Physics – IX (Screw Gauge & Vernier Callipers)

Week: 2nd LESSON PLAN Day: 4th

Subject: Physics Term: 1st Term Class: IX

Resources: Student Learning Objectives:
 Physics IX, Caravan Book House Lahore  explain why all measurements contain some
 Meter Scale (Instrument) uncertainty.
 Vernier Calliper (Instrument)  distinguish between systematic errors (including
 Internet Sources zero errors) and random errors.
 identify that least count or resolution of a
Keywords: accurate/accuracy, precise/precision, measuring instrument is the smallest increment
length, divisions, least count, error measurable by it.
 differentiate between precision and accuracy
INTRODUCTION (5 Minutes)
 ask students about importance of measurements in every day life and in science.
 ask students to think about the different tools and instruments they use to measure quantities such as
length, weight, temperature, and time.
 introduce the concept of uncertainty in measurements and discuss the different sources of uncertainty
 Ask two students to measure the diagonal of a book separately. Then, compare the answers. It is
expected that there would be some sort of difference between both measurements.
1.6 MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
 INTRODUCTION (5 Minutes)
Ask the students to read the introduction and share what they have inferred from it. Then explain how older
measuring instruments were not as reliable or accurate as the one’s available today. You could discuss the following
reasons.
 Limited precision and range
 External factors (e.g Sundial wouldn’t work during rainy days because the sun won’t come out.)
 Human errors
 Instrumental error (during production)

 METRE RULE & MEASURING TAPE (20 Minutes)

 Discuss the precision of metre rule and measuring tapes.
 Explain the least count in both instruments.
 Both have L.C of 1 mm.
 Ask the students to have a quick look of Figure 1.4 and its subtitle. Question what they have learnt from the
figure. Tell the students that this type of human error is called Parallax Error and that this occurs when the
eye is not parallel to the reading on the scale.
 Explain the students that this type of error is called random error.
 Also explain systematic error that results due to a bias in the measuring instrument itself.

 ACCURACY & PRECISION (5 Minutes)

Accuracy and precision are two important concepts in measurements. Here are their definitions:
Accuracy:
Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the true or accepted value of a quantity. In other words,
accuracy measures how well a measurement reflects the actual value of what is being measured. An accurate
measurement has a small difference between the measured value and the true value.
Precision:
Precision refers to how close the measured values are to each other when measurements are repeated under the
same conditions. In other words, precision measures how well a measurement is reproducible or consistent. A
precise measurement has a small difference between individual measurements.
To illustrate the difference between accuracy and precision, consider the example of hitting a target with a bow and
arrow. If all of your arrows hit the target in the same spot but are not centered on the bullseye, your shots are
precise but not accurate. If your shots are all spread out but centered on the bullseye, your shots are accurate but
not precise. If your shots are both precise and accurate, then they are clustered tightly around the bullseye.
Recall:
(i) Differentiate between systematic and human errors.
(ii) How to avoid the Parallax error?
(iii) What is the least count?
(iv) Differentiate between accuracy and precision.
 Physics – IX (Screw Gauge & Vernier Callipers)

