A calliper is a device used to measure the distance between two opposing sides of an object. It can be as simple as a compass with inward or outward-facing points. First the tips of the calliper are adjusted to fit across the points to be measured and the calliper is then removed and the distance between the tips is measured using a ruler.
The modern Vernier calliper was invented by Joseph R. Brown in 1851. It was the first practical tool for exact measurements that could be sold at an affordable price to ordinary machinists. The Vernier Calliper consists of a main scale fitted with a jaw at one end. Another jaw, containing the vernier scale, moves over the main scale. When the two jaws are in contact, the zero of the main scale and the zero of the Vernier scale should coincide. If both the zeros do not coincide, there will be a positive or negative zero error.
The main scale consists of a steel metallic strip graduated in centimeters at one edge and in inches at the other edge . It carries the inner and outer measuring jaws. When the two jaws are in contact, the zero of the main scale and the zero of the Vernier scale should coincide. If both the zeros do not coincide, there will be a positive or negative zero error.
A vernier scale slides on the strip. It can be fixed in any position by the retainer. On the Vernier scale, 0.9 cm is divided into ten equal parts.
The outer measuring jaws helps to take the outer dimension of an object
The inner measuring jaws helps to take the inner dimension of an object.
The retainer helps to retain the object within the jaws of the Vernier calipers.
The depth measuring prong helps to measure the depth of an object.
The least count or the smallest reading which you can get with the instrument can be calculated as;
or
First calculate the least count and only then place the object between the two jaws.
Record the position of zero of the Vernier scale on the main scale.
When a body is between the jaws of the Vernier Caliper;
If the zero of the vernier scale lies ahead of the Nth division of the main scale, then the main scale reading (MSR) is;
If nth division of Vernier scale coincides with any division of the main scale, then the Vernier scale reading (VSR) is;
Total reading,
Volume of the beaker / calorimeter = internal area of the cross section x depth
This can be expressed as;
where 'D' is the internal diameter of beaker / calorimeter and 'd' the depth of beaker / calorimeter.
where 'r' is the radius of the sphere.
where 'l' is length of the block, 'b' the breadth and 'h' the height of the block.