Basic measurement techniques

Principle

Caliper gauges, micrometers and spherometers are used for the accurate measurement of lengths, thicknesses, diameters and curvatures. Measuring procedures, accuracy of measurement and reading accuracy are demonstrated.

Benefits

• Foundation of every practical sciences lab course
• Aquire the skills to measure basic mechanical variables
• Realise the limits of measuring accuracy
• Combine different measurements to determine a quantity of interest
• Determine curvatures using the spherometer

Tasks

1. Determination of the volume of tubes with the caliper gauge.
2. Determination of the thickness of wires, cubes and plates with the micrometer.
3. Determination of the thickness of plates and the radius of curvature of watch glasses with the spherometer.

Learning objectives

• Length
• Diameter
• Inside diameter thickness
• Curvature
• Vernier