Chapter 1

MEASUREMENTS
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS
1. The branch of physics which deal with ultimate particles of which matter is composed
is
(A) Plasma physics (B) atomic physics (C) nuclear physics (D) particle physics
2. Computer Chips are made up of:
(A) Silicon (B) Germanium (C) Iron (D) both A and B
3. Branch of physics which deals with light energy is called
(A) Mechanics (B) Thermodynamics (C) Optics (D)Relativistic Mechanics
4. The branch of Physics in which structure and properties of solids are studied is
called:
(A) Solid State Physics (B) Mechanics (C) Particle Physics (D) Nuclear Physics
5. Physics is a quantitative science based on primarily:
(A) Fundamental quantities (B) definitions
(C) Descriptions (D) experiments and measurements
PHYSICAL QUANTITIES INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS
6. The total base quantities are:
(A) two (B) five (C) three (D) seven
7. An ideal standard must be
(A) Accessible (B) invariable (C) both a and b (D) none of these
8. Supplementary units are of:
(A) Two types (B) three types (C) four types (D) five
9. Force in terms of base unit is:
(A) Kg m s-1 (B) Kg m s-2 (C) Kg m-1 s (D) Kg m-2 s-2
10. Light year gives measurement about_________
(A) Space and time (B) speed of life (C) distance (D) age of universe
11. Which is not a base unit in SI unit?
(A) kilogram (B) joule (C) ampere (D) kelvin
12. The S.I unit of solid angle is_______________
(A) degree (B) radian (C) steradian (D) candela
13. Which is a derived unit
(A) candela (B) ampere (C) kelvin (D) newton
14. Which of the following is least multiple________
(A) pico (B) femto (C) nano (D) atto
15. The SI unit of pressure in terms of base units are:
(A) kg m-1 s-2 (B) kg m-1 s-3 (C) kg m s-2 (D) kg m-2
16. Solid angle subtended at the centre of a sphere is:
(A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 8
17. A light year is the distance light travels in one year. How many meters are there in
one light year?
(A) 9.5  10-15m (B) 9.5  1015m (C) 9.5  1015 cm (D) 9.5  1015km
18. S.I unit of intensity of light is:
(A) ampere (B) mole (C) candela (D) joule
19. One radian is equal to:
(A) 77.3° (B) 57.3° (C) 67.3° (D) 47.3°
20. An example of derived unit is
(A) candela (B) ampere (C) coulombs (D) mole
21. The quantity 1(km)2 is equal to:
(A) 1 x 104 m2 (B) 1 x 105 m2 (C) 1 x 106 m2 (D) 1 x 107 m2
22. Which of the following is a base unit?
(A) newton (B) mole (C) joule (D) centigrade
23. One hecto is equal to:
(A) 102 (B) 103 (C) 104 (D) 105
24. Solid angle is:
(A)1-D (B)2-D (C) 3-D (D) 4-D
25. The ratio of one attometer to one femtometer is
(A) 103 (B) 10-3 (C) 104 (D) 10-4
26. π-radian is equal to
(A) 0o (B) 90o (C) 180o (D) 360o
ERRORS AND UNCERTAINTIES
27. Zero error belongs to which of the following:
(A) Systematic error (B) random error (C) personal error (D) none of these
28. If the error in the measurement of radius of a wire is 2%, then error in its area will
be:
(A) 1% (B) 2% (C) 3% (D) 4%
29. The absolute uncertainty for vernier caliper of LC = 0.01 cm is
(A) 0.1 mm (B) 0.01 m (C) 0.001 cm (D) 0.001 mm
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
30. Significant figure in 0.000846 are:
(A) 7 (B) 5 (C) 6 (D) 3
31. The sum of three numbers, 2.7543, 4.10 and 1.273 up to correct decimal place is:
(A) 8.12 (B) 8.13 (C) 8.1273 (D) 8.127
32. A student added three figures 72.1, 3.32 and 0.003. The correct answer regarding the
rules of the additions of the significant figures will be
(A) 75.423 (B) 75.42 (C) 75.4 (D) 75
33. Significance figures in 0.0010 are:
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4
34. Four students measured the length of a needle with a scale having least count as 1mm
is:
(A) 0.2145 m (B) 0.214 m (C) 0.21 m (D) 0.2 m
PRECISION AND ACCURACY
35. Smaller is the least count of the instrument, more _________is the measurement.
(A) Accurate (B) Precise (C) Accurate and precise (D) More correct
36. Absolute uncertainty in a measuring instrument is equal to
(A) L.C of the instrument (B) Fractional uncertainty
(C) Accuracy (D) Percentage uncertainty
ASSESSMENT OF TOTAL UNCERTAINTY IN THE FINAL RESULT
37. If x1 = 10.5 ± 0.1 cm and x2 = 26.8 ± 0.1 cm, then x = x2 – x1 is given as
(A) 16.3 ± 0.1 cm (B) 16.3 ± 0.2 cm (C) 16.1 ± 0 cm (D) 16.3 ± 0 cm
38. The percentage uncertainty in measurement of mass and velocity are 2% and 3%
respectively. The maximum uncertainty in the measurement of momentum is:
(A) 11% (B) 8% (C) 6% (D) 5%
39. For total assessment of uncertainty in the final result obtained by multiplication and
division
(A) Absolute uncertainties are added (B) Fractional uncertainties are added
(C) % age uncertainties are added (D) both B and C
DIMENSIONS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES
40. The dimension of force is:
(A)  MLT  (B)  MLT 1  (C)  ML1T 1  (D)  MLT 2 
41. Dimension for acceleration due to gravity is:
(A)  MLT 2  (B)  LT 1  (C)  LT 2  (D)  MLT 1 
42. The dimensions of work are:
(A) [MLT-2] (B) [ML2T-2] (C) [ML2T-3] (D) none of these
43. The dimension of 𝝆𝒈𝒉 has same as that of:
(A) Work (B) Energy (C) Pressure (D) Mass
44. Work has same dimensions as that of the________
(A) Torque (B) Power (C) Momentum (D) Force
45. The dimension of angular velocity is:
(A) [ LT 1 ] (B) [ LT 2 ] (C) [ L1T ] (D) [T 1 ]
46. The dimension of density is
(A)  ML2  (B)  M 2 L2  (C)  ML3  (D)  M 1L1 
47. The dimensional formula for the quantity light year is
(A) [T-1] (B) [T] (C) [ML2T2] (D) [L]
48. [𝐌𝐨 𝐨 𝐋𝐓 −𝟏 ]
refers to quantity_________
(A) Velocity (B) Time period (C) Frequency (D) Force
49. The dimensions of the ratio of angular momentum to linear momentum
(A) [ML-3T0] (B) [M0L1T-2] (C) [M0L0T-1] (D) [M0L1T0]
50. The dimension of the viscosity is
(A) [ML-1T-1] (B) [MLT-1] (C) [M-1L-1T-1] (D) [ML2T-1]

