Physics

CHAPTER |2|
Units and Measurement
Syllabus
ӽ System of units: Units-CGS system, FPS system, MKS system, SI system; The fundamental units;
Supplementary units; Derived units.
ӽ Accuracy, precision, and least count
ӽ Error in measurement: Absolute error; Mean absolute error; Relative error or fractional error; Percentage
error.
ӽ Significant figures
ӽ Dimensions of physical quantities: Principle of homogeneity.

MIND MAP

UNITS AND MEASUREMENTS

System of Types of Accuracy, Errors in Significant Dimension Dimension

Units Units Precision and Measurement Figures of Physical Analysis
Least count Quantity and its
Application

CGS system Fundamental units Absolute error

MKS system Derived units Mean absolute error

FPS system Supplementary units Relative or fractional error

SI system Percentage error

Mind Map: Chapter at a Glance

 Units and Measurement Chapter |2|

RECAP

System of Units

Units
ӽ A definite amount of a physical quantity which is taken as standard for measurement of the same kind of quantity.
ӽ The standard unit should be easily reproducible and internationally accepted.
ӽ A system of units is the complete set of units which includes both fundamental and derived units and all kinds of
physical quantities. The common system of units which is used in mechanics are:
■ CGS System: In this, the unit of length is centimetre, the unit of mass is gram and the unit of time is second.
■ FPS System: In this, the unit of length is foot, the unit of mass is pound and the unit of time is second.
■ MKS System: In this, the unit of length is metre, the unit of mass is kilogram and the unit of time is second.
■ SI System: This system contains seven fundamental units and two supplementary fundamental units.
ӽ The Fundamental Units: Those physical quantities which are independent to each other are called fundamental
quantities and their units are called fundamental units.
Table: The fundamental units
S. No. Fundamental Quantity Fundamental Units Symbol
1 Length metre m
2 Mass kilogram kg
3 Time second s
4 Temperature kelvin K
5 Electric current ampere A
6 Luminous intensity candela cd
7 Amount of substance mole mol

ӽ Supplementary Units: The international system of units is based on seven fundamental units and two supplementary
units of physical quantities.
ӽ Radian and steradian are supplementary units which measures plane angle and solid angle respectively.
ӽ Derived Units: Those physical quantities which are derived from fundamental quantities are called derived
quantities and their units are called derived units, e.g., velocity, acceleration, force, work etc.

Accuracy, Precision, and Least Count

ӽ The accuracy of a measurement can be defined as the closeness of the measured value with the true value.
ӽ Precision gives us the information about up to what resolution or limit of the quantity is measured by a measuring
instrument. Precision is calculated by the least count of the measuring instrument. Smaller the least count, greater
is the precision.
ӽ For example, if true value of certain length = 4.972 cm.
In 1st experiment, resolution is = 0.1 cm, measured value = 4.8 cm (more accuracy and less precision).
In 2nd experiment, resolution = 0.01 cm, measured value = 4.68 cm (less accuracy and more precise).
ӽ The least count (LC) of the measuring instrument is the smallest value of a physical quantity which can be
measured accurately with an instrument.
ӽ Least count of Vernier callipers: If we consider the size of one main scale division (MSD) as M units and that of one
Vernier scale division (VSD) as V units, also the length of a main scale divisions is equal to the length of b Vernier scale
divisions. The quantity (M–V) is called Vernier constant (VC) or least count (LC) of the Vernier callipers.
ba
LC   M
 b 
ӽ Least Count of Screw Gauge: For a screw gauge
Pitch
Least count =
Number of divisions on the circular scale
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 bjective Physics

In the given formula pitch is the distance moved by the screw head when the circular scale is given one complete rotation.

Error in Measurement

ӽ The difference in the true value and measured value of a quantity is called error in measurement. Following errors
are observed in measurement.

Absolute error
ӽ It is the magnitude of the difference between the mean (true) value and the measured value of the quantity.
a  a  an
ӽ If a1, a2, a3, ….. an are n values of a physical quantity then mean value am  1 2 and absolute errors in
n
the measured values of the quantity are
a1  am  a1
a2  am  a2
...........................
an  am  an
ӽ The absolute errors may be positive or negative.

Mean absolute error

ӽ It is the arithmetic mean of the magnitudes of absolute errors in all the measurements of the quantity. It is given by
a1  a2  an
a 
n
ӽ Hence, the final result of measurement may be, a  an  a
ӽ This implies that any measurement of the quantity is likely to lie between (an  a) and (an  a).

Relative error or fractional error

ӽ The relative error or fractional error of measurement is the ratio of mean absolute error to the mean value of the
quantity measured.
Mean absolute error | a |
ӽ Relative error or Fractional error  
Mean value an
Percentage error
ӽ When the relative or fractional error is expressed in percentage, we call it as percentage error.
| a |
Percentage error   100%
an

Significant Figures

ӽ The significant figures (significant digits) of a number are digits that carry meaning contributing to its measurement
resolution. This includes all digits except:
■ All leading zeros.
■ Trailing zeros when they are merely placeholders to indicate the scale of the number (exact rules are explained
at identifying significant figures).
■ Spurious digits introduced, for example, by calculations carried out to greater precision than that of the original
data, or measurements reported to a greater precision than the equipment supports.
ӽ To get the greater accuracy of the measurement, large number of significant figures must be obtained in a measurement.
ӽ All known digits in any measurement is added with the first uncertain digit together to form significant figures.
ӽ All non-zero digits are considered as significant. For example: 1174 has four significant figures.
ӽ All zeros occurring between two non-zero digits are significant. For example: 110031 has 6 Significant digits.
ӽ If a number is less than 1, the zero(s) on the right of decimal point but to the left of the first non-zero digit are
not significant. For example: 0.00068 has two significant digits.

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 Units and Measurement Chapter |2|
ӽ In a number having no decimal point, the terminal or trailing zero(s) are not significant. For example: 336800 have
four significant digits.
ӽ In a number having a decimal point, the trailing zero(s) are significant. E.g.: 4.200 or 343.000 have four and six
significant digits respectively.

