Chapter 2  Units and Measurement

physical quantities are called

fundamental quantities. eg. Mass,
SECTION A length, temperature, time. To give a
Important Points consistent and unambiguous
description to all physical quantities
1. MEASUREMENT AND UNIT we need a minimum of seven
a. The measurement of any physical fundamental or base quantities. The
quantity is a comparison of the units of fundamental quantities are
quantity to be measured with a known as fundamental units.
quantity of the same kind which is b. Derived Quantity.
called the standard or unit. The The physical quantities which are
measured quantity is expressed as derived in terms of the fundamental
, where n is the magnitude of quantities are called derived
measurement and u is the unit. quantities. eg. force , work , impulse
b. For a given measurement the torque etc. the units of derived
magnitude of a physical quantity is quantities are known as derived units.
inversely proportional to the 3. SYSTEMS OF UNITS.
magnitude of the unit. Some of the common systems of units are
, where the is the a. cgs system.
physical quantity, is the It is based on centimeter, gram and
magnitude when the unit is and n2 second as units of the fundamental
quantities length, mass and time
is the magnitude when the unit is .
respectively.
c. The numerical value is inversely b. fps system.
proportional to the size of the unit. It is based on foot, pound and second
as units of the fundamental
i.e. . The graph of quantities length, mass and time
n versus u is a rectangular hyperbola. respectively.

d. Only quantities of the same unit can c. mks system

be added and subtracted. It is based on metre, kilogram and
second as units of the fundamental
e. Quantities of different units or
quantities length, mass and time
dimensions can be multiplied and
respectively
divided.
d. SI system.
2. PHYSICAL QUANTITY. It is based on the seven fundamental
All those quantities that can be measured units and two supplementary units
directly or indirectly and in terms of respectively.
which the laws of physics can be
expressed are called physical quantities. Sl. Base
They can be classified as Unit Symbol
No Quantity
a. Fundamental Quantity.
1. Length metre m
Physical quantities which can be
treated as independent of other 2. Mass kilogram kg

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 3. Time second s hecto h centi cm
4. Temperature kelvin K kilo k milli m
Electric mega M micro
5. ampere A
current
giga G nano n
Luminous
6. candela cd tera T pico p
Intensity
Quantity of peta P femto f
7. mole mol
matter exa E atto a
Supplementary Units
1. Plane angle radian rad 8. SOME COMMON PRACTICAL UNITS.
2. Solid angle steradian sr
Distance

4. The cgs, mks and SI system are metric or 1 fermi (1fm)

decimal system of units. This is because 1 angstrom ( )
the multiples and sub multiples are
expressed as powers of 10. fps is not a 1 micron ( )
metric system. 1 light year (1ly)
5. The SI system has the following 1 Astronomical unit
advantages. (1AU)
a. It is a coherent system, i.e all derived
1 parsec
units can be obtained by simple
multiplication or division of the 1 parsec
fundamental units without
introducing any numerical factors. 1 ly
b. It is a rational system of units.
It uses only unit for given physical
quantity. Area

c. It is a metric system. 1 barn

6. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING SYMBOLS OF Mass

SI UNITS. 1 amu
a. Small letters are to be used for
symbols of units. 1 tonne 1000 kg

b. Symbols are not followed by full 1 quintal 100 kg

stops 1 pound 0.456 kg
c. The initial letter of the symbol is a 1 Chandrasekhar
capital letter only if it is named after 1.4 mass of sun.
limit (1 CSL)
a scientist.
Pressure
d. The full name of a unit starts with
small letter even if it is named after a
scientist.
e. Symbols do not take plural form.
of Hg column
7. PREFIXES FOR POWERS OF 10
deca da deci d

