SHANTANU SHEKHAR

UNITS AND MEASUREMENTS

FOR MEDICAL / ENGINEERING

UNITS AND MEASUREMENTS

Physical quantities: All the quantities in terms of which laws of physics are described and whose
measurement is necessary are called physical quantities.
Measurement of any physical quantities involves comparison.
Physical units: The chosen standard of measurement of a quantity which as essentially some nature as
that of the quantity is called the unit of the quantity.
Basic physical quantity Basic unit Symbol Dimension
1 Mass Kilogram Kg [M]
2 Length Meter m [L]
3 Time Second S [T]
4 Temperature Kelvin K [K]
5 Electric Current Ampere A [A]
6 Luminous Intensity Candela Cd [Cd]
7 Quantity of matter Mole mol [mol]

Derived units: The units of measurement of all other physical quantities, which can be obtained from
fundamental units are called derived units. Ex: Speed, acceleration, force, work, energy etc.
The common system of units which is used in mechanics are given below:
System of Units
a) F.P.S System: In which uses foot as the unit of length, pound as the unit of mass and second as the unit
of time.
b) C.G.S System: which uses centimeter as the unit of length, gram as the unit of mass and second as the
unit of time.
c) M.K.S System: which uses meter as the unit of length, kilogram as the unit of mass and second as the
unit of time.
d) International system of units (SI) : This system of units is essentially a modification over the M.K.S
System and is therefore called rationalized M.K.S System.
Ex: Force Newton (MKS), Dyne (CGS) , ork Joule or, Watt-sec (MKS), ergs (CGS)
Po er Watt (MKS), elec ric po en ial Volt (MKS) etc
The two supplementary units on the S.I are :→
a) The radian (rad) - It is the unit of angle in a plane, b) The Steradian (Sr) - It is the unit of solid
angle.
𝒍 𝐀
∴ 𝛉 𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧. Ω Steradian
𝐫 𝐫𝟐
360 ° = 2 rad
𝛑 𝟐
1° 𝟏𝟖𝟎
𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝟏. 𝟕𝟒𝟓 𝟏𝟎 rad.
𝟏′ 𝟐. 𝟗𝟏 𝟏𝟎 𝟒
rad
𝟔
𝟏′′ 𝟒. 𝟖𝟓 𝟏𝟎 rad.
Astronomical unit (AU), 1 AU = 1.496 x 1011 m 1.5 x 1011 m
Light year (ly), 1 ly = 9.46 x 1015 m
1 par sec = 3.1 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝐦.

Accuracy: The accuracy of a measurement is a measure of how close the measured is to the true value of
the quantity.

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Precision: Precision is determined by the least count of the measuring instrument, smaller the least count
greater is the precision.
Least count: Least count of instrument is smallest measurement which can be made with instrument.
𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝟏 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐬
Least count =
𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐧

Least count of Vernier calliper 𝟏 𝐌𝐒𝐃 𝟏 𝐕𝐒𝐃

Where, MSD = main scale division,
and VSD = Vernier scale division.

Least count of screw gauge

𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡
𝐍𝐨. 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞

Distance of a nearby star by parallax method:

𝐀𝐁 𝐀𝐁
∴ 𝛉𝟏 𝛉𝟐 𝐨𝐫 𝐝
𝐝 𝛉𝟏 𝛉𝟐

DIMENSIONS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

The dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers to which the base
quantities are raised to represent that quantity.
displacemen L
Ex: Velocity = = = [M0 L1 T -1]
ime T

Acceleration = = = [M0 L1 T -2]

Force = mass × acceleration = [M] [LT-2] = [M1L1 T -2]
Dimensional Constants → Velocity of light in vacuum (c) = 3× 10 8 m/s
Gravitational constant (G) = 6.67 × 10 -11 Nm 2 Kg -2 .
Plank s cons an (h) = 6.64 10 -34 J - Sec -1 .
Dimensional Variables → area, velocity, Force, density, acceleration etc.
Dimensionless constant → pure numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 ⋯ ⋯, mathematical constants and e e c.
Dimensionless variables → angle, strain, Relative density, specific gravity, co-efficient of friction,
Refractive index.
All formulae is correct in which the dimensions of L. H. S of the relations is equal to the dimensions of
R. H. S of the relation.
Ex: F = ma
LHS, F = [M1L1 T -2], RHS, ma = [M1L1 T -2]

Same quantities can be added or subtracted but, not applicable in multiplication or division.
Ex: F = at + bx, where F is force then, at = force and bx = force.
x = ct2 bt, where x is distance then, ct2 = distance and bt = distance.
Dimensions are used to derive the formula according to the principle of homogeneity.

