Indraprastha INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Sector 10, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110075

Session: 2022-23
Assignment

XI CHAPTER – 2
Assignment – Units and Measurements
PHYSICS
Syllabus: Need for measurement: Units of measurement; systems of units; SI units, fundamental
and derived units, significant figures. Dimensions of physical quantities, dimensional
analysis and its applications.

Deleted (2022-23): Length, mass and time measurements; accuracy and precision of
measuring instruments; errors in measurements.

1. Determine the no. of

a) Light years in one metre.
b) Parsec in one metre. Ans. 1.057x10-16 , 3.25x10-17
2. Convert
a) acceleration of 2km/h2 into cm/s2
b) Young’s modulus of 1.9x1011N/m2 into dyne/cm2.
c) 1kgm2s-2 into gcm2s-2
d) G = 6.67x10-11Nm2kg-2 into cm3s-2g-1Ans. 0.0154cm/s2, 1.9x1010 dyne/cm2, 107 gcm2s-2, 6.67x10-8
cm3s-2g-1
3. Convert (i) 1 Newton force in dyne (ii) 1 Joule in ergs (iii) G=6.67x10-11Nm2kg-2 to dyne cm2g-2
4. Calculate the value of 1o (degree), 1’(minute) and 1’’(second) in radians. Ans. 1.745x10-2 rad, 2.91x10-4 rad
and 4.85x10-6 rad.
5. A drop of olive oil of radius 0.25mm spreads into a circular film of radius 10cm on the water surface. Estimate
the molecular size of the olive oil. Ans. 2.08x10-7cm
6. State the no. of significant figure in the following: (i) 0.007m2, (ii) 2.64x1024kg, (iii) 0.2370 gcm-3, (iv) 86400
kg and (v) 20 balls. Ans. 1, 3, 4, 3, ∞
7. What is difference b/w 7.00 and 7.000? Ans. 7.000 is more precise
8. Add 7.23x104 m to 4.325x105m. Ans. 5.05x105m
9. 5.74g of a substance occupies a volume of 1.2cm3, express its density to correct significant figures. Ans. 4.8
g/cm3
10. Each side of a cube is 7.203m. What are the total surface area and volume of the cube? Ans. 311.3m2,
372.7m3.
11. The length, breadth and thickness of an object are 4.576m, 1.243m and 1.22cm respectively. Find the total
surface area and volume of object to correct significant figures. Ans. 5.69m2, 0.694 m3
12. The photograph of a house occupies an area of 1.75cm on a 35mm slide. The slide is projected on to a
2

screen and the area of house on the screen is 1.55m2. What is the linear magnification of the projector screen
arrangement? Ans. 94.1
13. Ten drops of olive oil of radius 0.20mm are spread into a circular film of radius 14.6cm on the surface of
water. Estimate the size of an olive oil molecule. Ans. 5x10-9m.
14. One mole of an ideal gas at STP occupied 22.4L. What is the ratio of molar volume to atomic volume of a
mole of hydrogen? Why is the ratio so large? Take radius of H-atom to be 1 Ao. Ans. 104
15. Screw of a Spherometer moves by 4mm when its circular scale is given four complete rotations. If circular
scale has 200 divisions, calculate pitch and least count of the Spherometer. Ans. 1mm, 0.0005cm
16. If nth division of main scale coincide with (n+1)th division of Vernier scale, find the least count of the Vernier.
Given one main scale division is equal to ‘a’ units. Ans. a/(n+1)
 XI PHYSICS CHAPTER-2 [Units and Measurements ]

