Chapter 14

Measuring
Instruments
 14. Measuring Instruments
Physics is the most basic science, which Grooves are cut on the inner surface
deals with the study of nature and natural of the cylinder through which a screw
phenomena. It is a quantitative science. passes through.
Therefore physicists measure things.
On the cylinder parallel to the axis of the
The ultimate test of any physical quantity
is its agreement with observations and screw a scale is graduated in millimeter
measurement of physical phenomena. called Pitch Scale.
One of the major contributions of physics One end of the screw is attached to a
to other sciences and society are the many sleeve.
measuring instruments and techniques
that physics has developed. One such The head of the sleeve is divided into
instrument is screw gauge. 100 divisions called as the Head Scale.
The other end of the screw has a plane
surface (s1).
14.1 SCREW GAUGE
A stud (s2) is attached to the other
Screw Gauge is an instrument to end of the frame, just opposite to the tip
measure the dimensions of very small of the screw.
objects upto 0.001 cm.
The screw head is provided with a
The Screw Gauge consists of ‘U’ ratchat arrangement (safety device) to
shaped metal frame Fig. 14.1. prevent the user from exerting undue
A hollow cylinder is attached to one pressure.
end of the frame.
Milled Head (H)
S2 S1 Hallow Cylindrical tube Safety device (D)
(Ratchat)

U-Shaped Frame pitch scale

PHYSICS

Head Scale

Index line

Fig 14.1

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 Measuring Instruments

Principle of the Screw Gauge . If the zero of the head scale coincides
with the pitch scale axis, there is no zero
Screw Gauge works under the principle
error.Fig. 14.2
of the screw. When a screw is rotated in
a nut, the distance moved by the tip of Positive Zero Error
the screw is directly proportional to the
number of rotations.

Pitch of the screw

Pitch of the screw is the distance
between two screw threads. It is also
equal to the distance travelled by the tip
Fig. 14.3
of the screw for one complete rotation of
the head. If the zero of the head scale lies
below the pitch scale axis, the zero error
Distance travelled on the pitch scale is positive. If the nth division of the head
Pitch = scale coincides with pitch scale axis the
No.of rotations
zero error is positive.Fig.14.3

Least Count of a Screw Gauge Z.E = + (n x L.C) ,

The distance moved by the tip of the Then the Zero Correction
screw for a rotation of one division on the Z.C = – (n x L.C)
head scale is called the least count of the
Negative Zero Error
Screw Gauge.

Pitch
L.C =
No.of divisions on the head scale

Zero Error of a Screw Gauge

The plane surface of the screw and
the opposite plane stud on the frame are Fig 14.4
brought into contact.
If the Zero of the head scale lies above
No Zero Error
the pitch scale axis, the zero error is
negative. If the nth division coincides with
CHAPTER 14

the pitch scale axis, the zero error is

negative.Fig. 14.4
Z.E = – (100 – n) x L.C,
Then the Zero Correction
Z.C = + (100 – n) x L.C
Fig. 14.2

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 To measure the diameter of a 14.2 Measuring long distances
thin wire using Screw Gauge For measuring long distances such
as distance of the moon or a planet
•• Determine the Pitch, the Least from the earth, special methods are
count and the Zero Error of the adopted. Radio echo method, laser pulse
Screw Gauge. method and parallax method are used to
•• Place the wire between two studs. determine very long distances. In order
to measure such very long distances the
•• Rotate the head until the wire is units astronomical distance and light year
held firmly but not tightly, with are used.
the help of ratchat. Astronomical distance
•• Note the reading on the Astronomical distance is the mean
pitch scale crossed by distance of the centre of the sun from the
the head scale (PSR) and centre of the earth.
the head scale reading coincides
with the head scale axis (H.S.C). 1 Astronomical unit (AU)
= 1.496 x 1011 m
•• The diameter of the wire is given
by P.S.R + (H.S.C x L.C) ± Z.C Light year

•• Repeat the experiment for Light year is the distance travelled by

different portions of the wire. light in one year in vacuum.

•• Tabulate the readings. Distance traveled by light in one year

in vacuum = Velocity of light x I year (in
• • The average of the last column seconds)
reading gives the diameter of = 3 x 108 x 365.25 x 24 x 60 x 60
the wire.
= 9.467 x 1015 m
S.No P.S.R H.S.C H.S.C x Total Reading
Therefore , 1 light year = 9.467 x 1015 m
mm L.C mm P.S.R +
(H.S.C x L.C)
±Z.C mm EVALUATION
1 PART A
2 1. Screw gauge is an instrument to
measure the dimensions of very small
3
PHYSICS

objects upto
(0.1 cm., 0.01 cm., 0.1 mm., 0.01 mm)
Nowadays we have digital Screw
Gauge to take the reading at once. 2. In a screw gauge zero of the head scale

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 Measuring Instruments

lies below the pitch scale axis, the zero 2. Match the items in group A with the
error is items in group B
(positive, negative, nil) Group A Group – B
Small dimensions Kilo meter
3. Screw gauge is used to measure the
diameter of Large dimensions Screw gauge

Long distances Scale

( crow bar, thin wire, cricket ball )
Small distances Light year
4. One light year is equal to Altimeter
( 365.25 x 24 x 60 x 60 x 3 x 108 m ,
1 x 24 x 60 x 60 x 3 x 08 m ,
3. ­Fill in the blanks: Special methods
360 x 24 x 60 x 60 x 3 x 108 m )
adopted to determine very large
5. One astronomical unit is the distace distances are and
between the centre of the earth and (Laser pulse method,
Light year method, Radio echo method)

(centre of the Moon, centre of the Sun, 4. Least count of a screw gauge is an
important concept related to screw
centre of the Mars)
gauge. What do you mean by the term
PART B least count of a screw gauge.

1. Correct the mistakes if any, in the
following statements.
Astronomical distance is the mean
distance of the surface of the sun from
the surface of the earth.
5. Label the following parts of the screw
gauge in the given screw gauge
diagram.
1. Head scale 2. Pitch scale
3. Axis 4. Ratchat

Light year is the distance travelled by

light in one year in vacuum at a speed of
3x108 m. per minute

Further Reference :
CHAPTER 14

Books: 1. Complete physics for IGCSE - Oxford publications.

2. Practical physics – Jerry. D. Wilson – Saunders college publishing
Webste: www.complore.com
www.physlink.com

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