UNITS AND MEASUREMENTS

Prepared By:
Vinaykant Bhalla
PHYSCIS

1. If n is the numerical value of a physical quantity in the system in which its unit is u, then which of the following relations
is correct?
n u
(a) = constant (b) = constant
u n
(c) nu = constant (d) n2u = constant

2. The density of wood is 0.5 in C.G.S. system of units. The corresponding value in M.K.S. unit is
(a) 500 (b) 0.5
(c) 5 × 10–2 (d) 5000

3. A dimensionally correct equation ________ be a correct equation, and a dimensionally incorrect equation ________
be incorrect. The words (in order) to be filled in the blank spaces are
(a) must, must (b) must, may
(c) may, may (d) may, must

4. The linear momentum p of a particle is given as a function of time t as p = At2 + Bt + C. The dimensions of constant
B are
(a) [M L–1 T–1] (b) [M L–1 T–2]
(c) [M L T–2] (d) [M L T–1]

 − nRx
5. In the relation P = e , P is power, x is distance n is number of moles, R is gas constant and θ is temperature.

The dimensional formula of β is
(a) [M0L0T0] (b) [M1L0T1]
(c) [M0L–1T1] (d) [M0L–1T–1]

6. The frequency of vibration f of a mass m suspended from a spring of spring constant k is given by a relation f = cmx
ky; where c is a dimensionless quantity. The value of x and y are
1 1 1 1
(a) x = , y = (2) x = − , y = −
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
(3) x = , y = − (4) x = − , y =
2 2 2 2

t 
7. Given that y = a sin  − qx  , where t represents time in second and x represents distance in meter. Which of the
 p 
following statement is true?
(a) Dimension of t is same as that of q (b) Dimension of x is same as that of p
(c) Dimension of x is same as that of q (d) Dimension of t is same as that of p

8. Imagine a system of units in which the unit of mass is 100 kg, length is 1 km and time is 1 minute. Then 1 joule in
this system is equal to
(a) 360 (b) 3.6
(c) 36 × 105 (d) 36 × 10–6
9. Which of the two have same dimensions ?
(a) Force and strain (b) Force and stress
(c) Angular velocity and frequency (d) Energy and strain

1 2
10. Obtain the dimensions of K in the equation W = Kx . Here, W is work, while x is change in length.
2
(a) [M1L0T–2] (b) [M0L1T–1]
(c) [M1L1T–2] (d) [M1L0T–1]

11. The physical quantities not having same dimensions are

(a) Pressure and energy density (b) Torque and work
(c) Momentum and Planck's constant (d) Stress and Young's modulus

12. Frequency is the function of density (ρ), length (l) and surface tension (T). Then its value is
(a) k1/2l 3/2T −1/2 (b) k3/2l 3/2T −1/2
(c) k1/2l 3/2T −3/4 (d) kT 1/2−1/2l −3/2

13. If force (F), length (L) and time (T) are assumed to be fundamental units, then the dimensional formula of the mass
will be
(a) [FL–1T2] (b) [FL–1T–2]
(c) [FL–1T–1] (d) [FL2T2]

14. "pascal-second" has dimension of

(a) Force (b) Energy
(c) Pressure (d) Coefficient of viscosity

15. Newton-second is the unit of

(a) Velocity (b) Angular momentum
(c) Momentum (d) Energy

16. Which of the following is not represented in correct unit ?

Stress
(a) = N/m 2 (b) Surface tension = N/m
Strain
(c) Energy = kg-m/s (d) Pressure = N/m2

17. A suitable unit for gravitational constant is

(a) kg-m s–1 (b) Nm–1 s
(c) Nm2 kg–2 (d) kgm s

18. The unit of angular acceleration in the SI system is

(a) N kg–1 (b) ms–2
(c) rad s–2 (d) m kg–1 K

19. The unit of the coefficient of viscosity in S.I. system is

(a) m/kg-s (b) m-s/kg2
2
(c) kg/m-s (d) kg/m-s
 F L
20. To determine the Young's modulus of a wire, the formula is Y =  ; where L = length; A = area of cross-section
A L
of the wire, ∆L = change in length of the wire when stretched with a force F. The conversion factor to change it from
CGS to MKS system is
(a) 1 (b) 10
(c) 0.1 (d) 0.01

