VERNIER CALIPERS

Introduction
The wooden meter scale is the simplest instrument used in the laboratory for
measuring small lengths. With its help, we can accurately measure only upto l mm
because the length of the smallest division made on this meter scale is l mm. In
order to measure still smaller lengths accurately upto _l_th of a millimetre the in-
10
strument used is Vernier calipers. It was designed by a French technician Pierre
Vernier, who lived in the seventeenth century, and hence the instrument is named
Vernier after its inventor.
Vernier calipers comprises of two scales, viz, the Vernier scale V and Main scale
M. The Main scale is fixed but the Vernier scale is movable. The Vernier scale
slides along the Main scale as shown in
fig 1. 0 2cm
The divisions of Vernier scale V are
usually a little smaller in size than the
smallest division on the main scale M.
0 5 10
However in some special instruments Main scale
the size of a Vernier division may be
larger than the smallest division on the
Vernier scale
main scale.
Principle of a Vernier
Suppose the size of one main scale division is M units and that of one Vernier
scale division is V units. Also suppose that the length of m Vernier divisions is equal
to the length of m-1 main scale divisions. In other words m Vernier divisions coin-
cide with m-1 main scale divisions.
The length of (m-1) m.s.d = The length of m v.s.d.
symbolically (m - l)M = m V
mM-M=mV
m(M-V)=M
M-V=M
m
Value of one main scale division
i.e., M - V = Total number of divisions on the vernier scale
 8 Complementary Experimental Physics-I

The quantity M _ y i.e., Value of 1 m.s.d _ Value of I v.s.d is called Vernier

constant, abbreviated as "V.C". The V.C of an instrument always remains a con-
stant. Vernier constant of the instrument tells us about the smalleSl lengl h th at can
accurately be measured with the instrument. The smallest value of a physical quan-
tity which can be measured with an instrument is called the least count (L.C.) of the
measuring instrument. For an instrument where Vernier is used, its Vernier constant
is its least count. For example, to calculate the least count of Vernier calipers refer to
figure 1.1. Here the Vernier scale contains 10 equal divisions. These 10 division~
(each of length V units) coincide with 9 equal divisions (e~ch of length M units).
The length of one small division on the main scale is 1-mm i.e., M = 1 mm
Thus
l0V = 9M
9
V=-M
10
9 1
M-V=M--M=-M
10 10

or 1
M-V=-mm
10

or Vernier constant V.C = ~ mm= 0.1mm = 0.01cm

1
Reading a Vernier
Suppose that while measuring the length of an object, the positions of the main
scale and the Vernier scale are as shown in figure 1.2. First of all, we read the posi-
tion of the zero of the Vernier on the main scale. As is quite clear, the zero position
of the Vernier lies between 3.3cm and 3.4cm. In fact the objective of this instru-
ment is to measure the small distance x accurately which lies between zero mark of
the Vernier scale and 3.3cm mark on the main scale. We can see that x cannot be
directly read on the main scale as this length is smaller than the smallest division on
the main scale.
Next find out which division on the Vernier scale exactly coincides with some
divisions of the main scale. In fig. 1.2, it is quite clear that the 4th division of the
Vernier scale coincides with some division of the main scale.
 Complementary Experimental Physics-I 9
----0.04cm
---0.03cm
----0.02cm
--0.01cm
4th vernier
division
3 coinciding

Main scale (M)

0 5 10

Vernier scale
X 14- (V)

Therefore value of x will be given by the relation.