Dimensions of Physical Quantities

Dimensions
ӽ These are powers raised on fundamental units to express its unit and expression, which represents how and which
of the base quantities represent dimensions of that physical quantity, called the dimensional formula.
Table: Dimensional formula of some physical quantities

Quantity Symbol SI Unit Dimensional Formula

Displacement D Metre (m) M0LT0
Area A (Metre)2 (m2) M0L2T0
Volume V (Metre)3 (m3) M0L3T0
Velocity v m/s M0LT–1
Acceleration a m/s2 M0LT–2
Force F Newton (N) MLT–2
Work W N.m ML2T–2
Energy KE or U Joule (J) ML2T–2
Power P watt or W ML2T–3

Principle of Homogeneity
ӽ We can multiply physical quantities having the same or different dimensional formulae, however this rule does not
apply to addition and subtraction, where only similar physical quantities can only be added or subtracted.
ӽ To convert units of a physical quantity from one system of units to another we use the concept that, numerical value
× unit = constant, so on changing the unit, numerical value will also change.
ӽ If n1 and n2 are the numerical values of a given physical quantity and u1 and u2 be the units respectively in two
different systems of units, then,
n1 u1 = n2 u2
ӽ If various factors on which a physical quantity depends is known, then relation among different factors could be
found using principle of homogeneity.
ӽ To determine the order of magnitude of a number N, we express it as N = n × 10x.
ӽ For the size of an astronomical object, Linear diametre = distance × Angular diameter i.e. D = S × θ.
ӽ Molar volume = Volume of 1 mole of a gas at STP (Standard Temperature and Pressure: 0o C and 1 atm) = 22.4 L.
4
ӽ Volume of a sphere  r 3
3
Volume of oil drop
ӽ Thickness of an oil film =
Area of the film
ӽ Linear magnification = Areal magnification
Mass
ӽ Density =
Volume
PRACTICE TIME

(a) Light year (b) Fermi

System of Units (c) Angstrom (d) Becquerel
1. Which of the following unit is not of length? 2. N m2/kg2 is a unit of

27
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(a) gravitational constant. 16. The physical quantity denoted by mass × pressure/
(b) torque. density is
(c) permittivity. (a) force.
(d) surface tension. (b) momentum.
3. The SI unit of entropy is (c) angular momentum.
(a) Joule/kelvin. (b) Newton meter. (d) work.
(c) Calorie/second. (d) Joule/calorie. 17. An atomic clock makes use of
4. What is the SI unit of electron mobility? (a) cesium 133 atom.
(a) m2V–1s–1 (b) mV–1s–1 (b) cesium 132 atom.
2
(c) m V s 1 1 (d) m–1V–1s–1 (c) cesium 123 atom.
[Hint: Mobility = Drift velocity/Electric field] (d) cesium 131 atom.
5. Which of the following system of units is not based 18. To measure the distance of a planet from the Earth,
on units of mass, length, and time alone? ______ method is used.
(a) SI (b) MKS (a) echo (b) direct
(c) FPS (d) CGS (c) parallax (d) paradox
6. The surface tension of a liquid is 70 dyne/cm. In
MKS system its value is? Accuracy, Precision, and Least Count
(a) 70 N/m (b) 7 × 10–2 N/m
2
(c) 7 × 10 N/m (d) 7 × 103 N/m 19. Greater accuracy is required for
7. One-watt hour contains how many joules? (a) greater physical quantity.
(a) 3.6 × 108 J (b) 3.6 × 102 J (b) large size physical quantity.
(c) 3.6 × 10 J3 (d) 10–3 J (c) smaller physical quantity.
8. The joule × second is the unit of (d) large distances only.
(a) energy. 20. Accuracy of measuring instruments is the closeness
(b) linear momentum. of the measurement to the
(c) angular momentum. (a) approximately double value.
(d) power. (b) true value.
9. The SI unit of power is (c) pitch of the instrument.
(a) joule. (b) erg. (d) least count of the instrument.
(c) newton. (d) watt. 21. The precision is alternately determined by
10. The SI unit of velocity is (a) least count of measuring instrument.
(a) m/s (b) m sec–2 (b) number of observations.
(c) m s (d) m/h (c) maximum reading that can be taken with the
11. Which one has different unit than others? instrument.
(a) Watt sec (b) Kilowatt hr (d) any arbitrary observation.
(c) eV (d) J sec 22. In an experiment, the angles are required to be meas-
12. What is the unit of the given expression: hc / G? ured using an instrument, 29 divisions of the main
(a) kg2 (b) m3 scale coincide with 30 divisions of the Vernier scale. If
–1 the smallest division of the main scale is half a degree
(c) s (d) None of these
(= 0.5o), then the least count of the instrument is
13. Electron-volt is a unit of
(a) half minute. (b) one degree.
(a) charge. (b) potential difference.
(c) half degree. (d) one minute.
(c) energy. (d) magnetic force.
23. Which is the most precise instrument?
14. Which of the following are not a unit of time?
(a) A metre scale
(a) Second (b) Parsec
(b) A Vernier Caliper
(c) Year (d) Light year
(c) A micrometre screw gauge with 0.001 cm least
15. The unit of permittivity of free space e0 is count.
(a) coulomb/(newton metre). (d) A micrometre screw gauge with 0.0005 cm least
(b) newton metre2/coulomb2. count.
(c) coulomb2/(newton metre)2. 24. The main scale of a Vernier caliper marked up to 10
(d) coulomb2/(newton metre2). cm is equally divided into 200 equal parts. Its Vernier
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 Units and Measurement Chapter |2|
scale of 20 divisions coincides with 8 mm on the 33. The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum in the
main scale. The least count of the instrument is experiment is recorded as 2.63 s, 2.56 s, 2.42 s, 2.71 s
(a) 0.02 cm. (b) 0.002 cm. and 2.80 s respectively. The average absolute error is:
(c) 0.01 cm. (d) 0.001 cm. (a) 0.1 s (b) 0.11 s
25. The diameter of the paper pin is measured accurately (c) 0.01 s (d) 1.0 s
by using 34. The radius of a sphere is (5.3 ± 0.1) cm. The percent-
(a) Vernier caliper age error in its volume is
(b) micrometre screw gauge (a) 0.1/5.3 × 100. (b) 3 × (0.1/5.3) × 100.
(c) metre scale (c) 0.1 × 100/3.53. (d) 3 + (0.1/5.3) × 100.
(d) a measuring tape 35. The length of a cylinder is measured with a metre rod
26. The diameter of a cylinder is measured using a having least count 0.1 cm. Its diameter is measured
Vernier caliper with no zero error. It is found that the with Vernier calipers having least count 0.01 cm. Given
zero of the Vernier scale lies between 5.10 cm and that length is 5.0 cm and radius is 2.0 cm, the percent-
5.15 cm of the main scale. The Vernier scale has 50 age error in the calculated value of the volume will be
divisions equivalent to 2.45 cm. The 24th division of
(a) 1%. (b) 2%.
the Vernier scale exactly coincides with one of the
main scale divisions. The diameter of the cylinder is (c) 3%. (d) 4%.
(a) 5.112 cm. (b) 5.124 cm. 36. If there is a positive error of 50% in the measurement
(c) 5.136 cm. (d) 5.148 cm. of velocity of a body, then the error in the measure-
ment of kinetic energy is
(a) 25%. (b) 50%.
Errors in Measurement
(c) 100%. (d) 125%.
27. The difference between the true value and measured 37. If the length of rod A is 3.25 ± 0.01 cm and that of B is
value is called 4.19 ± 0.01 cm, then the rod B is longer than rod A by
(a) mistake. (b) error. (a) 0.94 ± 0.00 cm. (b) 0.94 ± 0.01 cm.
(c) significant figures. (d) fault. (c) 0.94 ± 0.02 cm. (d) 0.94 ± 0.005 cm.
28. Errors and mistakes are due to 38. Accidental error can be minimised by
(a) defect in measurement of physical quantities. (a) taking only one reading.
(b) instrumental fault. (b) taking small quantity.
(c) selection of instrument. (c) selecting instrument with greater least count.
(d) measurement at different instant.
(d) selecting instrument with small least count.
29. Instrumental error can be caused due to
39. Estimate the mean absolute error from the following
(a) faulty construction of instrument. data: 20.17, 21.23, 20.79, 22.07, 21.78:
(b) wrong setting of instrument.
(a) 0.85 (b) 0.58
(c) lack of concentration of observer.
(c) 0.03 (d) 0.01
(d) wrong procedure of handling the instrument.
40. Two resistances R1 = 50 ± 2 ohm and R2 = 60 ± 3 ohm
30. In an experiment, refractive index of glass was
are connected in series. The equivalent resistance of
observed to be 1.45, 1.56, 1.54, 1.44, 1.54 and 1.53.
the series combination is
The mean absolute error in the experiment is
(a) (110 ± 2) ohm. (b) (110 ± 1) ohm.
(a) 0.04. (b) 0.02.
(c) (110 ± 5) ohm. (d) (110 ± 6) ohm.
(c) 0.03. (d) 0.01.
31. The relative density of material of a body is found by 41. The percentage error in measurement of length and
weighing it first in air and then in water. If the weight time-period is 2% and 1% respectively. The percent-
in air is (5.00 ± 0.05) newton and weight in water is age error in measurement of g is
(4.00 ± 0.05) newton, then the relative density along (a) 2%. (b) 3%.
with the maximum permissible percentage error is (c) 6%. (d) 4%.
(a) 5.0 ± 11%. (b) 5.0 ± 1%. 42. A resistor of 2 kW with tolerance 10% is connected
(c) 5.0 ± 6%. (d) 1.25 ± 5%. in parallel with a resistor of 4 kW with tolerance
32. A body travels (13.8 ± 0.2) m in a time (4.0 ± 0.3) s. 10%. The tolerance of the parallel combination is
The velocity of the body within error limits is: approximately
(a) (3.45 ± 8.9) ms–1 (b) (3.45 ± 0.3) ms–1 (a) 10%. (b) 20%.
(c) (3.45 ± 0.4) ms–1 (d) (3.45 ± 9.8) ms–1 (c) 30%. (d) 40%.
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 bjective Physics

