C26 chhaya Practical Physics XI

In this case,
least count
reading(-1) + circular scale reading
x
zero error =linear scale
For example, in Fig. 1.9(b), circular scale reading is 85. Taking least count as 0.001 cm,

=-0.015 cm.
zero error (e) =
(-0.1 +85 x 0.001) cm

Suppose, the zero mark on the head scale coincides with the reference line on the pitch scale. In this

case there is no zero error and hence zero correction is not necessary.

NOT
In case of positive error, if the linear scale reading is 0.1 cm or more than that, the screw gauge
is considered to be extremely faulty. In case of negative error, the circular scale is to be placed
in such a position that zero mark of the linear scale is just visible. In this position, the readin8
of circular scale should exactly be zero. The circular scale is moved further left along linear
scaleby rotating it slowly. To move it to extreme left, if it is to be rotated more than 360
then the screw gauge is considered to be extremely faulty. It is better not to use such a screw
gauge.

CCorrected Value: The corrected value of measurement is always determined by subtracting zero
error (e) from measurement (d), i.e.,
corrected value = measured value (d) - zero error (e)

As a result, if error is negative, zero error is actually added to the measured value.

EXPERIMENT To Measure Diameter of a Given Wire Using Screw

A3 Gauge
The characteristic of a nut and screw arrangement is that the rotational motion of the
screw is proportional to its translatory motion.
The linear distance covered by the tip of the screw for each of its full rotation is same
for a particular instrument using nut and screw arrangement.
Screw-pitch: Linear distance moved by the screw in one full rotation of circular scale (i.e.,
for 360° rotation of the circular scale).

Least count of screW gauge, (c) = Screw pitch

total number of divisions in circular scale (N)
Reading of screw gauge = reading of linear scale (m) + reading of circular scale (n)

x least count (c).

Zero error (e) : The reading in screw gauge when the screw head touches the plane face
6
of the stationary end in the front.
Corrected reading = reading in screw gauge zero error
 Experiments on Measurement of Length and Weight 27
O Screw gauge,

givenwire.

the circular
At first, the smallest division of linear scale and total number of divisions
on
O
scale are noted down.
Zero mark of circular scale is made to coincide with any mark on the linear Scale.

Then the screw is given one full rotation, so that zero mark of circular scale coincides
linear scale is the
again with the axis of linear scale. The advance of the screw along the
screw pitch.
The value of screw pitch divided by the number of divisions on the circular scale is the

least count (c) of the screw gauge.

By rotating the screw, a gap is created between the screw head (B) and the anvil (A) of
the screw gauge. Now the given wire is placed inside the gap AB, parallel to plane of anvil
A. The screw is now rotated till the two planes A and B touch the two ends of the wire

Fig. 1.10]
metal wire

screw gauge

Fig 1.10

In this condition, the last visible mark of pitch scale (just left of circular scale) is the
reading of pitch scale (r). The division of circular scale that coincides with axis of pitch
scale is the reading of the circular scale (n). So, measured diameter m +nx.

Loosening the screw, the wire is rotated through 90 at the same cross-sectional position.

Now, the diameter of the wire is measured by repeating the step 3.

T h e wire may not be truly cylindrical. So it is necessary to measure its diameter at several
different positions. For this, steps and are repeated for 4-5 more positions of the
wire.
calculated
6The average (d') of all diameters is then
Hence, the corrected diameter (d) = average diameter (d") - zero error (e).
C 28 chhaya Practical Physics X
CDetermination ofleast count (c)
1 division of linear scale = ... mm

Total number of divisions in circular scale (N) = . .

In one full rotation, the circular scale move ... division of linear scale.

.Screw pitch = 1 division of linear scale =

... mm

Screw pitch
. Least count (c) = = . mm
N

Determination of zero error in instrument (e):

In the case when plane A and B just touch each other, reading of linear scale,

mo .. mm

Reading of circular scale, no=

.Error in instrument, e = mo + noX C = ... mm

Determination of diameter (d) of the given wire:

Table-1

Reading of Diameter of Average

Serial Position off Reading of circular
linear scale the wire diameter
No. diameter scale (n)
(m) mm m +nc) mm (d') mm EXPE
First

Perpendicular
First

Perpendicular
First

Perpendicular
First

Perpendicular
First

Perpendicular

Average diameter, d' =Summation or readings (diameters of wire) for all observations
number of total observations
..Mm