Week: 2nd LESSON PLAN Day: 5th

Subject: Physics Term: 1st Term Class: IX

Resources: Student Learning Objectives:
 Physics IX, Caravan Book House Lahore  explain why all measurements contain some
 Meter Scale (Instrument) uncertainty.
 Vernier Calliper (Instrument)  identify that least count or resolution of a
 Internet Sources measuring instrument is the smallest increment
measurable by it.
Keywords: length, divisions, least count, error, main  describe the working of vernier callipers and screw
scale, vernier scale, jaws, diameter gauge for measuring length.
 identify and explain the limitation of measuring
instruments such as metre rule,vernier callipers
and screw gauge.
INTRODUCTION (5 Minutes)
Start by asking students if they have ever measured something accurately, and how they did it. Then, introduce
Vernier Callipers as a precise measuring tool that is commonly used in science, engineering, and manufacturing.
Explain how some things such as a coin or a cylinder are difficult to be measured by a meter scale and how a
vernier calliper is supposed to be more precise.
1.6 MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
 VERNIER CALLIPERS (25 MINUTES)
The students should be asked about the least count of a metre rule. Then, explain to the students that we can get
more precise by using the Vernier Calliper as it further divides one millimeter into 10 more divisions. Hence, a
Vernier Calliper is more accurate and precise.
Ask the students to observe Figure 1.6. You should introduce the following components of the instrument:
 Moveable Jaws: These are the two jaws that can move and hold the object being measured. They are
attached to the Vernier Scale and can slide along the Main Scale to measure external dimensions.
 Fixed Jaws: These are the stationary jaws that are fixed to the Main Scale and used to measure internal
dimensions.
 Outer Jaws: These are the two jaws that are on the outside of the Vernier Calipers, and they can measure
the external dimensions of an object.
 Inner Jaws: These are the jaws that are on the inside of the Vernier Calipers, and they can measure the
internal dimensions of an object.
 Vernier Scale: This is the smaller scale that is attached to the moveable jaws and is used to measure
dimensions with greater precision than the Main Scale. It has 10 divisions that correspond to 9 divisions on
the Main Scale.
 Main Scale: This is the longer scale that is fixed to the Vernier Calipers and measures the dimensions in
millimeters. It has larger divisions that are used to estimate the centimeter or millimeter values of the
dimension being measured.
At last, ask the students to memorize the formula of the L.C of a Vernier Calliper. Highlight that a Vernier Calliper
has L.C of 0.1 mm, while a metre rule has L.C of 1 mm. Thus, Vernier Callipers are accurate to the 1/10 th of a mm.
TIP:
The reason that each division on the Vernier Scale is slightly less than 1 mm is to provide a finer level of
measurement precision. By having the Vernier Scale divisions slightly less than 1 mm, you can obtain more precise
readings than would be possible with the Main Scale alone.
 WORKING OF A VERNIER CALLIPER (5 Minutes)
 Ask students to recall the concept of systematic error in measurements. Give an example of systematic
error, such as a clock that consistently runs 2 minutes slow every day.
 Explain that Vernier Calipers can also have systematic errors, and one of the most common ones is called
the zero error. Zero error is the error that occurs when the jaws of the Vernier Calipers are not perfectly
aligned, resulting in a false reading even when there is no object being measured.
 Demonstrate how zero error can be determined by closing the jaws of the Vernier Calipers without any
object being measured, and then checking the reading on the Vernier Scale. If the reading is not zero, then
there is a zero error, and the measurement needs to be corrected by subtracting the error from the final
reading.
 Highlight the importance of identifying and correcting zero error to ensure accurate and precise
measurements. Emphasize that Vernier Calipers need to be calibrated regularly to minimize zero error and
other systematic errors.
Recall:
(i) What are the limitations of a metre rule and how Vernier Callipers are useful?
(ii) Why one division of Vernier Scale is of 0.9 mm and not 1 mm?
(iii) Why is it necessary to correct the zero error?
 Physics – IX (Screw Gauge & Vernier Callipers)

Week: 3rd LESSON PLAN Day: 1st

Subject: Physics Term: 1st Term Class: IX

Resources: Student Learning Objectives:
 Physics IX, Caravan Book House Lahore  explain why all measurements contain some
 Meter Scale (Instrument) uncertainty.
 Vernier Calliper (Instrument)  identify that least count or resolution of a
 Internet Sources measuring instrument is the smallest increment
measurable by it.
Keywords: length, divisions, least count, error, main  describe the working of vernier callipers and
scale, vernier scale, jaws, diameter screw gauge for measuring length.
 identify and explain the limitation of measuring
instruments such as metre rule,vernier callipers
and screw gauge.
RECALL (5 Minutes)
Discuss the following:
 What is zero error in the context of a measuring instrument?
 How can you detect zero error in a Vernier Caliper?
 ZERO ERROR AND ZERO CORRECTION (15 Minutes)
Show the students a Vernier Caliper with a positive zero error.
Ask them to identify what's different about it compared to a properly calibrated caliper.
Explain that a positive zero error occurs when the caliper's jaws don't close completely and the zero on the Vernier
Scale is to the right of the zero on the Main Scale.
Ask the students if they can think of any situations where this might occur (e.g. if the jaws are worn out or if there is
debris stuck between them).
Repeat the same exercise with a Vernier Caliper with a negative zero error, explaining that this occurs when the
jaws close too tightly and the zero on the Vernier Scale is to the left of the zero on the Main Scale.
Ask the students to identify some possible causes of negative zero error (e.g. if the jaws are bent or if the
instrument has been dropped).
Ask the students what will happen if the vernier scale zero and main scale zero perfectly align? The answer should
be that there is no zero error – or the zero error is zero. Hence, there is no need for zero correction.
TIP:
 Ask the students to flip back to the page 10 and underline the last line ‘Zero correction is the negative of
zero error’. Explain this to the students such that if the zero error is +0.01 cm then –(+0.01) cm would
mean that you would have to subtract the positive zero error from the final measurement. Likewise, you
would have to add the negative zero error.
 The L.C doesn’t always have to be 0.1 mm, it can be 0.05 mm or 0.01 mm aswell. It all depends on how
many divisions are on the vernier scale. If the number of divisions on the vernier scale are 20 and the
smallest reading on main scale is 1 mm, then using the formula of L.C:
smallest reading on main scale 1mm
= =0.05 mm( L .C )
no . of divs on vernier scale 20