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 Time 12. Dimensionless variables.
1 day 24h The physical quantities which possess no
1 year dimensions and have variable values are
called dimensionless variables. eg. angle,
Smallest practical unit of time is shake
specific gravity, strain etc.
13. Dimensional constants.
9. DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS The physical quantities which possess
a. Dimensions. dimensions and have constant values are
The dimensions of a physical called dimensional constants.
quantity are the powers or exponents eg. Gravitational constant, Planck’s
to which the fundamental quantities constant etc
are to be raised to represent that
quantity completely. 14. Dimensionless constants.
The physical quantities which possess no
eg. ,
dimensions and have constant values are
the dimensions of length and mass in called dimensionless constants.
density are -3 and 1 respectively. eg. etc.
b. Dimensional formula.
15. Limitations of Dimensional analysis.
The expression which shows how
a. The method does not give any
and which of the fundamental
information about the dimensionless
quantities represent the dimensions
constant involved.
of a physical quantity is called the
b. This method is useful only when the
dimensional formula. eg. is
number of unknown variables is
the dimensional formula of density. exactly same as that the number of
c. Dimensional equation. equations obtained to determine
The equation obtained by equating a them.
physical quantity with its c. It fails when a physical quantity is
dimensional formula is called the the sum or difference of two or more
dimensional equation.
quantities. eg.
eg.
d. By this method we cannot establish
10. PRINCIPLE OF HOMOGENEITY the relations which involve
According to the principle of trigonometric functions, exponential
homogeneity of dimensional equations, functions etc.
the dimension of each fundamental
quantity will be the same on either side 16. SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
of an equation. The significant figures are those digits in
a measured quantity in which we are
eg : In the equation , all terms confident of plus one additional digit that
have the same dimensions of length. is uncertain. Consider the length of book
being measured using a metre scale. The
11. Dimensional Variables. value of the length noted down includes
The physical quantities which possess all the digits that can be directly read
dimensions and have variable values are from the scale and one doubtful digit at
called dimensional variables. eg. area, the end. The doubtful digit corresponds
volume, density etc. to the eye estimation within the smallest
subdivision of the scale. This smallest sub
division is called the least count.

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17. RULES FOR FINDING SIGNIFICANT report every measurement in
DIGITS scientific notation (ie in the power of
10).That is as,
i. All the non zero digits are significant.
ii. All the zeros between two non-zero
digits are significant no matter
wherever be the decimal point is, if at The power of 10 is irrelevant to the
all. determination of significant figures.
iii. If the number is less than 1, the However, all zeroes appearing in the
zero(s) on the right of decimal point base number(the underlined number)
but to the left of the first non-zero in the scientific notation are
digit are not significant. For example significant. Each number in this case
in 0.002308, the underlined zeroes are has four significant figures.
not significant. ix. The scientific notation is ideal for
iv. The terminal or trailing zero(s) in a reporting measurement. But if this is
number without a decimal point are not adopted, we use the following
not significant. rules.
Thus 123 m = 12300 cm = 123000 mm a. For a number greater than 1,
has three significant figures, the without any decimal, the trailing
trailing zero(s) being not significant zero(s) are not significant.
v. The trailing zero(s) in a number with 17. SIGNIFICANT FIGURES IN ARITHMETIC
a decimal point are significant. For OPERATIONS.
example the numbers 3.500 or a. Addition and Subtraction
0.06900 have four significant figures The final result should be reported
each. to the same number of decimal places
vi. There can be some confusion as that of the original with minimum
regarding the trailing zero(s). number of decimal places.
Suppose a length is reported to be b. Multiplication and division.
4.700 m. It is evident that the zeroes The final result should be reported to
here are meant to convey the the same number of significant
precision of measurement and are, figures as that of the original with
therefore, significant. So the number minimum number of significant
of significant figures is four. figures.
vii. Now suppose we change units, then
18. ORDER OF MAGNITUDE.
4.700 m = 470.0 cm = 4700 mm =
The order of magnitude of a physical
0.004700 km Since the last number
quantity is that power of 10 which is
has trailing zero(s) in a number with
closest to its magnitude. Express the
no decimal, we would conclude
number to the nearest power of 10 and
erroneously from above that the
the power or exponent so obtained is
number has two significant figures,
called the order of magnitude.
while in fact, it has four significant
figures and a mere change of units a. To determine the order of magnitude
cannot change the number of of a quantity N, we express the
significant figures. number as , where n is in
viii. To remove such ambiguities in between 0 and 9. If , then order
determining the number of of magnitude is x. If , then order
significant figures, the best way is to of magnitude is .

