Which is more accurate, a meterstick or a vernier caliper?
A vernier caliper is much more accurate and is used when accurate measurements are needed. A meterstick shsould not be used when accurate measurements are needed. A meterstick is a ruler that is one meter long, and usually marked off in centimeters and millimeters. One lines up an item to be measured manually, as best they can. The Vernier caliper is an extremely precise measuring instrument with a reading error of 1/20 mm = 0.05 mm. It has jaws which are tightened against the surface of the object to be measured, guaranteeing accuracy of alignment, as well as what is actually being measured. http://www.physics.smu.
