This is an ancient

Device used to
measure
time called
Hour glass .

A sundial found on Seti I's(Menmaatre

Seti I (or Sethos I as in Greek) was a
Pharaoh of the New Kingdom
Nineteenth dynasty of Egypt) cenotaph
with instructions for its use shows us
that the daylight hours were at one
time split into 10 units, with 12 hours
for the night and an hour for the
morning and evening twilights.
However, by Seti I's time day and night
were normally divided into 12 hours
each, the length of which would vary
according to the time of year.

PhysicalQuantities
& Measurement

Tahir Yousaf Notes

 1

Chapter 1 Physical Quantities & Measurement

Topic Introduction

1) Name of galaxy from billions of galaxies from known universe is.

a) Andromeda b) Pluto c) Nova d) Hubble
2) Science is the knowledge gained through _________
a) Observation b) Hypothesis c) Experimentation d) a & c both
3) Word science is derived from ___________ language.
a) Greek b) Latin c) Dutch d) Roman
4) The subject under which material objects were studied during 19th century is called___
a) Natural Philosophy b) Physics c) Chemistry d) Biology
5) Physical science deals with ____________.
a) Living Things b) Non-Living c) Stars d) Planets
6) The branch of physics under which motion of objects is studied with its causes and
effects is called___________.
a) Sound b) Optics c) Mechanics d) None
7) The branch of Physics which deals with nature of heat, modes of transfer and its
effects is called.
a) Energy b) Heat c) Light d) Geology
8) Study of ionic state of matter is called_______.
a) Geo Physics b) Plasma c) Light d) Sound
9) A refrigerator is made on the principle of ____________.
a) Thermodynamics b) Mechanics c) Heat d) b & c both
10) Electricity is not only used to get light but ___________ energy to derive fans and
electric motors.
a) Mechanical b) Nuclear c) chemical d) None
11) A bike is made on the principle of ____________.
a) Thermodynamics b) Mechanics c) Heat d) b & c both
12) Wind turbines are used to produce ___________ free electricity.
a) Cost b) Pollution c) Hazard d) None
---------------------------------Short Questions & Answers---------------------------------------------

1) What do you know about Physical and biological science?

Ans. After 19th century Natural philosophy was divided into two branches. Physical and
biological sciences. In physical science, non-living things were studies. And in biological
sciences Living things were studied.
 2

2) Define Mechanics, Sound and Optics?

Ans. Mechanics.
It is the study of motion of objects, its causes and effects.
Sound.
It deals with the physical aspects of sound waves, its production
properties and applications.
Optics.
It is the study of physical aspect of light, its properties, working and use
of optical instrument.
3) What do you know about Heat, Electricity & Magnetism and
Atomic Physics?
Ans. Heat.
It deals with the nature of heat, modes of transfer and effects of heat.
Electricity& Magnetism.
It is the study of charges at rest and motion, their effects and
relationship with magnetism.
Atomic Physics.
It is the study of structure and properties of atoms.

4) Define Nuclear Physics, Plasma Physics and Geo Physics.

Ans. Nuclear Physics.
It deals with the properties and behavior of nuclei and the
particles within the nuclei.
Plasma Physics.
It is the study of production, properties of ionic state of matter the
fourth state of matter.
Geo Physics. It is the study of internal structure of earth.

5) In 19th century, in how much disciplines physical science was

divided?
Ans. In 19th century physical science was divided into following disciplines.
Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, Geology and Meteorology.
 3

6) Define Physics and matter.

Ans. Physics
In physics we study matter, energy and interaction between them.
Matter
Anything that has a certain mass and occupy space is called matter.

7) Write down the application of physics in our daily life.

Ans. Car, bike, micro wave, fan, electricity, mobile is example of physics in daily life.

8) Write down the disadvantages of science.

Ans. Scientific inventions also caused harms and destruction of serious nature. One of
which is the environmental pollution and the other is deadly weapons.

