A Vernier caliper has a least count of 0.02 mm . The main scale is calibrated such that one main scale division is equal to 0.5 mm . If N divisions of the Vernier scale coincide with (N-1) divisions of the main scale, the value of N is:

Step-by-step solution

The least count (LC) of a Vernier caliper is given by the difference between one main scale division (MSD) and one Vernier scale division (VSD). LC = 1 MSD - 1 VSD It is given that N divisions of the Vernier scale coincide with (N-1) divisions of the main scale. N VSD = (N-1) MSD 1 VSD = N-1 N MSD Substituting this into the least count formula: LC = 1 MSD - ( N-1 N ) MSD LC = 1 N MSD We are given that LC = 0.02 mm and 1 MSD = 0.5 mm . 0.02 mm = 0.5 mm N N = 0.5 0.02 = 25 Therefore, the number of divisions on the Ve