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Dimensions are used to convert one system of units into another,
The magnitude of the physical quantity remains the same, whatever be the system of it same
measurement i.e.
𝐌𝟏 𝐚 𝐋𝟏 𝐛 𝐓𝟏 𝐜
now, 𝐧𝟐 𝐧𝟏
𝐌𝟐 𝐋𝟐 𝐓𝟐
𝟓
𝟏 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟎 𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐞, 𝟏 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐫, 𝟏 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝟏𝟎𝟕 𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐬

ERRORS IN MEASUREMENT
The difference in the true value and the measured value of a quantity is called error of measurement.
Absolute Errors: The magnitude of the difference between the true value and the individual measured
value of the quantity.
Ex :- let the measured value be a1 , a2, a3,⋯ an . the arithmetic mean of these values.
𝐚𝟏 𝐚𝟐 ⋯ 𝐚𝐧
𝐚𝐦
𝐧
Now, Absolute errors will be,
∆ a1 = am - a 1
∆ a2 = am – a2
⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯
∆ an = am – an.
Mean absolute Error:
|∆𝐚𝟏 | |∆𝐚𝟐 | |∆𝐚𝟑 | ⋯ |∆𝐚𝐧 |
∆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧
𝐧
Relative or Fractional Error:
∆
= =
Percentage Error:
∆
= 100%

Combination of Errors
Error in a sum or in a difference: Suppose, x = a + b or, x = a b.
∆𝐱 ∆𝐚 ∆𝐛
Error of multiplication or division: Suppose, x = a b or, x
∆𝐱 ∆𝐚 ∆𝐛
= )
𝐱 𝐚 𝐛
n am
Error of powers: Suppose, x am b or, x n
b
∆𝐱 ∆𝐚 ∆𝐛
𝐦 𝐧
𝐱 𝐚 𝐛.

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Multiple choice questions with one correct answer
1. According to Newton, the viscous force acting between liquid layers of area A and velocity
𝚫𝐯
gradient Δv/Δx is given by 𝐅 𝛈𝐀 where 𝛈 𝐢𝐬 constant called coeffieicnt of viscosity. The
𝚫𝐱
dimensional formula of 𝛈 𝐢𝐬, [PMT] [NEET]
(a) ML T (b) M L T
(c) ML T (d) ML T
2. Turpentine oil is flowing through a tube of length l and radius r. the pressure difference between
𝐏 𝐫𝟐 𝐱𝟐
the two ends of the tube is P. the viscosity of oil is given by 𝛈 , where v is the velocity
𝟒𝐯𝒍
of oil at a distance x from the axis of the tube. The dimensions of 𝛈 are [PMT]
(a) M L T (b) ML T
(c) ML T (d) ML T
3. The dimensional of Planck’s constant equal to that of
(a) Energy (c) Angular momentum [PMT]
(b) Momentum (d) power
4. Force is given by 𝐅 𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐭 𝟐 where t is time. What are the dimensions of a and b? [IIT]
(a) ML T and ML T (c) ML T and ML T
(b) ML T and ML T (d) ML T and ML T

5. Given that the displacement of an oscillating particle is given by y = A sin (Bx + Ct + D). the
dimensional formula for (ABCD) is [IIT]
(a) M L T (b) M L T
(c) M L T (d) M L T
6. The specific resistivity of a circular wire of radius r, resistance R and length l is given by
𝛑𝐫 𝟐 𝐑
𝛒 𝑰
. Given r = (0.24 0.02) cm, R = (30 ± 1) Ω and t = (4.80 ± 0.01) cm. the percentage error
in is nearly
(a) 7% (c) 18% [AIIMS]
(b) 20% (d) None of these
7. The frequency of vibration f of a mass m suspended from a spring of spring constant k is given by
relation f = a mx ky, where a is a dimensionless constant. The values of x and y are [IIT]
(a) x ,y (b) x ,y
(c) x ,y (d) x ,y

8. P represents radiation pressure, c represents speed of light and S represents radiation energy
striking per unit area per sec. the non – zero integers x, y, z such that Px Sy cz is dimensionless, are
(a) x = 1, y = 1, z = 1 (c) x = - 1, y = 1, z = 1 [AIIMS]
(b) x = 1, y = - 1, z = 1 (d) x = 1, y = 1, z = - 1
9. Which of the following is a dimensional constant?
(a) Relative density (c) Refractive index [PMT]
(b) Gravitational constant (d) Poisson s ratio.