 TAKING A READING ON VERNIER CALLIPERS (15 Minutes)

Teach this method to find the diameter of a solid cylinder using Vernier Callipers:
1. Place the solid cylinder between the jaws (inner and outer jaws) of the Vernier Calliper.
2. Close the jaws till they press the opposite sides of the object gently.
3. Then observe how much divisions of the main scale are past the vernier scale zero (to the left side).
4. Next, find the vernier scale division best coinciding with any division of the main scale.
5. Multiply the division by the L.C.
6. Then, add it to main scale reading.
7. Add zero correction (negative if positive error and positive if negative error).
The result is the correct measurement of the diameter.

 WHAT IS CALLIBRATION?
It means adjusting the instrument to bring it into alignment with the the standard. For example: Closing the jaws of
the Vernier Calliper till they press each other. Calibration is a condition in which systematic errors in the instrument
can be spotted such as the zero error.
Recall: Home Tasks:
(i) What are the limitations of a metre rule  Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
and how Vernier Callipers are useful? v=A62q-kRsUN8&pp=ygUQdmVybmllciBjYWxsaXBlcg
(ii) Why one division of Vernier Scale is of %3D%3D
0.9 mm and not 1 mm?  Read Example 1.1.
(iii) Why is it necessary to correct the zero
error?
 Physics – IX (Screw Gauge & Vernier Callipers)

Week: 3nd LESSON PLAN Day: 2nd

Subject: Physics Term: 1st Term Class: IX

Resources: Student Learning Objectives:
 Physics IX, Caravan Book House Lahore  explain why all measurements contain some
 Meter Scale (Instrument) uncertainty.
 Screw Gauge (Instrument)  identify that least count or resolution of a
 Internet Sources measuring instrument is the smallest increment
measurable by it.
Keywords: length, divisions, least count, error, main  describe the working of vernier callipers and screw
scale, circular scale, stud, spindle, thimble, diameter, gauge for measuring length.
ratchet, sleeve, pitch  identify and explain the limitation of measuring
instruments such as metre rule,vernier callipers
and screw gauge.
INTRODUCTION (5 Minutes)
 Ask students what they know about the limitations of Vernier Callipers. (That it can accurately measure only
to 1/10th of a mm)
 Explain the need for an instrument with higher accuracy and precision for measuring small lengths.
 Define screw gauge and its alternative name, micrometer screw gauge.
1.6 MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
 SCREW GAUGE (20 Minutes)
Explain each component in detail:
 Stud: It is also known as anvil. It is fixed to the U-shaped Metal frame.
 Spindle: It is a larger moveable stud that is attached to the thimble.
 Lock: When the lock is engaged, the measuring jaws are held firmly in place, allowing the user to take a
precise measurement without worrying about the jaws moving or shifting.
 Index Line: A millimeter scale is over it and is situated on the hollow cylinder/sleeve.
 Main Scale: The larger units are found on this scale and it is over the Index Line.
 Hollow cylinder/sleeve: It acts as a nut and has the index line over it.
 Circular Scale: It is found at the left of the thimble, and it has 100 divisions. The smaller units are found on
this scale. To be specific, the circular scale are 1/100th divisions of 1 mm on the larger main scale.
 Thimble: It has a threaded spindle inside it. It is also the rotating part of the gauge found its right side.
Moves the spindle to or away from the anvil/stud.
 Ratchet: Used to rotate the thimble, found at its extreme end.
 LEAST COUNT OF SCREW GAUGE (10 Minutes)
Emphasize to the students that
 1 mm on the main scale = 1 rotation (of 100 divisions) on the thimble’s circular scale.
This is also known as the pitch of the screw gauge.
You should tell the students that on Figure 1.9, the particular screw gauge, has 100 divisions on the C. S. That
means for each rotation of the thimble/circular scale, the measuring spindle moves by 1 mm (pitch).
The pitch of a screw gauge is a critical parameter that affects the accuracy and precision of its
measurements.
TIP:
If the no. of divisions on C.S were 50, then the pitch would have been 0.5 mm.