21. If the dimensions of a physical quantity are given by MaLbTc, then the physical quantity will be
(a) Pressure if a = 1, b = – 1, c = – 2 (b) Velocity if a = 1, b = 0, c = – 1
(c) Acceleration if a = 1, b = 1, c = – 2 (d) Force if a = 0, b = – 1, c = – 2

h
22. is the dimension of
2
(a) Velocity (b) Momentum
(c) Energy (d) Angular momentum

23. The dimensions of calorie are

(a) [ML2T–2] (b) [MLT–2]
(c) [ML2T–1] (d) [ML2T–3]

24. The dimensions of universal gravitational constant are

(a) [M–2L2T2] (b) [M–1L3T–2]
(c) [ML–1T–2] (d) [ML2T–2]

25. The equation of a stationary wave is

 2ct   2x 
y = 2 A sin   cos  .
     
Which of the following is correct?
(a) Unit of ct is same as that of λ (b) Unit of x is same as that of λ
2c 2x c x
(c) Unit of is same as that of (d) Unit of is same as that of
 t  

26. Let y = A sin (ωt – kx) represent the variation of distance y of a particle with time t. Which of the following is not
meaningful ?
y y At
(a) + (b) +
A  kx

(c) A – kx (d) A +
k

27. Planck's constant h, speed of light c and gravitational constant G are used to form a unit of length L and a unit of
mass M. Then the correct option(s) is(are) [JEE(Advanced)-2015]
(a) M c (b) M G
(c) L h (d) L G

28. Frequency of sound that can be produced by a pipe depends on length (l) of the pipe, atmospheric pressure (p) and
pb d c
density (d) of air, according to relation v = a
l
 Find the value of (a + b + c).

29. In a new system, the unit of mass is made 10 times, the unit of length is made 1/100 times and unit of time is made
10 times. Magnitude of 1J in the new system of unit is 10x. What is the value of x ?

30. The time dependence of a physical quantity P is given by P = P0 exp(αt2), where α is constant. If dimensions of α is
represented as [M0LxT–2] . Find x.

31. In a system of units if force (F), acceleration (A) and time (T) are taken as fundamental units, then the dimensional
formula of energy will become [FATx/3]. Find value of x?

32. To find the distance d over which a signal can be seen clearly in foggy conditions, a railways-engineer uses
dimensional and assumes that the distance depends on the mass density ρ of the fog, intensity (power/area) S of the
light from the signal and its frequency f. The engineer finds that d is proportional to S1/n. The value of n is
[JEE(Advanced)2014]
 ANSWER KEY
1. (c)
2. (a)
3. (d)
4. (c)
5. (c)
6. (d)
7. (d)
8. (d)
9. (c)
10. (a)
11. (c)
12. (d)
13. (a)
14. (d)
15. (c)
16. (c)
17. (c)
18. (c)
19. (d)
20. (c)
21. (a)
22. (d)
23. (a)
24. (b)
25. (a, b , c)
26. (a, c, d)
27. (a, c, d)
28. (1)
29. (5)
30. (0)
31. (6)
32. (3)
 HINTS AND SOLUTIONS

1. Answer (c)
1
n
u
 nu = constant

2. Answer (a)
Density ρ = 0.5 g/cc
0.5  10−3 kg
=
(10−2 )3 m3
= 5 102 kg/m3

3. Answer (d)
There are many quantities which have same dimension hence due to this reason it may be possible that an equation
which is dimensionally correct is incorrect. e.g.,
Kinetic energy = r  F
is dimensionally correct but it is an incorrect relation.