43. The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum is 53. Which of the following pairs of physical quantities
L does not have same dimensional formula?
T  2 . Measured value of L is 20.0 cm known (a) Work and torque
g
to 1 mm accuracy and time for 100 oscillations of (b) Angular momentum and Planck’s constant
the pendulum is found to be 90 s using a wrist watch
(c) Tension and surface tension
of 1 s resolution. The accuracy in the determination
(d) Impulse and linear momentum
of g is:
54. The dimensional formula for Planck’s constant is
(a) 2% (b) 3%
(a) [MLT]. (b) [ML2T–1].
(c) 1% (d) 5% 2 2 –1
(c) [M L T ]. (d) [ML1T–1].
44. A physical quantity Q is found to depend on observ-
ables x, y, and z, obeying relation Q = x3y2/z. The 55. Which of the following pairs has the same
percentage error in the measurements of x, y, and z dimensions?
are 1%, 2% and 4% respectively. What is percentage (a) Specific Heat and Latent Heat
error in the quantity Q? (b) Impulse and Momentum
(a) 4% (b) 3% (c) Surface Tension and Force
(c) 11% (d) 1% (d) Moment of Inertia and Torque
56. The dimension of kinetic energy is same as that of
Significant Figures (a) force. (b) pressure.
(c) work. (d) momentum.
45. Figure 4.850, rounded off to two digits, becomes 57. Force F is given by the equation F = X/Linear den-
(a) 3.5. (b) 4.8. sity. Then dimensions of X are
(c) 4.9. (d) 5.1. (a) [M2L0T−2]. (b) [M0L0T−1].
46. If the digit to be dropped is more than 5, then the (c) [L2T−2]. (d) [M0L2T−2].
preceding digit is _____. 58. Dimensional formula for latent heat is
(a) raised by 1 (b) unchanged (a) [M0L2T−2]. (b) [MLT−2].
(c) lowered by 1 (c) [ML2T−2]. (d) [ML2T−1].
(d) an average of five and that digit 59. If C and R represent capacitance and resistance
47. The radius of the Earth is 6400 km, the order of mag- respectively, then the dimensions of RC are
nitude is (a) [M0L0T2]. (b) [M0L0T1].
(a) 107 m. (b) 104 m. (c) [ML ]. −1 (d) [M1L0T1].
(c) 103 m. (d) 102 m. 60. Dimensional formula for volume elasticity is
48. What is the number of significant figures in 0.310 × (a) [M1L−2T−2]. (b) [M1L−3T−2].
103? −2
1 2
(c) [M L T ]. (d) [M1L−1T−2].
(a) 2 (b) 3
61. The dimensions of Stefan’s constant are
(c) 4 (d) 6
(a) [M0L1T–3K–4]. (b) [M1L1T–3K–3].
49. The value of (9.15 + 3.8) with due regards to signifi- 1 2 –3 –4
cant figure is (c) [M L T K ]. (d) [M1L0T–3K–4].
(a) 13.000. (b) 13.00. 62. In the expression for Boyle’s law, the product ‘PV’
has dimensions of
(c) 13.0. (d) 13.
(a) force. (b) impulse.
50. Three measurements are made as 18.425 cm, 7.21
cm and 5.0 cm. The addition should be written as (c) energy. (d) momentum.
(a) 30.635 cm. (b) 30.64 cm. 63. The ratio of the dimensions of Planck constant and
that of moment of inertia has the dimensions of
(c) 30.63 cm. (d) 30.6 cm.
51. Which of the following numerical values has three (a) angular momentum.
significant figures? (b) time.
(a) 3.033 (b) 0.030 (c) velocity.
(c) 30.30 (d) 0.300 (d) frequency.
64. The dimensions of CV2 matches with the dimensions of
Dimensions of Physical Quantities (a) L2I. (b) L2I2.
(c) LI2. (d) 1/LI.
52. Which of the following quantity is NOT dimensionless? 65. The dimensions of solar constant are
(a) Reynold’s number (b) Strain (a) [MLT−2]. (b) [M0L0T0].
(c) Angle (d) Radius of gyration (c) [ML0T−3]. (d) [M0LT−3].
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 Units and Measurement Chapter |2|
66. The dimensions of universal gas constant are 74. The surface tension of a liquid is 70 dyne/cm. In
(a) [ML2T−2θ−1]. (b) [M2LT−2θ]. MKS system, its value is
(c) [ML T θ ].
3 −1 −1 (d) None of these (a) 70 N/m. (b) 7 × 10−2 N/m.
67. Which of the following units denotes the dimensions 3
(c) 7 × 10 N/m. (d) 7 × 102 N/m.
[ML2/Q2], where Q denotes the electric charge? 75. One nanometre is equal to
(a) Henry (b) Hm−2 (a) 109 mm. (b) 10−6 cm.
(c) Weber (Wb) (d) Wbm−2 −7
(c) 10 cm. (d) 10−9 cm.
68. The fundamental unit which has same power in the 76. If momentum (P), area (A) and time (T) are assumed
dimensional formulae of surface tension and viscos- to be fundamental quantities, then energy has dimen-
ity is sional formula
(a) mass. (b) length. (a) [P1T−1A−1/2]. (b) [P1T−1A1/2].
(c) time. (d) Both (a) and (b) 2 −1
(c) [P T A ]. −1 (d) [P1T1A−1].
69. Dimensional equation cannot be used 77. The dimensional representation of gravitational
(a) to check the correctness of a physical quantity. potential is identical to that of
(b) to derive the relation between different physical (a) internal energy. (b) angular momentum.
quantities. (c) latent heat. (d) electric potential.
(c) to find out constant of proportionality which 78. If pressure P, velocity V, and time T are taken as fun-
may be a pure number. damental physical quantities, the dimensional for-
(d) to change from one system of units to another. mula of the force is
70. Two quantities A and B have different dimensions. (a) [PV2T2]. (b) [P−1V2T−2].
Which mathematical operation given below is physi- (c) [PVT ]. 2 (d) [P−1VT2].
cally meaningful? 79. Which of the following physical quantities represent
(a) A/B (b) A + B the dimensions of b/a in the relation P = (x2 − b)/at,
(c) A − B (d) A + 2B where P is power, x is distance and ‘t’ time?
71. If energy (E), velocity (v) and force (F) be taken as (a) Power (b) Surface tension
fundamental quantity, then what are the dimensions of (c) Torsional constant (d) Force
mass? 80. Match the following
(a) [Ev2] (b) [Ev−2]
(c) [Fv ] −1 (d) [Fv−2] Column I Column II
(Quantity) (Dimensional formula)
72. Density of a liquid in CGS system is 0.625 g/cm3.
What is its magnitude in SI system? A Power (i) ML2T–3
(a) 0.625 kg/m3 (b) 0.0625 kg/m3 B Energy (ii) M0LT–2
(c) 0.00625 kg/m 3 (d) 625 kg/m3 C Work
73. The speed of light (c), gravitational constant (G) and (iii) ML2T–2
D Acceleration
Planck’s constant (h) are taken as the fundamental
units in a system. The dimensions of time in this new (a) A-(i), B-(iii), C-(iii), D-(ii)
system should be (b) A-(ii), B-(i), C-(i), D-(iii)
(a) [G1/2h1/2c−5/2]. (b) [G−1/2h1/2c1/2]. (c) A-(iii), B-(i), C-(i), D-(ii)
1/2
(c) [G h c ]. 1/2 −3/2 (d) [G1/2h1/2c1/2].
(d) None of these