ANSWER KEYS
1 D 11 B 21 C 31 B 41 C
2 A 12 C 22 B 32 C 42 B
3 C 13 D 23 A 33 B 43 C
4 A 14 D 24 C 34 B 44 A
5 D 15 A 25 B 35 B 45 D
6 D 16 B 26 C 36 A 46 C
7 C 17 B 27 A 37 B 47 D
8 A 18 C 28 D 38 D 48 D
9 B 19 B 29 A 39 D 49 D
10 C 20 C 30 D 40 D 50 A

Short Questions from Topics

Q.1 Define physics and write the names of any two main branches.
Ans Physics: It deals with the study of matter energy and the relationship between them.
Branches:
i. Solid state physics ii. Nuclear physics
Q.2 Define solid state physics and nuclear physics.
Ans Solid State Physics: It deals with the study of structure and properties of solids.
Nuclear Physics: It deals with the study of atomic nuclei.
Q.3 What are the main frontiers of fundamental science?
Ans There are three main frontiers of fundamental sciences:
(i) The world of extremely large objects e.g. earth, moon, stars and the universe itself.
(ii) The world of extremely small objects e.g. electron, protons, neutrons etc.
(iii) The world of middle size objects e.g., daily life objects.
Q.4 Differentiate between base units and derived units.
Ans Base Units:
The units of base quantities are called base units. There are seven base units namely
meter, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, candela and mole.
Derived Units:
The units which are derived from base units are called derived units. Some of derived
units are newton, watt, joule, etc.
Q.5 What are base units? Draw the table for base units with symbol.
Ans The units of the base quantities are called base units.

