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Measuring Tools

The document discusses the importance of using appropriate measuring tools in both cooking and scientific contexts to ensure accuracy and precision. It specifically describes the Vernier caliper and micrometer screw gauge, detailing their functions, how to read measurements, and the significance of their scales. The document also includes examples and exercises for measuring with these tools.

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Philip Moore
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23 views28 pages

Measuring Tools

The document discusses the importance of using appropriate measuring tools in both cooking and scientific contexts to ensure accuracy and precision. It specifically describes the Vernier caliper and micrometer screw gauge, detailing their functions, how to read measurements, and the significance of their scales. The document also includes examples and exercises for measuring with these tools.

Uploaded by

Philip Moore
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Measuring Tools

Measuring Tools

Have you ever added too much sugar when making your drink, or too much salt

when baking, or even too much water when making pancakes? The correct balance

of raw ingredients, both liquid and dry, will ensure not only the taste of the

product, but also the proper consistency and density. Therefore, you would

measure out your ingredients using the correct measuring tools.


Measuring Tools
In science we use measuring tools to not only to determine the length of an object or amount of a substance but to

also determine the accuracy or precision of them. Humans employ multiple tools to measure different things in the

world. When weighing a piece of paper, we would not attempt to do this using a bathroom scale as it is not sensitive

enough to detect its weight, so how sensitive a particular measuring tool is, must be taken into account. A 12-inch

rule can measure the length of a book but you would not use it to measure the diameter of a strand of hair or the

thickness of your fingernail therefore the suitability of the tool also plays a major role. Two such tools which are

used in physics are the vernier caliper and the micrometer.


The Vernier Caliper
The Vernier Caliper

A Vernier caliper is a precision instrument that allows you to take more precise

measurements than you could with regular rulers, it measures internal dimensions,

outside dimensions, and depth. The caliper has two sets of jaws, one set on the upper

and the other on the lower. It can measure to an accuracy of one thousandth of an inch

(upper jaw) and also one hundredth of a millimeter (lower jaw).


How to read the Vernier Caliper
As stated in the precious slide by Bob
there are different kinds of vernier
scales designed to do different jobs but
they all work the SAME way!!!!
How to read the Vernier Caliper
Below is a diagram of a spoon in the lower jaws of the vernier caliper where the smallest
division on the sliding scale is 0.1 mm
How to read the Vernier Caliper

▪ To take a reading on the caliper we first:

▪ Read the main scale and see where the sliding scale's zero cuts it, the main scale on a Vernier caliper typically tells
you the whole number plus the first decimal of the reading. In the circle highlighted we can see the sliding scale’s zero
cuts the main scale at 3.20cm but not exactly on the 2.

▪ We then find the first line on the sliding scale that lines up perfectly with any line on the main scale. (i.e. both lines
appear to connect making a perfect straight line joining them together) That mark tells you the value of the additional
digits. In this case the 4th line on the sliding scale lines up perfectly with a line on the main scale

▪ We then add those 2 values together remembering that the sliding scale is a fraction of a millimeter therefore the reading
would me:
Determine the following Vernier caliper measurements. (The scales have been enlarged
for easier reading.) The Vernier caliper is calibrated in metric units (cm and mm)
▪Before you move on
please attempt the
question
Answer
▪ Following the steps given we first look at where the zero on the sliding scale cuts

the main scale


▪ This occurs just after 2.00cm since you can see that is does not fully reach 2.10cm
▪ We then look to see where the first line on the sliding scale lines up in a straight
line clearly and precisely with a line on the main scale
▪ This occurs as shown on the 7th line, we now know the next decimal place in the
number
▪ Combining these together our answer will be 2.00cm + 0.07cm which equals
2.07cm your answer
Determine the following Vernier caliper measurements. (The scales have been enlarged
for easier reading.) The Vernier caliper is calibrated in metric units. (cm and mm
▪Before you move on please
attempt the question
Answer
• Following the steps given we first look at where the zero on the sliding cuts the
main scale
• This occurs just after 3.60cm
• We then look to see where the first line on the sliding scale lines up in a straight lin
clearly and precisely with a line on the main scale
• This occurs as shown on the 4th line, we now know the next decimal place in the
number
• Combining these together our answer will be 3.60cm + 0.04cm which equals
The Micrometer Screw Gauge
Micrometer Screw Gauge

A micrometer, sometimes known as a micrometer screw gauge, is a measuring

instrument used for precision measurement. This is a measuring device used extensively

in the mechanical engineering field for measuring extremely small dimensions. It is used

to measure even smaller dimensions than the vernier calipers.


How to read the Micrometer
How to read the Micrometer

The micrometer has two scales the main scale and the rotating scale. The main scale is
divided into to mm while the rotating scale reads 1/100th a mm or 0.01mm.
How to read the Micrometer
How to read the Micrometer

▪ Referring to the circle

▪ Read the sleeve and determine where the rotating thimble cuts the sleeve, in this case the thimble cuts

the sleeve just past 7.50mm

▪ To find the exact reading, determine where the horizontal line on the sleeve intercepts/cuts the rotating

thimble’s scale

▪ The sleeve cuts the thimble at 35 (since the scale on the thimble is in divisions of 1/100 th of a mm then

the value is 0.35mm)

▪ The final reading will be:


Determine the following micrometer screw gauge measurements. (The scales have been
enlarged for easier reading.)
▪Before you move on
please attempt the
question
Answer
▪ Following the steps given we read the sleeve first and determine where the
rotating thimble cuts the sleeve, in this case the thimble cuts the sleeve just past
the 7.50mm mark as indicated by the red arrow
Answer
▪ We then determine where the horizontal line on the sleeve intercepts/cuts the
rotating thimble scale

▪ We can see that the sleeve cuts the thimble at 24, (since the scale on the thimble is
in divisions of 1/100th of a mm then the value is 0.24mm)
▪ The final reading will be:
Determine the following micrometer screw gauge measurements. (The scales have been
enlarged for easier reading.)
▪Before you move on
please attempt the
question
Answer
▪ Following the steps given we read the sleeve first and determine where the
rotating thimble cuts the sleeve, in this case the thimble cuts the sleeve just past
5.50mm (note that we cannot assume it has reached 6 as we cannot see the
line)
▪ We then determine where the horizontal line on the sleeve intercepts/cuts the
rotating thimble scale
▪ We can see that the sleeve cuts the thimble at 42, (since the scale on the thimble is
in divisions of 1/100th of a mm then the value is 0.42mm)
▪ The final reading will be:

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