Lab Manual

PHYSICS

Index

1. Measurement of Length
• To measure diameter of a small spherical/cylindrical body using
Vernier Callipers.

• To measure the dimensions of a given regular body of known mass

using a Vernier Callipers and hence find its density.

• To measure internal diameter and depth of a given beaker/calorimeter

using a Vernier Callipers and hence find its volume.

• To measure diameter of a given wire using screw gauge.

• To measure thickness of a given sheet using screw gauge.

• To determine volume of an irregular lamina using screw gauge.

• To determine radius of curvature of a given spherical surface by a

spherometer.
 • To measure diameter of a small spherical/cylindrical
body using Vernier Callipers.

Aim

To measure diameter of a small sphericallcylindrical body using Vernier Callipers.

Apparatus

Vernier callipers, a spherical body (pendulum bob) or a cylinder and a magnifying lens.

Theory

If with the body between the jaws, the zero of vernier scale lies ahead of Nth. Division of main
scale, then main scale reading (M.S.R.) = N.

If nth division of vernier scale coincides with any division of main scale, then vernier scale reading
(V.S.R.)

= n x (L.C.) (L.C. is least count of vernier callipers)

= n x (V.C.) (V.C. is vernier constant of vernier callipers)

Total reading, T.R. = M.S.R. + V.S.R. (L.C. = V.C.)

= N + n x (V.C.).

Procedure

Determine the vernier constant (V.C.) i.e. least count (L.C.) of the vernier callipers and record it
step wise.

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1.Bring the movable jaw BD in close contact with the fixed jaw AC and find the zero error.

2.Do it three times and record them. If there is no zero error, record zero error nil.

3.Open the jaws, place the sphere or cylinder between the two jaws A and B and adjust the jaw
DB, such that it gently grips the body without any undue pressure on it. Tight the screw S attached
to the vernier scale V.

4.Note the position of the zero mark of the vernier scale on the main scale. Record the main scale
reading just before the zero mark of the vernier scale. This reading (1 ST) is called main scale
reading (M.S.R.).

5.Note the number (n) of the vernier scale division which coincides with some division of the main
scale.

6.Repeat steps 4 and 5 after rotating the body by 90° for measuring the diameter in a
perpendicular direction.

7.Repeat steps 3, 4, 5 and 6 for three different positions.

8.Record the observations in each set in a tabular form.

9.Find total reading and apply zero correction.

Take mean of different values of diameter and show that in the result with proper unit

Observations

Determination of Vernier Constant (Least Count) of the Vernier Callipers

1 M.S.D. = 1mm

10VS.D.=9M.S.D.

.-. 1 V.S.D. = 9/10 M.S.D. = 0.9 mm.

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Vernier Constant, V.C. = 1 M.S.D. – 1 V.S.D. = (1 – 0.9) mm = 0.1 mm = 0.01 cm.

Zero error (i)……. Cm, (ii)…… cm, (iii)……… cm.

Mean zero error € =……… cm.

Mean zero correction © = – e =…………cm.

Result

*The diameter of the given sphere/cylinder is………….cm.*

*Precautions

•) Motion of vernier scale on main scale should be made smooth (by oiling if necessary).

•) Vernier constant and zero error should be carefully found and properly recorded.

•) The body should be gripped between the jaws firmly but gently (without undue pres-sure on it
from the jaws).

Observations should be taken at right angles at one place and taken at least as three different
places.

*Sources of Error

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1.The vernier scale may be loose on main scale.

2.The jaws may not be at right angles to the main scale.

3.The graduations on scale may not be correct and clear.

Parallax may be there in taking observations.

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 • To measure the dimensions of a given regular body of known
mass using a Vernier Callipers and hence find its density.

Aim

To measure the dimensions of a given regular body of known mass using a Vernier Callipers and
hence find its density.

Apparatus

Vernier callipers, a small rectangular metallic block or glass slab of known mass, magnifying lens.

Theory

(i) For measuring dimensions. Same as in Experiment 1 A.

(ii) For volume

Volume of a rectangular block = Length x Breadth x Thickness (height)

Density= Mass/Volume

i.e,.. ρ=m/V

Procedure

(i) Proceed in similar manner as in steps 1 to 5 in Experiment 1A.

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 (ii) Repeat above steps for the other edge of same face of same dimension.

(iii) Repeat above steps for other face of same dimension

(iv) Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 above for both edges of both faces of other dimensions.

(v) Record your observations in tabular form.

(vi) Make calculations for each dimension applying zero correction.

(vii) Take mean of different values of same dimension.

(viii) Multiply the three mean dimensions to obtain volume of the block.

(ix) Calculate the density of the block material by dividing its known mass by obtained
volume

OBSERVATION

Known mass of the block, m =………..g.

Determination of Vernier Constant (Least Count) of the Vernier Callipers
1 M.S.D. = 1 mm 10 V.S.D. = 9 M.S.D.
∴ 1 V.S.D. = 9/10 M.S.D. = 0.9 mm.
Vernier constant, V.C. = 1 M.S.D. – 1 V.S.D. = (1 – 0.9) mm = 0.1 mm = 0.01 cm
Zero error = (i)…….cm, (ii)……… cm, (iii)………cm.
Mean zero error € =……… cm
Mean zero correction © = – e =………cm

Result

Density of block material = ………g cm-3

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 • To measure internal diameter and depth of a given beaker/calorimeter using
a Vernier Callipers and hence find its volume

Aim

To measure internal diameter and depth of a given beaker/calorimeter using

Vernier Callipers and hence find its volume.

Apparatus

Vernier callipers, a beaker or a calorimeter, magnifying glass.

Theory

(i) For measuring internal diameter and depth. Same as in Experiment 1A.
(ii) For volume:
Volume of beaker or calorimeter = internal area of cross section x dep

Procedure

(i) Determine the vernier constant (V.C.) i.e., least count of the vernier callipers and
record it stepwise.
(ii) Bring the movable jaw BD in close contact with the fixed jaw AC and find the zero
error. Do it three times and record it. If there is no zero error, then record, zero
error nil.
(iii) Measurement of internal diameter
(iv) Put the jaws C and D inside the beaker or calorimeter and open them till each of
them touches the inner wall of the beaker or calorimeter, , without any undue
pressure on the walls. Tight the screw attached to the vernier scale gently.

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 (v) Note the-position of the zero mark of the vernier scale on the main scale. Record
the main scale reading just before the zero mark of the vernier scale. This reading
(IV) is called main scale reading (M.S.R.).
(vi) Note the number (n) of the vernier scale division which coincides with some
division of the main scale.
(vii) Repeat steps 4 and 5 after rotating the vernier callipers by 90° for measuring
internal diameter in a perpendicular direction.
(viii) Find total reading and apply zero correction.
a. Measurement of depth
b. Keep the edge of the main scale of vernier callipers on its peripheral edge. This
should be done in such a way that the tip of the strip is able to go freely inside
the beaker along its depth.
c. Keep sliding the moving jaw of the vernier callipers until the strip just touches
the bottom of the beaker. Take care that it is just perpendicular to the bottom
surface. Now tighten the screw of the vernier callipers.
d. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for four different positions along the circumference of the
upper edge of the beaker or calorimeter.
e. Find total reading and apply zero correction.
f. Take mean of two different values of internal diameter and four different values
of the depth.
g. Calculate the volume by using proper formula and show that in the result with
proper unit
(ix)

Observations

Result

The volume of the beaker/calorimeter is …………cm3.

Sourcess of error

Same as given in Experiment 1A.