernier Constant, V.C.= 1 M.S.D.-1 V.S.D. = (1-0.9) mm = 0.1 mm = 0.01cm.
2. Zero error
(i).........cm,
(ii).........cm,
(iii)...........cm.
Mean zero error (e)=..........cm.
Mean zero correction (c) = -e=.........cm.

VSR
Main Scale Coinciding Total Reading Mean
Dimension to be Sl Reading Division =n x
(MSR + VSR) cm
measured No L.C
MSR cm (n) cm
cm

Diameter of the bob

Internal diameter of
the beaker

Internal depth of the

beaker

Calculations

(i) Mean corrected diameter------------cm

(ii) Mean corrected internal diameter,D=................cm
Mean corrected depth,h =........cm
Volume of beaker / calorimeter , = ..........cm3=............m3.

The Result

The diameter of bob is ...........m3.

The volume of the beaker is ...........cm3.
Precautions
1. If the vernier scale is not sliding smoothly over the main scale, apply machine oil/grease.
2. Screw the vernier tightly without exerting undue pressure to avoid any damage to the threads of the
screw.
3. Keep the eye directly over the division mark to avoid any error due to parallax. 4. Note down each
observation with correct significant figures and units.
Sources of error:
Any measurement made using Vernier Callipers is likely to be incorrect if (i) the zero error in the instrument
placed is not accounted for and (ii) the Vernier Callipers is not in a proper position with respect to the body,
avoiding gaps or undue pressure or both.