10. The damping force on an oscillator is directly proportional to the velocity. The units of the
constant of proportionality are [AIPMT]
(a) kg ms (b) kg ms
(c) kg s (d) kgs

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∆𝐕
11. A quantity X is given by 𝛜𝟎 𝐋 𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝛜𝟎 is the permittivity of the free space, L is a length, ΔV is
a potential difference and Δt is a time interval. The dimensional formula for X is the same as that
of [IIT]
(a) resistance (b) charge
(c) voltage (d) current
12. Which of the following sets have different dimensions? [IIT]
(a) Press re, Yo ng s mod l s, stress
(b) Emf, potential difference, electric potential
(c) Heat, work done, energy
(d) Dipole moment, electric flux, electric field
13. A student performs an experiment to determine the Young’s modulus of a wire, exactly 2m long,
by Searle’s method. In a particular reading, the student measures the extensions in the length of
the wire to be 08mm with an uncertainty of ±0.05mm, at a load of exactly 1.0kg. the student also
measures the diameter of the wire to be 0.4mm with an uncertainly of ± 0.01mm. take g = 9.8m/s 2
(exact). The Young’s modulus obtained from the reading is
(a) (2.0 ± 0.3) × 1011 N/m2 (c) (2.0 ± 0.1) × 1011 N/m2 [IIT]
11 2 11 2
(b) (2.0 ± 0.2) × 10 N/m (d) (2.0 ± 0.05) × 10 N/m
14. A wire has a mas 0.3 ± 0.003g, radius 0.5 ± 0.005mm and length 6 ± 0.06cm. the maximum
percentage error in the measurement of its density is [IIT]
(a) 1 (b) 2
(c) 3 (d) 4
15. A Vernier calipers has 1mm marks on the main scale. It has 20 equal divisions on the Vernier scale
which match with 16 main scale divisions. For this Vernier calipers, the least count is [IIT]
(a) 0.02mm (b) 0.05mm
(c) 0.1mm (d) 0.2mm
16. The diameter of a cylinder is measured using a Vernier callipers with no zero error. It is found
that the zero of the Vernier scale lies between 5.10cm and 5.15cm of the main scale. The Vernier
scale has 50 divisions equivalent of 2.45cm. The 24th division of the Venire scale exactly coincides
with one of the main scale divisions. The dimeter of the cylinder is [IIT]
(a) 5.112 cm (b) 5.124 cm
(c) 5.136cm (d) 5.148 cm
17. In a screw gauge, the zero of main scale coincides with fifth division of circular scale in fig. (i). the
circular divisions of screw gauge are 50. It moves 0.5 moves 0.5 mm on main scale in one rotation.
The diameter of the ball in fig, (ii) is [IIT]

(a) 2.25 mm (b) 2.20 mm

(c) 1.20 mm (d) 1.25 mm

18. If the unit of force is 1 kilo newton, the length is 1 km and time 100 s. what will be the unit of
mass? [AIPMT]
(a) 1,000 kg (b) 1kg
(c) 10, 000 kg (d) 100 kg