Sr# Physical Quantity SI Units Symbol

1. Length Meter m
2. Mass Kilogram kg
3. Time second S
4. Electric current ampere A
5. Temperature kelvin K
6. Intensity of light candela Cd
7. Amount of substance mole mol
Q.6 What do you mean by scientific notation? Give an example.
Ans Scientific Notation:
Numbers expressed in standard form which uses power of ten are called scientific
notation. There should be only one non-zero digit to the left of decimal.
Example:
134.7 is written as 1.347× 102
0.0023 is written as 2.3 × 10-3
Q.7 What are supplementary units? Define radian and steradian.
Ans Those units which are neither base nor derived are called supplementary units.
radian and steradian are supplementary units.
Radian: r
r
The radian is the plane angle between two radii of a circle which cut off 1 rad
the circumference of circle by an arc length equal to the radius of circle O r
as shown in figure. Its symbol is rad.
 steradian: 2
r
It is the solid angle (3-dimensional angle) made at the center of r
1 Sr
a sphere by an area of its surface equal to the square of radius of O
r

sphere. Its symbol is sr.

Q.8 Define random error and systematic error.
Ans Random error:
Random error occurs when repeated measurements of quantity give different values
under the same conditions with same instrument.
Systematic error:
It affects all the measurements of a particular quantity equally. It produces the same
difference in readings.
Q.9 Explain how can we remove the effect of systematic error and random error?
Ans Systematic error:
It can be reduced by comparing the instrument with other more accurate instrument and
by applying correction factor.
Random error:
Repeating the measurements many times and by taking an average can reduce the effect
of random error.
Q.10 Define significant figures.
Ans in any measurement, the accurately known digits and the first doubtful digit are called
significant figures. e.g., 1.023 have four significant figures
Q.11 Is zero significant or not? Explain briefly.
OR write the rules for zero being significant.
Ans (i) Zero will be significant when it is either on the right of a nonzero digit or between
two nonzero digits. e.g., 25.200 or 205.2
(ii) Zero will be insignificant when it is on the left of first nonzero digit. e.g.
.0023050 the first two zeros are insignificant.
Q.12 Define precision and accuracy.
Ans Precision:
A precise measurement is that which has smaller value of absolute uncertainty or smaller
value of least count (L.C) The precision of a measurement depends on the least count of
the instrument or device being used.
Accuracy:
An accurate measurement is that which has less fractional uncertainty or less percentage
uncertainty.
Q.13 Write down the two uses of dimensional analysis.
Ans (i) Checking homogeneity of equations:
Dimension analysis can be used to check the correctness of an equation. if dimensions of
the quantities on both sides of the equation are same then equation will be dimensionally
correct. This is called the “Principal of Homogeneity”
(ii) Deriving Possible a formula:
Dimension analysis can be used to derive possible formula. for this purpose the correct
guessing of various factors on which the physical quantity depends is important.
Q.14 What are the dimensions and S. I. units of the coefficient of viscosity η in the
relation 𝐅 = 𝟔𝛑𝛈𝐫𝐯?
Ans F = 6πηrv
 F
η = 6πrv
[F]
[η] = [r][v]

[MLT−2 ]
= [L][LT−1 ]

[ƞ] = [M L1-2 T-2+1]

