A micrometer screw gauge has -0.03 mm error. State the reading that is observed in the instrument when used to measure the diameter of a wire whose actual diameter is 0.38 mm

Answer 1

To find the observed reading on the micrometer screw gauge when the actual diameter of the wire is 0.38 mm and there is a negative error of -0.03 mm, we can use the formula:

\[ \text{Observed Reading} = \text{Actual Measurement} + \text{Error} \]

In this case:

• Actual Measurement = 0.38 mm
• Error = -0.03 mm

Substituting the values:

\[ \text{Observed Reading} = 0.38 \text{ mm} + (-0.03 \text{ mm}) = 0.38 \text{ mm} - 0.03 \text{ mm} = 0.35 \text{ mm} \]

Therefore, the observed reading on the micrometer screw gauge when measuring the diameter of the wire will be 0.35 mm.