Topic Physical Quantities, System International of Units

1) All measurable quantities are called________.

a) Physical quantities b) Biological c) Derived d) None
2) Number of base quantities are______.
a) 4 b) 7 c) 9 d) None
3) Base quantity from following is ________.
a) Pascal b) Intensity of light c) Second d) mole
4) 11 general conference for weight and measure was held in _________.
th

a) 1950 b) 1960 c) 1970 d) 1980

5) 1L=_____________mL
a) 10 b) 100 c) 1000 d) None
6) 1L=____________dm . 3

a) 1 b) 10 c) 100 d) 1000
7) 1mL=___________cm3
a) 1 b) 10 c) 20 d) None
8) 1m =____________L
3

a) 1 b) 10 c) 100 d) 1000
9) The number of base units in system international are___.
a) 5 b) 7 c) 9 d) 11
10) The unit of Intensity of Light is ________.
a) mole b) kelvin c) candela d) None
11) Which one of the following is base unit?
a) Time b) Speed c) Ampere d) Pascal
 4

12) Which one of the following is not a derived unit?

a) Pascal b) Kilogram c) Newton d) Watt
13) Amount of substance is measured in ____________.
a) Gram b) Kilogram c) Newton d) mol
----------------------------------Short Question & Answer----------------------------------------------

1) Define Physical quantities. Also give an example.

Ans. All measurable quantities are called physical quantities. e.g. length, mass, time.
A physical quantity possesses at least two things in common. One is its numerical
magnitude and other is its unit. e.g. 50 cm.
2) Define base quantities. Also give 7 examples.
Ans. Base quantities are those on the basis of which other quantities are expressed.
e.g. Length, Mass, Time, Temperature, Electric current, intensity of light, Amount of
substance.
3) Define derived quantities. Also give its examples.
Ans. The quantities that are expressed on the basis of base quantities are called
derived quantities. e.g. Area, Volume, Speed, Force, Work, Energy and Power etc.
4) Define derived unit. Give examples.
Ans. The unit that describe derived quantities are called derived units. e.g.
Speed meter per second (ms-1)
Acceleration meter per second per second (ms-2)
Volume cubic meter (m3)
Force newton (N)
Pressure Pascal (Pa)
Density kilogram per cubic meter (kgm-3)
Charge coulomb (C)
5) Define base unit. Give examples.
Ans. The unit that describe base quantities are called base units. e.g.
Length meter (m)
Mass kilogram (Kg)
Time second (s)
Temperature kelvin ( K)
Electric current ampere (A)
Intensity of Light candela (cd)
Amount of substance mole (mol)
6) Identify base quantities from the following.
Speed, Area, Force, Distance.
Ans. Distance is a base quantity.
 5

7) Pick out the base unit in the following.

Joule, newton, kilogram, hertz, mol, ampere, meter, kelvin,
coulomb and watt.
Ans. Base units are following. e.g. kilogram, ampere, mol, meter, kelvin.
8) Find base quantities in the followings.
Speed, volume, Force, Work.
Distance
Ans. Speed = Time . Length and time are involved in speed.

Volume = Length×Length×Length. Length is involved in volume.

velocity
Force = ma = m Time = Mass, length and time are involved in force.

velocity
Work =(Force)(displacement) =(F)(S) = ma = m( Time )(displacement). Mass, length
and time are involved in Work.

Topic Prefixes, Scientific Notation & Meter Rule

1) The value of mega is _____________.

a) 103 b)106 c)109 d)1012
2) Micro is multiple of ________.
a) 106 b)10-6 c)109 d)10-9
3) The standard scientific notation of38,400,000 is_________,
a) 384.0×106 b) 38.4×108 c) 3.84×107 d) None
4) Hubble telescope provide information about ____________.
a) Planets b) Stars c) Moon d) Plants
5) Sundial is used to measure _____________.
a) Length b) Mass c) Time d) Weight
6) Least count of meter rule is_____________ mm.
a) 1 b) 10 c) 100 d) None
7) An interval of 200µs is equal to ____________.
a) 0.2 s b) 0.02 s c) 2×10-4 s d) 2×10-6 s
8) Which one of the following is the smallest quantity?
a) 0.01 g b) 2 mg c) 100 µg d) 5000 ng
----------------------------------------Short Question & Answer----------------------------------------

1) Define prefixes also give examples with their values.