HIGH-ORDER THINKING ‘SKILL

(a) A-(iv), B-(ii), C-(i), D-(iii)
System of Units (b) A-(ii), B-(iv), C-(iii), D-(i)
1. Match the following (c) A-(iii), B-(ii), C-(iv), D-(i)
(d) A-(ii), B-(iv), C-(i), D-(iii)
Column I Column II
A Practical unit (i) radian Errors in Measurement
B Base unit (ii) light year
2. The energy of a system as a function of time t is
C Derived unit (iii) Kg-ms–1 given as E(t) = A2 e(–αt), where α = 0.2 s–1 The meas-
D Complementary unit (iv) second urement of A has an error of 1.25%. If the error in the
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 bjective Physics

measurement of time is 1.50%, the percentage error (d) impulse and momentum.
in the value of E(t) at t = 5 s is 1
7. Dimensions of , where symbols have their
(a) 2%. (b) 4%. 0  0
(c) 3%. (d) 5%. usual meaning, are
3. A student uses a simple pendulum of exactly 1 m length (a) [L–1 T]. (b) [L–2 T2].
2
(c) [L T ]. –2 (d) [LT–1].
to determine g, the acceleration due to gravity. He uses
a stopwatch with the least count of 1 second for this and V
records 40 seconds for 20 oscillations. For this observa- 8. A quantity X is given by  0 L where e0 is the
T
tion, which of the following statements is true? permittivity of the free space, L is a length, ∆V is
(a) Error ∆T in measuring T, the time-period, is a potential difference and ∆T is a time interval. The
0.05 seconds. dimensional formula for X is the same as that of
(b) Error ∆T in measuring T, the time-period, is 1 (a) resistance. (b) charge.
second. (c) voltage. (d) current.
(c) Percentage error in the determination of g is 5%. 9. In the formula X = 3YZ2, X and, Z have dimensions
(d) Both (a) and (c) of capacitance and magnetic induction respectively.
The dimensions of Y in MKSQ system are
Dimensions of Physical Quantities (a) [M−3L−2T4Q4]. (b) [M−2L−1T5Q3].
−1
(c) [M L T Q ].−2 4 4 (d) [M−3L−1T3Q4].
4. Which one of the following represents the correct 10. To find the distance d over which a signal can be seen
dimensions of the coefficient of viscosity? clearly in foggy conditions, a railway engineer uses
(a) ML–1T–2 (b) MLT–1 dimensional analysis and assumes that the distance
(c) ML T –1 –1 (d) ML –2T–2 depends on the mass density ρ of the fog, intensity
5. The dimension of magnetic field in M, L, T and C (power/area) S of the light from the signal and its
(coulomb) is given as frequency v. The engineer finds that d is proportional
to S1/n. The value of n is
(a) MT–2C–1. (b) MLT–1C–1.
2 –2 (a) 4. (b) 2.
(c) MT C . (d) MT–1C–1.
(c) 3. (d) 1.
6. Out of the following pairs which one does not have
identical dimensions is 11. The dimensions of R in equation Q = Q0(1 – e–t/Rc)
are
(a) moment of inertia and moment of a force.
(a) [ML2T–3A–2]. (b) [ML2T–2A–3].
(b) work and torque. 2 2 –3 –2
(c) [M L T A ]. (d) [ML2T–1A–2].
(c) angular momentum and Planck’s constant.

