TO MEASURE DIAMETER OF A GIVEN WIRE AND SPHERE, THICKNESS OF A GIVEN

SHEET AND VOLUME OF AN IRREGULAR LAMINA USING MICROMETER SCREW GAUGE.

Aim:

To measure (a) diameter of a given wire (b) thickness of a given sheet and (c) volume of an
irregular lamina using screw gauge.

Apparatus:

1. Screw Gauge
2. Any Wire
3. Metallic Sheet
4. Irregular Lamina (uniform thickness)
5. Millimetre Graph Paper

Theory:

Using Vernier Callipers we can measure length accurately up to 0.1 mm. To measure more accurately,
up to 0.01 mm or 0.005 mm, we use screw gauge. A Screw Gauge is an instrument of higher precision than a
Vernier Callipers. In any ordinary screw, there are threads and the separation between any two consecutive
threads is the same. The distance advanced by the screw when it makes its one complete rotation is the
separation between two consecutive threads. This distance is called the Pitch (p) of the screw. It is usually 1
mm or 0.5 mm. Fig. 2.1 shows a screw gauge. It has a screw S which advances forward or backward as one
rotates the head C through rachet R. There is a linear scale LS attached to limb D of the U frame.

The smallest division on the linear scale is 1 mm (in one type of screw gauge). There is a circular
scale CS on the head, which can be rotated. There are 50 or 100 divisions on the circular scale. When the
end B of the screw touches the surface A of the stud/anvil ST, the zero marks on the main scale or pitch scale
or linear scale LS and the circular scale should coincide with each other as shown in fig. 2.2.

Principle:

Pitch of the Screw Gauge

The linear distance covered by the tip of the screw (B) in every rotation of the circular scale is called
the pitch of a screw gauge. This movement of the spindle is shown on an engraved linear millimeter scale on
the sleeve. To find the pitch, give full rotation to the screw (say 4 times) and note the distance (d) advanced
by the circular scale over the pitch scale. If the distance d is 4 mm The pitch can be represented as:

Least Count of the Screw Gauge

On the thimble there is a circular scale which is divided into 50 or 100 equal parts. We are using a
screw gauge which has 50 circular divisions. The Least count (LC) is the distance moved by the tip of the
screw, when the screw is turned through 1 division of the circular. The least count can be calculated using
the formula;

Determination of Zero Error:

When the stud and spindle are brought in contact with each other, the zero of circular scale should coincide
with reference line of main scale. In that case the screw gauge have no zero error as shown in Fig. 2.2.
However, when the zero of circular scale does not coincide with reference line of main scale, the screw
gauge is said to have zero error.

The zero error is said to be positive zero error if on bringing the spindle in contact with stud, if the zero
of the circular scale lies to the bottom of the reference line as shown in Fig. 2.3. Owing to this error, the
measured readings will be systematically bigger than the actual value by the same amount. Hence the error
is to be subtracted from the observed readings. If on the other hand, the zero of the circular scale lies to
the top of the reference line as shown in Fig.2.3, it is said to be negative

Fig. 2.2 Fig 2.3 Fig 2.4

zero error. Owing to this error, the measured readings will be systematically smaller than the actual value
by the same amount. Hence the error is to be added from the observed readings.
 To determine the error, bring the spindle in contact with the stud and note the reading on the linear as
well as circular scale. If the linear scale reading is x and circular scale reading is n’ then zero error is given
by ± (x + n’ × LC ). Zero correction (e) is always negative of zero error. In our case, as shown in
the fig. 2.3, the linear scale reading is zero and the circular scale zerois 2 divisions bellow the
reference. Therefore, the zero error is: -[0 + 2 × 0.02] = - 0.04 mm.

So, the Zero correction (e) is = -[-0.04] = 0.04 mm.

