A metric vernier caliper is a precision measuring instrument used for accurately measuring linear dimensions in metric units (generally millimeters). It is an essential tool in engineering, manufacturing, and various scientific applications where precise measurements are required.
The vernier caliper consists of two main parts:
- Fixed Jaw: This is the stationary part of the caliper and contains the primary metric scale.
- Movable Jaw: This part can slide along the main scale and is used to measure the length or dimension of an object.
The key feature of a metric vernier caliper is the addition of a vernier scale (also known as a nonius scale) that allows for highly precise readings. The vernier scale is a secondary scale located on the movable jaw and is used in conjunction with the main scale. It consists of multiple divisions that are slightly smaller than those on the main scale.
To take a measurement using a metric vernier caliper:
- Close the caliper jaws so that they gently grip the object you want to measure.
- Read the main scale measurement on the fixed jaw. This will provide the whole number part of the measurement in millimeters or centimeters.
- Next, observe the vernier scale on the movable jaw. Find the line on the vernier scale that aligns perfectly with a line on the main scale. The position of this line relative to the main scale provides the decimal portion of the measurement in tenths of a millimeter or hundredths of a centimeter.
- Add the values obtained from the main scale and the vernier scale to get the final measurement.
Here are some practice scales:
