Vernier Caliper – Main Scale And Vernier Scale

(1) A vernier caliper has two scales – one is called “main scale” and the
other is called “vernier scale”.

(2) “Main scale” is nothing but the normal meter scale that we use
frequently. It has a uniform gap of 1 mm between its two consecutive
marks.

(3) “Vernier scale” (as shown in the bottom region of the figure) also has
marks at uniform gap but this gap is kept smaller than that on the main
scale.

(4) Let

m = length of one division of the main scale

v = length of one division of the vernier scale
N = total number of divisions on the vernier scale

N v=(N−1)m

This is called principle of vernier. Total length of all division of the

vernier scale is kept equal to that of one less divisions of the main scale.

(5) Design with N = 10 is most common and found in school labs but in
numerical problems of IITJEE Mains & Advanced N may be different
from 10. You should always look for its value in the language of the
problem.

(6) Least count of a vernier caliper refers to smallest distance that can be
read with confidence. Its value is equal to m−v i.e. difference between
values of one divisions of the two scales.

Least Count =m− v

(7) From equation written is point (4) we have

m
m−v=
N
(8) m
Thus value of least count is equal m−v or .
N

(9) Most frequent design has m=1 mm and N = 10 so that

10 v=9m ⇒ v=0.9 mm ⇒ L.C.=m−v=1−0.9=0.1 mm

(10) 1
Thus least count of popular design is mm .
10

How to take reading ?

(1) First thing to note is that “mark of the main scale” that has been just
crossed by “0” mark of the vernier scale. This is called “reading of
the main scale”.

In the given figure, reading of the main scale is 29 mm.

(2) Second thing to note is that “which mark number of the vernier
scale” is under “matching” condition.

In the given figure, 5th mark number of the vernier scale is in matching
condition.

(3) To get reading of the vernier scale we have to multiply the matching
mark number with the least count.

In the given figure, reading of the vernier scale will be

5×0.1 mm=0.5 mm .

(4) Reading of the device is simple sum of readings of the main scale and the
vernier scale.
P1

For the vernier caliper shown in the figure, length of one division is 1 mm
and the vernier scale has total 10 divisions whose cumulative length is
equal to that of nine divions of the main scale. Readings of the main scale
and the vernier scale in the figure would be
(a) 28 mm and 0.8 mm (b) 29 mm and 0.8 mm

P2

For the vernier caliper shown in the figure, length of one division is 1 mm
and the vernier scale has total 10 divisions. Readings of the main scale
and the vernier scale in the figure would be
(a) 32 mm and 0.3 mm (b) 32 mm and 0.7 mm
(c) 33 mm and 0.3 mm (d) 33 mm and 0.7 mm

P3 Let there be a vernier caliper in which length of one division of the main
scale is 1 mm, the vernier scale has total 20 divisions whose total length
is equal to total length of 19 divisions of the main scale. Least count of
the caliper would be
(a) 0.01 mm (b) 0.02 mm
(c) 0.05 mm (d) 0.5 mm

P4 Let there be a vernier caliper in which length of one division of the main
scale is 1 mm and that of the vernier scale is 0.9 mm. Least count of the
caliper would be
(a) 0.01 mm (b) 0.1 mm
(c) 0.02 mm (d) 0.2 mm

P5 Let there be a vernier caliper in which length of one division of the main
scale is 1 mm, the vernier scale has total 50 divisions whose total length
is equal to total length of 49 divisions of the main scale. Least count of
the caliper would be
(a) 0.01 mm (b) 0.1 mm
(c) 0.02 mm (d) 0.2 mm
Positive Zero Error and Negative Zero Error
(1)

When the two jaws touch and ‘0’ mark of vernier scale lies on RIGHT
side of ‘0’ mark of the main scale, it is called POSITIVE zero error.

Magnitude of positive zero error is equal to product of least count and

the “matching” mark number of the vernier scale.

In the figure,

zero error = + L.C.×3= +0.1 mm×3= +0.3mm

(2)

When the two jaws touch and ‘0’ mark of vernier scale stays on LEFT
side relative to ‘0’ mark of the main scale, it is called NEGATIVE zero
error.

Magnitude of negative zero error is equal to product of

least count

multiplied by

(total divisions on the vernier scale – matching mark number)

In the figure, zero error =− L.C.×(10−6)=−0.1 mm×4=−0.4 mm

(3) To get corrected value, algebraic value of zero error should be

subtracted from the reading shown by the device for some
measurement.