Hence, the Actual reading = Measured reading – (±e)

= Measured reading – (-0.04) for positive error

Procedure:

1. Find the value of one linear scale division (L.S.D.).

2. Calculate the pitch and the least count of the screw gauge.

Measurement of diameter of the wire

1. Bring the spindle B in contact with the stud A and calculate the zero error. If there is no zero
error, then note down zero error nil.
 2. Move the face B away from face A. Place the wire lengthwise (as shown in the fig.2.5) over
face A and move the face B towards face A using the ratchet head R. Stop when R turns
(slips) without moving the screw with click sound.
3. Note the number of divisions of the main scale reading (M.S.R) visible before the edge of
circular scale.
4. Note the number (n) of the division of the circular scale lying over reference line.
5. Repeat steps 5 and 6 after rotating the wire by 90° for measuring diameter in a
perpendicular direction.
6. Repeat steps 4, 5, 6 and 7 for five different positions separated equally throughout the
length of the wire. Record the observations in table 2.1.
7. Find observed diameter and apply zero correction in each case.
8. Take mean of different values of actual diameter.

Measurement of thickness of a given sheet

1. Repeat steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Instead of wire place the rigid sheer between face A and
B.
2. Find the thickness of the sheet as shown in fig. 2.5 at five different position of the sheet,
spread over the surface of the sheet.
3. Record the observations in the table 2.2.
4. Find the observed thickness and apply zero correction in each case.
5. Take mean of different values of actual thickness.

Measurement of volume of an irregular lamina

1. Repeat steps 1,2,3,4,5 and 6. Instead of wire place the lamina between face A and B.
2. Find the thickness of the lamina as shown in fig. 2.5 at five different position of the lamina
and record them in table 2.3.
3. Place the lamina on a millimetre graph paper and draw the boundary of the area with a
sharp pencil.
4. Count the number of square enclosed by the boundary. The boundary may contain
fractions of many squares. Count those squares, which have fractions greater than
half within the boundary as a full squares and ignore those which have less than
half within the boundary as shown in the fig 2.6. Naturally there could be some
compensation and the result will be very near to the actual value.

Observation:

Determination of least count:

One linear scale division, L.S.D. = ____ mm

Total number of divisions is the in circular scale, N = _______

Distance moved by the screw for 4 rotations, d = ________ mm

Pitch of the screw, p = 4/d = ____mm

Therefore, Least Count, L.C. = p/N= ____mm

Zero error or Instrumental error with the sign:

Zero error, e = ± (x + n’ × LC ) = _______mm

Table 2.1 Determination of diameter of the wire:

M.S.R No of Circular Observed Diameter Actual Diameter

scale division of
No of (M) the reference line D0 = M + n × LC D = D0 – (± e )
Obs. (n)
mm mm mm

1.(a)

(b)

2.(a)

(b)

3.(a)

(b)

4.(a)

(b)

5.(a)

(b)

[(a) and (b) corresponds to mutually perpendicular diameters.]

Mean actual diameter, Dw : …………………………………… (mm)

Table 2.2 Determination of thickness of a sheet:

M.S.R No of Circular Observed Thickness Actual Thickness

scale division of
No of (M) the reference line T0 = M + n × LC T = T0 – (± e )
Obs. (n)
mm mm mm

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Mean actual thickness, Ts : …………………………………… (mm)

Table 2.3 Determination of thickness of an irregular lamina:

M.S.R No of Circular Observed Actual Thickness

scale division of Thickness
No of (M) the reference line T = T0 – (± e )
Obs. (n) T0 = M + n × LC
mm mm
mm

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Mean actual thickness, TL : …………………………………… (mm)

Calculation:

Number of small squares enclosed by the boundary , NL = _______

Actual Thickness, TL = ___________ mm

Area of the lamina, A = NL × 1 mm2 = _________mm2

Therefore, the volume of the lamina, V = A × TL = …………………………..mm3

Precautions:

1. The wire should not be pressed tightly between stud and spindle.
2. Instrumental error should be determined and necessary correction should be taken.
3. Repeated readings are necessary at different places to ensure uniformity of the wire.
4. Diameter should be measured in one direction and then in perpendicular direction at the
same place, to see whether it is uniform.
5. Parallax error should take care of.
6. The Milled head is always to be turned in the same direction, otherwise back-lash error will
occur.

Sources of Error:

1. There might be friction in the screw.

2. Circular scale divisions may not be equally divided.
3. There might not be uniformity in the wire.
4. The sheet and lamina may not be of uniform thickness