Diagonal scale is an
engineering
Engineering is the use of scientific principles to design and build machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad range of more speciali ...
measuring instrument
A measuring instrument is a device to measure a physical quantity. In the physical sciences, quality assurance, and engineering, measurement is the activity of obtaining and comparing physical quantities of real-world objects and events. Est ...
which is composed of a set of parallel straight lines which are
obliquely crossed by another set of straight lines. Diagonal scales are used to measure small fractions of the
unit of measurement
A unit of measurement is a definite magnitude of a quantity, defined and adopted by convention or by law, that is used as a standard for measurement of the same kind of quantity. Any other quantity of that kind can be expressed as a multi ...
.
Etymology
Diagonal scale is derived from the Latin word ''Diagonalis''. The Latin word was originally coined from the Greek word ''diagōnios'' where ''dia'' means "through" and ''gonios'' denotes "corners".
Principle of Diagonal scale
Diagonal scale follows the
principle of similar triangles where a short length is divided into number of parts in which sides are proportional.
Divided into required number of equal parts
Application
Diagonal scale is used in engineering to read lengths with higher accuracy as it represents a unit into three different multiple in
metres
The metre (British spelling
Despite the various English dialects spoken from country to country and within different regions of the same country, there are only slight regional variations in English orthography, the two most notable va ...
,
centimeters
330px, Different lengths as in respect to the Electromagnetic spectrum, measured by the Metre and its deriveds scales. The Microwave are in-between 1 meter to 1 millimeter.
A centimetre (international spelling) or centimeter (American spellin ...
and
millimeters
330px, Different lengths as in respect to the electromagnetic spectrum, measured by the metre and its derived scales. The microwave is between 1 meter to 1 millimeter.
The millimetre (American and British English spelling differences#-re, -er, ...
. Diagonal scale is an important part in
Engineering drawings
An engineering drawing is a type of technical drawing that is used to convey information about an object. A common use is to specify the geometry necessary for the construction of a component and is called a detail drawing. Usually, a number o ...
.
References
Dimensional instruments
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