17. The sides of a rectangle are (10.5±0.2) cm and (5.2±0.1) cm. Calculate its perimeter with error limits.
18. The length of a rod measured in an experiment was found to be 2.48m, 2.46m, 2.50m and 2.48m and 2.49m.
Find the average length, mean absolute error and % error. Ans. 2.48m, 0.01m and 0.40%
19. The time period of oscillation of simple pendulum were found to be 2.63, 2.56, 2.42, 2.71 and 2.80s. Find
the mean value of time period, mean absolute error and % error. Ans. 2.62s, 0.11s and 4%
20. If relative error in the measurement of length is 0.02. What is the percentage error? Ans. 2%
21. If the error in the radius of a sphere is 3%. What is the error in the volume of sphere? Ans. 3%
22. If the error in the measurement of mass of a body and it velocity is 3% and 2% respectively. What is the
maximum possible error in calculation of kinetic energy? Ans. 7%
23. Heat dissipated in a resistance can be determined from the relation H=I 2Rt joule. If the maximum possible
error in the measurement of current, resistance and time are 2%, 1% and 1% respectively. What would be
the maximum error in the dissipated heat? Ans. 6%
24. For determination of ‘g’ using simple pendulum, measurements of length and time period are required. Error
in the measurement of which quantity will have larger effect on the value of ‘g’ thus obtained?
25. A physical quantity is measured as Q= (5±0.1) units. Calculate the percentage error in (i) Q 2 (ii) 2Q Ans.
4% & 2%
26. If displacement of a body and time taken by it to cover distance s is given by (200±5) m and (20±0.2) s
respectively. Find the percentage error in the calculation of velocity. Ans. 3.5%
27. The percentage error in the measurement of mass and speed are 2% and 3% respectively. How much will
be the maximum error in the measurement of kinetic energy? Ans. 8%
28. A physical quantity X is given by X = A2B3/C√D, If the percentage errors of measurement in A, B, C and D
are 4%,2%,3% and 1% respectively. Calculate the % error in X. Ans. 17.5%
29. A physical quantity X is given by X = A4B1/3/CD3/2, If the percentage errors of measurement in A, B, C and
D are 1%,3%,2% and 2% respectively. Calculate the % error in X. Ans. 10%
πr2 R
30. The specific resistance 𝜌 of a thin wire of radius r cm, resistance R Ω and length L cm is given by 𝜌= ,
L
if r=0.26±0.02cm, R=32±1Ω and L=78±0.01cm, find the percentage error in 𝜌. Ans. 18%
31. In an experiment on the measurement of g using a simple pendulum, the time period was measured with an
accuracy of 0.2 % while the length was measured with an accuracy of 0.5%. Calculate the percentage error
in the measurement of g. Ans. 0.9%
𝐿
32. The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum is T= 2𝜋√𝑔. Measured value of L is 20.0cm known to 1mm
accuracy and time for 100 oscillations of the pendulum is found to be 90s using a wrist watch of 1s resolution.
What is accuracy in the determination of g? Ans. 3%
33. Percentage error in height and radius of a cylinder is x and y respectively. Find the percentage error in
measurement of volume. Which of two measurements height or radius need more attention? Ans. 2y+x
34. Two resistances R1 = (100±3)Ω and R2 = (200±4)Ω are connected in (i) series (ii) parallel. What is their
equivalent resistance in each case? Ans. (300±7)Ω, (66.7±1.8)Ω
35. Two resistances R1 = (4±0.5)Ω and R2 = (16±0.5)Ω are connected in (i) series (ii) parallel. What is their
equivalent resistance in each case? Ans. (20±)Ω, (3.2±0.34)Ω
36. Distinguish between the terms precision and accuracy of a measurement.

37. Give two examples of dimensional and dimensionless constants.

38. Does magnitude of a quantity change with change in the system of units?
39. How does the numerical value of a quantity depend on the size of the unit selected?
40. All constants are dimensionless. Comment
41. Can a quantity has unit but no dimensions? Is the converse true?
42. Name a physical quantity which has neither units nor dimension.
43. Deduce the dimensional formula for (i) Gravitational constant (ii) Power (iii) coefficient of viscosity (iv)Surface
Tension (v) Angle (vi)
44. If ‘slap’ times speed equals power, what will be dimensional equation for ‘slap’? Ans. [MLT-2]
45. If units of force and length are doubled, then how the units of energy would be affected?
Ans. 4 times
46. If g is the acceleration due to gravity and λ is the wavelength. Then which physical quantity is represented
by√gλ?
47. If X= a+ bt2, where X is in meter and t is in second. Find the units of a & b? Ans. m and m/s2

Page | 2
 XI PHYSICS CHAPTER-2 [Units and Measurements ]

