Play with the Vernier Caliper Model. Test what you've learned by trying
the input field.
Vernier calipers can measure internal dimensions
(using the uppermost jaws in the picture at right), external dimensions
using the pictured lower jaws, and depending on the manufacturer, depth
measurements by the use of a probe that is attached to the movable head
and slides along the centre of the body. This probe is slender and can get
into deep grooves that may prove difficult for other measuring tools. The
vernier scales can be in metric
measurements on the upper and lower part of the scale. Vernier calipers
commonly used in industry provide a precision to a hundredth of a
millimetre (10 micrometres). A
more precise instrument used for the same purpose is the micrometer
Parts of a vernier caliper:
Outside jaws: used to measure external diameter or width of an object
(Blue)
Inside jaws: used to measure internal diameter of an object Depth
probe: used to measure depths of an object or a hole ( not shown in this
model)
Main scale: gives measurements in mm. Vernier gives
measurements up to one decimal places in mm Retainer: used to block
movable part to allow the easy transferring a measurement ( not shown in
this model)
The Vernier calipers model has
an object (Blue)
for the internal jaws to measure width of an object with slider to control
width of the object and simple drag action to control position of object. an
object (Green) for external jaws to measure internal diameter of a
cylinder for example with slider to control dimensions of the cylinder. a
slider for zero error slider checkbox for hint to scaffold the learners
attention and point of focus checkbox for answer to show the meaning of
reading on the main scale and the vernier scale with zero error
calculations if any. drop down menu of the various common vernier
scales for sense making and additional testing out by learners their ideas
of how vernier works. fine <> control buttons for learners to
manipulate the model with single incremental precision slider control
for fast changes in the vernier measurement reset button to bring
simulaton back to original (default) setting.
Sample Learning Goals
(g) describe how to measure a variety of lengths with appropriate accuracy
by means of tapes, rules, micrometers and calipers, using a vernier scale
as necessary.
Research
arXiv:1408.3803 [pdf] Vernier
caliper and micrometer computer models using Easy Java Simulation and its
pedagogical design feature-ideas to augment learning with real instruments Loo
Kang Wee, Hwee
Tiang Ning Comments: 8 pages, 8 figures, Physics Education journal Subjects:
Physics Education (physics.ed-ph); Instrumentation and Detectors
(physics.ins-det) https://youtu.be/jHoA5M-_1R4