[ƞ] = [M L-1 T-1]
SI unit of ƞ = kg m-1 s-1
Q.15 Write dimensionS of work. OR Dimensional formula of work
Ans W=Fd
[W] = [F] [d]
[W] = [MLT-2] [L]
[W] = [ML2T-2]
𝟏
Q.16 Show that the equation 𝐒 = 𝐯𝐢 𝐭 + 𝟐a𝐭 𝟐 is dimensionally correct.
1
Ans Dim. of R.H.S = [vi t] + [2 at 2 ]
1
= [LT −1 ][T] + 2 [LT −2 ][T 2 ]
1
= [LT 0 ] + 2 [LT 0 ]
1
= [L] + 2 [L]
1
[vi t] + [ at 2 ] = [L]
2
Dim of L.H.S = [S] = [L]
Dim. of L.H.S = Dim. of R.H.S
Hence equation is dimensionally correct.
Q.17 Write two steps for the measurement of base quantities.
Ans i. Choice of a standard.
ii. Establishment of a procedure for comparing the quantity to be measured with
the standard so that a number and unit are determined as the measure of that
quantity.
Q.18 What are two principal characteristics of an ideal standard?
Ans i. ideal standard should be accessible
ii. It should be invariable
Q.19 How many colors are used in color printing? Name them.
Ans Four colors are used in color printing. Their names are: cyan, magenta, yellow and
black.
Q. 20 Name four interdisciplinary areas of physics.
Ans (1) Astrophysics (2) Bio Physics (3) Medical Physics (4) Geophysics
Exercise Short Questions
Q.1 Name several repetitive phenomena occurring in nature which could serve as reasonable
time standards.
Ans Any natural phenomenon that repeats itself after a fixed interval of time can be
considered as time standard. For example:
1. Rotation of earth about its own axis
 2. Rotation of moon around the earth
3. Orbital motion of earth around the sun
4. Atomic vibrations of quartz crystals
Q.2 Give the draw backs to use the period of a pendulum as a time standard.
Ans. Time period of the pendulum is given by the formula
𝑙
T= 2𝜋√𝑔
Following are the draw backs to use the period of a pendulum as time standard:
1. The change in temperature may affect its length.
2. The value of g varies with height.
3. The point of suspension can never be frictionless.
4. Air friction affects the time period.
Q.3 Why do we find it useful to have two units for amount of a substance, the kilogram and
the mole?
Ans Kilogram:
Kilogram measures the quantity of a substance having relatively large mass. One kg
has different number of atoms / molecules in every substance.
Mole:
Mole is used to count the number of atoms/molecules in a substance. One mole of
every substance has same number of atoms/molecules i.e. 6.02 x 1023 atoms/molecules.
Q.4 Three students measured the length of a needle with a scale on which minimum
division is 1mm and recorded as (i) 0.2145 m (ii) 0.21 m (iii) 0.214 m which record is
correct and why?
Ans mm = 1 / 1000 m = 0.001 m. Answer (iii) 0.214 m is correct because the least count
of meter rod is up to 3 decimal point.
Q.5 An old saying is that “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link”. What analogous
statement can you make regarding experimental data used in a computation?
Ans The analogous statement regarding experimental data may be “The experimental result
is as accurate as the least accurate measurement in the experimental data”.
Q.6 The period of simple pendulum is measured by a stopwatch. What types of errors are
possible in the time period?
Ans The following errors are possible:
 Systematic Error:
Error due to faulty apparatus e.g., zero error.
 Random Error:
Error due to some unknown cause e.g., inexperience or negligence of a person.
Q.7 Does a dimensional analysis give any information about constant of proportionality that
may appear in an algebraic expression? Explain.
Ans No. The dimensional analysis does not give any information about constant of
proportionality. The numerical value of the constant of proportionality can be determined
by experiments.
For example, in deriving the formula for time period of simple pendulum,
𝑙
T= 2𝜋√𝑔
‘𝑙’ and ‘g’ is given by dimensional analysis but 2π cannot be calculated by dimensional
analysis.
Q.8 Write the dimensions of (i) Pressure, (ii) Density
F
Ans (i) Pressure P = A
[F]
[P] = [A]

[MLT−2 ]
[P] = [L2 ]

[P] = [M L-1 T-2]

S.I units of F = kgms −2
S.I unit of A= m2
m
(ii) Density ρ= V
[m]
[ρ] = [V]
[M]
[ρ] = [L3 ]

