Padhye Education

Units and Measurement

Physical Quantity :

Physical quantity is a physical property of body or any substance that can be measured. E.g. mass, force,
length.

Units:

The internationally accepted reference standard use for measurement of a physical quantity is called as
unit.

Measurement:

Measurement of any physical quantity involves comparison of that physical quantity with unit of the
physical quantity.

Characteristics :

1) Unit should be universally accepted

2) It should be easily available
3) It should be reproducible
4) It should neither change with time nor with physical condition
such as temperature, pressure.

Types of physical quantities

1) Fundamental Physical Quantity

2) Derived Physical Quantity

1) Fundamental Physical Quantity:

Physical quantities which do not depends on any other physical quantity for their measurement are
fundamental physical quantity. Units use to measure fundamental physical quantity are fundamental units or
basic units.

2) Derived Physical Quantity:

Physical quantity when depends on one or more fundamental physical quantity are derived physical
quantity. Units of derived physical quantity can be express combination of fundamental units such units obtained
for derived quantity are derived units.

System of Units: Length, Mass, Time

a) CGS : C = centimeter , G = gram, S = second(French system)
b) FPS : Foot, Pounds, Seconds
c) MKS : Meter, Kg, Seconds

International System of Units (SI units) :

Seven fundamental quantity

Fundamental quantity S.I. Units Symbol

Length Meter m
Mass Kilogram kg
Time Second s
Temperature Kelvin K
Current ampere A
Luminous Intensity candela Cd
Amount of substance mole mol
 ducation Units and Measurement
Two Supplementary Unit

Fundamental quantity S.I. Units Symbol

Plane angle radian rad
Solid angle steradian sr

Radian:
Plane angle between the two radii of circle which cuts off on circumference an arc of length equal to
radius of circle. [ = l/r]

Q.1.: Write the unit of physical quantity in using fundamental units

(a) Velocity
(b) Force
(c) Work done,
(d) Power
(e) Charge,
(f) Moment,
(g) Pressure.

Abbreviation in Power of 10:

Prefix Symbol Multiplies factors

yotta Y 1024
zctta Z 1021
exa E 1018
peta P 1015
tera T 1012
giga H 109
mega M 106
kelo k 103
necto h 102
deca Da 1011
- - 100
deci d 10–1
centi cm 10–2
milli m 10–3
micro  10–6
nano n 10–9
pico p 10–12
femto f 10–15
atto a 10–18
zepto z 10–21
yocto y 10–24

1Kilometer = ………..meter

1 millisecond = …………….second

1 nanoecond = ……………. millisecond

1Kilogram=………………picogram

2|Page
 ducation Units and Measurement
Dimensional Analysis:
Dimensional Formula:
It is an expression which shows how and which of the fundamental units are required to represent the
unit of physical quantity.

Quantity Formula unit Dimensional

formula

Length - m
Mass - Kg
Area l×b m2
Volume l×b×h m3
Speed Distance/ time

Acceleration Distance/ time2

Density Mass/volume Mass/volume

Time - Sec

Moment
Force
Work
K.E

P.E

Power

Gravitational
constant
Pressure

Frequency

Temperature

Current

Charge (I)
Potential

Resistance

resistivity

sin 

3|Page
 ducation Units and Measurement
Dimensional Equation:
It is a equation obtain by equating the physical quantity with its dimensional formula.
Speed = [M0 L1 T–1]
Dimensional formula can be written for unit of physical quantity.

Use of Dimensional Analysis:

1) To convert physical quantity from one system to another

Q.2.: Find out conversion factor between S.I. unit of force and C.G.S. unit of force

Q.3.: Find the conservation factor between S.I. unit and CGS unit of density ?
density = mass/volume

Q.4.: Find the value of 60 C on a system with 1g, 1cm, 1min, 0.1 A as a basic units?

Q.5.: Find the value of 60 joule/min on a system which has 100g, 100cm and 1min as
basic units?

Use of Dimensional Analysis :

2) To find out Dimensional correctness of given physical relation.

Principal of Homogeneity:
A given physical relation is dimensionally correct if the dimension of the various terms on either side of
relation are same.

