what is the zero error of a measuring instruments?

Question

what is the zero error of a measuring instruments

Answer 1

the degree of accuracy of an instrument varies so how accurate an instrument is decided by finding the zero error of it. I

Answer 2

It simply means the least possible value which can be measured by a particular instrument.

Don't try to go for the literal meaning of zero error it creates a lot of confusion :/

example,the zero error of a cm ruler is 0.1 cm..

Answer 3

The terminology there can seem misleading, since there is no measurement with an actual zero percent of error.

What the term says for an instrument is that in proper use it measures with the most precision it has.

Answer 4

All accurately measuring instruments(Eg. Vernier Calipers, Screw guage) will have two scales in their body!

One is the normal main scale (or head scale) and the other is the secondary scale (or vernier scale)... The thing is, even if the instrument is properly manufactured, they tend to have some small error (but still accounts for error) due to depreciation (or regular use)...



If the zero of the main scale perfectly coincides with the zero of the secondary scale, we say the instrument has zero error, if not, it is said to have positive or negative error...