Screw Gauge physics experiment

Introduction

A screw pitch gauge is a precision instrument. It is used for measuring the diameter of circular objects mostly wires, with an accuracy of 0.001cm. It consists of a hollow cylinder mounted on a U frame. The hollow cylinder leads to a ratchet which is meant for fine adjustment. The U frame consists of a flat end known as a stud and a screw on the other side. This screw can be moved inside the nut by fitting in the U frame by rotating the hollow cylinder called the thimble. This is called the main scale. The hollow cylinder or the thimble is graduated into 50 or 100 equal parts. This is called the circular scale.

Principle of Screw Gauge

1)The screw gauge works on the principle of the screw.
2) When we rotate the head ‘H’ by means of safety device ‘D’ through one complete rotation, the distance moved by the screw for every complete rotation is constant.
3) This constant distance moved by the screw for one complete rotation of head ‘ H ‘ is called the Pitch of the screw.
4) If the head scale has 100 equal divisions, then the distance moved by the screw for even 1/100 of a complete rotation can be measured accurately, this is called the Least count of the screw gauge.

Least count=Pitch/No of division on the circular scale

How to use Screw Gauge

Let’s take the example of Determination of Diameter of a Wire
The wire whose thickness is to be determined is placed between the anvil and spindle end, the thimble is rotated till the wire is firmly held between the anvil and the spindle. The rachet is provided to avoid excessive pressure on the wire. It prevents the spindle from further movement.
Reading = Linear scale reading + (Coinciding circular scale x Least count)

Viva Voice Questions for Screw Gauge  physics experiment

Question 1
What is a back-lash error?

Answer

Within a nut, there is little space for the play of screws. Due to continuous use, this space increases. Thus when the screw is turned in one direction the stud moves as usual. However, when the screw is rotated in the opposite direction, the stud does not move for a while. This error is called Backlash error. In short “Backlash error is the error introduced on reversing the direction of rotation”.

Question 2

What is a screw?
Answer

Screw is a simple machine related to inclined plane.

Question 3

Why is the screw used in screw gauge called a micrometer screw?
Answer

It is called as it can measure distance correct upto a micrometer
Question 4

What is meant by “gauge”?
Answer

The gauge means device or instrument

Question 5

Name two main parts of a screw-gauge?
Answer
(a) A nut
(b) A bolt or screw

Question 6
What is pitch of a screw?
Answer
Pitch is the distance between two nearest (consecutive or successive) threads along the axis of screw.

Question 7

How is the pitch found?
Answer

By dividing the distance covered by the screw in a known number of rotations by the total number of relations.

Question 8
What is the least count (L.C.) of the screw gauge?
Answer
L.C. of screw gauge = 0.001 cm.

Question 9
What is the Least count? How the L.C. of a screw gauge is found?
Answer
Least count is the distance moved by the screw when it is rotated by one circular scale division.

It is calculated by using the relation: L.C. = (Pitch of the screw / No. of circular scale divisions)

Question 10
What is meant by zero error of a screw-gauge?
Answer

The error which arises when the zero of circular scale does not coincide with the zero of the main scale upon joining the two studs.

Question 11

When the zero-error is positive?
Answer

If the zero of the circular scale lies above the reference line, provided that the fixed and movable studs are in contact.

Question 12
what metal used in making screw and why?
Answer
The screw is made of gun metal to avoid wear and tear after long use

Question 13
What is the degree of accuracy of the screw gauge?
Answer

Degree of accuracy = L.C. or Reading power = 0.001 cm

Question 14
What is mechanical advantage of a screw gauge?
Answer
Like a screw jack mechanical advantage of a screw gauge is 2? r/h; where ‘r’ is the radius of cylinder of the screw and ‘h’ is the pitch.

Question 15
What is meant by range of the screw gauge?
Answer
The maximum length of the main scale.

Question 16

How back lash error is avoided?
Answer

By turning the screw in one direction only.

Question 17

What are “precision instrument”?
Answer

The instrument that can measure up to a fraction of a mm, e.g., vernier caliper, screw gauge and spherometer.

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