3.3cm +x+4 Vernier scale division =3.3cm +4 Main scale division
or x = 4 Main scale division -4 Vernier scale division
x = 4 (1 Main scale division -1 Vernier scale division)
x=4xV.C
=4xL.C
.·. The required length of the Vernier
L=3.3 cm+ x
= 3.3cm +4xL.C
= 3.3cm+4x0.01 = 3.34cm
In general L = Main scale reading+ Vernier scale reading x L.C
i.e., L = M.S.R + (V.S.R x L.C)
Description of the Vernier Calipers
Construction
The main parts of Vernier calipers are (i) Main scale (ii) Vernier scale
(iii) Jaws and (iv) Strip.
1. Main scale : The main scale M of the Vernier calipers is made up of steel. It is
graduated in mm and cm on one side; inches and tenth of an inch on the otherside.
 10

l. \ ~rnier scale: Tl-?\ en i--'. ,._·.1Ie \ i, _. , lidmg ,1.:ak. h l· •.m mo, · lrecl) lO\\ ,
e t rig t. The\ ern1e. :--:- .1ie ~unnot on \ ' 1..l e .ih,ng the m.1i11 ,c.1le hut t'.lll ._11
be 'ixe at a 1.~ r'-' s.~ on \.\ Hh the help 1.·. i '1...·r~,, S 'Se-..· figure l .J ): l he \ c, n,~
,.:al .:> al , 1 -~ f :-..:dualic::s 0. both 1.."1f HS s1Jc, Th~ ,1~k of the\ crrner ,c.tlc I) 111
tou ard, th~ .:::-:: s.J.e of Lhe m:iin ,--·.1.k h.1, ten \:'qu.i.l di, l',1'.'ll' - 10 di, i,ion, o
L'-:.:s \ · .:'rn.i e:- ,-:-..:ie ..:-oin.:ide \\ ith 9 Ji\ ~s11..rn, 01 th~ mai 11 ,-..·.1k.

M
6
[,J j N

I 2 3

\1 U1111l1
·-•'I'--~- )l
1111111 ,:/
111 IL__
C

3. Jaws : h !has ~""1. o Ja,,·s P C :ind Q D. The Ja,, P C lies along the zero end of the
ilia::: s.: :Je e.I1d is ::.°\:cC 8.~ :ight angks ro the scale. The other Jaw Q Dis attached
:o ±~ zer~ e::~ ci ±e \ ·em.ier and is also at right angks to the main scale. Since Q
D .:::10---cs ~a:::g ';\ itl: ~he \ "emier scale. it is called a moYable jaw. The upper end
P 2n~ Qare :;.sec :o ::neasure internal dimensions of the hollow objects like diarn-
;;:e:- c: 2. calo:-"....::r:e~e:-. The :ower ends C and D are used to measure the lengths oi
~

onjec:s :.ha: are g::-i?ped between them.

4. Strip N: The s::-ip ~ is ar-.ached to the Yernier scale. It slides over the main scale
alo.::g --:vit.h ilie \-ernier scale. This strip is used to measure the depths of hollO\\
o~ec:s :.:.kc the depm of a calorimeter.
,,-orking
The working of \-ernier calipers is divided into three steps.
i) Determination of Y.C or L.C.
It has alreadj been discussed.
ii) Determination of zero error
If the instrument is perfect. the zero mark of the Yemier scale should coincide
"ith the zero mark of the main scale when the jaws C and D are made to touch each
other. In such a situation. the instrument is free from any error. In other words it is
said to have no zero error. See figure below.
 L'~..,•nplerm nran E.xpcnmento/ Pll~~•cs I 11