For the figure given in (2), reading before correction is 38 + 0.4 = 38.4
mm and zero error is -0.4 mm. So value after correction will be

38.4−(−0.4)=38.8 mm

P6 When a student attemts to find zero error of an ordinary vernier caliper,

he finds that ‘0’ mark of the vernier scale lies on right side relative to ‘0’
mark of the main scale. Further, the students finds that 4th mark of the
vernier is in matching condition. The value of zero error is
(a) +0.4mm (b) +0.6mm
(c) −0.4 mm (d) −0.6mm
P7

When a student attemts to find zero error of an ordinary vernier caliper,

he finds the situation as shown in the figure. The value of zero error is
(a) +0.1mm (b) +0.9mm
(c) −0.1mm (d) −0.9mm

P8

When a student attemts to find zero error of an ordinary vernier caliper,

he finds the situation as shown in the figure. The value of zero error is
(a) +0.2mm (b) +0.8mm
(c) −0.2mm (d) −0.8mm

P9 For the vernier caliper shown in figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 5 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to 2 divisions of the main scale. Least count of the device
would be
(a) 0.2 mm (b) 0.4 mm
(c) 0.6 mm (d) 0.1 mm

P10

In the vernier caliper shown in the figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm, the vernier scale has total 10 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to that of 11 divisions of the main scale. Value of the
reading of the device will be
(a) 30.2mm (b) 30.3mm
(c) 30.8mm (d) 30.7 mm
P11

For the vernier caliper shown in figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 10 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to 9 divisions of the main scale. Reading after correcting
zero error would be
(a) 33.4 mm (b) 33.0 mm
(c) 33.8 mm (d) 34.0 mm

P12

For the vernier caliper shown in figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 10 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to 9 divisions of the main scale. Reading before correcting
zero error would be
(a) 10.2mm (b) 10.3mm
(c) 10.3mm (d) 10.4 mm
P13 For the vernier caliper shown in figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 10 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to 12 divisions of the main scale. Least count of the device
will be
(a) 0.2 mm (b) 0.4 mm
(c) 0.6 mm (d) 0.8 mm

P14

For the vernier calipers shown in figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 10 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to 9 divisions of the main scale. Zero error values for the
upper caliper and the lower caliper would be (in order)
(a) +0.7mm & −0.6 mm (b) −0.3mm & −0.6 mm
(c) −0.7mm & +0.6mm (d) −0.3mm & +0.6mm

P15

For the vernier calipers shown in figure, length of one division of main
 scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 50 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to 49 divisions of the main scale. Reading before
correcting zero error would be

P16

For the vernier calipers shown in figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 20 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to 19 divisions of the main scale. Reading before
correcting zero error would be

P17 For the vernier caliper shown in figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 10 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to 9 divisions of the main scale. When diameter of a
cylinder is measured by the caliper it is found that ‘0’ mark of the vernier
is between 52 mm and 53 mm and 6th mark of the vernier is in matching
condition. If value of the diameter is known (from some earlier
measurement) to be 52.9 mm, find zero error of the current vernier
caliper.

P18

For the vernier calipers shown in figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 10 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to 9 divisions of the main scale. Find value shown by the
device.

P19 For the vernier calipers shown in figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 20 divisions whose cumulative
 length is equal to 19 divisions of the main scale. When diameter of a
cylinder is being measured, it is found that ‘0’ mark of the vernier lies
between 45 mm and 46 mm mark of the main scale and 62 mm mark is
found in matching condition. Find reading of the device.

P20

For the vernier calipers shown in figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 10 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to 12 divisions of the main scale. Find value shown by the
device.

P21

For the vernier calipers shown in figure, length of one division of main
scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 10 divisions whose cumulative
length is equal to 12 divisions of the main scale. Find zero error with
sign.

P22 For the special vernier caliper shown in figure, length of one division of
main scale is 1 mm and vernier scale has total 10 divisions whose
cumulative length is equal to 12 divisions of the main scale.

When a students attempts to find zero error he meets the situation as

shown in the figure.

Let there are three cylindrical objects A, B and C whose outer radii have
been measured with the help of an ordinary vernier caliper (least count =
0.1 mm) and found to be 50.8 mm, 43.5 mm and 36.4 mm respectively
(after adjusting zero error). The student wishes to measure these
diameters with the help of the special caliper. For which cylinder the
student can get same end result ?
(a) A and B but not C (b) A and C but not B
(c) A only (d) B only