Experiment NO 01

Experiment No.
1:
Experiment Name:
To find the volume of a cylinder and rectangular cube using Vernier calipers.
Theory:
What is a Vernier Calipers?
A caliper is a device used to measure the distance between two opposing sides of
an object. It can be as simple as a compass with inward or outward-facing points.
First the tips of the caliper are adjusted to fit across the points to be measured and
the caliper is then removed and the distance between the tips is measured using a
ruler.
Vernier caliper, instrument for making very accurate linear measurements
introduced in 1631 by Pierre Vernier of France. The modern Vernier caliper was
invented by Joseph R. Brown in 1851. It was the first practical tool for exact
measurements that could be sold at an affordable price to ordinary
machinists. The Vernier Caliper consists of a main scale fitted with a jaw at one
end. Another jaw, containing the vernier scale, moves over the main scale. When
the two jaws are in contact, the zero of the main scale and the zero of the Vernier
scale should coincide. If both the zeros do not coincide, there will be a positive or
negative zero error.
Parts of a Vernier Calipers:

1. Main Scale:
The main scale consists of a steel metallic strip graduated in centimeters at one
edge and in inches at the other edge . It carries the inner and outer measuring
jaws. When the two jaws are in contact, the zero of the main scale and the zero of
the Vernier scale should coincide. If both the zeros do not coincide, there will be a
positive or negative zero error.
2. Vernier Scale:
A Vernier scale slides on the strip. It can be fixed in any position by the retainer.
On the Vernier scale, 0.9 cm is divided into ten equal parts.
3. Outer Measuring Jaws:
The outer measuring jaws helps to take the outer dimension of an object
4. Inner Measuring Jaws:
The inner measuring jaws helps to take the inner dimension of an object.
5. Retainer:
The retainer helps to retain the object within the jaws of the Vernier calipers.
6. Depth Measuring Prong:
The depth measuring prong helps to measure the depth of an object.
Vernier Constant:
The Vernier constant is the ratio of the smallest division of the main scale to the
number of divisions present in a Vernier scale.
The Vernier Constant or the smallest reading which you can get with the instrument
can be calculated as;
𝑂𝑛𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 (𝑀𝑆)𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
Vernier Constant =
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒
First calculate the Vernier Constant and only then place the object between the
two jaws.
Record the position of zero of the Vernier scale on the main scale.
Calculating the Reading:
When a body is between the jaws of the Vernier Calipers;

If the zero of the Vernier scale lies ahead of the Nth division of the main scale, then
the main scale reading (MSR) is;
MSR = N
If nth division of Vernier scale coincides with any division of the main scale, then
the Vernier scale reading (VSR) is;
VSR = n x V.C. , ( V.C. is the Vernier constant of the calipers)
Total reading,
TR = MSR + VSR = N + (n x V.C.)
Finding the Volumes:
Volume of a Beaker / Calorimeter:
Volume of the beaker / calorimeter = internal area of the cross section x depth
This can be expressed as:
𝐷 2
V=π( ) .d
2
where 'D' is the internal diameter of beaker / calorimeter and 'd' the depth of
beaker / calorimeter.
Volume of a Sphere:
4
V = πr3
3
where 'r' is the radius of the sphere.

Volume of a Rectangular Block:
V = l x b x h,
where 'l' is length of the block, 'b' the breadth and 'h' the height of the block.
Volume of the cube:
V = a x a x a = a3 ,
Where ‘a’ is the length of the cube.
Volume of a cylinder:
V = π R2 L,
Where ‘R’ is the radius and ‘L’ is the length of the cylinder.
Apparatus:
Solid cylinder, Rectangular block, Vernier calipers.
Procedure:
1) Find the vernier constant of the given vernier calipers.
2) Determine its zero error if any.
3) Place the cylinder length-wise between the two jaws. Read the
main scale division just to the left of the zero of the vernier.
4) Locate the number of vernier divisions coinciding with any main scale
division. Note these readings thrice.
5) Complete the table up to the last column.
6) In the same way find the diameter of the cylinder from different positions.
Taking two reading at right angles on each position.
7) Calculate mean values of the length and the diameter and find the radius
of the cylinder.
8) Find out the volume of the cylinder from the formula.
9) Use the same method for calculating volume of a rectangular block by
finding out length, width and height.
Data Collection:
Observations and Calculations:
Value of the smallest scale division = x = 0.1 cm

No. of divisions on the vernier scale = y = 20
Vernier constant (V.C.) = x/y = _______ = ______ cm
Zero error = i) cm , ii) cm , iii) cm

Mean zero error = cm
Zero correction = cm
Main scale Vernier divisions

No. reading coinciding with Fraction to Total Reading
any main scale
of Quantity division be added
obs. observed corrected
X1 n ∆x = n x 2 x x = x1 + ∆x x + zero
V.C. correction
cm cm cm cm
1
Length
2
3
1
Diameter
2
3
Mean length of cylinder = L = ________ cm

Mean diameter of cylinder = D = _____ cm
Radius of the cylinder R = D/2 = _____ cm
Volume of the cylinder = V = π R2 L= ______cm3
Result: So, Volume of the cylinder is = ___________ cm3

Precautions & Discussions :
1. Take at least three readings for each measurement.
2. The jaws of the Vernier should not be pressed to hard.
3. Vernier divisions should be read clearly, may be with some
magnifying glass.
Viva Voce:
Q.1 What is vernier constant?
Ans. It is the smallest measurement which a vernier can read.
Q.2 What is a vernier?
Ans. A device used to measure the fraction of smallest scale divisions up
to tenth part of a centimeter.
Q.3 Who invented Vernier calipers?
Ans. A French mathematician, Pierre Vernier invented it.

Experiment NO 01

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Experiment No.

Parts of a Vernier Calipers:

3. Outer Measuring Jaws:

4. Inner Measuring Jaws:

6. Depth Measuring Prong:

The depth measuring prong helps to measure the depth of an object.

Calculating the Reading:

When a body is between the jaws of the Vernier Calipers;

Finding the Volumes:

Volume of a Beaker / Calorimeter:

where 'r' is the radius of the sphere.

Observations and Calculations:

Value of the smallest scale division = x = 0.1 cm

Zero error = i) cm , ii) cm , iii) cm

Main scale Vernier divisions

obs. observed corrected

Mean length of cylinder = L = ________ cm

Result: So, Volume of the cylinder is = ___________ cm3

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