Corrected diameter, d =
d'-e =
...mm-...mm
...mm =...Cm
 Experiments on Measurement of Length and Weight 29
JD
If the screw is not calibrated uniformly, then there is a possibility that for every full
O not be the same. This is an
error
rotation, the linear movement of the screw head may
corrected.
of the instrument. During experiment this cannot be
is why readings of diameters for
Given wire may not be of uniform cross-section. This
locations are recorded. Finally
the average
mutually perpendicular positions in different
of these recorded values are calculated.
determined with vernier callipers by placing the
The diameter of the wire can also be
of the measurement will be less,
wire between the two jaws. But in this case, accuracy
vernier callipers is higher than the
value of least count
as the value of vernier constant of

of a screw gauge.
should be rotated slowly either in clockwise or in
Scale During measurement, the screw
in
that the linear movement of the
screw takes place one
anticlockwise direction, so
anticlockwise repeatedly
direction only. The screw should not be rotated clockwise and

as it may cause backlash error.

wire can be calculated

(L) is finite, the volume of the
If the length of the given wire section x
area of the cross
ruler or vernier volume
=

measuring the length by ordinary

length of the wire.
should not be pressed too firmly.
While measuring the diameter the wire
are to be made.
it should be detected and necessary corrections
Ithere
f is zero error,

erage
neter
mm
EXPERIMENT To Measure Thickness of Given Sheet Using Scre
A4 Gauge
As in experiment A3.

O Screw gauge,

given sheet.

division of linear
scale and total number of divisions in
of smallest
OAt first, the value are noted down.
screw gauge
circular scale of the scale.
mark on the reference line of linear
coincided with any
Zero mark of circular scale is rotation, so that zero mark of circular
scale again
full
scale is given a
Then the circular distance moved by the circular
linear scale. Linear
referenceline of
coincides with the
the screw pitch. The
least count (c) is calculated by
the linear scale is called
scale along of divisions in circular scale.
ons with the total number
dividing the s c r e w pitch The given
(B) and anvil (A) by rotatingthe
screw.
the screw head
A gap is created between of anvil A. Then by rotating, the
keeping it parallel to plane
sheet is placed in the gap AB, touch the two ends
of the sheet [Fig. 1.11].
left till A and B
screw is moved to the
 Experiments on Measurement of Length and Weight
folows
aper bya Average width of the lamina,
sum of all the widths recorded from experiment
d mm
total number of observations
Corrected width of the lamina, D = d - e = ...mm -..mm = . .mm = ..cm

Area of the lamina, A = n mm = n x 0.01 cm

[As area of smallest square of a centimetre graph =(0.1) cm = 0.01 cm

Volume of the lamina, V = A xD cm3= ..x..cm3

ODuring measurement, the screw should be rotated slowly in one direction only, sothat
the linear movement of the screw takes place in one direction only. The screw should
not be moved in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions repeatedly as it may cause
backlash error.
If there is zero error in the instrument, it is to be determined and required corrections
in readings are to be made.
counted.lf
reated as MMA
ed, i.e, it
HViva Voce
clockwise and anticlockwise repeatedly, the
h 1 divisio
1How many possible types of errors are there readings may have backlash error.
in screw gauge?
Nonuniformity of threads in screw and nut, What is the least count of screw gauge?
4
backlash error, zero error etc. For one full rotation of circular scale, the
distance moved by the screw along linear
What is the advantage of using screw gauge
scale is called screw pitch.
in touch
over vernier callipers? When screw pitch is divided by the number
The least count of screw gauge generally of divisions on the circular scale, we get least
equals 0.001 cm (or even less). Hence a count. It is the minimum value of length that
precise measurement of this length can be can be measured using a screw gauge.
done using a screw gauge. On the other

hand, vernier constant of vernier callipers is 5 What is the principle of screw and nut?
much higher than this. Therefore, measuring The circular motion of the screw is
of vernier callipers is not as much as
ability transformed into the linear motion of the
that of screw gauge. screw head along linear scale.
width
The translatory motion of the tip of the screw
amina
be
How should the screw of a screw gauge is proportional to its rotational angle.
mm
rotated, during measurement?
the screw should be Name two instruments which act on the
During measurement,
rotated indirection, so that linear principle of screw and nut.
slowly one

Olsplacement of screw takes place in

one
Screw gauge and spherometer.
both
peripher airection only. If the screw is rotated
C34 chhaya Practical Physics XI
7 While measuring diameter of a wire with
8While measuring diameter of a thin wire
screw gauge, why is it necessary to take two with screw gauge, why is it necessary to take
mutuallyY perpendicular readings in each readings at different positions along the
position?
length?
The wire may not be of uniform circular cross
section. It may be slightly deformed. The wire may not be of uniform cross section
all along the length. It may be thin at some
Therefore, by measuring the diameter in two
places and slightly thicker at other.
mutually perpendicular positions ofa certain
part of the wire a value of average diameter Hence, readings of different positions give an
can be determined. average value of diameter.

1.9 DESCRIPTION OF SPHEROMETER

OA spherometer consists ofa metallic tripod fitted with a screw and nut arrangement (S) passing
through its centre. When placed on a plane surface, the three legs touch the plane and the tins of
the legs form an equilateral triangle [Fig. 1.13].