48. Write the dimension of a/b in the relation F = a√x +bt2, where F stands for force, x is distance and t is time.
Ans. [L-1/2T2]
49. Write the dimensions of a and b in the relation F = at + bt2, where F stands for force, t is time. Ans. [MLT-
3], [ML T-4]
b
50. The velocity v of a particle at time t is given by v = at+ where a, b and c are constants. Find the
t+c
dimension of a, b and c. Ans. [LT-2], [L] and [T]
51. Magnitude of a force experienced by an object with speed v is given by F=kv2. Find dimensions of k.
52. In Van Der Wall’s equation (P + a/V2) (V – b) = RT, Determine the dimension of a and b.
Ans. [a] = [ML5 T-2] and [b] = [ M0L3T0]
b−x2
53. Write the dimensions of a and b in the relation P = , Where P is power, x is distance and t is
at
time. Ans. [M-1T2], [L2]
a t2
54. Find the dimensions of a.b in the given equation: P= − , where P is Power, x is the distance and
bx b
t is the time. Ans. [M-1L-1T7]
𝐵
55. Refractive index of is defined as 𝜇 = 𝐴 + 𝜆2 , where 𝜆 is the wavelength of light. Find the dimensions
of A and B. Ans. [A] = [MoLoTo] & [A] = [MoL2To].
56. Obtain the dimensional formula for 𝜔 and k in the given equations y = a sin(𝜔t-kx), t is time and x is distance.
Ans. [𝜔] = [T-1], [k] = [L-1]
57. Calculate x in equation: (velocity)x = (pressure)3/2 x (density)-3/2. Ans. x=3
2σ cos θ
58. Check the correctness of relation h = , where h is height, 𝜎 is surface tension, θ is angle of contact,
r2 dg
r is radius, d is density and g is the acceleration due to gravity.
59. If E,M,J and G respectively denote energy, mass, angular momentum and gravitational constant, Calculate
the dimensions of EJ2 /M5G2
60. Taking velocity, time and force as the fundamental quantities, find the dimensions of mass. Ans. [FTV-1]
61. If velocity of light c, acceleration due to gravity g and atmospheric pressure p are the fundamental quantities,
find the dimensions of length. Ans. [c2g-1]
62. If density 𝜌 , acceleration due to gravity g and frequency 𝜈 are the basic quantities, find the dimensions of
force. Ans. [𝜌g4 𝜈-6]
63. It is estimated that per minute, each cm2 of earth receives about 2 calories of heat energy from the sun. This
constant is called solar constant S. Express solar constant in SI units. Ans. 1.4x103W/m2.
64. Find the value of 60W on a system having 100g, 20cm and 1 minute as the fundamental units. Ans. 3.24x109
in new units
65. Find the value of 60J/min on a system that has 100g, 100cm and 1 min as the base unit. Ans. 2.16x106 in
new units
66. If the units of force, energy and time are 20N, 100J and 10s, find the units of mass and length. Ans. 5m,
400kg
67. Calculate the value of 1Joule/sec in a system having 10g, 10cm and 1min as fundamental units. Ans. 216x106
in new system of units
68. If the units of force, energy and velocity are 20N, 200J and 5m/s, find the new units of length, mass and
time. Ans. 10m, 8kg, 2s
69. A calorie is a unit of heat energy and it equals about 4.2J, where 1J = 1kgm 2s-2. Suppose we employ a system
of unit in which the unit of mass equal 𝛼kg, the unit of length equals 𝛽m and the unit of time is 𝛾s. Show
that a calorie has a magnitude of 4.2𝛼 −1 𝛽−2 𝛾 2 in terms of new units.
70. A new unit of length is chosen such that the speed of light in vacuum is unity. What is the distance between
the Sun and the Earth in terms of the new unit if light takes 8 min and 20 s to cover this distance? Ans. 500
in new unit.
71. A body of mass ‘m’ is moving with a uniform velocity ‘v’ in a circular motion of radius ‘r’. Using dimensional
analysis derive the expression for centripetal force. Ans. F=(kmv2)/r
72. The period of oscillation of the simple pendulum depends on its length ‘l’, mass of the bob ‘m’ and acceleration
𝑙
due to gravity ‘g’. Derive the expression for its time period using methods of dimensions. Ans. k√
𝑔

Page | 3
 XI PHYSICS CHAPTER-2 [Units and Measurements ]

73. The frequency 𝜈of vibration of stretched string depends on its length (L), its mass per unit length (m) and
k T
the tension (T) in the string. Obtain dimensionally an expression for frequency 𝜈. Ans.ν = √
L m

74. The escape velocity v of a body depends upon (i) acceleration due to gravity ‘g’ of planet (ii) Radius R of
planet. Establish dimensionally the relation for the escape velocity. Ans. v = k√Rg
75. A jet of water f cross sectional area A and velocity v impinges normally on a stationary flat plate. The mass
per unit volume of water is 𝜌. By dimensional analysis, determine the expression for the force F exerted by
jet against the plate. Ans. F=k𝜌Av2
76. Using the method of dimensions, derive an expression for rate of flow (V) of a liquid through a pipe of
radius(r) under a pressure gradient (P/l). Given that V also depends on coefficient of viscosity (𝜂) of liquid.
Pr4
Ans. V=k
lη
77. The velocity v of water waves depends on the wavelength 𝜆, density 𝜌, and the acceleration due to gravity
g. Deduce by the method of dimensions the relationship among these quantities. Ans. v = k√gλ.
78. The velocity of transverse waves on a string may depend upon (i) length l of string, (ii) tension T in the string
T
and (iii) mass per unit length m of the string. Derive the formula dimensionally. Ans. k√
m

