The main scale of a Vernier caliper has 20 divisions per cm, and 50 Vernier scale divisions are equal to 49 main scale divisions. When the jaws are fully closed, the zero of the Vernier scale lies to the left of the main scale zero, and the 40^ th Vernier scale division coincides with a main scale division. While measuring the diameter of a sphere, the zero of the Vernier scale lies between 2.4 cm and 2.45 cm , and t

Step-by-step solution

First, find the length of one main scale division (MSD): 1 MSD = 1 20 cm = 0.05 cm Given 50 VSD = 49 MSD , the least count (LC) is: LC = 1 MSD - 49 50 MSD = 1 50 MSD = 0.05 50 cm = 0.001 cm When the jaws are closed, the Vernier zero is to the left of the main scale zero, indicating a negative zero error. The 40^ th division coincides, so the zero error is: Zero Error = -(N - n) LC Zero Error = -(50 - 40) 0.001 cm = -0.010 cm During the measurement, the main scale reading (MSR) is the reading just before the Vernier