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 b. If n is 5, all followed by zeros, then 23. ABSOLUTE ERROR.
order of magnitude is x and if n is Normal or Gaussian law states that
followed by not all zeros then the random errors can be minimised by
order of magnitude is . repeating the measurement. Then the
arithmetic mean of the measured value is
19. ACCURACY AND PRECISION. taken as the true value of the measured
Accuracy refers to the closeness of a quantity.
measurement to the true value of the
physical quantity.
Precision refers to the resolution or the The magnitude of the difference between
limit to which the quantity is measured. the true value and the measured value is
called absolute error.
20. ERROR ANALYSIS
Every measurement is limited by the 24. MEAN ABSOLUTE ERROR .
reliability of the measuring instrument The arithmetic mean of the magnitudes
and skill of the person making of all the absolute errors is called mean
measurement. The error in the absolute error.
measurement is the diffrence between the
true value and measured value of the
quantity.
21. TYPES OF ERRORS
a. Constant Errors.
The final result of the measurement is
The errors which affect each
expressed as .
observation by the same amount are
25. RELATIVE ERROR.
called constant errors.
b. Systematic errors. Relative error .
The errors which tend to occur in one 26.. PERCENTAGE ERROR.
direction either positive or negative
are called systematic errors. These Percentage error .
errors may be of the following types.
27. PROPAGATION OF ERRORS
i. Instrumental errors. These errors a. Addition and subtraction.
are due to the inbuilt If , then the
imperfections of the instrument. absolute error in Z is given by
ii. Errors due to the imperfections in .
the experimental arrangement. b. Multiplication and Division .
iii. Personal errors. These are due to If , then the relative
individual bias, lack of proper
setting of the apparatus or error in Z is given by
carelessness.
c. Random errors.
These errors occur irregularly and c. In Power.
randomly in direction and If , then .
magnitude.
d. Least Count Error.
d. If , then
These errors are imposed by the least
count of the measuring instrument.
.

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 Section B (d) Sun and Pluto

QUESTIONS 12. Which one of the following is not a unit

of time?
LEVEL 1 (a) Lunar month (b) Leap year
(SINGLE OPTION CORRECT) (c) Parallactic second
(d) Solar day
1. One nanometre is equal to
(a) 109 mm (b) 10-6cm 13. The ratio of the SI unit to the CGS unit of
(c) 10-7cm (d) 10-9cm modulus of rigidity is
(a) 102 (b) 10-2
2. 10-15 is called
(c) 10 -1
(d) 10
(a) femto (b) nano
(c) deci (d) mega 14. The SI unit of universal gas constant is
(a)
3. 10-18 is called
(a) atto (b) fermi (b) N K-1 mol-1
(c) nano (d) giga (c) J K-1 mol-1
(d) erg K-1 mol-1
4. The unit of the coefficient of viscosity in
SI system is 15. Which is not a unit of energy?
(a) (b) (a) torque  angle turned through
(b) moment of inertia  (angular
(c) (d) velocity)2
5. One light year is equal to (c) Force  distance
(a) 9.46 1010 km (b) 9.46 1012 km (d) Impulse  time
(c) 9.46 1012 m (d) 9.46 1015 cm 16. The unit of Stefan-Boltzmann’s constant
6. One shake is equal to is
(a) 10-2 sec (b) 10-4 sec
(a)
(c) 10 sec
-6
(d) 10-8 sec
7. One barn is equal to (b)
(a) 10-20 m2 (b) 10-2 m2
(c) 10 m
-24 2
(d) 10-28 m2
(c) (d)
8. One micron is equal to
(a) 10,000 angstrom 17. SI unit of radioactivity is:
(b) 1000 angstrom (a) rutherford (b) roentgen
(c) 100 angstrom (c) becquerel (d) curie
(d) 10 angstrom 18. The unit of force and length are doubled,
9. Parallactic second is the unit of the unit of energy will become
(a) distance (b) time (a) times (b) times
(c) frequency (d) velocity
10. Parallactic second is equal to (c) 2 times (d) 4 times
(a) 9.4605 1015 m 19. The unit of Planck’s constant h is same as
(b) 3.084 1016 m that of
(c) 1.496 1011 m (a) energy (b) work
(d) 3108 m (c) linear momentum
11. One astronomical unit is the distance (d) angular momentum
between 20. The dimensional formula of latent heat is
(a) Moon and the Earth identical to that of
(b) Mars and the Earth (a) internal energy
(c) Sun and the Earth (b) angular momentum

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 (c) gravitational potential (d) it is physically correct but not
(d) electric potential dimensionally
21. The dimensions of force constant are 27. A physical quantity depends upon five
(a) (b) factors, all of which have dimensions,
(c) (d) then method of dimensional analysis
22. The dimension of the ratio of angular (a) can be applied
momentum to linear momentum is (b) cannot be applied
(a) (b) (c) depends upon factors involved
(d) both (a) and (c)
(c) (d)
28. A liquid drop of density , radius r and
23. The dimensions of self-inductance are
surface tension oscillates with time
(a) (b)
period T. Which of the following
(c) (d)
expressions for is correct?
24. A student writes four different
expressions for the displacement in a (a) (b)
periodic motion:
(c) (d) none of these
1.

