www.sakshieducation.

com

Measurement of Length
We learn many things by careful observations of phenomena of nature. The ultimate test
of physical theory is its agreement with observations and measurement of physical
phenomena.
Physics is basically a science of measurements.
According to LORD KELVIN (1824-1907), one of the greatest scientists, unless you can
measure what you are speaking about and express it in numbers you have not started exact
science.
For the measurement of any physical quantity we choose a constant quantity as a
standard. We compare this standard quantity with the given physical quantity to find the
number, which express how many times a standard quantity is contained in a physical
quantity.
The standard quantity (Constant quantity), used for comparison, is called unit.

I
MEASUREMENT is the comparison of an unknown quantity with a known standard
quantity (Constant Quantity) or unit.

H
In order to express the result of measurement, we must know:
i) The unit in which a quantity is measured
ii) The numerical value which express how many times a standard quantity or unit is
contained in a given physical quantity.
S
Example: If we have to measure weight of a book, we use standard weighing (kg) machine.
ON measurement, if we find that 5 times the standard weight, then the weight is 5 kg. In the
above statement 5 is the unit of physical quantity.
K
Magnitude of a Physical Quantity: The number of times a standard quantity is present in
a given physical quantity is called magnitude of physical quantity.
Physical quantity = (Magnitude) × (Unit)
A

Need for the introduction of standard Quantity: From ancient times, man has been
facing the necessity of measuring and estimating various quantities. For measuring mass,
he used various kinds of standards. For measuring length, he used foot length or arm length
S

etc. However, pants of human body differ in lengths for different people. This lead to a lot of
confusion.

However, with development in science, same standards of measurement adopted world

wide. This led to avoid all kinds of confusion.
The first serious attempt to standardise the units was made in 1889 in paris. However
some anomalies were left. In october 1960, another conference was held and the standard
units were revised.

Characteristics of Standard Unit:

i. It should be of convenient size
ii. It should be easily reproduced
iii. It should not be change with respect to space and time.
iv. It should be possible to define, without any doubt or ambiguity.
v. It should not be perishable.
www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com
Fundamental Units:
The Units, which can neither be derived from one another, nor can they be resolved
(broken) in to anything more basic are called fundamental units.

Examples of fundamental units: Mass (M), Length (L), Time (T), Temperature, Luminous
intensity, Electric charge and Electric current are fundamental units.

The Matric System: In 1789 a system of measurement was inverted upon the powers
often. This was logical. Once the size of the unit had been determined say, the ''metre'',
submultiples were named decimetre, centimetre, millimetre for one tenth, one hundredth etc
of a metre respectively, multiples are named as the decametre (× 10) hectametre (× 100),
kilometre (× 1000) etc. This system is called metric system which literally means "measuring
system". This further classified as M.K.S. and C.G.S. system.
In 1968, a single system of units had been established internationally. This is known as
international system of units. (S.I.)
The following table shows the basic units in the S.I. system together with their symbols:

Basic units of S.I. System

Physical Quantity Name of the Unit Symbol

Length metre m
Mass Kilogram kg
Time Second s
Temperature kelvin k
Electric Current ampere A
Luminous Intensity Candela Cd
Amount of Substance mole mol

Derived Units: Any units which can be obtained by the combination of one or more
fundamental units, is called derived units.
In mechanics, derived units can be obtained from fundamental units of man, length and
time

Physical Quantity Derived Unit Symbol (S.I.)

Area square metre m2

Volume cubic metre m3
Density kilogram per cubic metre kg/m3
Velocity metre per second m/s
Acceleration metre per square second m/s2
Momentum Kilogram metre per second kg m/s
Force Kilogram metre per square second kg m/s2

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com
Some physical quantities can be expressed as product of different powers of
fundamental (base) quantities. In such expression, the power of a fundamental (base)
quantity is called the dimension of the physical quantity in that base. For example velocity
displacement L
can be expressed as = = L1T −1
time T
Hence the dimensions of velocity are 1 in length and – 1 in time.

Dimensional formulae of some physical Quantities

Physical Quantity Expression Dimensional Units

Formula

Velocity displacement / time M°LT –1 m/s or ms –1

Acceleration change in velocity/time MLT–2 m/s2 or ms –2
Force (F) mass × acceleration MLT–2 N
Volume (v) Area × Height M°L3 T° m3
Density mass/volume M°L– 3 T° kg/m3 or kgm –3

Frequency (f) vibration / time M°L°T–1 HZ

Accuracy and precision of measuring Instruments:

As every measurements contain errors, the result of a measurement is to be reported in
such a manner to indicate the precision of measurement.
The accuracy of a measurement of any physical quantity made by any measuring
instrument is a measure of how close the measured value is to the 'true value' of the
quantity.
The precision of the measuring instrument denotes up to what 'limit' or 'resolution' the
quantity can be measured with the given instrument. The accuracy depends on the errors
and also on the precision of the measuring instrument.
Length is measured by using a metre scale divided into 100 parts, called centimetres.
Each centimetre is further divided into ten parts, called millimetres. It gives an accuracy up
to 1mm or 0.1 cm.
Vernier Calipers was invented by Pierre Vernier. It gives accuracy up to 0.01 cm or
0.1mm.
Screw Gauge is an instrument used for measuring the diametre of thin wire or similar
objects or thickness of glass plate etc. Its accuracy is upto 0.001 cm or 0.01 mm and is
commonly called micrometre screw gauge. It works on principle of a screw

