UNIT

To measure any physical quantity we assume a standard of definite magnitude of that

quantity. Then we give a name of that standard, which is known as unit. These are of two
types:
(a) Fundamental units : The units which are independent and which can not derived
from other units, are defined as fundamental units.
e.g. The units of mass, length and time.
(b) Derived units : The units which are derived with the help of fundamental units are
called derived units. e.g. The units of velocity, acceleration etc.

PROPERTIES OF UNIT
1
,
n
where u and n are the units of physical quantity and its numerical value respectively. Relation
between unit and its numerical value is n1u1 = n2u2.

The unit of a physical quantity is inversely proportional to its numerical value i.e. u

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

Four systems of units are commonly used :

CGS (Centimetre - Gram - Second) system
FPS (Foot-Pound-Second) system
MKS (Metre-Kilogram-Second) system
SI unit
The general conference of weights and measures held in 1971 decided a new system of
units which is known as the International System of Units.
It is abbreviated as SI from the french name Le Systeme International d unites. It is
based on the seven fundamental and two supplementary physical quantities.
Fundamental Physical Quantity

Unit

1.
2.
3.

Length
Mass
Time

metre
kilogram
second

m
kg
s

4.

Electric Current

ampere

5.
6.
7.

Temperature
Luminous Intensity
Amount of Substance

kelvin
candela
mole

K
cd
mol

Supplementary Physical Quantity

1.
2.

Plane Angle
Solid Angle

Unit
radian
steradian

Symbol

Symbol
rad
sr

DIMENSIONS
Every quantity is expressed in terms of base quantities. It is written as a product of different
powers of base quantities. The exponent of a base quantity that enters into the expression, is
called the dimension of that base quantity.
e.g., Force
= mass acceleration
velocity
mass
time
=

mass

length/time
time

-2
= mass length time
Thus, the dimensions of force are 1 in mass, 1 in length and 2 in time. The dimensions of all
other base quantities are zero.
Note: For convenience the base quantities are represented by one letter symbol.
Generally, mass is denoted by M, length by L, time by T and electric current by A or I. The
thermodynamic temperature, the amount of substance and the luminous intensity are
denoted by the symbols of their units K, mol and cd respectively.
The physical quantity that is expressed in terms of the base quantities is enclosed in square
brackets to remind that the equation is among the dimensions and not among the
magnitudes. Thus equation one may be written as
[force] = [MLT-2]
Note: Such an expression for a physical quantity in terms of the base quantities is called
the dimensional formula.

USES OF DIMENSIONS
A. HOMOGENEITY OF DIMENSIONS IN AN EQUATION
B. CONVERSION OF UNITS
C. DEDUCING RELATION AMONG THE PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

LIMITATIONS OF THE DIMENSIONAL METHOD

(a)
(b)

First of all we have to know the quantities on which a particular physical quantity depends.
Method works only if the dependence is of the product type

1
Not applicable for the equations like s = ut + at 2
2

1
Not applicable for the equations like s = ut + at 2
2
.
(c)
(d)

Numerical constant having no dimensions can not be deduced by the method of dimensions.
Method works only if there are as many equations available as there are unknowns.

ORDER OF MAGNITUDE
Normally decimal is used after first digit using powers of ten,
3

e.g :
3750 m will be written as 3.750 10 m
The order of a physical quantity is expressed in power of 10 and is taken to be 1
if (10) = 3.16 and 10 if > 3.16.
e.g. :

8
speed of light 3 10 , order =

Mass of electron = 9.1 10

31

108

, order = 1030

SIGNIFICANT DIGITS
In a multiplication or division of two or more quantities, the number of significant digits in the
answer is equal to the number of significant digits in the quantity which has the minimum
number of significant digits. e.g : 12.0/7.0 will have two significant digits only.

The least significant digit is rounded according to the rules given below.
For addition and subtraction write the numbers one below the other with all the decimal points in
one line. Now locate the first column from left that has doubtful digits. All digits right to this column
are dropped from all the numbers and rounding is done to this column. The addition and
subtraction are now performed to get the answer.
Note: Number of Significant figure in the magnitude of a physical quantity can neither be
increased nor decreased. e.g. If we have 3.10 kg, then it can not be written as 3.1 kg or 3.100
kg.

ERRORS : (FRACTIONAL AND PERCENTAGE ERRORS)

If

is the error in measurement of x, then

x
x
100
x
x
fractional error =
and percentage error =
experimental value ~ Standard value
Standard value
Percentage error in experimental measurement =
100

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION

y,

x,
Let error in x is
and error in y is
x
y .
i.e., The errors add.

then the error in

or x

y is

MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION

Let errors in x, y, z are respectively
a

x y
z c ) is obtained from the relation

x,

f
f

and
a

proper multiples of exponents) add. The error in f is

x
x

z . Then error in a quantity f (defined as

y
z
b
c
.
y
z

The fractional errors (with

f.