2. 29. If P represents radiation pressure, c

represent speed of light and Q represents
3. radiation energy striking unit area per
second then x, y and z are non-zero
4. integers such that is
dimensionless. x, y and z are
Where is maximum displacement, v is
(a)
the speed and T is the time period; then
dimensionally: (b)
(a) 1 and 2 are wrong (c)
(b) 2 and 3 are wrong (d)
(c) 3 and 4 are wrong 30. Suppose refractive index,  is given as
(d) 4 and 1 are wrong
where A and B are constants
25. represent the dimensions of
and  is wavelength, then the dimensions
(a) pressure (b) energy
of B are same as that of
(c) power (d) force
(a) wavelength (b) volume
26. The relation gives the angle of (c) pressure (d) area
31. If the velocity of light is taken as the unit
banking of the cyclist going round a of velocity and one year is taken as the
curve. Here v is the speed of cyclist, r is unit of time, then the unit of length is
the radius of the curve and g is (a) (b)
acceleration due to gravity. Which of the
(c) (d)
following statements about the relation is
true? 32. Dimensions of velocity gradient are
(a) it is both dimensionally as well as same as that of
physically correct (a) time period (b) frequency
(b) it is neither dimensionally correct nor (c) angular acceleration
physically correct (d) linear acceleration
(c) it is dimensionally correct but nor 33. Which of the following have same
physically dimensions?
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 (a) pressure and density 41. The correct relation among the following
(b) gravitational potential and energy is
(c) impulse and momentum
(d) stress and strain
(a) (b)
34. The dimensional formula of magnetic
flux is (c) both (d) none
(a) (b) 42. Which of the two have the same
(c) (d) dimensions?
(a) force and strain (b) force and stress
35. If L and R denote inductance and (c) angular velocity and frequency
resistance respectively, which of the (d) energy and strain
following has the dimensions of
43. If the acceleration due to gravity is 10ms -2
frequency?
and the units of length and time are
(a) (b) changed to kilometre and hour,
respectively, the numerical value of the
(c) (d) acceleration is:
(a) 360000 (b) 72000
36. The dimensional formula of entropy is (c) 36000 (d) 129600
identical to that of the 44. The velocity of a particle depends upon
(a) universal gas constant the time t according to the equation
(b) coefficient of thermal conductivity
(c) Boltzmann’s constant ,
(d) Avogadro’s number The physical quantities which are
37. A physical quantity x depends on represented by a,b,c and d are in the
quantities y and z as follows following order
where A, B and C are (a) distance, distance, acceleration, time
constants. Which of the following do not (b) distance, acceleration, distance, time
have the same dimensions? (c) acceleration, distance, distance, time
(a) x and B (b) C and z-1 (d) none of the above
(c) y and (d) x and A 45. The best method to reduce random errors
is
38. The dimensions of K in the equation (a) to change the instrument used for
measurement
are
(b) to take help of experienced observer
(a) (b) (c) to repeat the experiment many times
(c) (d) and to take the average results
(d) none of the above
39. The dimensional formula for Boltzmann’s
constant is 46. Which of the following is the most
accurate instrument for measuring
(a) (b)
length?
(c) (d) (a) vernier callipers having 20 divisions
on the sliding scale which coincide
40. . If , then dimensions of  are with 19 divisions on the main
millimetre scale
(a) (b) (b) A screw gauge having pitch 1mm
(c) (d) and 50 divisions on the circular scale
(c) A vernier scale of least count 0.01mm