 6

Ans. Prefixes are the words or letters added before SI units. e.g. kilo=103, mega=106,
micro=10-6 etc.
2) Define scientific notation also give examples.
Ans. In scientific notation a number is expressed in some power of 10 multiply by a
number between 1 and 10. e.g. 3.84 ×108 m.
3) Name five prefixes that are commonly used.
Ans. Centi, milli, micro, mega, giga.
4) The Sun is hundred and fifty million kilometers away from earth.
Write this in ordinary whole number and in scientific notation.
Ans. 150,000,000 km = 1.5 ×108 km
5) Write the numbers in scientific notation.
3,000,000,000 m/s b) 6400,000 m c) 0.0000000016g d)
0.0000548s
Ans. a) 3,000,000,000 m/s = 3.0 ×109 m/s b) 6400,000 m = 6.4 × 106 m
c) 0.0000000016g = 1.6 ×10-9 d) 0.0000548s = 5.48 ×10-5
6) Estimate your age in seconds.
Ans. 12×365×24×60×60 s= 378,432,000 s = 3.79×108 s
7) Express the following quantities using prefixes.
5000 g b) 2000,000 W c) 52 ×10-10 kg d) 225 × 10-8 s
Ans. a) 5000 g= 5.0 ×1000 g = 5 kg
2000,000 W = 2.0 ×10 W = 2 MW c) 52 × 10-10 kg = 52 ×10-10 × 103 g= 52×10-10+3
6

g= 52×10-7g= 5.2×10-6g= 5.2 µg d) 225×10-8 s=2.25×10-6 s.

8) How do the prefixes micro, Nano and Pico relate to each other?
Ans. 1µ = 103n , 1n = 103p , 1µ = 106p
9) Your hair grows at the rate of 1mm per day. Find their growth
rate in nm/s.
−3 −3
1 ×10 1× 10
Ans. Growth rate = 1mm/day= m/s= m/s=11.57×10-6×10-3m/s=
24 ×60 × 60 86400
11.57×10-9m/s=11.57nm/s
10) Rewrite the following into standard form.
a) 1168×10-27 b) 32×105 c)725×10-5kg d) 0.02×10-8
Ans. a) 1168×10-27= 1.168×103×10-27= 1.168×10-24b) 32×105=3.2×101×105=3.2×106
725×10-5kg=7.25×10-5×102kg=7.25×10-3kg d) 0.02×10-8=2.0×10-2×10-8=2.0×10-10
11) Write the following quantities in the standard form.
 7

6400 km b) 380 000 km c) 300 000 000 m/s d)

seconds in a day.
Ans. a) 6400 km = 6.4×103×103 m= 6.4×106 m. b) 380 000 km= 3.8×105×103 m=
3.8×108 m. c) 300 000 000 m/s= 3.0×108 m/s d) second in a day = 24×60×60 s=
86400 s.

Topic Vernier Caliper

1) Vernier caliper can find internal as well as ____________ diameter.

a) External b) Upper c) Lower d) None
2) Number of division on Vernier scale are
a) 1 b) 5 c) 10 d) 15
3) Smallest division on Vernier scale is equal to ________ mm
a) 0.45 b) 0.9 c) 1 d) 2
4) If the zero line of main scale is not coinciding with zero line of vernier scale, there is
_________present.
a) Zero error b) zero correction c) no zero error d) None
5) If zero line of Vernier scale is on the right side of main scale zero than zero error is
______.
a) Positive b) Negative c) Neutral d) None
6) If zero line of Vernier scale is on the left side of main scale zero than zero error is
______.
a) Positive b) Negative c) Neutral d) None
7) Zero correction is always ____________ of zero error.
a) Positive b) Negative c) Neutral d) None
8) Least count of Vernier caliper is ____________mm.
a) 0.01 b) 0.1 c) 1 d) 2
9) In centi meter least count of Vernier caliper is _____________.
a) 0.01 b) 0.1 c) 1 d) 2
10) Least count of digital Vernier caliper is __________mm.
a) 0.01 b) 0.1 c) 1 d) 2
11) Least count of digital Vernier caliper is __________cm.
a) 0.01 b) 0.001 c) 1 d) 2
12) Which instrument is most suitable to measure internal diameter of a test tube.
a) Meter rule b) Vernier caliper c) Screw gauge d) None
-----------------------------------Short Question & Answers--------------------------------------------

1) Define least count. Also write down its formula for Vernier
caliper.
 8

Ans. Least count.