79. The period of vibration of a tuning fork depends on the length l of its prong, density d and Young’s modulus
d
Y of its material. Deduce an expression for the period of vibration on the basis of dimensions. Ans. kl√
Y
80. Taking velocity of light, density and frequency as fundamental quantities, find the dimensions of surface
tension. Ans. [𝜌c3𝜈 −1 ]
81. If instead of mass, length and time as fundamental quantities, we choose velocity, acceleration
and force as fundamental quantities and express their dimensions by V, A and F respectively, show
that the dimensions of Young’s modulus can be expressed as [Fa2v-4]
82. A famous relation in physics relates ‘moving mass’ m to the ‘rest mass’ m of a particle in terms of its speed
o

v and the speed of light, c. (This relation first arose as a consequence of special relativity due to Albert
Einstein). A boy recalls the relation almost correctly but forgets where to put the constant c. He writes:
𝑚𝑜
m= , Guess where to put the missing c.
(1−𝑣 2 )1/2
83. If the velocity of light c, the constant of gravitation G and Planck’s constant h be chosen as fundamental
units, find the dimensions of mass, length and time in terms of c, G and h. Ans. [h1/2c1/2G-1/2], [h1/2c-3/2G1/2],
[h1/2c-5/2G1/2].
84. A book with many printing errors contains four different formulae for the displacement y of a particle
undergoing a certain periodic motion. Rule out the wrong formula using dimensions. Ans. (ii) and (iii)
2𝜋𝑡 𝑎 𝑡
(i) y=a sin ( ) (iii) y= sin (𝑎)
𝑇 𝑇
(ii) y= a sin(vt) 𝑎 2𝜋𝑡 2𝜋𝑡
(iv) y= sin ( )+ cos ( )
√2 𝑇 𝑇

MCQ for CBSE

1. A Physical quantity is measured and its value is d) It may have a unit

found to be nu, where n = numerical value and u 3. The dimensions of Planck’s constant are
= unit. Then which of the following relations is a) [M L-3 T–1]
true. b) [M0 L-2 T–1]
a) n ∝ u2 c) [M0 L-1 T–3]
b) n ∝ u d) [M1 L2 T–1]
c) n ∝ 1/u 4. Which of the following physical quantities do not
d) n ∝ √u have same dimensions?
2. Which of the following is not correct for a) pressure and stress
dimensionless quantity? b) tension and surface tension
a) It does not exist c) strain and angle
b) It always has a unit d) energy and work.
c) It never has a unit

Page | 4
 XI PHYSICS CHAPTER-2 [Units and Measurements ]