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 (d) A screw gauge of least count 0.001 (c) (d)
mm
54. The velocity v of a particle is given in
47. If there is a positive error of 50% in the terms of time t by the equation,
measurement of velocity of a body, then
the error in the measurement of kinetic . The dimensions of a, b and c
energy is are
(a) 25% (b) 50% a b c
(c) 100% (d) 125% (a) L2 T LT2
48. Dimensional formula of a physical (b) LT2 LT L
quantity X is . The errors in (c) LT-2 L T
(d) L LT T2
the measurement of the quantities M, L
and T respectively are 2%, 3% and 4%. 55. Given that the displacement of a particle
The maximum percentage error that is given by ,where t denotes
occurs in measurement the quantity x is the time. The unit of K is:
(a) 9 (b) 10 (a) hertz (b) metre
(c) 14 (d) 19 (c) radian (d) second
49. The length of a cylinder is measured with 56. The unit of viscosity in the CGS system is
a metre rod having least count 0.1cm . Its poise (P) that in SI is poiseuille
diameter is measured with a vernier Which of the following relations is
callipers having least count 0.01 cm. correct?
Given that length is 5.0 cm and radius is (a) (b)
2.0 cm. The percentage error in the (c) (d) none of these
calculated value of the volume will be
57. While measuring the acceleration due to
(a) 1% (b) 2%
gravity by a simple pendulum, a student
(c) 3% (d) 4%
makes a positive error of 1% in the length
50. A pressure of is equivalent of the pendulum and a negative error of
to 3% in the value of time period. His
(a) (b) percentage error in the measurement of g
(c) (d) by the relation will be
51. If muscle times speed equals power, what
(a) 2% (b) 4%
is the ratio of the SI unit to the CGS unit
(c) 7% (d) 10%
of muscle?
(a) 105 (b) 103 58. The accuracy of a clock is one part in 10 10.
(c) 10 7
(d) 10-5 The maximum difference between two
such clocks operating for 1010 seconds is
52. Out of the following the only pair that
(a) 1 s (b) 5 s
does not have identical dimensions is:
(c) 10 s (d) 1010 s
(a) angular momentum and Planck’s
constant 59. A physical quantity X is represented by
(b) moment of inertia and moment of a and the maximum
force percentage errors in M, L and T are %, 
(c) work and torque % and % respectively, then the total
(d) impulse and momentum maximum percentage error in X is:
53. If force (F), length (L), current (I) and (a)
time (T) are taken as fundamental (b)
quantities, then the dimensions of 0 are (c)
(a) (b)
(d) none of these
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 1. The dimensions of in the relation
60. In the equation constant,
, where P is power, x is distance
if P and V represent pressure and volume
then the unit of a is and t is time is
(a) (b) (a) (b)
(c) (d)
(c) (d)
2. Pressure varies as ,
61. Height of liquid in a capillary tube is
where z is distance, is Boltzmann
given as , where S is the
constant, is temperature and are
surface tension of liquid, r is the radius of constants. The dimensional formula of
capillary tube,  is density and g is is
acceleration due to gravity then (a) (b)
dimensional formula for S is (c) (d)
(a) (b)
3. Of the following sets the one that cannot
(c) (d)
enter into the list of fundamental
62. The order of magnitude of the number is quantities in any system of units is
1013 is (a) length, mass and velocity
(a) 4 (b) 3 (b) length, time and velocity
(c) 5 (d) 2 (c) mass, time and velocity
63. Moon is observed from two diametrically (d) length, time and mass
opposite points A and B on Earth. The 4. Suppose a quantity x can be
angle θ subtended at the moon by the dimensionally represented in terms of M,
two directions of observation is .
L and T, that is . The
Given the diameter of the Earth to be
about m, Then the distance of quantity mass
the moon from the Earth is (a) can always be dimensionally
represented in terms of L, T and x
(a) (b)
(b) can never be dimensionally
(c) (d) represented in terms of L, T and x,
64. The Sun’s angular diameter is measured (c) maybe represented in terms of L, T
to be . The distance D of the Sun and x if a = 0.
from the Earth is m. The (d) maybe represented in terms of L, T
diameter of the Sun is and x if a  0.
(a) (b) 5. A dimensionless quantity
(c) (d) (a) never has a unit
(b) always has a unit
65. 5.74 g of a substance occupies .
(c) may have a unit
The density by keeping the significant
(d) does not exist
figures in view can be expressed as
(a) 4.78 (b) 4.783 6. A unitless quantity
(c) 4.8 (d) 4.9 (a) never has a nonzero dimension
(b) always has a nonzero dimension
(c) may have a nonzero dimension
LEVEL 2
(d) does not exist
(SINGLE OPTION CORRECT)

7.