The smallest measurement which can be taken by an instrument is called least count.
Smallest division on main scale
Least count= No . of division on vernier scale

2) What is meant by zero error? Also define its types.

Ans. Any physical error due to which an instrument do not give accurate value is
called zero error. In Vernier caliper on closing jaws, when zero line of main scale does
not coincide with zero line of Vernier scale, zero error occur. There are two type of
zero error.
Positive zero error b) Negative zero error
Positive zero error.
If zero line of Vernier scale
is on the right side of main
scale zero than zero error is
positive.

Negative zero error.

If zero line of Vernier
scale is on the left side
of main scale than zero
error is negative.

3) What is zero correction?

Ans. To get accurate value zero correction is applied. In case of positive zero error
value of zero error will be subtracted from final value. In case of negative zero error
we will add the value of zero error in final.
4) What is meant by Vernier constant?
Ans. The least count of Vernier caliper is also called Vernier constant. Its value is 0.1
mm, or 0.01 cm.
5) Why the use of zero error is necessary in a measuring
instrument.
Ans. Use of zero error is necessary to get accurate value from a given instrument.
 9

6) On closing the jaws of Vernier caliper, zero line of Vernier scale

is on the right side to its main scale such that 4th division of its
Vernier scale coincides with one of the main scale division. Find
its zero error and zero correction.
Ans. As Vernier scale zero is on the right side so zero error is positive.
Positive zero error = No. of division coinciding × Least count
= 4th × 0.1 mm = +0.4 mm = +0.04 cm
Zero correction = -0.4 mm = -0.04 cm

1) Screw gauge has two scales. One is called main scale and other is called ______scale.
a) VernierTopic b) Circular
Micro Meter Screw c) Optional
Gauge d) None
2) A hollow cylinder which has main scale on it is also called _________.
a) Pitch b) Sleeve c) Stud d) None
3) Smallest division on main scale of screw gauge is also called_________.
a) Least count b) Pitch c) Nut d) Stud
4) When zero line of circular scale coincide with index line than there is __________.
a) Positive zero error b) Negative zero error c) No zero error d) None
5) When zero line of circular scale is behind the index line than there is __________.
a) Positive zero error b) Negative zero error c) Neutral d) None
6) When zero line of circular scale crosses the index line than there is __________.
a) Positive zero error b) Negative zero error c) Neutral d) None
7) Zero error of screw gauge is _____________ cm.
a) 0.01 b) 0.001 c) 2×10-4 d) 2×10-6
8) In milli meter zero error of screw gauge is ________.
a) 0.01 mm b) 0.001 mm c) 100 mm d) 5000 mm
9) The size of animal cell is ____________ µm.
a) 1 b) 10 c) 100 d) 1000
10) The size of plant cell is _____________ µm.
a) 1 10 c) 100 d) 1000
-----------------------------------Short Question & Answers--------------------------------------------

1) What is meant by pitch of screw gauge?

Ans. The smallest division on main scale is 1 mm. It is called pitch of screw gauge.
2) Write down formula for least count of screw gauge.
 10

Pitch of screw gauge

Ans. Least Count = No . of division on circular scale .
Its value is 0.01 mm & 0.001 cm.
3) Define Positive and Negative zero error.
Ans. Positive Zero Error.
If the zero line of circular scale is behind the index line than zero error is called
positive zero error.
Negative Zero Error.
If the zero line of circular scale crosses the index line than zero error is called negative
zero error.

4) A screw gauge has 50 divisions on its circular scale. The pitch of

the screw gauge is 0.5 mm. What is its least count?
Pitch of screw gauge 0.5
Ans. Least Count = No . of division on circular scale = 50 = 0.01mm = 0.001 cm.

