PHYSICS VIVA QUESTIONS

o Define vernier callipers.

o Answer. It is a measuring device mainly used for measuring linear
dimensions. Vernier callipers are used for measuring the diameters
of round objects.

o What does a calliper mean.

o Answer. Calliper is a device used to measure the dimensions of an
object.

o What are the scales in a Vernier Calliper.

o Answer. Scales on a Vernier callipers are The main scale and a
Vernier scale.

o What is the least count of vernier calliper also known as?

o Answer. The least count of vernier calliper is also known as the
vernier constant.

o Define the vernier constant or least count.

o Answer. It is the difference between the value of one main scale
division (MSD) and one vernier scale division (VSD).

o What are the various sources of errors while measuring in vernier

callipers?
o Answer. Sources of error are

o When jaws are not at the right angle to the main scale.
o Parallax while noting the observations.
o Dull graduations on both scales.
o Loose fixing of the vernier scale on the main scale.
o What is the smallest distance measured along the vernier callipers
known as?
o Answer. It is known as the least count.

o Who invented the vernier scale?

o Answer. The Vernier scale was invented by Pierre Vernier, the French
mathematician.
o What is the formula to find the difference between one Main Scale
Division (MSD) and one Vernier Scale Division (VSD)?
o Answer. It is given by the formula: n(VSD) = (n – 1)MSD.

o If 1 MSD = 1 mm and 1 VSD = 0.9 mm. What is the value of least

count?

o Answer. Least count = (MSD – VSD) = 1 – 0.9mm = 0.1mm

o List the two sectors which use vernier callipers?

o Answer. The vernier callipers are used in the aerospace field and the
steel manufacturing sector.

o State true or false: Each division of the Vernier scale is bigger than
each main scale division.
o Answer. FALSE. Each division of the Vernier scale is smaller than
every division of the main scale.

o At which angle should an observer note the readings in vernier

callipers?
o Answer. Observations should be taken at right angles (90 degrees).

o What is meant by inside callipers?

o Answer. Inside callipers are the device used to measure the internal
size of an object.

o The external size of an object is measured using which type of

callipers?
o Answer: The external size of an object is measured using the outside
calliper.

o Calculate the least count when n divisions on the VSD coincide with
(n-1) division on the MSD.
o Answer. It is given by the formula:
o Define zero error.
o Answer. It is defined as the condition where the measuring device
registers a reading when there should not be any reading.

o What is the formula to calculate the actual reading?

o Answer. The actual reading is given by the formula:
o Actual reading = Main scale + Vernier scale – (Zero error)

o What are the types of zero error?

o Answer. Types of zero error are Positive zero error and Negative zero
error.

o What is the main function of the thumbscrew?

o Answer. The thumbscrew is used to provide a grip to the users so
that sliding of the jaws becomes effortless. Thumbscrew is found at
the bottom of the vernier scale.

o List the types of vernier callipers.

o Answer. Types of vernier callipers are manual readout, digital
readout, and dial readout.

o What is the main function of the vernier scale?

o Answer. It is mainly used to offer accuracy to the main scale reading
by dividing the reading into smaller increments.

o What is the value of the lowest main scale division?

o Answer. The value of the lowest main scale division is 1 mm.

o The main scale is movable or stationary?

o Answer. The main scale is stationary.

o Which is the larger scale in a vernier calliper?

o Answer. The main scale is the larger scale in the vernier calliper.

o Which jaw is used to measure the internal diameter of an object?

o Answer. Inside small jaws are used for measuring the internal
diameter of an object.
o Calculating the thickness of small sheets such as glass or plastics
and the diameter of thin wires.

o What is the formula to calculate the least count of the micrometre

screw gauge?
o Answer. Least count of micrometre = pitch of the screw gauge / total
number of divisions on a circular scale.

o Who invented the first screw gauge?

o Answer. The first screw gauge was created in the 17 th century by
William Gascoigne.

o Can we get the back-lash error in the screw gauge?

o Answer. Yes, a back-lash error can be seen while measuring in the
screw gauge.

o What are the various sources of error while performing the screw
gauge experiment?
o Answer. Various sources of error while performing the screw gauge
experiment are friction in the screw, back-lash error and parallax,
unequal division of circular scale divisions and uniformity in the
wire.