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 The value of n is
(c) The unit of is same as that of
(a) 0 (b) -1
(c) 1 (d) none of these
8. Let x and a stand for distance. The

equation is (d) The unit of is same as that of

dimensionally correct if 12. If the size of a nucleus (in the range of

to m) is scaled up to the tip of
(a) is replaced by
a sharp pin, what roughly is the size of an
atom? Assume tip of the pin to be in the
(b) is replaced by range m to .
(a) 1 m (b) 10m
(c) is replaced by (c) 100 m (d) 0.1 m
13. The number of particles crossing the unit
(d) is replaced by area perpendicular to the x-axis per unit

time is given by : where

9. In expression , is a
dimensionless constant and is the n1 and n2 are the numbers of particles per
latitude angle. The expression defines the unit volume for and , which are
variation of g with latitude. If is the meant to be the position of areas
error in measurement in g then the error respectively. What is the dimensional
in the measurement of will be formula for the diffusion constant D?
(a) (b)
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
(c) (d) 14. Given that  is the speed, r is radius and
g is acceleration due to gravity. Which of
the following is dimensionless?
10. Assuming that the mass m of the largest
stone that can be moved by a flowing (a) (b)
river depends upon the velocity v of the
water, its density  and the acceleration (c) (d) v2rg
due to gravity g. Then m is directly
proportional to: 15. A quantity X is given by where
(a) (b)
(c) (d) is the permittivity of free space, L is
length, is potential difference and
is time interval. The dimensional formula
11 The equation of the stationary wave is
for X is same as that of
. Which of the (a) resistance (b) charge
(c) voltage (d) current
following statements is wrong? 16. E,m,J and G denote energy, mass, angular
(a) The unit of ct is same as that of  momentum and gravitational constant
(b) The unit of x is same as that of  respectively. Then the dimensions of

are

(a) angle (b) length

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 (c) mass (d) time constant (). Dimensionally  can be
represented by
17. The dimensional formula of is
(a) (b)
(a) (b)

(c) (d) (c) (d) none of these

18. If 0, and c represent the relative
permittivity of free space, the magnetic 23. In the relation
permeability of free space and the
the dimensional formula for is
velocity of light in vacuum respectively,
which of the following combinations is (a) (b)
correct? (c) (d)
24. The frequency of vibration of a string is
(a) (b)
given by here p is the number
(c) (d)
of segments in which the string is
19. If we choose velocity V, acceleration A divided, F is the tension in the string and
and force F as the fundamental is its length. The dimensional formula
quantities, then the angular momentum for m is
in terms of V, A and F would be (a) (b)
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(c) (d)
25. While measuring the length of a rod by
20. Using dimensional analysis which of the vernier calipers, the reading on main
following is correct? (m is relativistic scale is and the eighth division of
mass, m0 is rest mass, v is the velocity of on vernier is in line with a marking on
particle and c is the velocity of light) main scale division. If the least count of
caliper is and zero error is ,
(a) the length of the rod is
(a) (b)
(c) (d) none
(b) 26. If the speed of light (c), acceleration due
to gravity (g) and pressure (p) are taken
(c) as fundamental units, the dimensions of
gravitational constant (G) are
(d) (a) (b)
(c) (d)
21. The dimensional formula of is 27. If the velocity of light (c), gravitational
constant (G) and Planck’s constant (h) are
(a) (b) chosen as fundamental units, then which
of the following represents the
(c) (d) dimensions of the mass?
22. A spherical body of mass m and radius r (a) (b)
is allowed to fall in a medium of viscosity
(c) (d)
. The time in which the velocity of the
body increases from zero to 0.63 times,
the terminal velocity (v) is called time

