TUTORIAL 1: INSTRUMENTATION & MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

1. A resistor, R=100 Ω is placed in a circuit with a current, 𝐼 = 0.5𝐴 flowing through it. The
power dissipated across R is measured and is found to have an accuracy of 96.33%.
Determine the possible values of the relative error and measured power. [MODIFIED
MT1 2020].

2. Two different voltmeters are used to measure the voltage across the resistor R B in the
circuit shown in Figure Q2. Voltmeters X and Y have internal resistances of 𝑅𝑋 = 10 𝑘𝛺
and 𝑅𝑌 = 200 𝑘𝛺, respectively. Calculate:

a) the voltage across 𝑅𝐵 without any meter connected across it.

b) the voltage across 𝑅𝐵 when voltmeter X is used.
c) the voltage across 𝑅𝐵 when voltmeter Y is used.
d) the % error in the voltmeter readings.

RA=25 kΩ

30 V

RB=5 kΩ

Figure Q2

3. A circuit is as shown in Figure Q3 It is given that:

𝑅1 = 1 𝑘𝛺 ± 5%, 𝑅2 = 3 𝑘𝛺 ± 10%, and 𝐸 = 15𝑉 ± 3.5%

Calculate the total current, I, as well as its % relative limiting error. [FINALS 2019]

Figure Q3
4. A circuit is set up as shown in Figure Q4. Ammeter A is used to measure the current flowing
through R1 and R2. Given that 𝑅1 = 𝑅2 = 1 𝑘𝛺 and 𝑅3 = 3 𝑘𝛺, while the internal resistance
of ammeter A is 100Ω.

i) Calculate the true value of the current flowing through R1 and R2.
ii) Calculate the current value as measured by ammeter A, taking into account its internal
resistance.
iii) Determine the % relative error and accuracy of the ammeter reading.
iv) What type of error is this? Suggest one way to reduce this error. [FINALS 2017]

R1
12V R3

R2

Figure Q4

5. The current flowing through a resistor, 𝑅=100 Ω ± 5%, was obtained as 𝐼=0.25 A ±2.4%
during an experiment. Find the true value of power dissipated by the resistor and its %
limiting error.
[MIDTERM 2022]

6. The energy of a photon is related to its speed, c, and wavelength, λ, by the following equation:
ℎ𝑐
𝐸=
𝜆
where h is Planck’s constant. Find the dimension and base units of h. [FINALS 2019]

SELF-TEST QUESTIONS:

7. The thermal voltage is the characteristic voltage of a semiconductor (in Volts) and is given
by the following equation:
𝑘𝑇
𝑉𝑇 =
𝑞

where T is the temperature (in Kelvins), q is the charge (in Coulombs) and k is Boltzmann’s
constant. Find the dimension of k and prove that the unit of k is Joules per unit Kelvin (J/K).
8. The capacitance, C, of a parallel plate capacitor can be determined by the following formula,
where εr and εo are the relative static permittivity and permittivity of free space respectively
while A is the area of overlap and d is the separation distance between the two plates:

𝐴
𝐶 = 𝜀𝑟 𝜀𝑜
𝑑
(i) Using the equation above, find the dimension of εo. Express the dimension in base
units.
(ii) If A = (5 mm x 5 mm) + 5% and d = 6 μm + 3%, calculate C and the relative limiting error
in C. Given εr = 1 and εo = 8.854 x 10-12 F/m. Assume that εr and εo are error free.
[SUPP. 2012]

9. An inductor of 220 𝜇𝐻 ± 5%, a capacitor of 150 𝑝𝐹 ± 6% and a resistor of 1.5 𝑘𝛺 ±

5% are connected in series in a circuit. It is given that the resonant frequency, fr, of the
1
combination is: 𝑓𝑟 =
2𝜋√𝐿𝐶
Compute the resonant frequency, fr, and its relative limiting error in % form. [SUPP. 2015]

ANSWERS
1. 3.67% or -3.67%; 25.9175 W, 24.0825 W
2. a) 5V, b) 3.53V, c) 4.9V, d) -29.4%, -2%
3. 𝐼 = 20 𝑚𝐴 ± 9.75%
4. i) 6 mA, ii) 5.72 mA, iii) -4.67%, 95.33%, iv) Loading error, use ammeter with lower
internal resistance
5. 6.25 W ± 9.8%
6. Dimension of ℎ = 𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −1, Base units of ℎ= 𝑘𝑔𝑚2 𝑠 −1
7. MT −2 , kgs-2
8. (i) I2T4M-1L-3, A2s4kg-1m-3
(ii) 𝐶 = (3.69 × 10−11 ± 8%) 𝐹
9. 𝑓𝑟 = 8.76 × 105 𝐻𝑧 ± 5.5%