0 l Zcm

~~~+-+-1--+-~~.JIJI I I I 1
__/ 0 ____ 10

H1.)\\ e, er m ~h .'tnal practice it is ne\ er S1.). It is due to\\ ear and te .1r of the ja\\ s ~md
Jue l1."" m ..mufacturing tic-fret. The zer1.) m.irl-..s of the main scale and Yemier scale
mJ) nl.'1t 1'e in the same str.light line \\ hen the ja" s .ire made to touch each other. It
gi, es 1ise to t"lTL""r called zero eITor. But now a days all studc-nts are gi,en Yemier
12:ilipers with no zero eITor. so the) don't ,, OIT: about zero c-ITor.
iii) Detern1ination of the length of an object
The object whose length is to be measured is placed between the jaws C and D. It
should be noted that the length of the object to be measured lies along the main
~o,,
sc ..tle. the jaws are made to grip the object. C.ire should be ta.ken that neither the
jaws press the object too hard nor there is any gap left bet\\ een the object and the
jJws. This can be achieYed by moYing the Yemier gently. Now lock the Yernier
scale to the main scale with the help of screw S. Record the main scale and \'en1ier
scale coincidence. L sing the forn1ula 11.S.R, (Y .S.R '< LC) calculate the correct
reading.
Ex1•r HIMt N1 No. J
VERNIER CALIPERS
Aini
Io Jclcrrn111c th e volu111c <>f cylindc1 r~olid and ht lloY. J
Apparatus
Vc111icr calipers, ,i "iolid <.,yJindcr, 0 t,o!l<,w cylinder, a sphere 3nd
(prcf crahl y a ,m(d I cal or I mtlcr J
'l'hcory
Volurnc ol the cylinder V = m 2/ where r is the r;1diu s and I is the lengl h of th
cylinder.

Volume of' the hollow cylinder V = rcfr,' - /,2 JI where r 2 i s the external radius, r J

1hc internal radi11s and/ is the length of the hc,l]ow cylinder.

4
Volume of the sphere. V:::: - nr 1 . where r is the radius of the sphere.
3
Volume of heakcr = rrr 2 L, where r is the internal radius and ! is the depth of the
beaker.
To measure volume in all ca1.,cs above we have to measure either radius r or
length l or both. This measurement~ can be made by using given Vernier calipers.
Dimension (r or l) measured by a Vernier caliperr.,.
= M.S.R. + V.S.R. x L.C.
Procedure
Step I
Determine the least count of the Vernier calipers fir:-it.
Step II
Now bring the movabJc jaw QD in close contact with the Jaw PC. see that lhe
1.cro mark of the Vernier scale ~hould coincide with the lero mark of the main scale
If not make it so or change the Vernier calipers to have that. This will ensure no zero
error.
 Complementary Experimental Physics 1 13

(i) To determine the volume of the cylinder

For this we have to measure the length and diameter of the cylinder using Vernier
Calipers.
Step III
After doing step I and II place the given cylinder (whose volume is to be
determined) lengthwise between the two jaws C,D and adjust the jaw Q, D so that
the cylinder is gripped gently without any undue pressure between the jaws (see fig.
1.). Now fix the screws attached to the Vernier V.
Step IV
Note the position of the zero mark of the Vernier scale Von the main scale. For
this record the main scale reading (M.S .R) just before the zero mark of the Vernier
scale. Note the number of Vernier division which coincides with some division of
the main scale. However the coinciding number is to be counted from the zero end
of the Vernier. It is called V.S.R.
Step V
Using the formula M.S .R. + V.S .R. x L.C. we obtain the length of the cylinder.
Repeat the above process atleast five times for five different positions of the cylinder.
Record these in the tabular column even if all the observations are the same. For