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28. When C, R and L represent capacitance,
35. Resistance is measured as where
resistance and inductance, then
dimensions of are and . The
(a) (b) percentage error in R is
(c) (d) none of these (a) 7% (b) 3%
29. If P is the pressure,  is the density and E (c) 2% (d) none
is the energy of a bubble, the quantity 36. Two resistors of resistances
has got the dimensions of: and are
(a) length (b) mass connected in series. The equivalent
(c) time (d) velocity resistance can be expressed as
(a) (b)
30. A student measured the diameter of a
wire using a screw gauge with least count (c) (d)
0.001 cm and listed the measurements.
37. In the above question if the resistance is
The correct measurement is
connected in parallel then the equivalent
(a) 5.320 cm (b) 5.3 cm
resistance can be expressed as
(c) 5.32 cm (d) 5.3200 cm
31. The mass of a body is 20.000g and its (use the relation )
volume is 10.00 cm3. If the measured
values are expressed up to the correct (a) (b)
significant figures, the maximum error in (c) (d)
the value of density is:
(a) 0.001 gcm-3 (b) 0.010 gcm-3 38. The period of oscillation of a simple
(c) 0.100 gcm -5
(d) none of these
pendulum is . Measured value
32. An experiment measured quantities a,b,c
of L is 20.0 cm known to 1 mm accuracy
and then x is calculated as . If and time for 100 oscillations of the
pendulum is found to be using a
the percentage errors in a,b,c are 1%,
wrist watch of 1s resolution. The
3% and 2% respectively, the
accuracy in the determination of g is
percentage error in x can be:
(a) 3% (b) 2%
(a) (b)
(c) 1% (d) 4%
(c) (d)
39. Each side of a cube is measured to be
33. We measure the period of oscillation of a
7.203 m. The total surface area and the
simple pendulum. In successive
volume of the cube to appropriate
measurements, the readings turn out to
significant figures are
be 2.63 s, 2.56 s, 2.42 s, 2.71s and 2.80 s.
(a) 311.3 , 373.7
The true value of the measurement is
(b) 311.29 , 373.7
(a) s (b) s
(c) s (d) s (c) 311.29 , 373.71
(d) 311.299 , 373.714
34. The temperatures of two bodies
measured by a thermometer are
and
The temperature difference is
expressed as
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

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 LEVEL 3 (ASSERTION AND REASON)
(MULTIPLE OPTIONS CORRECT) The answers to these problems will be according
to the following schedule, out of which only one
1. The dimensions of the quantities in the
is correct.
following pairs are the same. Identify the
pairs. (a) Assertion is correct, Reason is correct
(a) torque and work and it is the correct explanation of
(b) angular momentum and work Assertion
(c) energy and young’s modulus (b) Assertion is correct, Reason is correct
(d) Light year and wavelength and it is not the correct explanation of
2. The SI unit of inductance of henry, which Assertion
can be expressed as (c) Assertion is correct, Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, Reason is false
(a) (b)
1. Assertion : The number of significant
(c) (d) figures depend on the least count of the
measuring instrument.
3. If L, C and R represent inductance, Reason : Significant figures define the
capacitance and resistance, the accuracy of the measuring instrument.
combinations with the dimensions of
2. Assertion : Absolute error may be
frequency is
positive or negative.
(a) (b) Reason : Absolute error is the modulus
of the difference between real value and
(c) (d) measured value in a physical quantity.

4. Chose the correct statement 3. Assertion : Planck’s constant is a

(a) all quantities can be represented dimensional constant.
dimensionally in terms of the base Reason : Dimensional constants are
quantities those physical quantities having
(b) a base quantity cannot be represented dimensions and a fixed value.
dimensionally in terms of rest of the 4. Assertion : In the measurement of a
quantities. physical quantity direct and indirect
(c) the dimension of a base quantity in methods are used.
other base quantities is zero. Reason : Whatever be the mode of
(d) the dimension of a derived quantity measurement, the accuracy and precision
is never zero in any base quantity. of measuring instruments along with
5. Chose the correct statements errors in measurements are to be taken
(a) a dimensionally correct equation may into account while expressing the result.
be correct 5. Assertion : Energy cannot be divided by
(b) a dimensionally correct equation may volume.
be incorrect Reason : The dimensions of energy
(c) a dimensionally incorrect equation and volume are different.
may be correct
(d) a dimensionally incorrect equation
may be incorrect