NCERT EXEMPLAR PROBLEMS

4. The mean length of an object is 5 cm. Which of the
Accuracy, Precision, and Least Count following measurements is most accurate?
(a) 4.9 cm (b) 4.805 cm
1. Measurment of two quantities along with the preci- (c) 5.25 cm (d) 5.4 cm
sion of respective measuring instrument is A = 2.5 m
s–1 ± 0.5 m s –1. B = 0.10 s ± 0.01 s. The value of AB
will be:
Significant Figures
(a) (0.25 ± 0.08) m. (b) (0.25 ± 0.5) m.
5. The number of significant figures in 0.06900 is
(c) (0.25 ± 0.05) m. (d) (0.25 ± 0.135) m.
(a) 5. (b) 4.
2. You measure two quantities as A = 1.0 m ± 0.2 m,
B = 2.0 m ± 0.2 m. We should report correct value (c) 2. (d) 3.
6. The sum of the numbers 436.32, 227.2 and 0.301 in
for AB as
appropriate significant figures is
(a) 1.4 m ± 0.4 m. (b) 1.41 m ± 0.15 m.
(a) 663.821. (b) 664.
(c) 1.4 m ± 0.3 m. (d) 1.4 m ± 0.2 m.
(c) 663.8. (d) 663.82.
3. Which of the following measurements is most pre- 7. The mass and volume of a body are 4.237 g and
cise? 2.5 cm3, respectively. The density of the material of
(a) 5.00 mm (b) 5.00 cm the body in correct significant figures is
(c) 5.00 m (d) 5.00 km
32
 Units and Measurement Chapter |2|
(a) 1.6948 g cm–3. (b) 1.69 g cm–3. (a) 1.9 × 1010. (b) 1.9 × 1011.
(c) 1.7 g cm–3. (d) 1.695 g cm–3. (c) 1.9 × 1012. (d) 1.9 × 1013.
8. The numbers 2.745 and 2.735 on rounding off to 11. If momentum (p), area (A) and time (t) are taken
three significant figures will give to be fundamental quantities, then energy has the
(a) 2.75 and 2.74. (b) 2.74 and 2.73. dimensional formula
(c) 2.75 and 2.73. (d) 2.74 and 2.74. (a) [p1A–1t–1]. (b) [p2A1t1].
9. The length and breadth of a rectangular sheet are (c) [p1A–1/2t1]. (d) [p1A–1/2t–1].
16.2 cm and 10.1 cm, respectively. The area of the 12. Which of the following pairs of physical quantities
sheet in appropriate significant figures and error is does not have same dimensional formula?
(a) 164 ± 3 cm2. (b) 163.62 ± 2.6 cm2. (a) Work and torque.
(c) 163.6 ± 2.6 cm . (d) 163.62 ± 3 cm2.
2
(b) Angular momentum and Planck’s constant.
(c) Tension and surface tension.
Dimensions of Physical Quantities (d) Impulse and linear momentum.

10. Young’s modulus of steel is 1.9 × 1011 N m−2, when

expressed in CGS units of dynes cm−2, it will be
equal to (1N = 105 dyne, 1 m2 = 104 cm2)

ASSERTION AND REASONS

Directions: In the following questions, a statement of assertion is followed by a statement of reason. Mark
the correct choice as:
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) If both assertion and reason are false.

Reason: All the non-zero digits are significant.

System of Units 7. Assertion: A dimensionally wrong or inconsistent
equation must be wrong.
1. Assertion: µN is not the same as nm. Reason: A dimensionally consistent equation is an
Reason: 1 µN = 10–6 N and 1 nm = 10–9 m exact or a correct equation.
2. Assertion: Parallax method is used for measuring 8. Assertion: Both velocity and speed have same
distances of nearby stars only. dimensions.
Reason: With increase of distance of star, parallactic Reason: Velocity cannot be added to speed.
angle becomes too small to be measured accurately. 9. Assertion: Angle and angular displacement are
3. Assertion: Light year is the distance that light travels dimensionless quantities.
with velocity of 3 × 108 ms–1 in one year. Reason: Angle is equal to arc length divided by
Reason: Light year is the unit for measuring time. radius.
10. Assertion: Pressure cannot be subtracted from
pressure gradient.
Dimensions of Physical Quantities Reason: Pressure and pressure gradient have different
dimensions.
4. Assertion: There is no physical quantity which has a 11. Assertion: When we change the unit of measurement
unit but is dimensionless. of a quantity, its numerical value changes.
Reason: A physical quantity having dimensions can Reason: Smaller the unit of measurement smaller is
not be unitless. its numerical value.
5. Assertion: Linear mass density has the dimensions of 12. Assertion: Formula for kinetic energy is
[M1 L–1 T0]. 1 2
Reason: This is so because density is mass per unit =K =mv ma
2 1
volume. Reason: Both the equation K = mv 2 and k = ma are
6. Assertion: The number 1.202 has four significant figures 2
and the number 0.0024 has two significant figures. dimensionally incorrect.

33
 bjective Physics

13. Assertion: The time-period of a pendulum is given by Reason: According to the principle of homogeneity of
the formula T  2 g / l dimensions, only that formula is correct in which the
dimensions of LHS is equal to dimensions of RHS.