S.I units of mass =kg

S.I unit of volume = m3
[𝜌] = [M L-3]
Q.9 The wavelength λ of a wave depends on the speed v of the wave and its frequency f.
Knowing that [λ] = [L], [v] = [L T-1] and [f] = [T-1] Decide which of the following
is correct, f = v λ or f = v / λ
Consider f = v λ
Dim. of L.H.S = [f]
= [T −1 ] − − − − −(1)
Dim. of R.H.S = [vλ]
= [LT-1L]
= [L2 T −1 ] − − − − − (2)
From equation (1) and (2)
Dim. of L.H.S ≠ Dim. of R.H.S
So, it is dimensionally not correct.
v
Consider f = λ
Dim. of L.H.S = [f]
= [T −1 ] − − − − −(1)
[v]
Dim. of R.H.S = [λ]
[v] [LT−1 ]
[λ]
= [T−1 ]
[𝑣]
[𝜆]
= [L] − − − − − − −(2)
From equation (1) and (2)
Dim. of L.H.S = Dim. of R.H.S
So, it is dimensionally correct
 NUMERICAL PROBLEMS
1.1 A light year is the distance light travels in one year. How many meters are there in
one light year? (Speed of light 𝐜 = 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 𝐦 𝐬−𝟏 )
Given data:
v = c = 3.0 × 108 m s−1
t = 1 year
To find:
s =?
Solution:
t = 1 year = 365 × 24 × 60 × 60 s
t = 31536000 s
s=c×t
= 3.0 × 108 × 31536000
𝐬 = 𝟗. 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟓 𝐦 Ans.
1.2 (a) How many seconds are there in 1 year?
(b) How many nanoseconds in 1 year?
(c) How many years in 1 second?
Given data:
(a) t = 1 year
To find:
Number of seconds in one year = ?
Solution:
t = 1 year
= 1 × 365 × 24 × 60 × 60 s
= 31536000 s
𝐭 = 𝟑. 𝟏𝟓𝟑𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟕 𝐬 Ans.
Given data:
(b) t = 1 year
To find:
Nanoseconds in one year = ?
Solution:
t = 1 year
= 1 × 365 × 24 × 60 × 60 s
= 31536000 s
= 3.1536 × 107 × 109 ns ∵ 109 ns = 1s
𝐭 = 𝟑. 𝟏𝟓𝟑𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝐧𝐬 Ans.
Given data:
(c) t = 1 year
To find:
Years in 1 second = ?
Solution:
t = 1 year
1 year = 1 × 365 × 24 × 60 × 60 s
1
(1×365×24×60×60) yr = 1 s
𝟏 𝐬 = 𝟑. 𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟖 𝐲𝐫 Ans.
1.3 The length and width of a rectangular plate are measured to be 15.3 cm and 12.80
cm, respectively. Find the area of the plate.
Given data:
𝑙 = 15.3 cm
w = 12.8 cm
To find:
Area =A=?
Solution:
A= 𝑙×w
= 15.3 × 12.80
= 195.84 cm2
𝐀 = 𝟏𝟗𝟔 𝐜𝐦𝟐 Ans
1.4 Add the following masses given in kg up to appropriate precision. 2.189, 0.089,11.8
and 5.32.
Solution:
Total mass=5.32+2.189+0.089+11.8=19.398 kg
Total mass = 19.4 kg Ans
𝐥
1.5 Find the value of ‘g’ and its uncertainty using 𝐓 = 𝟐𝛑√𝐠 from the following
measurements made during an experiment:
Length of simple pendulum 𝒍 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐜𝐦
Time for 20 vibrations = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟐 𝐬
Length was measured by a meter scale of accuracy up to 1 mm and time by
stopwatch of accuracy up to 0.1 s.
Given data:
Length of simple pendulum 𝑙 = 100 cm
Time for 20 vibrations = 40.2 s
Least count of meter scale = 1 mm = 0.001 m
Least count of stopwatch = 0.1 s
To find:
Value of g and its uncertainty = ?
Solution:
time for 20 vibratitons
Time period = no.of vibrations
40.2
T= 20