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19. Out of the following four-dimensional quantities, which one qualifies to be called a dimensional
constant? [NEET]
(a) Acceleration due to gravity (b) Surface tension of water
(c)Weight of a standard kilogram mass (d) The velocity of light in vacuum.
20. The dimensions of torque are [DCE]
(a) ML T (b) ML T
(c) M L T (d) MLT
21. 𝐌𝐋𝟐 𝐓 𝟐 are the dimension of [DCE]
(a) Force (c) Momentum
(b) Moment of force (d) Power
22. The dimensions of the quantity hv/c, where h is Planck’s constant, v is the frequency and c is the
velocity of light are [PMT]
(a) ML (b) MLT
(c) MLT (d) ML T
23. The dimensions of strain are [IPUEE]
(a) L (b) L
(c) it is dimensionless (d) ML T
24. Dimensions of bulk modulus are [DCE]
(a) M LT (b) ML T
(c) ML T (d) M L T
𝐚
25. The equation of state of the gas is expressed as 𝐏 𝐕𝟐 𝐕 𝐛 nRT; where P = pressure,
V= volume, T = temperature and n, a, b, R are constants. The dimensions of a will be [IIT]
(a) MLT (b) ML T
(c) L (d) L
26. The force F is given in terms of time t and displacement x by the equation F = A cos Bx + C sin Dt
formula of D / B is [AIIMS]
(a) M L T (b) M L T
(c) M L T (d) M LT
27. In the relation, y = r sin ( t + kx) the dimensional formula for kx or t is same as [IIT]
(a) r/ω (b) r/y
(c) ωt/r (d) yr/ωt
28. The time period T of a small drop of liquid (due to surface tension) depends on density , radius r
and surface tension S. the relation is [AIPMT]
/ (b) T ∝ ρrS
(a) T ∝
(c) T ∝ (d) T ∝
29. If L = 2.331cm, B = 2.1cm, then L + B? [DCE]
(a) 4.431 cm (b) 4.43 cm
(c) 4.4 cm (d) 4 cm
30. If error in radius is 3%, what is error in volume of sphere? [NEET]
(a) 3% (b) 27%
(c) 9% (d) 6%
31. Diameter of a steel ball is measured using a Vernier calipers which has divisions of 0.1cm on its
main scale (MS) and 10 divisions of its Vernier scale (VS) match 9 divisions on the main scale.
Three such measurements for a ball are given as follows: [IIT]

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S. No, MS (cm) VS divisions
1 0.5 8
2 0.5 4
3 0.5 6
If the zero error is – 0.03 cm, then mean corrected diameter is
(a) 0.53 acm (b) 0. 56cm
(c) 0.59 cm (d) 0.52cm

32. The force F is given by expression F = A cost (Bx) + C sin (DR) where x is the displacement t is the
time. The dimensions of D/B are same as those of
(a) Velocity [LT 1 ] (c) Angular momentum [ML2T 1] [AIIMS]
1 1
(b) Angular velocity [T ] (d) Velocity gradient [ T ]
33. The pressure on a square plate is measured by measuring the force on the plate and the length of
the sides of the plate by using the formula, P = F/l 2. If the maximum errors in the measurement of
force and length are 4% and 2% respectively, then the maximum error in the measurement of
pressure is [AIIMS]
(a) 1% (b) 2%
(c) 8% (d) 10%
34. Which of the following represents the correct dimensions of the coefficient of viscosity? [DCE]
(a) ML 𝑇 (b) ML T
(c) ML T (d) MLT
𝟏
35. Dimensions of , where symbols have their usual meaning are [IIT]
𝛍𝟎 𝛆 𝟎
(a) L T (b) L T
(c) L T (d) LT
36. Out of the following pairs, which one does not have identical dimensions [IIT]
(a) Moment of inertia and moment of a force
(b) Work and torque
(c) Ang lar momen m and Plank s cons an
(d) Impulse and momentum
37. The physical quantities not having the same dimensions are [AIIMS]
(a) Torque and work
(b) Momen m and Plank s cons an
(c) S ress and Yo ng s mod l s
(d) Speed and 1/ μ ε
𝑳
38. The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum is T = 2 𝒈
. Measured value of L is 20.0 cm known
to 1mm accuracy and time for 100 oscillations of the pendulum is found to be 90s using a wrist
watch of 1 sec resolution. [IIT]
a 2% (b)3%
c 1% d 6%
39. Light year is the unit of [AIIMS]
(a) time (b) distance
(c) velocity (d) intensity of light
40. parsec is the unit of [AIIMS]
(a) time (b) distance
(c) frequency (d) angular momentum

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41. Length cannot be measured by [NEET]
(a) fermi (b) debye
(c) micron (d) light year
42. The dimension of the modulus of rigidity, is [AIIMS]
(a) MLT (b) ML T
(c) ML T (d) ML T