ANSWER KEYS

Practice Time

1 (d) 2 (a) 3 (a) 4 (a) 5 (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 8 (c) 9 (d) 10 (a)
11 (c) 12 (a) 13 (c) 14 (d) 15 (d) 16 (d) 17 (a) 18 (c) 19 (c) 20 (b)
21 (a) 22 (d) 23 (d) 24 (c) 25 (b) 26 (b) 27 (b) 28 (a) 29 (a) 30 (a)
31 (a) 32 (a) 33 (b) 34 (b) 35 (c) 36 (d) 37 (c) 38 (d) 39 (b) 40 (c)
41 (d) 42 (c) 43 (b) 44 (c) 45 (c) 46 (a) 47 (a) 48 (b) 49 (c) 50 (d)
51 (d) 52 (d) 53 (c) 54 (b) 55 (b) 56 (c) 57 (a) 58 (a) 59 (b) 60 (d)
61 (d) 62 (c) 63 (d) 64 (c) 65 (c) 66 (a) 67 (a) 68 (a) 69 (c) 70 (a)
71 (b) 72 (d) 73 (a) 74 (b) 75 (c) 76 (b) 77 (c) 78 (a) 79 (c) 80 (a)

High-Order Thinking Skill

1 (b) 2 (b) 3 (d) 4 (c) 5 (d) 6 (a) 7 (d) 8 (d) 9 (a) 10 (c) 11 (a)

NCERT Exemplar Problems

1 (a) 2 (d) 3 (a) 4 (a) 5 (b) 6 (c) 7 (c) 8 (d) 9 (a) 10 (c)
11 (d) 12 (c)

Assertion and Reasons

1 (a) 2 (a) 3 (c) 4 (d) 5 (b) 6 (b) 7 (c) 8 (b) 9 (a) 10 (a)
11 (c) 12 (d) 13 (d)

HINTS AND EXPLANATIONS

Practice Time

1 (d) The becquerel is the SI derived unit of 5 (a) SI system of unit has total seven fundamental
radioactivity. units.
Fr 2 Nm 2 6 (b) In MKS system its value is 7 × 10–2 N/m.
2 (a) =
Gravitational constant =
(mass)2 kg 2 7 (c) One-watt hour contains 3.6 × 103 joules.
3 (a) The thermodynamic entropy, therefore, has the 8 (c) The SI unit of work is joule and the SI unit of
dimension of energy divided by temperature, and time, is second so joule × second will be the unit
the unit joule per kelvin (J/K) in the International of angular momentum.
System of Units (SI). 9 (d) The SI unit of power is watt.
4 (a) The SI unit of velocity is m/s, and the SI unit of 10 (a) The SI unit of velocity is m/s.
electric field is V/m. Therefore, the SI unit of 11 (c) eV has different unit than all other.
mobility is m2/(V.s) or m2V–1s–1
34
 Units and Measurement Chapter |2|
12 (a) Unit of hc/G is kg2. 2.45
13 (c) Electron volt is a unit of energy. 1 VSD  cm
50
14 (d) Light year is the unit of distance.  0.049 cm
15 (d) The unit of permittivity of free space is, Least count  1MSD VSD
1 Q1Q2  0.05  0.049
F
4 0 r 2  0.001 cm
Q2 Hence the reading  5.10  (0.001  24)
0 
F  r2 = 5.124 cm
 newton 
So,  0 has units of coulomb2 /  metre2  Thus diametre of cylinder is 5.124 cm
 
  27 (b) The difference between the true value and meas-
mass  force  volume ured value is called error.
16 (d)  force  length  work
area  mass . 28 (a) Errors and mistakes are due to the defect in meas-
17 (a) An atomic clock makes use of cesium 133 atom. urement of physical quantities.
18 (c) To measure the distance of a planet from the 29 (a) Instrumental error can be caused due to faulty
Earth, parallax method is used. construction of instrument.
19 (c) Greater accuracy is required for smaller physical 30 (a) The mean absolute error will be 0.04 for the
quantity. experiment.
20 (b) Accuracy of measuring instruments is the close- 31 (a) Given that,
ness of the measurement to the true value. Weight in air  (5.00  0.05)N
21 (a) The precision is alternately determined by the Weight in water  (4.00  0.05)N
least count of measuring instrument. Weight loss in water  (1.00  0.1)N
22 (d) Given that,
And,
30 VSD  29 MSD
Weight in air
29 Relative density 
1 VSD  MSD Weight loss in water
30
Least count  1 MSD VSD (5.00  0.05)
Relative density 
(1.00  0.1)
 29 
  1   MSD Relative density with max. permissible
 30 
0 5.00  0.05 0.1 
1  1  percentage error     100
 0.50    1.00  5.00 1.00 
30  60 
 5.0  (1  10)%
 1 minute
23 (d) A micrometre screw gauge with 0.0005 cm least  5.0  11%
count is most precise instrument. 32 (a) Given that,
24 (c) Given that, S  (13.8  0.2) m
10 t  (4.0  0.3) s
1MSD  cm
200 % error
 0.050 cm  0. 2 
S  13.8     100%
0.8  13.8 
1 VSD  cm
20  133.8  1.4%
 0.04 cm
 0. 3 
Least count  1 MSD  VSD t  4.0     100%
 4 
 0.05  0.04  4  7. 5%
 0.01 cm S
v
25 (b) The diameter of the paper pin is measured accu- t
rately by using micrometre screw gauge. 13.8
  (1.4  7.5)
26 (b) For a given Vernier callipers 4
1 MSD  5.15  5.10  (3.45  8.9) m/s
 0.05 cm 33 (b) As we know that,
35
 bjective Physics
a3 0.42
2.63  2.56  2.42  2.71  2.80  a4  0.86
Average value 
5  a5  0.57
an  2.62 s a  a2  a3  a4  a5
an  1
T1  2.63  2.62  0.01 5
1.04  0.02  0.42  0.86  0.57
T2  2.62  2.56  0.06 
5
T3  2.62  2.42  0.20  0.58
T4  2.71  2.62  0.09 40 (c) By R = R1 + R2 = (110 ± 5) ohm.
41 (d) Time period
T5  2.80  2.62  0.18
L
T1  T2  T3  T4  T5 T  2
T  g
5
0.54 L L
 T 2  4 2 or g  4 2 2
5 g T
 0.108  0.11s g  L  T  
   2 
34 (b) The volume of the sphere, g  L  T 
4 g  2  1 
V  r 3    2
3 
g 100  100  
Percentage error in volume
g
 3  error in radius   4%
g
3  0.1
=  100 42 (c) Total resistance,
5. 3
R1 R2
35 (c) The volume of the cylinder, RP 
R1  R2
V  r 2 l
RP
Percentage error in volume  100
RP
r l R R (R1  R2 )
 2   100   100
r l  1  100  2  100   100
R1 R2 (R1 + R2 )
0.01 0.1
 2  100   100 Now
2. 0 5.0
 3% 10
R1   2 k
36 (d) As we know that, 100
 0.2 k
1
Kinetic energy, E  mv 2 10
2 R2   4 k
E v ’2  v 2 100
 100   100  0.4 k
E v2
 v ’ 2  Similarly,
    1  100 R
 P  100
  
