Comprehensive Questions
1.1 Measurement Uncertainty
Uncertainty refers to the doubt in measurement results. In digital instru-
ments, uncertainty is typically indicated by:
• ± value in the display (e.g., 12.85 ± 0.01 g)
• The least count or resolution of the instrument
1.2 Precision vs Accuracy
Precision Accuracy
Consistency of measurements Closeness to true value
Small random errors Small systematic errors
Reproducibility Correctness
1.3 Significant Figures
(a) Significant figures are reliable digits plus one uncertain digit. Reasons:
• Indicates measurement precision
• Prevents false precision in calculations
Uncertainty in pendulum timing:
Least count
∆T = √ (N = number of oscillations)
N
(b) Density calculation:
m 12.85
ρ= = = 3.12 g cm−3
V π(0.625)2 (3.35)
Uncertainty propagation:
s 2 2 2
∆ρ 0.01 0.01 0.01
= + +4
ρ 12.85 3.35 1.25
1
1.4 Dimensional Analysis
Examples:
• Velocity: [LT −1 ]
• Force: [M LT −2 ]
Benefits:
• Checks equation validity
• Derives possible relationships
1.5 Homogeneity Check
q
7T ℓ
Given v = m
:
[v] = [LT −1 ]
"r # s
Tℓ [M LT −2 ][L]
= = [LT −1 ]
m [M ]
Dimensions match - equation is homogeneous.
Numerical Problems
Problem 1.1: Light Year Calculation
Given:
• Speed of light, c = 3 × 108 m s−1
• 1 year = 365.25 days (accounting for leap years)
Solution:
1 light year = c × time in 1 year
= (3 × 108 m s−1 ) × (365.25 × 24 × 3600 s)
= 3 × 108 × 31, 557, 600 m (converting years to seconds)
= 9.47 × 1015 m
2
Key Steps: 1. Convert 1 year to seconds considering leap years 2. Multiply
by speed of light 3. Maintain proper significant figures (2 sig figs from given
c)
Problem 1.2: Time Conversions
(a) Seconds in 1 year:
1 year = 365 days × 24 hr/day × 3600 s/hr
= 31, 536, 000 s
≈ 3.2 × 107 s (2 significant figures)
(b) Years in 1 second:
1
1s = year
31, 536, 000
≈ 3.2 × 10−8 year
Problem 1.3: Rectangular Plate Area
Given:
• Length L = 18.3 cm (3 sig figs)
• Width W = 14.60 cm (4 sig figs)
Solution:
Area = L × W
= 18.3 × 14.60
= 267.18 cm2
Significant Figures Rule: For multiplication, result must have same sig
figs as least precise measurement (3 sig figs here).
Final answer: 267 cm2
3
Problem 1.4: Mass Summation
Given masses:
• 3.197 kg (4 decimal places)
• 0.068 kg (3 decimal places)
• 13.9 kg (1 decimal place)
• 3.28 kg (2 decimal places)
Solution:
Total mass = 3.197 + 0.068 + 13.9 + 3.28
= 20.445 kg
Precision Rule: For addition, result must match least precise term (13.9
kg has 1 decimal place).
Final answer: 20.4 kg
Problem 1.5: Cylinder Volume with Uncertainty
Given:
• Diameter d = 1.22 ± 0.01 cm
• Length L = 5.35 ± 0.01 cm
• Least count = 0.01 cm
Volume Calculation:
π 2
V = dL
4
π
= (1.22)2 (5.35)
4
= 6.250 cm3
Uncertainty Calculation: Using error propagation formula for multipli-
4
cation:
2 2 2
∆V ∆d ∆L
= 2 +
V d L
2 2
0.01 0.01
= 2 +
1.22 5.35
= 0.000269 + 0.0000035
∆V
= 0.0165 ⇒ ∆V = 0.103 cm3
V
Final answer: V = 6.25 ± 0.10 cm3
Problem 1.6: Dimensional Check
Given equation: vf2 − vi2 = 2aS
Dimensional Analysis:
[vf2 ] = [LT −1 ]2 = [L2 T −2 ]
[2aS] = [LT −2 ][L] = [L2 T −2 ]
Both sides have identical dimensions ⇒ dimensionally correct.
Problem 1.7: Einstein Equation
Given: E = mc2
Dimensional Verification:
[E] = [M L2 T −2 ] (energy dimensions)
[mc2 ] = [M ][LT −1 ]2 = [M L2 T −2 ]
Dimensions match perfectly.
Problem 1.8: Pendulum Period Formula
Assumptions: T ∝ ℓa mb g c
5
Dimensional Analysis:
[T ] = [T 1 ]
[ℓa ] = [La ]
[mb ] = [M b ]
[g c ] = [LT −2 ]c
Setting up dimensional equation:
[T 1 ] = [La M b (LT −2 )c ]
= [La+c M b T −2c ]
Solving the system:
For M : b = 0
For T : − 2c = 1 ⇒ c = −1/2
For L : a + c = 0 ⇒ a = 1/2
Thus: s
ℓ
T = 2π
g
(where 2π is the dimensionless proportionality constant)