Next,
Ask the students to memorize this formula to find the L.C of a screw gauge.
pitch of the screw gauge
Least count=
no . of divs on circular scale
For example, let the pitch be 0.5 mm and number of divisions be 50 respectively.
0.5
=0.01 mm=0.001cm(L .C )
50
Recall: Home Tasks:
(i) What are the limitations of Vernier Callipers that  Analyze Meter Rule, Vernier Calliper and
are covered by Screw gauge? Screw gauge for these features:
(ii) How much does each division of circular scale, o measurement range
move the thimble’s main scale through? o least count
(iii) What is the smallest reading on the main scale o precision
and the circular scale? o real life uses
 Physics – IX (Screw Gauge & Vernier Callipers)

Week: 3rd LESSON PLAN Day: 3rd

Subject: Physics Term: 1st Term Class: IX

Resources: Student Learning Objectives:
 Physics IX, Caravan Book House Lahore  identify that least count or resolution of a
 Vernier Calliper (Instrument) measuring instrument is the smallest increment
 Screw Gauge (Instrument) measurable by it.
 Internet Sources (Youtube/Google)  describe the working of vernier callipers and screw
gauge for measuring length.
Keywords: divisions, least count, error, main scale,  identify and explain the limitation of measuring
circular scale, stud, diameter, index line, coincide, instruments such as metre rule,vernier callipers
thimble, ratchet, metal frame, spindle and screw gauge.
INTRODUCTION (5 Minutes)
Tell students that today they are going to learn about the working of a Screw Gauge through this Youtube video.
Adjust the seating arrangement so every student can comfortably view the screen.
 SCREW GAUGE (10 Minutes)
 Discuss how screw gauge measures 10x times more accurately than vernier calliper.
 Explain how screw gauge can measure up to 1/100th of a mm, which is its least count.
 Introduce the components:
 Rotating circular scale  Main Scale
 Thimble  Anvil or Stud
 Spindle  Ratchet
 Lock  Metal Frame
 FINDING THE ZERO ERROR (5 Minutes)
To find the zero error of a screw gauge, you need to first calibrate the instrument properly by closing the gap
between the spindle and the stud of the screw gauge. There can only be three possible conditions:
 The zero of the circular scale coincides with the index line, which means there is no zero error.
 The zero of the circular scale has not yet reached the index line, which means the zero error is positive.
 The zero of the circular scale has crossed the index line, which means the zero error is negative.
It's important to note that the zero error must be corrected to obtain accurate measurements. The correction is
made by adding or subtracting the zero error from the actual measurement.
To calculate the zero correction, recall the line: "Zero correction is the negative of the zero error." For example,
if the zero error is +2, the zero correction would be -2. If the zero error is negative, then the zero correction would
be positive.
It's essential to know the sign and magnitude of the zero error to correct it accurately. Positive zero error means the
instrument reads more than the actual measurement, while negative zero error means the instrument reads less
than the actual measurement.
 TAKING A MEASUREMENT (10 Minutes)
 Note any zero error, if any.
 Open the gap between stud and spindle of the screw gauge by turning the ratchet in anti-clockwise
direction. Place the coin between the stud and spindle. Turn the ratchet, so that the object is pressed gently
between the stud and the spindle.
 Note the main scale reading.
 Then, note the circular scale reading that coincides with index line. Multiply that by the L.C of instrument.
 Add the main scale reading and the circular scale reading.
 Apply zero correction to get the outer diameter of the coin.
TIP:
Pitch = range / number of revolutions on circular scale
 DISCUSSION
Recap: Start the discussion by briefly recapping the key points covered in the lesson.
Recall Questions:
(i) Why is a screw gauge more accurate than a vernier calliper?
(ii) How can you determine if there is zero error in a screw gauge?
(iii) How can you correct zero error in a screw gauge?
(iv) Why is it important to calibrate the screw gauge properly before taking measurements?
(v) A screw gauge has a range of 10 mm and a least count of 0.001 mm. If the screw gauge advances by 0.5
mm for one complete rotation of the circular scale, what is the number of divisions on the circular scale?
(vi) A screw gauge has a zero error of +0.01 mm. If the actual measurement is 7.44 mm, what is the corrected
measurement?
(vii) A screw gauge has a negative zero error of -0.02 mm. If the actual measurement is 3.16 mm, what is the
corrected measurement?
(viii) A screw gauge has a range of 25 mm. If the circular scale has 50 divisions, what is the least count of the
screw gauge?
(ix) Calculate the pitch if the smallest division on main scale is 0.5 mm and there are 50 divs. on circular scale.
Physics – IX (Screw Gauge & Vernier Callipers)