♦ Pitch of the screw is the distance travelled by the tip of the screw for one complete
revolution the head. (or) The distance between two adjacent threads is also called the
pitch of the screw.
♦ Smallest length that can be measured accurately using an instrument is called least
count of that instrument.
Pitch of theScrew
♦ Least count of the screw gauge =
No.of HeadScale Division

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com
♦ Thickness of a plane (or) Diameter of a wire = P.S.R + H.S.R × L.C.
♦ If the zeroth division of the head scale does not coincide with the index line, then the
screw gauge has zero error.
♦ If the zeroth division of the head scale is above the index line of the pitch line, the error
is negative and the correction is posture.
♦ If the zeroth division of head scale is below the index line of the pitch line, the error is
positive and the correction is negative.

VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (1 Mark)

1. What is the Principle of a Screw gauge?

- Screw gauge works on the principle of a screw in a nut.

2. What is the pitch of a screw?

- The distance travelled by the tip of a screw for one complete rotation of its head is called

I
the pitch of the screw.

H
3. What is the least count of a screw gauge?
- The least measurement that can be measured by a screw gauge is called its least count.
Pitchof theScrew
L.C =
No.of HeadScale Division
S
Short Answer Questions (2 Marks)
K
1. What is meant by zero error of screw gauge?
- If the zeroth division of the head scale do not coincide with the index line of the pitch
scale then the screw gauge is said to have zero error.
A

2. What is positive error of a screw gauge?

- If the zeroth division of the head scale is below the index line of the pitch scale by 'n'
divisions, the error is said to be positive and correction is negative.
S

3. How do you determine the diameter of a wire using a screw gauge?

- Aim of the experiment: To determine the diameter of a wire using screw gauge.
Apparatus: Screwgauge, wire.
Procedure:
1. Find the pitch of the screw by taking suitable rotations and using formulae,
dis tance travelled by screw x
Pitchof the screw (P.S) = P=
total no.of complete rotations n

2. Find the least count of the screw gauge by using the following formula?
Pitchof theScrew P
L.C = = and also determine the zero error of the screw
No.of HeadScaleDivision N
gauge.
3. The given wire is fired between the shafts S1 and S2
4. The head scale is rotated anti-clockwise.
www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

5. Due to anti-clock wise rotation the shafts open and hold the wire tightly as shown in the
figure.
6. Then the value of the pitch scale division which just precedes edge of the head scale is
noted as pitch scale reading (P.S.R)
7. The value of the head scale division which just coincides with the index line is the
observed head scale reading (H.S.R.)
8. Now, the diameter of the wire d = P.S.R + H.S.R × L.C

Sl.No Object P.S.R. H.S.R. C.H.S.R. C.H.S.R × L.C. Correct Diameter (or)
thickness
(P.S.R.+C.H.S.R×L.C)

1 Copper
wire

SCREW GAUGE

1. What is meant by Screw gauge?

- It is an instrument used for measuring the diameter of very thin wires or similar objects.
Its accuracy is upto 0.001 cm and is commonly called screw gauge.

2. Write the construction of a screw gauge?

- The screw gauge consists of the following parts:
1. U-Frame: It is a steel frame, shaped in the form of U. On one end of U-Frame is fixed a
screw permanently. It is commonly called stud and forms the fixed jaw of the screw
gauge. On the other end of U-frame is fixed a nut, through which slides a screw. The
end B of the screw forms the movable jaw of screw gauge
2. Nut and screw: The nut is threaded from inside and the screw from outside. The screw
can move in and out of nut by circular motion.
www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com
3. Thimble or circular cylinder: The screw is connected to a hollow circular cylinder (s)
which rotates along with nut on turning.
4. Sleeve Cylinder: To the nut is attached a hollow cylinder, commonly called sleeve
cylinder. The spindle of the screw passes through sleeve cylinder.
5. Baseline: A reference line or baseline, graduated is mm, is drawn on the sleeve cylinder,
parallel to the axis of nut. It is commonly called main scale or sleeve scale.
6. Circular scale or Thimble Scale: The hollow cylinder moving over the sleeve cylinder
is tapered from one end. On the tapered end are made graduations, which are either 50
or 100 in number. The scale marked on sleeve is called circular scale or thimble scale or
head scale.
7. Ratchet: The ratchet is attached to screw by means of a spring. When the flattered end
B of the screw comes in contact with stud A, the ratchet becomes free and makes a
rattling noise. Thus, end B of the screw is not further pushed towards the stud A.

3. Define pitch of the screw and how do you determine pitch of the screw?

I
1. The pitch of screw is defined as, the distance between two consecutive threads of screw,
measured along the axis of screw .

H
2. Pitch of screw can also be defined as the distance travelled by the tip of screw (end B)
when head of screw is given one complete rotations.