v
RP
 1.5   1  100
2
0. 2 0. 4 0. 2  0. 4
    100   100   100
 125% 2 4 6
 10  10  10
37 (c) The rod B is longer than rod A by 0.94 ± 0.02 cm.
38 (d) Accidental error can be minimised by selecting  30%
instrument with small least count. 43 (b) Time period,
39 (b) The mean absolute error, L
T  2
20.17  21.23  20.79  22.07  21.78 g
an 
5 L L
an  21.21 T 2  4 2 or g  4 2 2
g T
 a1  21.21  20.17  1.04
 a2  21.21  21.23  0.02 g  L  T  
   100  2    100 
 a3  0.42 g  L  T  
36  a  0.86
 Units and Measurement Chapter |2|
 
g  0.1  66 (a) The dimensions of universal gas constant are
 1 
   100  2    100  [ML2T−2θ−1].
g  20  90   67 (a) Henry denotes the dimensions [ML2/Q2].
g
 3% 68 (a) Mass has same power in the dimensional formu-
g lae of surface tension and viscosity.
So, thepercentage of error is 3% 69 (c) Dimensional equation cannot be used to find out
44 (c) Percentage error, constant of proportionality which may be a pure
Q x y z number.
3 2  70 (a) A/B is physically meaningful if two quantities A
Q x y z
and B have different dimensions.
 3 1  2  2  4
71 (b) If energy (E), velocity (v) and force (F) be taken
 11%
as fundamental quantity, then [Ev−2] will be the
45 (b) Figure 4.850, when rounded off to two digits,
dimensions of mass.
becomes 4.9.
72 (d) Magnitude in SI system is 625 kg/m3.
46 (a) If the digit to be dropped is more than 5, then the
73 (a) The dimensions of time in given new system
preceding digit is raised by 1.
should be [G1/2h1/2c−5/2]
47 (a) The order of magnitude is 107 m for the Earth
radius. Time  c x G y h z
48 (b) In 310 the number of significant figures is 3. T  kc x G y h z
49 (c) The value of (9.15 + 3.8) with due regards to sig- Substituting the dimensions
nificant figure is 13.0 y z
M0 L0 T1   [LT-1 ]x M-1L3 T-2  ML2 T-1 
50 (d) The addition should be written as 30.6 cm.
51 (d) 0.300 has three significant figures. Comparing powers
52 (d) Radius of gyration is not dimensionless. y  z  0
53 (c) Tension and surface tension do not have same x  3y  2z  0
dimensional formula.  x  2y  z  1
Surface tension = [ML0T–2] Solving these equations
Tension = [MLT–2].
5 1
54 (b) Planck’s Constant (h) = Energy(E) / frequency (ν). x yz
2 2
Putting these values in above equation we get,
so [G1/2 h1/2 c-5/2 ]
Dimensional Formula of Planck’s constant
74 (b) Given that,
= [ML2T–1]
55 (b) Impulse and Momentum have the same dimen- 1 dyne  10-5 newton
sions. 1 cm  10-2 m
56 (c) The dimension of kinetic energy is same as that of So, 70 dyne/cm  7  10-2 N /m
Work.
75 (c) One nanometre is equal to 10−7 cm.
57 (a) X = F × Linear density so, dimensions of X are
76 (b) If momentum (P), area (A) and time (T) are
[M2L0T−2].
assumed to be fundamental quantities, then
58 (a) Dimensional formula for latent heat is [M0L2T−2]. energy has dimensional formula [P1T−1A1/2].
59 (b) The dimensions of RC are [M0L0T1]. 77 (c) The dimensional representation of gravitational
60 (d) Dimensional formula for volume elasticity is potential is identical to that of latent heat.
[M1L−1T−2]. 78 (a) If pressure P, velocity V, and time T are taken as
61 (d) The dimensions of Stefan’s constant are fundamental physical quantities, the dimensional
[M1L0T–3K–4]. formula of the force is [PV2T2].
62 (c) The product ‘PV’ has dimensions of Energy. 79 (c) Given that,
63 (d) The ratio of the dimensions of Planck’s constant x2  b
and that of moment of inertia has the dimensions P
at
of frequency.
by principle of homogeneity b
64 (c) The dimensions of CV2 matches with the dimen-
sions of LI2. will have the dimensiions of x 2
65 (c) The dimensions of solar constant are [ML0T−3] [b]  [L2 ]
[P]  [ML2 T-3 ]
37
 bjective Physics

[t]  [T] 80 (a) Quantity Dimensional Formula

[b] Acceleration M0LT–2
[a]  Work ML2T–2
[P][t]
Energy ML2T–2
[a]  [M 11T2 ]
Power ML2T–3

High-Order Thinking Skill

1 (b) Practical unit – light year Viscous force F  6rv
Base unit – Second F
Derived unit – Kg ms–1 
6 rv
Complementary unit – Radian [F ]
2 (b) Given that, [ ] 
[r ][v]
Energy of the system is given by:
E(t) = A2e–αt [ MLT 2 ]
[ ] 
Now, taking natural logarithm on both side, [L][LT 1 ]
Then we get, 5 (d) As we know that,
In(E) = 2 ln(A) + (–αt)   
Lorentz force, F  qv  B
Differentiating on both sides, we get,
[F ]
dE  dA  [B] 
 2   ( dt ) [q][v]
E  A 
MLT 2
As we know that the, error always add up for 
maximum error. C  LT 1
= 2 × 0.0125 × 0.2 × 0.015 × 5  [MT 1C 1 ]
dE 6 (a) As we know that,
= 0.0250 + 0.015 = 0.040
E
Moment of inertia (I )  mr 2
∴ % Error = 4%
[ I ]  [ ML2 ]
3 (d) Relative error in measurement of time,
Moment of force (C’)  rF
T 1s 1
  [C]  [r ][F ]
T 40 s 40
Time period T  40/20  2s  [L][ MLT 2 ]
t 1 [C]  [ ML2T 2 ]
Error T  T   2   0. 05 s
t 40 Moment of inertia and moment of a force do not
L have identical dimensions
T  2 1
g 7 (d) Velocity of light in vacuum =
0  0
L L
T 2  4 2 or g  4 2 2
g T 1
[LT 1 ] 
g   T   0  0
 2 
g   T   1
[L2 T 2 ] 
g   1   0  0
 2 
g   40   so dimensions are [L2 T 2 ]
g  1   A quantity X is given by,
  8 (d)
g  20  
[ 0 L]  [Capacitance C]
Percentage error
V V
g  1   0L C
    100  t t
g  20   q

