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PHYSICS STD VIII

MEASUREMENT OF LENGTH
Least count of a measuring instrument
The least count of an instrument is the smallest measurement that can be taken accurately
with it.
The least count of metre scale is 1mm and that of the ammeter shown below is 2 ampere

Measurement of length with a metre scale


In daily life ,the length is measured with the help of a metre scale.It is graduated in cm and
mm such that the value of one small division is 1 mm .Thus a metre scale can be used to
measure a length accurately up to 1 mm.

VERNIER CALLIPERS
Vernier callipers, an instrument for making very accurate linear measurements was introduced in
1631 by Pierre Vernier of France. Vernier callipers are widely used in scientific laboratories and in
manufacturing for quality control measurements

Uses of a vernier callipers


Vernier callipers are used to measure
(i)The length of a rod or any object
(ii)The diameter of a sphere
(iii)The internal and external diameter of a hollow cylinder
(iv)The depth of a small beaker
DESCRIPTION OF VERNIER CALLIPERS
The main parts of Vernier Callipers are ;

1.Main Scale - The main scale is similar to that on a ruler, graduated in mm and cm on one side ;
inches on the other side.
2.Vernier Scale The vernier scale is a sliding scale .It slides parallel to the main scale and enables
readings to be made to a fraction of a division on the main scale.
3.Screw -The vernier scale can be fixed at any position on the main scale with the help of a screw.
4.Jaws It has two jaws. The lower jaws are called outside jaws and they are used to measure the
length of a rod ,diameter of a sphere or the external diameter of a cylinder. The upper jaws are called
the inside jaws which are used to measure the internal diameter of a hollow cylinder or pipe .

5.Strip - The thin strip is used to measure the depth of the objects like beakers .
Principle of Vernier- The graduations on the vernier scale are such that the length of n
divisions on the vernier scale is equal to (n-1) divisions of the main scale.
Generally, a vernier has 10 divisions and the the length of these 10 divisions is equal to the
length of 10 1 = 9 divisions of the main scale.

That is , 10 div of vernier scale = 9 mm.


1 div of vernier scale = 9/10 mm
Least Count of Vernier or Vernier Constant : It is defined as the difference between the
values of one main scale division and one vernier scale division .
L.C.= Value of one main scale division Value of one vernier scale division
= 1 mm 9/10 mm = 1 mm 0.9 mm = 0.1 mm or 0.01 cm
OR L.C. = Value of one main scale division / Total number of divisions on vernier
= 1 mm / 10 = 0.1 mm or 0.01 cm
How to use a Vernier calliper.
1) The jaws are first gently closed on the object to be measured.
2) Note the main scale reading (M.S.R)
3) Note the division on vernier scale which coincides with any division of the main scale. Multiply this
number of vernier division with the least count. This is the vernier scale reading(V.S.R)
Hence V.S.R = Vernier scale coincidence x Least count(L.C.)
4) Add the main scale reading to the vernier scale reading. This gives the observed length.
Hence, Observed Reading = Main scale reading + Vernier scale reading

Observed reading = M.S.R + V.S.R


OR

Observed reading = M.S.R. + (Vernier scale coincidence x L.C.)

For example ,Let us observe the diagram given below

Least count (L.C.)= 0.01 cm


M.S.R. = 2.6 cm
Vernier scale coincidence = 7
V.S.R. = Vernier scale coincidence x L.C.
= 7 x 0.01 = 0.07 cm
Observed reading = M.S.R + V.S.R = 2.6 cm + 0.07 cm = 2.67 cm

Screw Gauge
Screw gauge is a device which can measure very small lengths (or thickness) up to one
hundredth part of a millimeter. It can be used to measure diameter of a wire, thickness of a
thin metal sheet ,etc.
Description :A Screw Gauge is shown here and its main parts are described below.

1.Frame It consists of U shaped metallic frame.To one side of this U frame there is a
long hollow cylindrical tube with a nut inside it, the inner side of cylindrical nut contains a
uniform thread cut in it.On the other side of U frame a fixed stud with a plane face is
attached.
2.Main scale- The extended portion of the nut , graduated in millimeters or halfmillimeters is called the main scale. It has a base line along the axis of the nut.
3.Thimble The hollow cylinder at the end of the screw is called thimble.
4.Circular scale The graduated head of the thimble is called circular scale (C.S.).The CS
is generally divided into 50 or 100 equal divisions.
5.Ratchet The ratchet avoids undue tightening of the screw and helps in holding the
object between the stud and the end of the screw.

Principle of the screw guage


The screw gauge works on the principle of screw.
When a screw is rotated in a nut, it exhibits both linear and rotational motions.
When a screw is moved in a fixed nut , the linear distance travelled by the screw on the main
scale when the circular is given one complete rotation is called Pitch of the screw.
Least count of the screw guage
Least count (L.C) = Pitch of the screw / Total number of divisions on the circular scale
Generally , the pitch of the screw guage is 1 mm and it has 100 divisions on its circular scale .
Hence , L.C. = 1 mm / 100 = 0.01 mm or 0.001 cm

Determination of the diameter 'd' of a wire


Place the wire between the stud and spindle end as indicated in the diagram.
Rotate the thimble until the wire is firmly held between the stud and the spindle.
The rachet is provided to avoid excessive pressure on the wire. It prevents the spindle from
further movement - squashing the wire!.
To take a reading first look at the main scale and note the main scale reading (M.S.R).
Note the division of the circular scale which coincides with the base line of the main scale
.This circular scale division (C.S.D) when multiplied by the least count(L.C) ,gives the
circular scale reading(C.S.R)
Add the Main scale reading (M.S.R) and the circular scale reading (C.S.R).This gives the
observed reading.
Observed reading = M.S.R. + C.S.R

OR
Observed reading = M.S.R. + (C.S.D. x L.C.)

For example , in the fig. shown below

L.C. = 0.01 mm
Main scale reading (M.S.R) = 2 mm
Division on the circular scale which coincides with the base line (C.S.D) = 46
Thus ,Observed reading = M.S.R. + ( C.S.D. x L.C.)
= 2 mm + (46 x 0.01 mm) = 2 mm + 0.46 mm = 2.46 mm= 0.246 cm

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