Scribd
Upload
230 views56 pages

1.03 Measuring Length and Time - 1

1. Physics involves measuring various physical quantities accurately, requiring the proper instrument. Common instruments include measuring tapes, metre rules, vernier callipers, and micrometer screw gauges. 2. Vernier callipers and micrometer screw gauges provide high accuracy by reading both a main scale and an additional vernier or thimble scale. Correct use and avoiding errors like parallax and zero errors are important for precise measurements. 3. The sensitivity, consistency, accuracy, and types of errors of different instruments vary. Repeated measurements can minimize random errors while systematic errors require calibration checks. Choosing the right tool allows for collecting reliable quantitative data in physics.

Uploaded by

p.cheng
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
230 views56 pages

1.03 Measuring Length and Time - 1

1. Physics involves measuring various physical quantities accurately, requiring the proper instrument. Common instruments include measuring tapes, metre rules, vernier callipers, and micrometer screw gauges. 2. Vernier callipers and micrometer screw gauges provide high accuracy by reading both a main scale and an additional vernier or thimble scale. Correct use and avoiding errors like parallax and zero errors are important for precise measurements. 3. The sensitivity, consistency, accuracy, and types of errors of different instruments vary. Repeated measurements can minimize random errors while systematic errors require calibration checks. Choosing the right tool allows for collecting reliable quantitative data in physics.

Uploaded by

p.cheng
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 56

1.

03
Understanding
Measurement

Physics is a science which involves


measurements of various physical
quantities.
Choosing an appropriate instrument
to measure a physical quantity is
important to ensure that the
measurement is accurate.

Common Measuring Instrument


Measuring tape
Metre rule
Vernier Callipers
Micrometer Screw Gauge

Measuring Tape

Measuring length of several metres.


Measuring the circumference of a
round object.
Accuracy up to 1 cm.

Metre Rule

Measure lengths from a few cm to 1m.


Accuracy up to 0.1 cm.
Precaution to be taken when using a ruler:
a) Ensure that the object is in contact
with the ruler.
b) Avoid parallax errors.
c) Avoid zero errors.

Vernier Callipers

Measure length of less than 10cm.


Measure internal or external
diameter of round object and the
depth of a hole.
Accuracy up to 0.01cm.

Micrometer
Screw Gauge

Measure small lengths ranging


between 0.10mm and 25.00mm.
Measure diameters of wires and
thickness of steel plates.

Accuracy up to 0.01mm.

Parts and Functions

Inside jaws
To measure the internal diameter
of an object.
Outside jaws
To measure the external diameter
or length of an object.

Parts and Functions

Tail
To measure the depth of an object.
Screw clamp
Tighten up the vernier scale to
ensure that the reading does not
change while the scale is being read.

Measuring the internal


diameter of a beaker

Measuring the diameter of a


pendulum bob

Measuring the depth of a


test tube

Steps

Read the mark on the main scale preceding


the 0 mark on the vernier scale.
Read the mark on the vernier scale that is
exactly in line with any mark on the main
scale.

Main scale
Vernier scale

= 4.50 cm
= 0.00 cm

Reading of vernier callipers


= main scale + vernier scale
= 4.50 cm + 0.00 cm
= 4.50 cm

Main scale
Vernier scale

= 2.40 cm
= 0.09 cm

Reading of vernier callipers


= main scale + vernier scale
= 2.40 cm + 0.09 cm
= 2.49 cm

Main scale
Vernier scale

= 3.80 cm
= 0.07 cm

Reading of vernier callipers


= main scale + vernier scale
= 3.80 cm + 0.07 cm
= 3.87 cm

Main scale
Vernier scale

= 12.50 cm
= 0.00 cm

Reading of vernier callipers


= main scale + vernier scale
= 12.50 cm + 0.00 cm
= 12.50 cm

Zero Errors
No zero error
Positive zero error
Negative zero error

Correct reading
= Callipers reading Zero error

No zero error
1

0 cm

10

Positive zero error


1

0 cm

Zero error
= + 0.02cm

10

Negative zero error


1

0 cm

10

Zero error
= -[0.10-0.09]
= - 0.01cm

Parts and Functions

Lock
To ensure that the thimble does not
rotate while you take the reading.
Ratchet knob
Prevents over-tightening and exerting
too much pressure on the object.

Main scale
= 8.50 mm
Thimble scale = 0.48 mm

Reading of micrometer screw gauge


= main scale + thimble scale
= 8.50 mm + 0.48 mm
= 8.98 mm

Main scale
= 0.50 mm
Thimble scale = 0.40 mm

Reading of micrometer screw gauge


= main scale + thimble scale
= 0.50 mm + 0.40 mm
= 0.90 mm

Main scale
= 2.00 mm
Thimble scale = 0.19 mm

Reading of micrometer screw gauge


= main scale + thimble scale
= 2.00 mm + 0.19 mm
= 2.19 mm

Main scale
= 8.50 mm
Thimble scale = 0.49 mm

Reading of micrometer screw gauge


= main scale + thimble scale
= 8.50 mm + 0.49 mm
= 8.99 mm

Main scale
= 3.00 mm
Thimble scale = 0.46 mm

Reading of micrometer screw gauge


= main scale + thimble scale
= 3.00 mm + 0.46 mm
= 3.46 mm

No zero error

0
0

Positive zero error


5

Zero error
= + 0.02 mm

Negative zero error


0

45

Zero error
= - 0.03 mm

Consistency

Consistency of an instrument is the


ability of the instrument to
measure a quantity with little or no
deviation among measurements.

A deviation is the difference between


the measured value and its mean value
or the average value.

Accuracy

Accuracy of a measurement is how


close the measurement made is to
the actual value.

Consistent and accurate

Consistent but not


accurate

Not consistent but


accurate

Not consistent and not


accurate

Sensitivity

Sensitivity of an instrument is its


ability to detect a small change in
the quantity to be measured.

The smaller the change which can


be measured by an instrument, the
more sensitive is the instrument.

The sensitivity of some common instruments


for measuring length.
Instrument
Measuring tape
Metre rule
Vernier Callipers
Micrometer screw
gauge

Smallest reading
1cm
0.1cm
0.01cm
0.001cm

Errors in Measurement
There are two main types of errors in
measurements.
Systematic errors
Random errors

Systematic Errors

Systematic errors are due to incorrect


calibration of instruments.

Another cause of systematic error is


the zero error.
Zero error is due to non-zero reading
when the actual reading should be zero.

Random Errors

Random errors arise from unknown and


unpredictable variations in condition.
Random error occur due to
parallax error
natural error (e.g. change in wind)
wrong technique

Random Errors

Random errors can be minimised by


repeating the measurement several
times and taking the average or
mean value of the readings.

Parallax Errors

Parallax error is error in the reading


due to the position of the observers
eye.

You might also like