Determination: In order to determine pitch, the screw is give five complete rotations. The
S
distance moved by the thimble on the main scale is recorded. The pitch can be found by the
formula
Dis tance moved by thimble on mainscale
Pitch =
K
Number of rotationsof thimble
- If 5mm is the distance moved by the thimble on the main scale for 5 rotations then:
pitch = 5mm / 5 = 1mm
A

1. What are positive and negative zero error of a screw gauge? How are they
determined?
1. Positive zero error: If the zeroth division of the head scale below the index line of the
pitch scales the error is said to be positive and the correction is negative.
S

Determination: If n is the number of units below the index line, then the correction will
be - n units.
∴ corrected H.S.R (C.H.S.R) = observed H.S.R. – n (number of divisions below)

2. Negative zero error: If the zeroth division of the head scale is above the index line of
the pitch scale, the error is said to be negative and the correction is positive.

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com
Determination: If n is the number of units above the line, then the correction will be +n
units.

∴ Corrected H.S.R. (CHSR) = observed H.S.R + n (number of divisions below)

Diagrams

Principle of Screw and its Parts

Diagram of Screw gauge and its Parts

Problems
1. The head of a screw gauge is divided in to 50 divisions. It advances 1 mm when screw
is turned through 2 rotations. Find the pitch of the screw and least count of the screw
gauge.
- Distance travelled by the screw in two rotations is given by 1 mm.

Distance travel by the screw

But pitch of the screw (p) = _________________________
No. of Complete rotations made

∴ Pitch of screw (P) = 1/2 = 0.5 mm

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

Pitch of the Screw

- Least Count (L.C.) = _____________________
No. of Head scale divisions

= 0.5/50 [∴ No of head scale divisions = 50]

= 0.01 mm

2. When the above screw gauge is used measure the diameter of a nails the pitch
scale is reading found to be 1.5 mm and the head scale reading is 18. Find the
diametre of the nail? (Least count = 0.01 mm form the previous problems)?
- Pitch scale Reading = 1.5mm
Head scale Reading = 18
Least count = 0.01 mm

I
Diameter of the nail = P.S.R + H.S.R. × L.C
= 1.5 + 18 (0.01)

H
= 0.5 + 0.18
= 1.68
∴ Diameter of the nail = 1.68mm
S Objective
I. Multiple Choice

1. While Measuring the diameter of a lead shot using a screw gauges the reading on the
K
pitch scale is found to be 7.5 mm and that on the head scale is 48. If the L.C. is 0.01 mm,
the diameter of the lead shot is []
a) 0.798 mm
b) 7.98 mm
A

c) 2.7 mm
d) 12.3 mm
2. In a screw gauge, each centimetre of the pitch scale is divided in to 20 divisions. If there
are 50 divisions on the head scales least count of the instrument is []
S

a) 0.001 cm
b) 0.01 cm
c) 0.1 cm
d) 1 cm
3. The least count of an ordinary scale is? []
a) 1 inch
b) 1 cm
c) 1 mm
d) none
4. The distance travelled by the tip of a screw for complete rotation of its head is called the
[]
a) Head Scale Reading
b) Pitch Scale Reading
c) Pitch of the Screw
d) Least Count
www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

5. The Smallest length that can be measured accurately using any scale is called?
a) Pitch of the screw
b) Least count
c) Millimetre
d) None of the above
6. The screw gauge works on the principle of
a) Lever
b) Jack and screw
c) Screw and Nut
d) All of these

II.Fill in the blanks

1. Screw gauge works on the principle of _______
2. Screw gauge consists of _______ and _______

I
3. Pitch of the screw = _______
4. For a screw gauge L.C = _______

H
5. If the zeroth division of the head scale is below the index line of the pitch scale, the error
is said to be _______ and the correction is _______
6. If the zeroth division of the head scale is _______ the index line of the pitch scale, the
error is said to be negative and the correction is _______
S
7. Smallest length that can be measured accurately using any scale is called _______
8. The distance travelled by the tip of a screw for one complete rotation of its lead is called
_______
9. Screw gauge consists of _______ metallic frame.
K
10.The thickness of glass plate is measured with the help of _______

III. Match the following

A

1. If '0' division of the head scale is () a) Screw gauge

above the index line, the error is
2. Least count of screw gauge () b) Screw
3. The thickness of glass plate is () c) Negative
S

measured with the help of

4. The Screw gauge is also called () d) Scale
5. Screw gauge works on the () e) Positive
principle of a
Pitchof theScrew
f)
No.of H.S.D.

N
g)
S

h) Micrometer

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com
Answers
I. Multiple Choice Answers
1. B
2. A
3. C
4. C
5. B
6. C

II. Fill in the blanks

1. Screw
2. Pitch, head
3. Distance travelled by the screw
4. No.of head scale divisions
5. Positive, Negative

I
6. above, positive
7. Least count

H
8. Pitch of the screw
9. U Shaped
10.Screw gauge

III. Match the following

S
1. c
2. f
3. a
K
4. h
5. b
A
S

www.sakshieducation.com