4. Answer (c)
p = At2 + Bt + C
 [MLT–1] = B × [T]
B = [MLT–2]

5. Answer (c)
nR joule  joule sec sec
= = = =  =
x metre p metre joule metre

6. Answer (d)

f = cm x .k y Þ T −1  =  M x  MT −2   T −1  =  M x + yT −2 y  , x = − , y =
y 1 1
2 2

7. Answer (d)
Argument of trigonometric function is dimensionless.

8. Answer (d)
1 joule = n units. Or 1 kg m2s–2 = n units
2 −2
 kg   1m   sec  −6
 n = 1  1000m   60sec   n = 36  10
 100 kg 

9. Answer (c)
Angular velocity and frequency have dimension of [M0L0T–1].

10. Answer (a)

K = [ML2T–2]/[L2] = [ML0T–2].
11. Answer (c)
[h] = [ML2T–1] while [p] = [MLT–1]

12. Answer (d)

f = k .T a b / c ,[T ] = [ MT −2 ],  =  ML−3   a = , b = − , c = −
1 1 3
2 2 2

13. Answer (a)

[M] = [Fa] [Lb] [Tc] = [MLT–2]a [Lb] [Tc]  a = 1, b = – 1, c = 2

14. Answer (d)

Coefficient of viscosity ‘η’ has its unit pascal-second in SI system.

15. Answer (c)

Newton × sec = Impulse = change in Linear momentum.

16. Answer (c)

Unit of energy is kg m2 s–2

17. Answer (c)

F = G.m1m2/r2  G = F × r2/m1m2

18. Answer (c)

Angular acceleration = change in angular velocity/∆t

19. Answer (d)

AV F x  MLT −2  L   −1 −1 
F = = = 2 = ML T  [n] =  ML−1T −1   kg.m −1s −1
x AV  
L LT −1


20. Answer (c)

Conversion factor = dyne.cm–2/newton.m–2 = 0.1

21. Answer (a)

Pressure = [ML–1 T–2]

22. Answer (d)

2π is dimensionless and h is Planck’s constant. Whose dimensions are same as that of angular momentum.

23. Answer (a)

Calorie is the unit of heat which is a form of energy.

24. Answer (b)

mm F  r 2 [MLT −2 ][L2 ]
F = G 12 2  G = = = [M −1L3T −2 ]
r m1m2 [M 2 ]

25. Answer (a, b, c)

 2ct   2x 
y = 2 A sin   cos  
     
 In sin x and cos x, x should be dimensionless.
 unit of ct = unit of λ
also unit of x = unit of λ
2ct 2x
dimension of = dimension of
 
2c x
 unit of =
 t

26. Answer (a, c, d)

y
is dimensionless while ω has dimension [T–1] therefore cannot be added.
A
Similarily dimension of A ≠ dimension of kx.

and dimension of A ≠ dimension of .
k

27. Answer (a, c, d)

G = M–1L3T–2
c = LT–1
h = ML2T–1
L = [Gh]a[c]b
L = [L5T–3]a[LT–1]b
 –3a – b = 0
5a + b = 1
2a = 1
1
a=
2
1 1 −3
 [ L] = [G ] 2 [h] 2 [c] 2
1
i.e., L  G , L  h , L 
c c
a b c
Now, M = [G] [c] [h]
 M = [M–1L3T–2]a[LT–1]b[ML2T–1]c
 1 = –a + c
 a=c–1
Also, 3a + b + 2c = 0
 b + 5c = 3
Also, 2a + b + c = 0  3c + b = 2
1 −1 1
 c= a= b=
2 2 2
1
 M , M  c, M  h
G

28. Answer (1)

pb d c
v= a
l
Equating dimension of both side
[M 0 L0T −1 ] = [ML−1T −2 ]b [ML−3 ]c [ L− a ]
 0=b+c
0 = –b – 3c – a
–1 = –2b
1
c=−
2
1 3
a = − + =1
2 2
1
b=
2
a + b + c =1

29. Answer (5)

a b c
 M   L  T  1
n2 = n1  1   1   1  M 2 = 10M1 , L2 = L1 , T2 = 10 T1
 M 2   L2   T2  100
1 2 −2
 1   100   1 
= 1     
 10   1   10 
1 100  100 100
=  
10 1 1
n2 = 105  x = 5

30. Answer (0)

[αt2] = [M0L0T0]
[α] = [M0L0T–2]

31. Answer (6)

E = FATx/3
[ML2T–2] = [MLT–2] [LT–2] [Tx/3]
x=6

32. Answer (3)

dB = ρasbfc
M0L1T0 = MaL–3a × MbT–3bT–c
= Ma + bL–3aT–3b – c
a + b = 0, –3a = 1
1 1
 a = − ,b =
3 3
⸫ n=3