Topic Balances & Stop watch

1) In physical balance arresting knob is used to move ____________.

a) Beam b) Pointer c) Pans d) None
2) Least count of beam balance is _____________ g.
a) 0.1 b) 1 c) 2 d) None
3) Least count of physical balance is _________ g.
a) 0.001 b) 0.01 c) 0.1 d) 1
4) Least count of electronic balance is ________ g.
a) 1 b) 0.1 c) 0.001 d) 0.01
5) Least count of mechanical stop watch is ____________ s.
a) 1 b) 0.1 c) 0.01 d) None
6) Least count of digital stop watch is _____________ s.
a) 0.1 b) 0.01 c) 0.001 d) None

Topic Measuring cylinder & Significant figures

1) Measuring cylinder are used to measure ______________.

a) Volume b) Mass c) Weight d) Area
2) Measuring cylinder measure volume of irregular shaped solid by _______ method.
a) Comparison b) Displacement c) Both d) None
 11

3) The correct method to note the level of liquid in cylinder is to keep the eye at
_______ of meniscus.
a) Same level b) Above c) Below d) None
4) Number of significant figures in 2757 are________.
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4
5) Number of significant figures in 207 are_________.
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4
6) Number of significant figures in 27.00 are________.
a) 2 b) 4 c) 3 d) None
7) Number of significant figures in 0.03 are_________.
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d None
8) Number of significant figures in 25000 are_______.
a) 2 b) 3 c) 5 d) 4
9) A student claimed the diameter of test tube as 1.032 cm using Vernier caliper. Up
to what extent do you agree with it.
a) 1 cm b) 1.0 cm c) 1.03 cm d) 1.032 cm
-----------------------------------Short Question & Answers--------------------------------------------

1) What do you know about measuring cylinder?

Ans. A measuring cylinder is a glass or transparent plastic cylinder. It has a scale
along its length that indicates the volume in millimeter. It has a capacity from 100 mL
to 2500 mL. It is used to measure the volume of liquid and powder substance. It is also
used to measure the volume of irregular shaped solid.
2) Write down the laboratory safety equipment a school must have.
Ans. Waste disposal basket, Fire extinguisher, Fire alarm, First aid box,
Sand and water buckets, Fire blankets.
3) What are the factors on which accuracy of measurement
depends?
Ans. The quality of instrument, the skill of observer, the number of observation
made.
4) How can we measure volume of an irregular shaped solid with
the help of measuring cylinder?
Ans. To find volume pour some water in measuring cylinder and note its level. This is
initial volume Vi.Now tie the solid with some thread and lower the solid till it fully
immersed in water. Volume of water will increase and this is final volume Vf. Volume
of solid will be equal to Vf – Vi.
5) Define significant figures and also give examples.
 12

Ans. The significant figures are all the accurately known digits and first estimated
digits. More significant figures mean more precision. e.g. 18.4 cm
6) Write down the rule for rounding off the numbers.
Ans. 1- If the last digit is less than 5 then it is simply dropped.
1.943 is rounded to 1.94
2-If the last digit is greater than 5, then the digit on its left is increased by one.
1.47 is sounded to 1.5
3-If the last digit is 5, then it is rounded to get nearest even number.
1.35 is rounded to 1.4 and 1.45 is rounded to 1.4.

7) Why do we need extremely small interval of time?

Ans. We need small interval of time to measure with greater accuracy.
8) How Precision is related to significant figures in measured
quantity?
Ans. Greater the number of significant figures greater the accuracy. Each significant
figure increase accuracy by a factor of ten.
9) Which of the following quantities have three significant figures?
a) 3.006 b) 0.00309 kg c) 5.05 × 10-27 kg d) 301.0 g
Ans. a) 3.006 has 4 significant. b) 0.00309 kg has 3 significant figures.
c) 5.05 × 10 kg also has 3 significant figures.
-27
d) 301.0 has 4 significant
figures.
10) A chocolate wrapper is 6.7 cm long and 5.4 cm wide. Calculate
it area up to reasonable number of significant figures.
Ans. Area = Length × width = 6.7 × 5.4 = 36.18 cm = 36 cm