VIDYAPEETH

06-AN21E 11th NEET

Units and
Measurements
LECTURE - 7
SHYAM SIR
o1 Limitations of Dimensional Analysis

o2 Errors in Measurement and Least Count

o3 Accuracy and Precision

o4 Significant Figures
 𝑵𝒎 𝟐
Recap 𝑮 = 𝟔. 𝟔𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟏 .
𝒌𝒈 𝟐

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐆𝐒 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐬 (𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐆𝐒).

In a particular system, the unit of length,
mass and time are chosen to be 10 cm, 10g
and 0.1 sec respectively. F = 5N, in this system
value of F will be equivalent to:

a 𝟎. 𝟓

b 𝟓

c 𝟓𝟎𝟎

d 𝟓𝟎
The time period T of a soap bubble under SHM
is given by 𝑻 = 𝑷𝒂 𝑫𝒃 𝑺𝒄 , where P is pressure, D
is density and S is surface tension. Then the
value of a, b and c are
a 𝟑 𝟏
− , ,𝟏
𝟐 𝟐

b −𝟏, −𝟐, 𝟑

𝟏 𝟑 𝟏
c ,− ,−
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝟑
d 𝟏, 𝟐,
𝟐
If force (F), velocity (v) and time (T) be taken as
fundamental quantities, then the dimensions of
mass are

a [𝑭 𝒗 𝑻−𝟏 ]

b [𝑭 𝒗 𝑻−𝟐 ]

c [𝑭 𝒗−𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ]

d [𝑭 𝒗−𝟏 𝑻]
 Limitations of Dimensional Analysis
1. By dimensional analysis, We cannot determine the value of dimensionless
constant. They have to be determined by experiment or by some other methods.

2. This method works if a physical quantity depends on other physical quantities

And dependence is of product type. We cannot find relation if it is of type
1
𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡, 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2 , etc. It also fails in the case of exponential,
2
trigonometric, logarithmic relations.

3. This method fails if the PQ depends on more then 03 other PQs.

 Errors in measurement and Least Count
.
Problem(1)- If we measure a length 𝑙 = 6.24 𝑐𝑚 with the help of a vernier
callipers, then
(a) What is least count of vernier callipers?
(b) How many significant figures are there in measured length?
(c) Which digits are absolutely correct and which is/are doubtful?
Problem(2)- If we measure a length 𝑙 = 3.267 𝑐𝑚 with the help of a screw
gauge, then
(a) What is maximum uncertainty or maximum possible error in 𝑙?
(b) How many significant figures are there in measured length?
(c) Which digits are absolutely correct and which is/are doubtful?
 Accuracy and Precision
.
True value of length of a pencil is 15.32 cm. The
length is measured by different measuring
devices, which of the following measurement
is more precise :

a 𝟏𝟓 𝒄𝒎

b 𝟏𝟓. 𝟔𝟐 𝒄𝒎

c 𝟏𝟓. 𝟗𝟖𝟑 𝒄𝒎

d 𝟏𝟓. 𝟐 𝒄𝒎
True value of length of a pencil is 15.32 cm. The
length is measured by different measuring
devices, which of the following measurement
is more accurate :

a 𝟏𝟓 𝒄𝒎

b 𝟏𝟓. 𝟔𝟐 𝒄𝒎

c 𝟏𝟓. 𝟗𝟖𝟑 𝒄𝒎

d 𝟏𝟓. 𝟐 𝒄𝒎
True value of mass of a person is 72.25 kg. The
weight is measured by different weighing
machines, which of the following measurement
is more precise :

a 𝟕𝟐 𝒌𝒈

b 𝟕𝟑. 𝟓 𝒌𝒈

c 𝟕𝟐. 𝟒𝟓 𝒌𝒈

d 𝟕𝟑. 𝟑𝟖𝟓 𝒌𝒈
True value of mass of a person is 72.25 kg. The
weight is measured by different weighing
machines, which of the following measurement
is more accurate :

a 𝟕𝟐 𝒌𝒈

b 𝟕𝟑. 𝟓 𝒌𝒈

c 𝟕𝟐. 𝟒𝟓 𝒌𝒈

d 𝟕𝟑. 𝟑𝟖𝟓 𝒌𝒈
Significant Figures
“ In a measured Quantity, significant figures are the digits which are
absolutely correct plus the first uncertain digit.”

Rules for Counting Significant Figures:

Rule 1- All non-zero digits are significant.
For example, 126.28 has five significant figures.

Rule 2- The zeros appearing between two non-zero digits are significant.
For example, 6.025 has four significant figures.

Rule 3- Trailing zeros after decimal places are significant.

Measurement 𝑙 = 6.400 𝑐𝑚 has four significant figures.
Rule 4- The powers of 10 are not counted as S.F.
For example, 1.4 × 10−7 has only two S.F. 1 and 4.

Rule 5- If a measurement is less than 1, then all zeros occurring to the left of
last non-zero digit are not significant.
For example, 0.0042 has two S.F. 4 and 2.

Rule 6- Change in units of measurement of a quantity does not change the

number of S.F.
For example, Measurement 𝑙 = 72 𝑚𝑚 has two significant figures.
7.2 cm Two S.F.
0.072 m Two S.F.
0.000072 km Two S.F.
7.2 x 109 nm Two S.F.
Rule 7- The terminal or trailing zeros in a number without a decimal point are
not significant. This also sometimes arises due to change of unit.
For example, 264 𝑚 = 26400 𝑐𝑚 = 264000 𝑚𝑚. All have three S.F.

Rule 8- Exact measurements have infinite number of S.F.

For example,
10 bananas in a basket.
96 students in a class.
22
𝜋= (exact).
7
All these measurements have infinite number of significant figures.
Measured Value Number Of S.F.
12376 cm

6024.7 cm

0.071 cm

4100 cm

2.40 cm

1.60 x 1014 cm
THANK-YOU