UNIT 1:

MEASUREMENT AND UNITS

1.03 Measuring Length and Time
Prepared by: Dr. Hor
 Measuring Length
Measuring Measuring range Precision/Accuracy
instrument
Tape Up to a few m 1 mm
Metre rule (can be Up to 1 m 1 mm
used together with
calipers)
Vernier calipers Up to 10 cm 0.1 mm
Micrometer Up to 2 cm 0.01 mm
 Measuring Length
• Using the vernier calipers
Measuring Length
 Measuring Length
State the reading of the vernier calipers in the figure below.

Zero error =

Observed reading =

Corrected reading =
 Measuring Length
State the reading of the vernier calipers in the figure below.

Zero error = +0.01 cm

Observed reading = 3.24 cm

Corrected reading = 3.24 – (+0.01) = 3.23 cm

 Measuring Length
State the reading of the vernier calipers in the figure below.

Zero error =

Observed reading =

Corrected reading =
 Measuring Length
State the reading of the vernier calipers in the figure below.

Zero error = - 0.02 cm

Observed reading = 4.03 cm

Corrected reading = 4.03 – (-0.02) = 4.05 cm

 Measuring Length
• Using the micrometer screw gauge
Measuring Length
 Measuring Length
State the reading of the micrometer screw gauge in the figure
below.

Zero error = Observed reading =

Therefore, corrected reading =

 Measuring Length
State the reading of the micrometer screw gauge in the figure
below.

Zero error = +0.02 mm Observed reading = 2.37 mm

Therefore, corrected reading = 2.37 – (+0.02) = 2.35 mm

 Measuring Length
State the reading of the micrometer screw gauge in the figure
below.

Zero error = Observed reading =

Therefore, corrected reading =

 Measuring Length
State the reading of the micrometer screw gauge in the figure
below.

Zero error = -0.03 mm Observed reading = 3.86 mm

Therefore, corrected reading = 3.86 – (– 0.03) = 3.89 mm

 Quiz
1. Vernier calipers are used to measure the diameter of a
ball bearing. What is the reading of the vernier scale?
 Quiz
1. Vernier calipers are used to measure the diameter of a
ball bearing. What is the reading of the vernier scale?

Answer:
Step 1: Main scale reading: 2.5 cm
Step 2: Vernier coincides with 3rd line. Vernier scale reading
is 0.03 cm.
Step 3: Reading of diameter = 2.5 + 0.03 cm = 2.53 cm
 Quiz
2. The diameter of a wire is measured using a micrometer
screw gauge. A student takes an initial zero reading and
then a reading of the diameter. What is the corrected
diameter of the wire in mm?
A 3.37 B 3.85 C 3.89 D 3.87
 Quiz
2. The diameter of a wire is measured using a micrometer
screw gauge. A student takes an initial zero reading and
then a reading of the diameter. What is the corrected
diameter of the wire in mm?
A 3.37 B 3.85 C 3.89 D 3.87

Answer:
The zero reading Z = +0.02 mm
The diameter reading D = 3.87 mm
Hence the corrected diameter reading:
Dcorrected = D – Z = 3.87 – (+0.02)
= 3.85 mm
Therefore the answer is B.
 Quiz
State the reading of the micrometer screw gauge in the figure
below.
 Quiz
State the reading of the micrometer screw gauge in the figure
below.
 Quiz
State the reading of the micrometer screw gauge in the figure
below.
 Quiz
State the reading of the vernier calipers in the figures below.
 Quiz
State the reading of the vernier calipers in the figures below.
 Quiz
State the reading of the vernier calipers in the figures below.

Zero error = Zero error =

Observed reading = Observed reading =
Corrected reading = Corrected reading =
 Measuring Time
• Stopwatches are used to measure time
• They have a precision of 0.1 s
• However, human reaction time introduces an
error of about 0.3–0.5 s.
 Measuring Time
How do we measure the time taken for a
pendulum to make one complete swing (from R
to S and back to R)?
 Measuring Time
•Step
  1: Fix a number of complete swings you
want to measure (i.e. x times).
Step 2: Measure the time, t taken for the x
swings.
Step 3: Calculate the time taken for one
complete swing as follow:
 Quiz
The time taken for a pendulum to make 30
complete swings is 65 s. What is the time taken
for the pendulum to make one swing?