5. The gravitational field intensity at a distance x c) [MoL-1T-1]

from the centre of the earth is GM/x2, where G is d) [MoLoT0]
the universal gravitational constant and M is the 14. The force F is given in terms of time t and
mass of the earth. The dimensions of GM/x2 are displacement x by the equation F = AcosBx + C
a) [M–1
L T–1] sinDt. The dimensional formula of D/B is
b) [M0 L1 T–2] a) [MoLoTo]
c) [M–1 L–1 T–2] b) [MoLoT-1]
d) [M0 L–1 T2] c) [MoL-1To]
d) [MoLT-1]
6. The position x of a particle at time t is given by: x
v
= o (1 − e−at ), where vo is a constant and a >0.
15. x depends upon quantities y and z as follows: x =
a
Ay +B tanCz, where A, B and C are constants.
The dimensional formula for vo and a are
Which of the following do not have same
a) [MoLT-1] and [T-1]
dimensions?
b) [MoLTo] and [T-1]
c) [MoLT-1] and [LT-2] a) x and B
d) [MoLT-1] and [T] b) C and z-1
7. S = A(1- e−Bxt), where s is speed, x is c) y and B/A
displacement and t is time. The unit of B is d) x and A
a) m-1s-1 16. If v = A/t + Bt2 + Ct3, where v is velocity, t is time
b) m-2s and A, B and C are constant then the dimensional
c) s-2 formula of B is:
d) s-1 a) [M°LT°]
b) [M°L°T]
8. In the equation y = a sin (ωt + kx), the
c) [MLoT°]
dimensional formula of ω is: d) [M°LT-3 ]
a) [M0 L0 T–1]
17. Given that v is speed, r is radius and g is acc due
b) [M0 L T–1]
to gravity. Which of the following is
c) [M L0 T0]
dimensionless?
d) [M0 L-1 T0]
C
a) v2g/r
9. If A = B +
D+E
, the dimensions of B and C are [LT- b) v2rg
1] & [MoLTo] respectively. Find the dimensions of c) vr2g
A, D and E: d) v2/rg
a) A = [M0 L0 T–1], D = [T], E = [LT] 18. The speed of light (c), gravitational constant (G)
b) A = [MLT0], D = [T2], E = [T2] and Planck’s constant (h) are taken as
c) A = [LT-1], D = [MT], E = [M T] fundamental units in a system. The dimensions of
d) A = [LT-1], D = [T], E = [T] time in this new system should be
10. If force(F), length (L) and time (T) be considered a) [h1/2c-5/2G1/2]
fundamental units, then units of mass will be b) [h1/2c1/2G-1/2]
a) [F1 L1 T-2] c) [h1/2c-3/2G1/2]
b) [F2 L1 T-2] d) [h1/2c1/2G1/2]
c) [F2 L2 T-1] 19. How the unit of energy will change if the unit of
d) [F1 L-1 T2] length and force are increased four times each
11. Position of a body with acceleration 'a' is given by a) 4 times
x = kamtn, where t is the time. Find the dimensions b) 8 times
of m and n c) 16 times
a) m = 1, n=1 d) None of these
b) m = 1, n=2 20. The length and breadth of a metal sheet are 3.124
c) m = 2, n=1 m and 3.002 m respectively. The area of this sheet
d) m = 2, n=2 up to four correct significant figures is:
12. If force is given by F = Pt-1 + 𝛼t, where t is the a) 9.378m2
time. The unit of P is same as that of b) 9.37m2
a) Velocity c) 9.37824m2
b) Displacement d) 9.3782m2
c) Acceleration 21. A screw gauge gives the following reading when
d) Momentum used to measure the diameter of a wire. Main
13. Given that the displacement of an oscillating scale reading: 0 mm, Circular scale reading: 52
particle is given by y = A sin(Bx+Ct+D). The divisions given that 1 mm on main scale
dimensional formula for (ABCD) is corresponds to 100 divisions of the circular scale.
a) [MoL-1To] The diameter of wire from the above data is
b) [MoLoT-1] a) 0.005 cm

Page | 5
 XI PHYSICS CHAPTER-2 [Units and Measurements ]

b) 0.52cm a) 3/2 X
c) 0.052cm b) 2/3 X
d) 0.026cm c) X
22. There are 20 divisions in 4 cm of the main scale. d) 5/2 X
The vernier scale has 10 divisions. The least count 27. The density of a cube is measured by measuring
of the instrument is its mass and length of its sides. If the maximum
a) 0.05cm error in the measurement of mass and length are
b) 0.5cm 4% and 3% respectively, the maximum error in
c) 5.0cm the measurement of density will be
d) 0.005cm a) 7%
23. A vernier calipers has 1mm marks on the main b) 9%
scale. It has 20 equal divisions on the vernier scale c) 12%
which match with 16 main scale divisions. The d) 13%
least count is 28. A force F is applied onto a square plate of side L.
a) 0.02mm If the percentage error in determining L is 2% and
b) 0.05mm that in F is 4%, the permissible percentage error
c) 0.1mm in determining the pressure is
d) 0.2mm a) 2%
24. A science student takes 100 observations in an b) 4%
experiment. Second time he takes 500 c) 6%
observations in the same experiment. By doing so d) 8%
the possible random error becomes 29. What is the fractional error in g calculated from T
a) 5 times l
= 2π√ ? Given fractional errors in T and l are ± x
b) 1/5 times g

c) Unchanged and ± y respectively?

d) None of these. a) x+y
25. Least count of a stop watch is 0.2s. Time of 20 b) x-y
oscillations is found to be 25 seconds. Maximum c) 2x+y
possible percentage error in the measurement of d) 2x-y
time period is 30. Light year is a unit of
a) 8% a) Time
b) 0.8% b) Distance
c) 1.8% c) Intensity
d) 2% d) Mass
26. The relative error in the determination of the
surface area of a sphere is X. Then the relative
error in the determination of its volume is:

Answers for MCQ

1. c 9. d 17. d 25. b
2. d 10. d 18. a 26. a
3. b 11. b 19. c 27. a
4. b 12. d 20. a 28. d
5. c 13. b 21. c 29. c
6. a 14. d 22. d 30. b
7. a 15. c 23. d
8. a 16. d 24. b

Page | 6