The Open Door Web Site Search Site Map Biology Chemistry Physics Electronics Technology History Study Guide ... Gallery Measurements : A ppendix I The VERNIER Scale A Vernier scale is a small, moveable scale placed next to the main scale of a measuring instrument. It is named after its inventor, Pierre Vernier (1580 - 1637). It allows us to make measurements to a precision of a small fraction of the smallest division on the main scale of the instrument. (In the first example below the "small fraction" is one tenth.) Vernier scales are found on many instruments, for example, spectroscopes, supports for astronomical telescopes etc. One specific example, the Vernier calliper, is considered below. Using a Vernier Scale Figure 1 shows a Vernier scale reading zero. Notice that 10 divisions of the Vernier scale have the same length as 9 divisions of the main scale. | |
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