each measurement calculate the length of the cylinder using the formula given. Finally
take the average value of all the measurements, it gives the best (true) value of the
length (l) of the cylinder.
Release Vernier screw and let free the cylinder. Now place the cylinder diameter
wise between the two jaws C, Das before. (see fig. 1) Repeat everything the same as
before. The final average value gives the diameter of the cylinder. Half of this gives
the best (true) value of the cylinder.
2
Using the formula V= nr l, we can calculate the volume of the cylinder.
(ii) To determine the volume of the hollow cylinder
For this measure the length (l) of the cylinder and external radius (r) as described
before. To measure the internal radius place the cylinder such that the two jaws P
and Q are inside (as shown in fig. 1) and adjust the jaw QD (move backward). So
that the cylinder is gripped tightly in the upright position. Now fix the screws attached
to the Vernier V. Take 5 sets of readings, the mean of this gives internal diameter.
Half of this gives the internal radius r 1•
14 Complementary Experimental Physics-I

Observations
Value of one main scale division (1 MSR) = •········· ... mm
Number of divisions on the Vernier, n = •······•·"··

Least count= Value of lM.S.D mm= ............. cm

·············
n
Measurement= M.S.R + V.S.R x L.C.
Tabular column 1
Length and diameter of cylinder
Total reading -
Trial M.S.R. V.S.R Mean (cm)
M.S.R + (V.S.R x L.C)
No. (cm) (division)
(cm)
i...
Q.) 1
"'O

·-
~
C:

u
2
Q.) 3
....
..c
4,-.
0 4
....
..c
b.l) 5
C:
Q.)
~
Length l =

...
Q.)
"'O 1
·-- C:
;:>.,
u 2
Q.)
..c
.... 3
c+-,,
0
~ 4
....
Q.)
Q.)

sro 5
·-0 Diameter d =

Length of ~he cylinder, l = ............. cm= .............. m

Diameter of the cylinder, d = ............. cm = .............. m
d
Radius of the cylinder, r = = ............. cm = .............. m
2
2
Volume of the cylinder, v = rrr l -_ ............. cm3 -_ .............. m3
 Complementary Experimental Ph~/sics-1 15

Tabular column 2
Length, inner and outer diameters of the hollow cylinder
Total reading =
Trial M.S.R. V.S.R Mean
(division) M.S.R + (V.S.R x L.C) (cm)
No. (cm)
(cm)
1
Cl)
..c::---
.....
4-
---
'--"
I-
2
0 Q,)
..c:: -0 3
~·-
_. C
c-
Cl) >-. 4
,...J u
5 l=

I-
1
_,
Cl)
e.)
2
E
cd -..
I-
•-
-0N
-0 ...__, 3
Q,) I-
-0 .....
Q,)
4
·->-.
C
0
::l

u
t.....
5 d2 =
0
I-
....
Q,) 1
Cl) '-
E .....Q,)
Q,)

cd
2
8-..
0 ·-
cd
-0 -0
-
..._,, 3
I-
Q,)
4
- C
C
5 d2 =

Length of the hollow cylinder, l = ............. cm= .............. m

d
Outer radius of the hollow cylinder, r2 ={ = ............. cm= .............. m

d
Inner radius of the hollow cylinder, r1 = -:f = ............. cm= .............. m

Volume of the hollow cylinder, v = n(rt - r{)/ = ............. cm)= .............. mJ

 rDl'T1mcnra11'nu~1C5·1

Tabular colun1n 3
Diamettr of the s-phcre

Tn MS R \ ~ R
!'\

\ \
 Complementary Experimental Physics-I 17
Tabular column 4
J,engt h Hnd dian1ctcr of beaker

Trial M.S.R. V.S.R Total reading= M.S.R +

No (cm) (division) (V.S.R x L.C) (cm) Mean (cm)

....
V
:..:: I
ro
V
.0 2
V
~
...... ..__
4-< 3
0
.-s
bl)
4
c::
I\)

-1 5 Length l =

V I
...c:
......
'-+-< 'O 2
....0 ....
V
8~
V V
3
E .o
.....ro 4
Q
5
Diameter d =

I ,cngth of the beaker, L = ............. cm = .............. rn

Diameter of the beaker, d = ............. c,n = .............. m

Radius of the beaker, d

r= - = ............. c1n = .............. m
2

Volume of the beaker, V = nr 2 / = ............. cm 1 = .............. 111 1