g t
 5%
g  charge/time
 currentt
4 (c) Dimensions of the coefficient of viscosity
38
 Units and Measurement Chapter |2|
9 (a) A quantity Y is given by, Comparing powers on both sides,
[ X ]  [C] xy 0
 [M 1L2 T2 Q2 ] 3x  1
[Z ]  [ B] 3y  z  0
 [MT 1Q 1 ] after solving these equations, we get,
[ X] 1 1
[Y ]  x   , y  and z  1
[3Z 2 ] 3 3
 [M 3 L2 T 4 Q 4 ] d  S1/3
10 (c) Given that, n3
11 (a) Given that,
If d   x S y f z Q  Q0 (1  e t / RC ) as t /RC is dimensionless,
d  k x S y f z where k is the dimensionless RC  t
quantity. or, R  t /C
Put the values of dimensions, we get, t

y
M0 LT   [ML3 T0 ]x ML0 T 3  M0 L0 T 1 
0 z Q /V
      [ML2 T-2 ] [T]
R
[AT] [AT]
 [ML2 T-3 A -2 ]

NCERT Exemplar Problems

AB
1 (a) Given that, 1  0.22 0.2 
  
A  (2.5  0.5) ms 1
2  1.0 2 
B  (0.10  0.01) s 0. 3
 AB   AB
AB  (2.5)(0.10) 2
0. 3
 0.25 m   1.414
2
AB  A A B   0.212 m
 
AB  A B  Rounding off to one significant figure
 0.5 0.01   0.2 m
  
 2.5 0.10  Thus, correct valuefor
AB  0.3  AB
AB  r  rr
 0.3  0.25
 1.4  0.2 m
 0. 075 m
3 (a) All given measurements are correct up to two
 0.08 m
decimal places. As here 5.00 mm has the smallest
Rounding off to two significant figures. unit and the error in 5.00 mm is least (commonly
AB  (0.25  0.08) m taken as 0.01 mm if not specified), hence, 5.00 mm
2 (d) Given that, is most precise.
A  (1.0  0.2) m In solving there type of questions, we should be care-
ful about units although their magnitude is same.
B  (2.0  0.2) m
4 (a) The 4.9 cm measurement is most accurate because
AB  2.0 m 2 it is closer to the true value.
AB  1.414 m 5 (b) If the number is less than 1, the zero(s) on the
Rounding off to two significant figures right of decimal point and before the first non-
zero digit are not significant.
AB  1.4 m In 0.06900, the underlined zeros are not signifi-
 AB 1  A B  cant. Hence, number of significant figures are four
  
AB 2 A B  (6900).
6 (c) The arithmetic addition of given numbers is
39
 bjective Physics

436.32 So that, as per rule, area will have only three sig-
227.2 nificant figures and error will have only one sig-
+ 0.301 nificant figure. Rounding off,
663.821 we get A = 164 ± 3 cm2.
As the least precise measurement 227.2 is cor- 10 (c) Given that,
rect to only one decimal place. So that, the result Y  1.9  1011 N /m 2
should be taken 663.8.  105 dyne 
7 (c) In multiplication or division, the result should  1.9  1011  4 2 
retain as many significant figures as are there in the  10 cm 
original number with the least significant figures.  1.9  10 dyne cm -2
12

Given that, While we are going through conversion of units,

mass, m  4.327 g we should keep in mind that proper relation
Volume , V  2.5 cm 3 between units are mentioned.
11 (d) Given that,
So,
fundamental quantities are momentum
Mass
Density,   (p), area (A) and time ( t).
Volume
 1.6948 g cm 3 E  kp x A y t z
Substituting the dimensions
As mass has four significant figures and volume
b c
has two significant figures, therefore, as per rule, ML2 T 2   [ML T-1 ]a  M0 L2 T0  M0 L0 T 
density will have only two significant figures.
Comparing powers
As rounding off the number, we get density
= 1.7 g cm−3. a  2b  2
8 (d) Rounding off 2.745 to 3 significant figures it a 1
would be 2.74. Rounding off 2.735 to 3 signifi- a  c  2
cant figures it would be 2.74. Solving these equations
9 (a) If ∆x is error in a physical quantity, then relative 1
error is calculated as ∆x/x. a  1, b  , c  1
2
Now, assume that the length and breadth of a rec-
Hence, E  pA1/2T 1
tangular sheet are measured by using a metre scale
as 16.2 cm and 10.1 cm respectively. Each meas- 12 (c) [Tension] = [MLT–2]
urement has three significant figures. [Surface tension] = [ML0T–2].
Length l can be written as l = 16.2 ± 0.1 cm = 16.2 Do not be confused with the similar form tension
cm ± 0.6%, in both the physical quantities – surface tension
Similarly, the breadth b can be written as b = 10.1 and tension. Dimensional formula for both of
± 0.1 cm = 10.1 cm ± 1% them is not same.
So, area of the sheet A = l × b = 163.62 cm2 + 1.6%
= 163.62 ± 2.6 cm2,

Assertion and Reasons

1 (a) µ represents 10–6 and nano represents 10–9.
2 (a) With the increase of distance of stars, the paral-
lax angle decreases, and great degree of accuracy
is necessary for its measurement. Limitation in
measuring the parallax angle is that the maximum
distance of a star which we can measure by paral-
lax method is limited to only 100 light year.
3 (c) Light year is unit for measuring large distances.
1 light year = 9.46 × 1015 m.
40
4 (d) There are various physical quantities which have
a unit but they are dimensionless and any physical
quantity having dimensions can be unit less.
5 (b) Linear mass density is mass per unit length.
6 (b) All the non-zero digits are significant and embed-
ded zeros are always significant.
7 (c) A dimensionally consistent equation is not
required to be an exact or correct equation, but
a dimensionally wrong or inconsistent equation
must be wrong.

8 (b) The dimensions of velocity and speed are same,
which is [M0LT−1] but they cannot be added to
each other.
9 (a) Angle or angular displacement = Arc length [L]/
Radius [R]. It is a dimensionless quantity.
10 (a) The dimension of pressure and pressure gradi-
ent are different. So, that pressure cannot be sub-
tracted from pressure gradient.
11 (c) We know that
Q = n1u1 = n2u2
Units and Measurement Chapter |2|
so smaller the unit of measurement, greater is its
numerical value.
12 (d) Mass (m) × acceleration (a) = F (force)
13 (d) Let us write the dimension of various quantities
on two sides of the given relation
2 g / l  [ LT 1 ]
As dimension of LHS is not equal to dimensions
of RHS. Therefore, according to principle of
homogeneity the relation is not valid.
41