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Phy Lab Report

The document summarizes an experiment measuring various objects using Vernier calipers and micrometer calipers. Metal cubes, steel washers, and glass marbles were weighed and had their dimensions measured. The metal cube was measured using both calipers while the washer and marble were each measured using one type of caliper. Volumes and densities were then calculated. The micrometer caliper provided more accurate readings than the Vernier caliper. Questions were asked to differentiate the two calipers, draw micrometer readings, list potential measurement errors, and calculate a percentage error.

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TriciaLee
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51 views

Phy Lab Report

The document summarizes an experiment measuring various objects using Vernier calipers and micrometer calipers. Metal cubes, steel washers, and glass marbles were weighed and had their dimensions measured. The metal cube was measured using both calipers while the washer and marble were each measured using one type of caliper. Volumes and densities were then calculated. The micrometer caliper provided more accurate readings than the Vernier caliper. Questions were asked to differentiate the two calipers, draw micrometer readings, list potential measurement errors, and calculate a percentage error.

Uploaded by

TriciaLee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Group Number: 4 Section: 2-DMT Date Performed: September 4, 2015

Members: Patricia C. Esteban Date Submitted: September 11, 2015


Tyrone Jay Feliciano
Joshua Hadrian G. Fernandez
Joan Nicole D. Funelas
Summer Marionne F. Gaite
Jayzelle Ann R. Gallardo

EXPERIMENT 1 – The Vernier and Micrometer Calipers

Abstract
The objective of this experiment is to know the operating principles and proper usage of
the Vernier caliper and micrometer to accurately measure the dimensions of the given
geometrically shaped objects, the metal cube, steel washer, and the glass marble. Each of the
objects were weighed on a triple beam balance. The dimensions of the objects were measured
using the micrometer and Vernier calipers. The metal cube was measured using both calipers,
while the steel washer and the glass marble were measured using the Vernier and micrometer
caliper, respectively. The volumes and densities of the objects were then computed using the data
measured from the calipers. Then, the percentage error for the density of each object were
computed. Based on the results gathered, the micrometer caliper gives a more accurate reading
compared to the Vernier caliper.

Questions
1. Differentiate the Vernier and micrometer scales.
The Vernier caliper and the micrometer are both used to measure distances too small to be
measured using a meter rule. The Vernier caliper consists of a main scale and a movable Vernier
scale. The micrometer, on the other hand, consists of a main scale and a micrometer scale. The key
difference between the Vernier caliper and micrometer is that the Vernier scale has a precision of
0.05 mm, while the micrometer scale has a precision of 0.01 mm. The readings obtained from the
two calipers also differ in such a way that the Vernier caliper produces readings with two decimal
places while the micrometer's readings extend up to 3 decimal places. Another difference is that
the Vernier caliper can measure inner lengths, outer lengths as well as depths, while a micrometer
usually only allow users to measure external lengths.
2. Draw the figure for the micrometer readings below:
a. 3.68 mm

b. 1.59 mm

3. State some of the errors that one might make in measuring length using both the Vernier and
micrometer calipers.
There are various sources of errors when using laboratory instruments in general. Using the
Vernier caliper and the micrometer as measuring devices could really contrive disparities among
the obtained measurements. One common error that one may make in using the Vernier and
micrometer calipers is the inaccurate positioning of the object to be measured. When using a
Vernier caliper, some start their measurement on the edge of the internal jaw instead of the external
jaw. When using a micrometer caliper, some tend to use two decimal places only when it should
always be 3 decimal places since an additional uncertain digit is always added at the end of the
circular scale reading. Most people also make mistakes on reading where the main scale and
Vernier scale have vertical line alignment.

4. Determine the percentage error for an observed value of 1.112 x 10-5 if the standard value is
1.117 x 10-5.

| Standard Value – Experimental Value |


× 100%
Standard Value

| (1.117 x 10-5) - (1.112 x 10-5) |


× 100%
1.117 x 10-5

Percentage error (%) = 0.4476%

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