Vernier Caliper Model

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written by Fu-Kwun Hwang
edited by Loo Kang Wee and Wolfgang Christian

The Vernier Caliper model shows the principle of operation and the physical parts of a Vernier Caliper.

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.
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.

The Vernier Caliper model was created using the Easy Java Simulations (EJS) modeling tool. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double click the ejs_ntnu_VernierCaliper.jar file to run the program if Java is installed.

Please note that this resource requires at least version 1.5 of Java (JRE).

.jar

download 1451kb .jar
Last Modified: June 13, 2014
previous versions

1 source code document is available

.zip

Vernier Caliper Source Code
The source code zip archive contains an XML representation of the Vernier Caliper model. Unzip this archive in your EJS workspace to compile and run this model using EJS.
download 17kb .zip
Last Modified: June 13, 2014
previous versions

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
General Physics - Equipment = Mechanical Equipment - Measurement/Units	- Lower Undergraduate - High School - Middle School - Upper Undergraduate	- Instructional Material = Interactive Simulation

Intended Users	Formats	Ratings
- Learners - Educators	- application/java	Currently 5.0/5 Rated 5.0 stars by 2 people Want to rate this material? Login here!

Access Rights:: Free access
License:: This material is released under a GNU General Public License Version 3 license.
Rights Holder:: Fu-Kwun Hwang
Keywords:: caliper simulation, measurement
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created December 12, 2009 by Wolfgang Christian
Record Updated:: June 15, 2020 by Bruce Mason
Last Update when Cataloged:: September 10, 2009
Other Collections:: The PSRC

The Physics Front

The Advanced Labs

The Open Source Physics

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AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

11. Common Themes

11B. Models

6-8: 11B/M6. A model can sometimes be used to get ideas about how the thing being modeled actually works, but there is no guarantee that these ideas are correct if they are based on the model alone.

12. Habits of Mind

12B. Computation and Estimation

6-8: 12B/M8. Decide what degree of precision is adequate and round off the result of calculator operations to enough significant figures to reasonably reflect those of the inputs.

12C. Manipulation and Observation

6-8: 12C/M3. Make accurate measurements of length, volume, weight, elapsed time, rates, and temperature by using appropriate devices.
6-8: 12C/M5. Analyze simple mechanical devices and describe what the various parts are for; estimate what the effect of making a change in one part of a device would have on the device as a whole.

ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link

<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=9707">Hwang, Fu-Kwun. "Vernier Caliper Model."</a>

AIP Format

F. Hwang, Computer Program VERNIER CALIPER MODEL (2009), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9707&DocID=1445).

AJP/PRST-PER

F. Hwang, Computer Program VERNIER CALIPER MODEL (2009), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9707&DocID=1445>.

APA Format

Hwang, F. (2009). Vernier Caliper Model [Computer software]. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9707&DocID=1445

Chicago Format

Hwang, Fu-Kwun. "Vernier Caliper Model." https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9707&DocID=1445 (accessed 24 March 2025).

MLA Format

Hwang, Fu-Kwun. Vernier Caliper Model. Computer software. 2009. Java (JRE) 1.5. 24 Mar. 2025 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9707&DocID=1445>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Author = "Fu-Kwun Hwang", Title = {Vernier Caliper Model}, Month = {September}, Year = {2009} }

Refer Export Format

%A Fu-Kwun Hwang %T Vernier Caliper Model %E Loo Kang Wee %E Wolfgang Christian, (eds) %D September 10, 2009 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9707&DocID=1445 %O application/java

EndNote Export Format

%0 Computer Program %A Hwang, Fu-Kwun %D September 10, 2009 %T Vernier Caliper Model %E Wee, Loo Kang %E Christian, Wolfgang %8 September 10, 2009 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9707&DocID=1445

Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.

Citation Source Information

The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ.

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Vernier Caliper Model:

Is Based On Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool

The Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool is needed to explore the computational model used in the Vernier Caliper Model.

relation by Wolfgang Christian

Is Based On http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/index.php?topic=684.0

The Vernier Calipers model was created by created by Fu-Kwun Hwang for the NTNU website and later customized by Loo Kang Wee and Wolfgang Christian for the OSP Collection.

relation by Wolfgang Christian

Is Based On http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/index.php?topic=567.msg1940#msg1940

The original source codes for the base Vernier Caliper Model by Fu-Kwun Hwang.

relation by wee lookang

Is Based On http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/index.php?topic=1189

The source codes for the blue and green objects in Vernier Caliper Model by Fu-Kwun Hwang.

relation by wee lookang

Covers the Same Topic As http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/index.php?topic=52.0

The non Ejs version of the Vernier Caliper Model by Fu-Kwun Hwang that has the input field for student checking their understanding especially useful for learning the importance of precision of measurement.
This is because 19.40 is precise, 19.450 is too precise and 19.4 is not precise enough for the vernier caliper of smallest unit 0.01 mm.

relation by wee lookang

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