Reading Vernier Calipers

Measurement

Physics Lab Instruments

A variety of instruments can be used to measure physical quantities .

1. The meter rule

• A meter rule is a length measuring instrument that is commonly used in laboratories to measure the length of an object or the distance between two points.

• readings must be taken at eye level to reduce parallax error.

2. Vernier Caliper

Vernier Caliper can be used to measure diameter thickness very accurately.

Vernier Caliper-Outside Jaws

Vernier Caliper- Inside Jaws

Vernier Caliper-Depth Jaws

Multiple Choice

The diagram shows a vernier scale.Which reading is shown?

• 3.44 cm

• 3.46 cm

• 3.60 cm

• 4.00 cm

3. Micrometer- micrometer screw gauge.

The micrometer is another device that can be used to measure length with a high degree of precision.

Multiple Choice

The diagram shows part of a micrometer screw gauge .What is the reading shown?

• 5.31 mm

• 5.79 mm

• 5.81 mm

• 6.31

Volume

• Volume is the amount of space occupied by an object or substance. It is one of the derived quantities defined by the International system of Units. The unit of volume is the cubic metre (m³)

• The volume of regular objects such as a cylinder can be found from measurements of length and diameter- then using the appropriate formula.

• For irregular objects (e.g A stone) the volume is found by a displacement method.

• Volume measurements for liquids are made using measuring cylinder, burettes or pipettes.

4. Graduated Measuring Cylinder

sometimes called a volumetric cylinder, since its primary purpose is for measuring the volume of a liquid), and reading off the volume using the numbered graduations on the side of the cylinder.

Reading Measuring cylinder

The volume should be read at the lowest level of the meniscus (curve) of the liquid, making sure that the eye is level with the surface of the liquid

Finding the volume of an irregular solid

Finding the volume of irregularly-shaped solid objects using measurements is often impractical. We can find the exact volume of an irregularly-shaped solid object relatively easily however, using a method known as fluid displacement.

Overflow vessel

A second method of finding the volume of an object that relies on fluid displacement involves the use of an overflow vessel and a measuring cylinder. In this case the volume of the liquid collected equals the volume of the irregularly shaped object.

Multiple Choice

What is the volume of the battery?

• 17 cm³
• 5 cm³
• 22 cm³
• 24 ml

5. Triple Beam Balances

• We measure mass using a triple beam balance.

• Unit is grams.

• Beams have grooves for riders to sit in at each labeled mass.

• Rider should never sit between grooves!

Steps to use a Triple Beam Balance 

• Move all riders to far left groove.

• Pointer should be at “Zero.” If not, turn the adjustment knob.

• Place object on tray.

• Start with the largest rider. Slide rider to the right into each groove until pointer hits bottom of the marker, then slide the rider back one groove.

• Do the same for the next largest rider, then finally the smallest until pointer points to “zero.”

• Add the mass shown on each beam to get the total mass of the object

Fill in the Blank

Read the triple beam balance below.

Fill in the Blank

What is the largest mass that can be weighed on the balance?

Fill in the Blank

What is the smallest mass that can be weighed on the balance?

6. Thermometer

An instrument used to measure temperature.

7. Stop Watch

An instrument used to measure time intervals.

Multiple Choice

What is length?

• the amount of matter in an object
• the amount of space an object takes up
• the distance between two points
• the amount of stuff in an object

Multiple Choice

Meter Ruler is used to measure?

• Weight

• Length

• Electric current

• Volume

Multiple Choice

Read this instrument to the nearest tenth

• 613.37
• 163.7
• 163.5
• 163

Multiple Choice

What is the mass?

• 272.1 cm
• 270.2 g
• 272.1 g
• 270.1 g

Multiple Choice

Is this device used to make accurate volume measurements?

• Yes, beakers are the best
• No, graduated cylinders are better

Multiple Choice

Beam balance is used to measure _____________

• Weight

• Mass

• Temperature

• Cellphones

Multiple Choice

Which is the CORRECT Reading?

• A

• B

• C

• ALL

Multiple Choice

Measuring Cylinder/beakers are used to measure?

• Volume

• Time

• Electric current

• Length

Multiple Choice

What is the mass?

• 155g
• 105g
• 105.6g
• 105.2g

Multiple Choice

What is the volume? Count by 2s.

• 22 ml
• 25 ml
• 28 ml
• 18 ml

Multiple Choice

How do you measure the volume of an irregular solid?

• displacement method

• length x width x height

• mass divided by volume

• kick it

Multiple Choice

What is mass?

• a measure of the amount of matter an object contains

• a measure of the force of gravity acting on an object

• the amount of space an object takes up

• a temperature scale

Multiple Choice

How do you calculate the volume of a rectangular solid?

• length x width x height

• mass divided by volume

• with a triple beam balance

• it's impossible

Multiple Choice

What is the SI unit for mass?

• kilograms

• meters

• pounds

• liters

Multiple Choice

What 2 units can be used when measuring volume?

• cubic meters and liters

• grams and seconds

• milliliters and centimeters

• cubic centimeters and kelvin