PRACTICAL NO 1

Experiments Name: TO MEASURE THE LENGTH OF A ROD WITH A

VERNIER CALIPERS.

Theory:
If may be the length of the smallest division of the main scale and v that of a vernier
division and if n-1 division of the scale be equal to n division of the vernier. Then,
(n-1).s = nv
Or,
n−1
v= . s ……………………………. (1)
n
n−1
Hence s−v=s− .s
n
n−1
¿ s .(1− )
n
1
¿ s .(1−1+ )
n
1
¿ s. ……………………………. (2)
n

The quantity (sv) is called the vernier constant which is a measure of the difference in length of a
scale division and a vernier division in the unit of the scale division. So if L be the reading upto
the division of the scale just before the zero mark of the vernier and if x be the number of the
vernier division, which coincides with a division on the scale, then the length of the rod which is
put between the jaws of the Calipers is equal to
1
L=M + v x L=M + x s
n
While measuring the length of the rod zero error must be considered.

Apparatus:
A slide Calipers and a rod.
Description of the Slide Calipers:
See the description of Fig. 1.

Fig-1

Procedure:
(i) Determine the value of the smallest division of the main scale (both in centimeter scale and
inch scale) with reference to a measuring scale.
(ii) Slide the vernier scale over the main scale so that the zero line of the vernier scale coincides
with a main scale division. Find out the main scale division with which the last vernier division
coincides. Count the total number of divisions in both vernier and main scale between these two
points of coincidence. Record this. To be sure, these numbers may be rechecked by moving the
vernier to some other position. Then calculate the vernier constant.
(iii) Place the two jaws of the Calipers in contact. If the vernier zero coincides with the main
scale zero there is no instrumental error. If they do not coincide there is an instrumental error.
Determine the instrumental error, positive or negative, as described previously.
(iv) Draw out the movalbe jaw and place the rod between the jaws. Make the two jaws touch the
ends of the rod. taking care to see that they are not pressed too hard or two loose. Take the main
scale reading just short of the vernier zero line and count vernier division between the vernier
zero line and the line which coincides with any of the main scale division. The product of this
vernier reading and the vernier constant gives the length of the fractional part. The sum of the
main scale reading and the fractional part (taking account of the zero error), gives the length of
the rod. Take at least five readings and arrange in a tabular form.
Results:

(A) Vernier Constant.

(a) Centimeter Scale. The value of one small division of the main scale = 3.5 cm

10 vd = 9 sd
9
1 vd = sd
10

Vernier constant (v.c.)

= 1 sd - 1 vd
9
= 1 -
10

1
=
10
= 0.1 mm
= 0.01 cm

(B) To determine the Instrumental Error.

(a) Positive Error. When the jaws are in contact, the vernier zero is in advance of the zero line of
the main scale and suppose that the fourth vernier division coincides with some line of the main
scale.
This instrumental error must be subtracted from the apparent length of the body.

(b) Negative Error. When the jaws are in contact, the vernier zero is behind that of the main scale
zero. Suppose that the 4th line ie. the 6th line of the vernier counted from the 10th vernier
division coincides with some division of the main scale.
This instrumental error must be added to the apparent length of the body.
(C) Length of the Rod.
 Obs No Main Scale Vernier Vernier Excess Total Mean
(M) Scale R Constant Reading Length Length
(cm) (V) (X) E=V.X T=M+E (cm)
1 3.5 7 0.01 0.07 3.57
2 3.5 5 0.01 0.09 3.55
3 3.5 8 0.01 0.08 3.58
4 3.5 9 0.01 0.09 3.59 3.57
5 3.5 6 0.01 0.06 3.56

Mathematical Terms:
Total Length = (3.57+3.55+3.58+3.59+3.56)
= 17.85 cm

Total Length
Mean Length =
Obs . No
17.85
= cm
5
= 3.57 cm

Note. If the radius and cross-section of a rod is to be measured, the diameter of the rod is to
be determined at two mutualty perpendicular direction of each of three different positions of the
body.

Discussion:
(i) The jaws must not be pressed too hard or too loose.