If given physical relation is Dimensional correct. It doesn’t mean that it is absolutely correct but if
physical relation is dimensionally incorrect then it is absolutely incorrect.

Q.6.: Find out dimensional correctness v = u + at?

Q.7.: Check whether the given equations are dimensionally correct:

a)S = ut + ½ at2
b)K.E. = P.E.
c)1/2mv2 = mgh
d)Work done = change in K.E.

Q.8.: Calculate the Dimensional formation for w, a and k from the following relation
Y = a sin (wt – kx) (y = Distance in y, a = amplitude, t = time, x distance)
Categories of Physical Quantity:
i) Dimensional constant:
This are those physical quantities which posses dimensions and have fix value
e.g. Gravitational constant G, 0

ii) Dimensional Variable:

Physical quantity which possess dimensions and do not have a fixed value.
e.g. velocity, force

iii) Dimensionless Constant :

Physical quantity which do not possess dimensions and have a fix value.
e.g. 𝜋, 3, 9

iv) Dimensionless variable:

Physical quantity which do not possess dimension and do not have a fix value
specific gravity, Stain

4|Page
 ducation Units and Measurement
Q.9.: Find the dimensional formula of. form following relation
h
= (  is in wavelength and it is measured in meter, m is mass, v is
mv
velocity)

Use of Dimensional Analysis :

3) To establish relation between different physical quantities.

Q.:10 Find expression of time period T of simple pendulum. Let T depends on

(i) mass m of pendulum, (ii) length L of pendulum, (iii) acceleration due to
gravity.

Q.:11 L length, F force and T are taken as fundamental quantities. What will be
dimensional equation of mass and density?

Q.:12 If velocity V, Time T and Mass M are chosen as basic quantities, then
Dimension of Force and work done will be?

Q.:13 If velocity V, Time T and Force F are chosen as basic quantities, then
Dimension of length will be?
a) [F1 V1 T1] b) [F0 V1 T1]
c) [F1 V-1 T1] d) [F1 V1 T-1]

Q.:14 If velocity V, Time T and Force F are chosen as basic quantities, then
Dimension of density will be?
b) [F1 V4 T-2] b) [F1 V-2 T0]
d) [F0 V-2 T2] d) [F2 V-2 T-1]

Q.:15 Cube has a side 1cm then its volume in meter is?

Q.:16 If y = kxat + b/x, where a, b, k are constant x, y are distance and t is time. Then
dimension of k, a and b are?

Limitation of Dimensional Analysis:

(i) It supplies no information about dimensionless constants

(ii) This method is only applicable in the case of power function. It fails in case
exponential and trigonometric relation

(iii) It can only check whether a physical quantity is dimensionally correct or not.
It cannot tell if the relation is absolutely correct or not.

(iv) This quantity fails to derive directly a relation which contain two or more than two
quantity of same nature.

5|Page
 ducation Units and Measurement
Order of Magnitude :

The order of magnitude of a number power of 10 closest to the number nearest integer It is not the
absolute value. Magnitude of any physical quantity can be express as a × 10b where 1 < a < 10 and b is an integer,
called order of magnitude.

Q.:17 Find order of magnitude of-

(a) R of earth (6400 km)
(b) charge on electron

Q.:18 What is the difference between Mn , mN, Nm, nm?

Light year : (i) It is a distance travel by light, at a speed of 3 × 108 m s–1 in one year
1 light year = 3 × 108 ms–1 × 1 year
= 3 × 108 ms–1 × 365.25 days
= 3 × 108 × 365.25 × 24 × 60 × 60
= 9.467 × 1015
= 9.5 × 1015m

(ii) Astronomical Unit (AU): It is mean distance of sun from earth

1 AU = 1.495 × 1011m = 1.5 × 1011m

Q.:19 What is order of magnitude of mass of electron?

[mass of electron=9.1 × 10–31 kg]

Error Analysis:
The uncertainty in measurement is called Error. Error is due to mistakes done by observer or instruments.

Accuracy :
The accuracy of measurement is the how close the measure value is to the true value of quantity.

Precision:
Precision tells us to what resolution or limit the quantity is measured.