T = 2.01 s
least count
Uncertainty in T = no. of vibrations
0.1
= = 0.005 s
20

𝑙
T = 2π√𝑔

4π2 𝑙
T2 = g
 4𝜋 2 𝑙
g= 𝑇2
4(3.14)2 ×1
g= (2.01)2

g = 9.76 m s −2
𝑙 = 100 cm ± 0.1 cm
T = 2.01 ± 0.005 s
0.1
% age uncertainty in 𝑙 = 100 × 100 % = 0.1 %
0.005
% age uncertainty in T = 2.01 × 100 % = 0.25 %
Total uncertainty in g = (% age uncertainty in 𝑙) + 2(% age uncertainty in T)
= 0.1% + 2 (0.25%)
= 0.1 % + 0.5 %
= 0.6 %
g = 9.76 m s −2 with 0.6% uncertainty
0.6
Fractional uncertainty in g = 0.6 % of 9.76 = 9.76 × ( ) = 0.06
100
𝐠 = (𝟗. 𝟕𝟔 ± 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔) 𝐦 𝐬 −𝟐 Ans.
1.6 What are the dimensions and units of gravitational constant G in the formula
𝐦 𝐦
𝐅 = 𝐆 𝟏𝐫 𝟐 𝟐
To find:
Dimensions and units of G = ?
Solution:
m m
F = G 1r2 2
Fr2
G=m
1 m2
Dimensions of G:
[Fr2 ]
[G] = [m
1 m2]

[MLT−2 ][L2 ]
= [M][M]

[MLT−2 ][L2 ]
= [M2 ]

[G]= [M −1 L3T −2 ]
Units of G:
= N m2 kg −2
1.7 Show that the expression 𝐯𝐟 = 𝐯𝐢 + 𝐚𝐭 is dimensionally correct, where 𝐯𝐢 is the
velocity at t = 0, a is acceleration and 𝐯𝐟 is the velocity at time t.
Solution:
vf = vi + at
[Vf ] = [vi ] + [a][t]
[LT −1 ] = [LT −1 ] + [LT −2 ][T]
 [LT −1 ] = [LT −1 ] + [LT −2+1 ]
[LT −1 ] = [LT −1 ] + [LT −1 ]
[LT −1 ] = 2[LT −1 ]
2 has no dimensions Hence
[LT −1 ] = [LT −1 ]
L.H.S = R.H.S
So, the equation is dimensionally correct.
1.8 The speed v of sound waves through a medium may be assumed to depend on
(a) the density of the medium and (b) its modulus of elasticity E which is the ratio of
tress to strain. Deduce by the method of dimensions, the formula for the speed of
sound.
To find:
Formula for speed of sound=?
Solution:
v depends on ρ and E
v ∝ ρa E b
v = constant ρa E b − − − − − (1)
Now dimensions of
[v] = [LT −1 ]
M
[ρ] = [ 3 ]
L
[Stress]
[E] = [Strain]
[E] = [ML−1 T −2 ](∵ strain has no dimensions)
Putting dimensions in equation (1)
[LT −1 ] = constant [ML−3 ]a [ML−1 T −2 ]b
Comparing dimensions on both sides
[M 0 ] = [M a+b ]
[L1 ] = [L−3a−b ]
[T −1 ] = [T −2b ]
Comparing powers of M, L and T on both sides
a + b = 0
a = −b
−3a − b = 1
−2b = −1
1
b = 2
1
a = −2
Now put the values of a and b in (1)
1 1
v = constant ρ−2 E 2
𝐄
𝐯 = 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭√𝛒 Ans.
1.9 Show that the famous “Einstein equation” 𝐄 = 𝐦𝐜 𝟐 is dimensionally consistent.
Solution:
E = mc 2
[E] = [m][c 2 ]
 Dimensions of L.H.S = [E]
= [ML2 T −2 ]
Dimensions of L.H.S = [m][c 2 ]
= [M][L2 T −2 ]
Dimensions of L.H.S = Dimensions of R.H.S
So, the equation is dimensionally correct.
1.10 Suppose, we are told that the acceleration of a particle moving in a circle of radius 𝐫
with uniform speed 𝐯 is proportional to some power of 𝐫, say 𝐫 𝐧 , and some power 𝐯,
say 𝐯 𝐦 determine the powers of 𝐫 and 𝐯?
Solution:
a ∝ rnvm
a = constant r n v m
[a] = constant[r]n [v]m − − − − − −(1)
Dimensions of L.H.S = [a]
= [LT −2 ]
Dimensions of R.H.S = [r]n [v]m
= [L]n [LT −1 ]m
From equation (1)
[LT −2 ] = constant[L]n [LT −1 ]m
Comparing the dimensions
[L] = [L]n+m
[T]−2 = [T]−m
Comparing powers on both sides
n + m = 1
n=1−m
−2 = −m
m=2
n=1