18 Cor,,p/crr"'11tmy I xpcrm1entnl Pfiys,r s I

Sphere

Cylinder Sphere

T
h

1
Hollow cylinder Hollow cylinder
 19

liff1 rn dl'h'nniiw tlH..' , l}lnnw l}f tlw ~olid sphl'•rt.\

\
4
L."' 1.1('{-.'t",l"L~',' h1l" \ 1.1 lu ,lh" ,,( ;he ~r-h1.'1 ._' , -:t
\ -~
,L1,~1C<1."" \.1 L' li,i..' ~p 11l'rC l 1 ~1ilf \ 1.'nl11.'T ..:.1hr'1.'f:-
L'\ 11.11..'..1~erc th ...' 1.li.lml'lc,· l,f the f i\ ,'n :-f'h1.'1\~ pl.1 ..-c th ..' ~phc-rc t, . .,; \\ c-1.'n 111..' j.m ~ L',
P \ :-i..' ..' ttf. l 1 .1111.1 .1J_m:-t tlk' j.m (ll, :-l' !h.H 1l1L' ~I'lh.'I\.' i~ fripp ..'1.i fc'ntl: \\ itlh"'lll ,rn:
nnJUl' i'l\.':-:-ur ..' l'Ct\\ ccn thl' i,rn :--. ~'--'" fr, the :-1.Tc,, .Huchc--i h" the-\ \.'rlHt"r. T.1L--
fi \ c '.'ll'l'S 1.."'i.' rca.:hn&:- .1::- liC:-,Tih~1..1 e.1 rli -.' t. Ft,r 1.'.1._'h :-Cl 1."f rc.idings ,"',1kuLHc the
d:..1r..1ett'r using th.,' f1.,n~ml.1}, LS.R. + \ .S.R "- l .C. Fr1.."'lll th1." fi, c· rc.1d.ing:- 1."bt.1in-:'J
.::11('uL1:e the a, c-rJ.fC \ Jluc·. Thi:- g:\ c':- .he bt'~t 1._rruc 1 c,p ...'nmc·nt.11 \ .1lut" l"f lhc
-+
di:im~tcr. H:1lf 1.."f this ;i, .:~ thl" raJiH~ r. l" ~in ~ tlk' t1.)rnrnl.1 ~ ""iT . c.ikubtc the
'
, 1..,lume- 0f the ~phere.
h-1 To detennine the Yolun1e of tbe beaker
To deten:iine the n,Iume 1.•t 1he beak.er l -:r ~! '\ . "e h.1\·e t1.1 rne.1slire 1.1. nl: inrc"mal
diameter and length of the beak.er using\ ·e111tt'r 1.'.1llircr.
Find out the length of the beaker by pbcing the °t'e:lKcT l°'et\\ e'en the _::rn s C.D .1s
described earlier. To measure the imern:il di,1111erer pl.2i:e the be:tki..'r upside do\\ n
enclosing rJ1e ja\, s P. Q. Adjust the ja\, QD (,_TI11..)\ ing bad~,Yard) ~L' rh.H the be.th.er is
gripped and vertic:ill:- upright. Take fiye sets 1.,f readings :inJ cakulJte rhe ~n er.1ge
Yalue. Half of this gives the internal radius 1...,f the be:lker.

"Csing the formula Y= rr.r-::.1 calculate the Yolurne 0f the l°'e.ll.er.

Result
(i) Volume of the CYiinder = ---------- cn1--
=---------- 111--
(ii) Volume of the hollov. cylinder=---------- cm-~
= ---------- n1"'
(iii) Volume of the sphere =----------cm-'
= ---------- nY'
(iv) Volume of the beaker = ---------- cm-;
20 Complementary Experimental Physic..s-1

VERNIER CALIPERS Vila Voce

- - - - - ---------:-
I. What is a slide caliper?
2. What is a vernier caliper? Why is it so called?
3. Which part of the instrument is the Vernier scale?
4. What i~ meant by Least count of a measuring instrument?
5. What is Vernier constant of Vernier caliper?
6. Define Least count of Vernier calipers.
7. What is angular Vernier?
8. What is the LC of a meter scale?
9. Which one will be more accurate - a caliper with small LC or large L.C?
10. What is the function of the upper jaws of the instrument?
11. What is the function of the sliding strip of Vernier caliper~?
12. What are the precautions to be taken before using Vernier calipers?
13. What are the possible sources of errors that may come into play while using
Vernier calipers?
14. In Vernier calipers the length m Vernier scale divisions and (m -1) main scale
divisions are equal. How can we improve the accuracy of the Vernier calipers?
15. The least count of Vernier calipers is usually 0.01cm. What do we do to change
the least count to 0.001 cm?
or
Construct Vernier calipers having least count 0.00 I cm.

Working formula
Dimension measured by Vernier calipers
= M.S.R. + V.S.R. x L.C.
2
Volume of the cylinder, V - 1tr /

Volume of the hollow cylinder, V = n(rt-r/)l

4 3
Volume of the sphere, V = -1tr
3
2
Volume of the bea~er, V = 1tr /