43. The dimension of Planck’s constant is [NEET]

(a) ML 𝑇 (b) ML T
(c) ML T (d) M L T
44. Dimensions of electrical resistance are [AIIMS]
(a) ML T A (b) ML T A
(c) ML T A (d) ML T A
45. If the energy, E = Gphqcr, where G is the universal gravitational constant, h is the Planck’s
constant and c is the velocity of light, then the values of p, q and r are, respectively
(a) 1/2, 1/2 and 5/2 (c) -1/2 ,1/2 and 3/2 [AIIMS]
(b) 1/2, - 1/2 and 5/2 (d) 1/2 , - 1/2 and 3/2
𝛂 𝛂𝐳
46. Pressure depends on distance as P = 𝛃
𝐞𝐱𝐩 𝐤𝛉
, where, α, β are constants, z is distance, k is
Boltzmann’s constant and is temperature. The dimensions of β are [IIT]
(a) M L T (b) M L T
(c) M L T (d) M L T
47. The dimensions of (1/2) 𝛜𝟎 𝐄 𝟐 are (𝛜𝟎 : permittivity of free space, E: electric field) [IIT]
(a) MLT (b) ML T
(c) ML T (d) ML T
48. If x = at + bt2 where x is the distance travelled by the body in kilometers while t is the time in
seconds, then the unit of b is [AIIMS]
(a) km/s (b) kms
(c) km/𝑠 (d) km𝑠
𝐛
49. The velocity of a particle at time t is given by v = at + where a, b and c are constants. The
𝐭 𝐜
dimensions of a, b and c are
(a) [L] [LT] and [LT-2] (c) [L2], [T] and [LT 2] [NEET]
(b) [LT-2], [L] and [T] (d) [LT-2], [LT] and [L]
50. The time dependence of physical quantity p is given by P = P 0 exp (- at2) where a is a constant and
t is the time. The constant a
(a) Is dimensionless (c) Has dimensions [T2] [AIIMS]
-2
(b) Has dimensions [T ] (d) Has dimensions of P.
51. The dimension of RC is
(a) Square of time (c) Time [IIT]
(b) Square of inverse time (d) Inverse time.
52. Which of the following dimensions will be the same as that of time t. [IIT]
(a) (b) C/L

(c) LC (d)
53. The dimensional formula of magnetic flux is [AIIMS]
(a) M L T A (b) ML T A
(c) ML T A (d) ML T A

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54. If energy E velocity (V) and time (T) are chosen as the fundamental quantities the dimensional
formula of surface tension will be [AIPMT] [NEET]
(a) EV T (b) EV T
(c) E V T (d) EV T

55. The density of a cube is measured by measuring its mass and length of its sides. If the maximum
errors in the measurement of mass and lengths are 3% and 2% respectively, the maximum error
in the measurement of density would be [PMT]
(a) 12% (b) 14%
(c) 7% (d) 9 %
56. If the error in the measurement of radius of r sphere is 2% then the error in the determination
volume of the sphere will be [PMT]
(a) 4% (b) 6%
(c) 8% (d) 2%
57. If voltage across bulb rated 220V – 100 W drops by 2.5% of its rated value, the percentage of the
rated value by which the power would decrease is [IIT]
(a) 20% (b) 2.5%
(c) 5% (d) 10%
58. In the experiment four quantities a, b, c and d are measured with percentage error 1%, 2% 3%
and 4% respectively. Quantity P is calculated as follows: [NEET]
𝐚𝟑 𝐛𝟐
𝐏 𝐜𝐝
% error in P is
(a) 14% (b) 10%
(c) 7% (d) 4%
59. In the formula: 𝐗 𝟑𝐘𝐙 𝟐 , X and Z have dimensions of capacitance and magnetic induction
respectively. What are the dimensions of Y in MKSQ system? [IIT]
(a) M L T Q (b) M L T Q
(c) M L T Q (d) M L T Q

60. If force (F), velocity (V) and time (T) are taken as fundamental units, the dimensions of mass are
a FVT (b) [F V T ] [NEET]
c FV T (d) [F V T]
61. Planck's constant (h), speed of light in vacuum (c) and Newton's gravitational constant (G) are
three fundamental constants. Which of the following combinations of these has the dimension of
length? [NEET]

(a) /
(b) /

(c) (d) /

𝐞𝟐
62. A physical quantity of the dimensions of length that can be formed out of c, G and is [c is
𝟒𝛑𝛆𝐨
velocity of light, G is universal constant of gravitational and e is charge], [NEET]
/ /
e2 e2
(a) c G 4πε (b) G4πεo
o
/
e2 e2
(c) G (d) G
4πεo 4πεo

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