Consider following diagram for accuracy precision:

• Accurate but not precise

• Accurate and precise

• Precise but not accurate

• Inaccurate and not precise

6|Page
 ducation Units and Measurement
(i) Measurements are done with the help of instrument. The accuracy depends on several factor including
instrumental error of human error.
(ii) Measurement can never be made with absolute precision.
(iii) Precision of number is indicated by  sign.
i.e. 32.6  0.2
(iv) Precision can also be expressed in terms of percentage error.

Significant Figures:
The digit which tells us the number of units we are reasonably sure of having counted in making a
measurement are called significant figure

Significant figure are those digits in measurement that are known reliably plus the first digit that is
uncertain.

(I) all non zero digit are significant e.g. 123.76

(II) All zero’s between two non-zero digits are significant e.g.102.601
(III) If there is no decimal point all zero to the right of right must non-zero digit are
not Significant e.g.40200
(IV) If there is decimal point then zero to the right of right most nonzero digit are
significant e.g.400.00
(V) All zero to the left of express decimal point are significant e.g.40200.1
(VI) All zeros to the right of a decimal point but to the left of non-zero digit are not
significant provided there is only zero to the left of decimal point. e.g. 0.0032
(VI) All zero’s to the right of a decimal point and to the right of non-zero digit are
significant e.g. 0.03020
(VII) Number of significant digit does not vary with choice of unit.

Round off:
(I) 7.34 =
7.92 =
(II) 7.26 =
11.89 =
(III) 3.45 =
3.35 =

Note: Number should be rounded off to nearest even numbers

Addition of significant digits:

Consider number having least significant digits after decimal point and round off all
other number so that digits in all the terms should be same
e.g. 23.623 + 8.7=.

7|Page
 ducation Units and Measurement
Multiplication of significant digits
First perform multiplication of given numbers and then round off the final answer so
that it should have same significant figure as that of smaller number.
e.g. 11.2  4.3 =

Types of Errors:
1) Constant Errors:
If same error is repeated every time in a series of observation, the error is said to be constant [It is due to
faulty instrumental]

2) Symmetric Error:
Symmetric error are those error which occurs according to certain pattern.
[It is due to faulty setting of instrument]

3) Personal Error:
These error are due to fault of an observer.

4) Random Error:
Even after minimizing above error. Error may occur due to different factor like temperature, pressure.
How to express an Error
(i) Absolute Error:
The absolute error of measurement is the magnitude of difference
between the actual value of quantity and the individual measurement value. If l(AB) is measured as 10.23 cm
and actual value is 10.25 cm then absolute error is
10.25 – 10.23 = 0.02 m
10.25  0.02
We are never sure about absolute value
 We accept the mean value as correct value.

Q.:20 If an object was weight by physical balance by 5 student and following

readings were obtain
5.04 g, 5.06 g, 4.97 g, 5.00 g, 4.93 g.
Find the mean absolute error?

Q.:21 In measuring the diameter of small sphere by 6 students one by one following readings are obtain 2.98
cm, 6.04 cm, 5.99 cm, 6.03 cm, 6 cm, 6.1 cm. Then find the mean absolute error

(ii) Relative Error:

Relative Error is define as the ratio of mean absolute error and the Real value of quantity being
measured.
Amean
Relative Error =
Amean

8|Page
 ducation Units and Measurement
Q.:22 For problem 21 find relative error?
0.2333
Relative Error =
6.02
(iii) Percentage Error

Percentage Error = Relative Error × 100

Q.:23 For problem 21 find percentage error?

Q.:24 While measuring the length of rod 5 students measure the length as follow:
3.2 m, 3.4 m, 2.8 m, 2.6 m, 3 m.
Find the mean absolute error and also calculate relative error and % error

Propagation of Error:-

(i)When result involve sum of two quantities:

Consider two quantity A and B which have measured value (A  A) and (B  B)
Let say Z is sum of this two quantities Z is absolute error in Z
Z=A+B
Z + Z = A  A + B  B
Z  Z = (A + B)  A  B
 Z =   A  B
Z = A + B, Z = A – B,
Z = –A + B, Z = –A – B

Consider maximum value of Z

Z = (A + B)

Q.:25 What is the sum of follow :

