Experiment No.

1
MEASUREMENT: MEASURING DEVICES AND ITS APPLICATION

Objective: To study the principles of various measuring devices and its application.

Theory:
The ordinary method of measuring the length is by the use of a meterstick. But when
precision is desired, a caliper is being used, either vernier or micrometer.
The vernier caliper consists of a fixed part and a movable jaw. In the fixed part was engraved the
graduation in the Metric and English system. On the movable jaw, the vernier scale is engraved such
that for every division of the vernier scale corresponds to (9) division of the main scale. A correct
reading 1/100 centimeter can be obtained.
The micrometer caliper consists of a U-shaped frame called the anvil and movable part. The
main scale is the horizontal graduation and another scale is in the revolving part. The object to be
measured is placed in the anvil. The screw is then advanced until the object is gripped gently
between the jaws of the instrument.

Figure 1: VERNIER CALIPER

Figure 2: MICROMETER CALIPER

APPARATUS: vernier caliper, micrometer, meterstick, balance, cylinder, sphere, rectangular block,
cylindrical block

PROCEDURE:
1. Examine the vernier caliper, micrometer caliper and the meterstick. What are the different units
presented by each device?
2. Measure your height. Express in it Metric and English units.
3. Measure the length and the width of the surface of the table in meters and covert to different units as
required. Solve for its area.
4. Measure the length and diameter (in centimeters) of the cylinder using the meterstick and the vernier
caliper. Solve for its area and volume.
5. Measure the diameter (in centimeters)of the sphere using the vernier and the micrometer caliper.
Solve for its area and volume.
6. Measure the length and the diameter (in centimeters) of a cylindrical block using the meterstick and
the vernier caliper. Solve for its area & volume.
7. Measure the length, width and height (in centimeters)of the rectangular block using the meterstick
and the vernier caliper. Solve for its area & volume.
 Name: _________________________ Date Performed:______________
Course & Section:________________ Rating:_____________________
Instructor:______________________

Experiment No.1

MEASUREMENT: MEASURING DEVICES AND ITS APPLICATION

Data and Results:

1. Units presented

DEVICE UNITS
Meterstick
Vernier caliper
Micrometer caliper

2. Measuring height:
METER CENTIMETER MILLIMETER FEET INCHES

3. Area of the surface of the table:

QUANTITY m cm mm ft in
Length
width
area
Computations:
Formula: A= l x w where: l = length
w = width

4. Volume & Density of a cylinder:

DEVICE DIAMETER RADIUS HEIGHT VOLUME DENSITY

meterstick
Vernier
caliper

Computations: mass:________
Formula: v= πr2h where: r = radius
h = height
5. Volume & Density of a Sphere:

DEVICE DIAMETER RADIUS VOLUME DENSITY

Vernier caliper
micrometer caliper

Computations: mass:_______
Formula: v=4/3 πr3 where: r = radius

6. Volume & Density of a rectangle

DEVICE LENGTH WIDTH THICKNESS VOLUME DENSITY

meterstick
Vernier caliper

Computations: mass:______
Formula: v= lxwxt where: l = length
w = width
t = thickness

COMPUTATIONS:

QUESTIONS:
1. Among the 3 devices ( vernier caliper,micometer caliper and meterstick) which one is the most
versatile device?
2. What is the greatest possible error one might make in doing measurement?
3. Cite some problems you encounter in performing the experiment.

DOCUMENTATION: