What is CSEEL and what does it offer?

CSEEL (Center for Scientific Exploration and Experiential Learning) is a premier Indian STEM educational initiative offering hands-on science experiments, 3D live laboratory simulations, curriculum-aligned project kits, teacher training workshops, and national science conclaves aligned with NEP 2020.

How does CSEEL support NEP 2020 experiential learning?

CSEEL shifts education from rote memorization to active inquiry and hands-on experimentation. Students observe, build, analyze, and apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges, developing critical thinking and scientific temper as envisioned by NEP 2020.

What subjects and classes are covered in CSEEL simulations and experiments?

CSEEL provides comprehensive physics, chemistry, biology, environmental science, and applied robotics experiments and virtual simulations for students from Class 6 through Class 12, mapped to CBSE, ICSE, and state curricula.

How can schools, educators, and students access CSEEL programs?

Institutions, teachers, and students can explore live simulations, order DIY lab kits, register for national seminars, and join the CSEEL EduNetwork by visiting https://www.cseel.org.

Precision Measurement via Vernier Caliper and Screw Gauge

Experiment video

What you will learn

Measure the internal diameter, external diameter, and depth of a calorimeter using a Vernier Caliper, and measure the diameter of a thin wire using a Micrometer Screw Gauge.

Materials needed

Standard Vernier Caliper (0.1 mm least count)
Standard Vernier Caliper (0.1 mm least count)
₹50
What is it?
Hardened stainless steel manual Vernier Caliper with ground measurement jaws and depth gauge blade.
Specifications
Range
0 – 150 mm (0 – 15 cm)
Least Count
0.02 mm / 0.01 cm
Construction
Hardened stainless steel satin chrome finish
Features
External jaws, internal nibs, depth blade
Micrometer Screw Gauge (0.01 mm least count, 50/100 divisions)
Micrometer Screw Gauge (0.01 mm least count, 50/100 divisions)
₹95
What is it?
Cast steel frame external micrometer screw gauge with carbide tipped anvil and spindle.
Specifications
Range
0 – 25 mm
Pitch
1.0 mm or 0.5 mm ground spindle screw
Least Count
0.01 mm (0.001 cm)
Ratchet Stop
Constant-force friction ratchet
Hollow Metallic Cylinder / Calorimeter with lid
Hollow Metallic Cylinder / Calorimeter with lid
₹140
What is it?
Standard test specimens: cylindrical glass calorimeter, fine copper wire, and microscope glass slide.
Specifications
Calorimeter
Borosilicate glass 50 mL
Wire Specimen
28 SWG annealed copper wire
Slide
75 mm × 25 mm optical glass slide
Tolerance
Class A lab standard
Thin copper/brass resistance wire sample
Thin copper/brass resistance wire sample
₹185
What is it?
Standard laboratory apparatus used in Precision Measurement via Vernier Caliper and Screw Gauge.
Specifications
Category
Physics Apparatus
Grade
CBSE / NEP 2020 Laboratory Standard
Glass plate / irregular lead shot
Glass plate / irregular lead shot
₹230
What is it?
Standard laboratory apparatus used in Precision Measurement via Vernier Caliper and Screw Gauge.
Specifications
Category
Physics Apparatus
Grade
CBSE / NEP 2020 Laboratory Standard
Magnifying glass lens
Magnifying glass lens
₹275
What is it?
Standard laboratory apparatus used in Precision Measurement via Vernier Caliper and Screw Gauge.
Specifications
Category
Physics Apparatus
Grade
CBSE / NEP 2020 Laboratory Standard

Tick items as you collect them. Tap + to see the product, specifications and buy options.

Stay safe

Never over-tighten the screw gauge spindle; always use the ratchet head to ensure uniform contact pressure.
Account for zero error with appropriate algebraic sign before reporting final measurements.
Take measurements at multiple positions and perpendicular diameters to eliminate non-circularity errors.
Avoid parallax while aligning coinciding Vernier divisions.

Steps

0 of 7 steps done

1Determine the value of one main scale division (MSD) and total Vernier scale divisions (VSD) to calculate Vernier Least Count = 1 MSD - 1 VSD.
Observation
Determine Vernier Least Count: 1 MSD = 1 mm; 10 VSD = 9 MSD => LC = 1 MSD - 1 VSD = 0.1 mm = 0.01 cm.
Safety
Clean caliper jaws with a soft lint-free cloth to remove dust particles.
2Inspect the instrument with jaws closed to record any positive or negative zero error.
Observation
Close jaws gently: verify zero of vernier aligns with zero of main scale (no zero error).
Safety
Do not overtighten thumb screw when jaws contact each other.
3Place the cylinder between the lower jaws to measure external diameter across three different orientations.
Observation
Grip cylindrical beaker between external jaws; read MSR = 4.2 cm, 6th vernier division coincides.
Safety
Clamp locking screw before tilting caliper to read scale.
4Insert upper internal jaws inside the cylinder mouth to measure internal diameter.
Observation
Determine Screw Gauge LC: Pitch = 1.0 mm / 1 rev; 100 circular divisions => LC = 1/100 = 0.01 mm = 0.001 cm.
Safety
Always rotate the spindle using the ratchet stop at the rear, never the thimble body.
5Use the rear depth probe strip to measure the internal depth of the cylinder.
Observation
Insert thin wire between stud and anvil; turn ratchet until it clicks three times.
Safety
Stop turning immediately upon hearing ratchet slip clicks.
6Switch to the Screw Gauge: determine pitch = distance moved / full rotations and least count = pitch / circular divisions.
Observation
CSR = 38 divisions gives wire diameter = 0 mm + (38 × 0.01 mm) = 0.38 mm.
Safety
Store instruments with jaws slightly separated to prevent rust and thermal binding.
7Clamp the thin wire between anvil and spindle using the ratchet stop until 3 clicks are heard, and compute mean corrected diameter.

Tap + on a step to see what you will observe and any safety tips.

Record your observations

Instrument & Object	Main Scale Reading (MSR)	Vernier/Circular Division (VSR/CSR)	Least Count (LC)	Corrected Dimension (cm)
Vernier: Beaker Ext. Dia.	4.20 cm	6 divisions	0.01 cm	4.260 cm
Vernier: Beaker Int. Dia.	3.80 cm	4 divisions	0.01 cm	3.840 cm
Vernier: Beaker Depth	6.50 cm	3 divisions	0.01 cm	6.530 cm
Screw Gauge: Copper Wire Dia.	0.00 cm (0 mm)	38 divisions	0.001 cm (0.01 mm)	0.038 cm (0.38 mm)
Screw Gauge: Glass Plate Thickness	0.20 cm (2 mm)	42 divisions	0.001 cm (0.01 mm)	0.242 cm (2.42 mm)

Tap a highlighted cell to write your own observation.

Result and conclusion

Computed least count of Vernier Caliper is 0.01 cm and Screw Gauge is 0.001 cm (10 μm). Volume of cylinder and wire cross-sectional area are measured to 4 significant figures.

Total Reading = MSR + (VSR × LC) - Zero Error; LC(Vernier)=0.01 cm, LC(Screw)=0.001 cm

Observation	What it means
Order of Magnitude Precision	Screw gauge provides 10× finer precision (0.001 cm = 10 μm) compared to Vernier caliper (0.01 cm = 100 μm).
Zero Error Compensation	Accurate algebraic subtraction of instrument zero error prevents systematic dimensional bias.
Internal/External Jaw Utility	Vernier upper jaws reliably measure internal diameters without parallax line-of-sight obstruction.
Ratchet Mechanism Reliability	Using the screw gauge friction ratchet prevents specimen compression and micrometer thread stripping.

Circular Scale Divisions vs Linear Displacement (Pitch Calibration)

Sample readings. Replace with your own results.

Experiment photos

Before the experimentDuring the experimentResult