Basic Units of Measurement

Over centuries, several units have been devised to calculate exact measurement of
different kinds. These units can be divided into two kinds—SI units and non SI units.

SI Units: SI units refer to the set of physical units called the International System of Units
which is used in the scientific world.
Non-SI units: are all the other units that are commonly used. Knowledge of SI units is
important since these are the units majorly used in scientific work and incorrect usage of
scientific units can lead to incorrect results in most cases.

Standard Units of Measurement

Here is a list of SI units of quantification for you to study.

Meter–Measure of Length
Kilogram–Measure of Mass
Second–Measure of Time
Ampere–Measure of Electric Current
 Kelvin–Measure of Thermodynamic Temperature
Mole–Measure of Amount of Substance
Candela–Measure of Luminous Intensity
Radian- Measure of Angle
Newton- Measure of Force and Weight
Hertz– Measure of Frequency

Try yourself: The standard unit for measuring the frequency of a sound wave is ______

a. Meter per second

b. Newton

c. Metre

d. Hertz

View Solution

Steradian– Measure of Solid Angle

Ohm– Measure of Electric Resistance, Electrical Impedance and Reactance
Farad– Measure of Electrical Capacitance
Lux– Measure of Illuminance
Watt– Measure of Power and Radiant Flux
Pascal– Measure of Pressure and Stress
Joule– Measure of Energy, Work and Heat
Coulomb– Measure of Electric Charge or Quantity of Electricity
Try yourself: Coulomb is Unit used for?

a. Measure of Magnetic Field Strength

b. Measure of Magnetic Flux

c. Measure of Energy, Work and Heat

d. Measure of Electric Charge or Quantity of Electricity

View Solution

Siemens– Measure of Electrical Conductance

Volt– Measure of Voltage (Electrical Potential Difference) and Electromotive Force
Henry– Measure of Inductance
Tesla– Measure of Magnetic Field Strength
Katal– Measure of Catalytic Activity
Gray– Measure of Absorbed Dose of Ionizing Radiation
Sievert– Measure of Equivalent Dose of Ionizing Radiation
Try yourself: Unit used for Measuring of Equivalent Dose of Ionizing Radiation?

a. Lumen

b. Kilogram per cubic meter

c. Weber

d. Sievert

View Solution

Lumen– Measure of Luminous Flux

Weber– Measure of Magnetic Flux
Becquerel– Measure of Radioactivity (decays per unit time)
Meter square– Measure of Area
Meter cube– Measure of Volume
Kilogram per cubic meter– Measure of Density
Meter per second– Measure of Speed and Velocity
Meter per second square– Measure of Acceleration