o The circular scale is engraved on which part of the screw gauge?

o Answer. A circular scale is engraved horizontally on the thimble of
the screw gauge.

o Define pitch scale.

o Answer. It is the scale that measures the distance travelled by a
spindle per revolution. The pitch scale is marked on the barrel of the
screw gauge.

o On which principle does the screw gauge operate?

o Answer. The screw gauge operates on the principle of a screw.

o Name the rotating portion of the screw gauge.

o Answer. The thimble is the rotating portion of the screw gauge.
 o When the thimble is rotated, what happens to the anvil?
o Answer. The spindle will travel towards the anvil when the thimble is
rotated.

1) What is the pitch of a screw?

The length between the two closest threads along the screw’s axis is
called the pitch of a screw.

2) What is the minimum count of a screw gauge?

The minimum count on a screw gauge is 0.001 cm.

3) Explain the zero error of screw gauges?

The error arises when the zero point of the circular scale does not meet
with the zero point of the main scale upon connecting the two studs.

4) When is the positive zero error?

When zero division on the scale appears above the reference line, it is
considered a positive zero error.

5) Explain the range of the screw gauge?

The screw gauge range is the maximum length of the main scale.

6) Does the screw diameter depend on the temperature?

Yes, the screw diameter depends on the temperature. The diameter of the
screw increases when the temperature rises.

7) What are measuring tools?

They are the instruments that help to measure physical quantities of a
body such as height, width, length, temperature, etc.

8) What is the purpose of a vernier calliper?

Vernier calliper is a measuring device. It helps in measuring purposes

when a component is to be calculated to the second to decimal.

9) What is the minimum value that can be calculated using a

micrometre and vernier calliper?

The minimum value that can be calculated using a micrometre or vernier

calliper scale is known as its least count.

It can be calculated using the formula;

10) Which are the main stationary screw gauge parts?

The main stationary screw gauge parts are the anvil, spindle, sleeve,
thimble and frame.

11) What are the main types of screw gauges?

Universal micrometre sets, blade micrometres, tube micrometres, bench

micrometres and ball micrometres are the main types of screw gauges.

Stress is the internal restoring force exerting per unit area of a deformed
object.

1) What is the formula for stress?

The stress formula is Stress = Restoring force / Area.

2) What is meant by tensile stress?

If there occurs an increase in the given body’s length, then stress is known
as tensile stress.

3) What is meant by compression stress?

If there occurs a decrease in the given body’s length, then stress is known
as tensile stress.

4) What is meant by tangential stress?

If the deforming force is exerted tangentially, the resulting stress is known

as tangential stress.

5) What is Hooke’s Law?

Within the threshold of elasticity, the object’s stress is proportional to its

strain.

6) What is ductile material?

Ductile material is one that displays a large plastic range above the elastic
limit.

7) What are a few examples of ductile materials?

Silver, copper, iron, aluminium, gold, etc., are a few examples of ductile
materials.

8) What is brittle material?

A brittle material is one that displays a very short plastic range.

9) What are a few examples of brittle materials?

Cast iron, glass, ceramic, graphite, etc., are a few examples of brittle
materials.

10) What is the measuring unit of strain?

There is no unit for strain.

11) Who was the first scientist to analyse the stretching of metals?

Robert Hooke

12) What is the difference between pressure and stress?

Pressure is the amount of force exerted per unit area. On the other hand,
stress is the restoring force exerted per unit area.

Mean position.

8) Define the amplitude of a simple pendulum.

The distance travelled by the pendulum from its equilibrium position to

one side is known as the amplitude of a simple pendulum.

9) What is the phase difference between acceleration and velocity in

simple harmonic motion?

The phase difference between acceleration and velocity in simple

harmonic motion is generally π/2.
10) In a uniform circular motion, the angular speed of a body is equivalent
to the angular frequency of SHM of its projection. Is it true or false?

The statement is true.

Let us assume ‘w’ be the angular speed of the body starting from rest (x-
axis), and it has covered an angle of ‘wt’ at any time ‘t’.

Now, on the x-axis, the projection will be given by: x = Asin(wt).

Therefore, this shows that the angular frequency of SHM will be the same
as the angular speed.