(a)12.3 + 0.1cm and 7.2  0.3 cm
(b)8.5  0.4 cm and 4.2  0.5 cm

(ii) When result involve subtraction

Z=A–B
Z  Z = (A  A) – (B  B)
Z  Z = A – B  A  B
 Z =  A  B
Z = A + B, A – B
Z = –A + B, –A – B

Consider maximum value of Z

Z = A + B

Q.:26 Initial and final temperature of liquid is 76.3  0.40C and 67.7  0.30C.
Determine the fall in temperature

9|Page
 ducation Units and Measurement
Q.:27 Add 20 m  2% and 40 m  1%

(iii)When result involve product

Z = AB
Z  Z = (A  A/A) (B  B/B)
Z(1  Z) = AB(1  A/A) (1  B/B)
Z A B
1 = 1 
Z A B
Z A B
 = 
Z A B
Z A B
= +
Z A B

Relative error in Z = relative + relative = percantage + percantage

error in A error in B error in A error in B

Q.:28 If current flowing in conductor is 2.0  0.1 m. A resistance R = 20  0.2.

Then what will be voltage?

(iv) When result involves division:

A
Z=
B

A  A
Z  Z =
B  B
Z  Z = ( A  A)( B  B ) −1
−1
 A  −1  B 
Z  Z = A  1   B 1  
 A   B 

 Z  A  A  B 
Z 1   = 1   1 
 Z  B A  B 

Z A B
= +
Z A B

Q.:29 If V = 100  5 v, I = (10  0.2)A. Find R and represent R in percentage error

precision as well as absolute error precision.

Q.:30 Find shift in errors for following

(a)Z = An if A = A  A, and n is constant B is B  B.

(b) Z = An Bm if A = A  A, B = B  B. and m and n are constant.

NOTE: Error always gets added. In case of Addition or Subtraction Absolute error gets
added and in case of multiplication or division percentage error or Relative
error gets added.

10 | P a g e
 ducation Units and Measurement

Q.:31 Density of cylindrical rod is given by d = m/r2l . The percentage error in m, r

and l are 2%, 1.5% and 0.8% respectively. Find % error in density?

B xC y
Q.:32 If quantity A is related with B, C, D, E as followed. A = and percentage
DwE z
error are , β, γ, δ respectively then percentage error in A is?

Q.:33 Dimensional formula for physical quantity X is [Ma Lb Tc] and percentage error
M, L, T is , β, γ then show that error is x is (a + bβ + cγ) %.?

Q.:33 Area of square is (100  2) cm2. Find its side?

NOTE: Constant term in error is not considered in case of percentage error, but should be considered in case of
absolute error.

NOTE: In case of error analysis as number of measured values increases the accuracy
of measurement increases.

Parallax method:

Parallax:
Parallax is an apparent shift in the position of a nearby object with respect to a more distant one when
viewed from different vantage points. The angular displacement in the apparent position of a celestial body when
observed from two different vantage points is called the parallax angle.
Hold out your thumb at arm’s length, close one of your eyes and look with your other eye, then switch the
eyes. The thumb seems to shift relative to the more distant background objects. This apparent shift is called
parallax. The parallax increase if you bring the thumb closer. The line segment joining the two points of
observations – here, the two eyes – is called the based line. The longer the base line, the more will be the parallax.

Parallax method to determine distance:

To measure the distance D of a planet p from us, the planet is viewed simultaneously from two different
positions, A and B, on the Earth (Fig. 1.1). From the observatory at A, the planet would appear in the direction of
the star S1, whereas from B it would appear in the direction of the star S2. The angle  between these two directions
is the parallax angle. Here, AB is the base line.
Since D >> b, we can take AB to be the arc of a circle of radius D.
b = D 

11 | P a g e
 ducation Units and Measurement
Hence, by measuring b and , we can find the distance D of the planet from the Earth.

Parallax method to determine distance:

To determine the diameter of a planet, two diametrically opposite points of the planet are viewed from the same
observatory (Fig. 1.2).

The angle  between these two directions gives the angular size of the planet, i.e., the angle subtended by the
planet. If d is the diameter of the planet, d = D. Hence, having determined D and measuring , we can determine
the diameter d of the planet.

12 | P a g e