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 (MATRIX MATCH)
(D) (S)
1. Match the quantities in column I to the
quantities in column II
mass of earth, mass of sun
Angular universal gas constant
(A) (P)
momentum temperature, force, charge
(B) Torque (Q) molar mass,
radius of earth.,
(C) Inductance (R)
gravitational constant
(D) Latent Heat (S)
(a)
(E) Capacitance (T) (b)
(F) Resistivity (U) (c)
(d)
(a)
(b) 4. Match the quantities in column I to
(c) the quantities in column II
(d) Magnetic field
(A) (P)
2. Match the quantities in column I to the intensity
quantities in column II (B) Magnetic Flux (Q)
(A) Capacitance (P) ohm – second Magnetic
(C) (R)
potential
coulomb2 –
(B) Inductance (Q)
joule-1 Magnetic
(D) (S)
Induction
Magnetic
(C) (R)
Induction (a)
(b)
(S) (c)
(d)
(T)
5. Match the quantities in column I to
the quantities in column II
(a)
(b) Planck’s
(A) (P)
(c) Constant
(d) Gravitational
(B) (Q)
Constant
3. Match the quantities in column I to
the quantities in column II Bulk
(C) (R)
Modulus
(A) (P) Coefficient
(D) (S)
of viscosity
(B) (Q)
(a)
(b)
(C) (R) (c)
(d)

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 (LINKED COMPREHENSION)
In an experiment to determine the charge to

mass ratio of en electron using a

cylindrical diode, the following equation is

derived: , where is the potential

difference across of the diode of radius r at

the critical magnetic field B. The latter is
supplied by passing a current I through a
solenoid of diameter D and length L and is
a. What is its order of magnitude of velocity
given by , where n is the number of light in vacuum?
b. The radius of muonic hydrogen atom is
of turns per unit length. The appropriate . How many significant
experimental quantities are determined as figures are there in the calculated total
follows : atomic volume?
c. What is the dimension of the
fundamental unit ampere in the
dimensional formula of electrical
conductivity?
1. The magnitude of B is d. If the units of force, energy and velocity
(a) 9.08 mT (b) 90.8 T are , and , then what is
(c) 908 mT (d) 908 T the unit of length in the new system?
2. Error in B is
e. If denote energy, mass ,
(a) 0.9 T (b) 0.09 T
angular momentum and gravitational
(c) 0.9 mT (d) 0.09 mT
constant respectively, then the
3. Value of is dimensional formula of the quantity

(a) (b) is . What is the value

(c) (d) of n?
4. Error in is SECTION C
(a) Hints and Solutions
(b)
LEVEL 1
(c)
(SINGLE OPTION CORRECT)
(d)
1.
(INTEGER ANSWER TYPE)
The answers to the following five questions will 2.
be according to the following schedule. The 3.
answer to each question is an integer ranging
from 0 to 9. The appropriate bubbles below 4.
respective questions are to be darkened.

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 23.

5.

6. 24. The argument of trigonometric functions

7. should be dimensionless. But in and

8. , are not dimensionless.

9. Distance
10. 25. Power,

11. is the mean distance between sun 26. It is both dimensionally and physically
and earth. correct.
12. Parallactic second is a unit of distance. 27. Cannot be applied.
13.
28.

29.
14.

15. , which
is not a unit of energy.
Solving we get
16.
30.

31.

17. Becquerel is the SI unit Radioactivity.

18. 32. Velocity gradient,

19. Angular momentum, , where h is

Planck’s constant.
20.
33. Impulse is change in momentum.
Gravitational Potential,
34.

21.

35. has the dimensions of time and is

called time constant of an RL circuit.

36. The unit Boltzmann constant is and
22.
that of entropy is also .

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37. , therefore x and A have
different dimensions.

38.

50.
39.
51. , so
40. is the ratio of specific heat .

capacities, so dimensionless. Required ratio

41. Both are correct.
52. The unit of moment of inertia is
42. . and that of moment of a force is .

53.
43.

54. By inspection
44. , by inspection,

55. so the unit is hertz.

45. to repeat the experiment many times and 56.

to take the average results
46. The measurement will be accurate when
the least count is minimum.
47.
57.

58.

48. Percentage error

59.

60.

49.

61.

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62.
. So RHS should be
63.
dimensionless which implies the value of
.
8. LHS is dimensionless, so the equation
will be dimensionally correct only RHS is
also dimensionless, which is possible
64. ;
when is replaced by .

9.

65. Density

1.2 has the least number of significant

figures which is 2. So the answer has to
be rounded off to 2 significant figures.

10.
LEVEL 2
(SINGLE OPTION CORRECT)

1. Solving we get,

11. is dimensionless but is not.

12. Scaling factor is

The size of the atom is . In the

2. new scale it will be .
13. is the number of particles per unit area
per unit time

3. Fundamental quantities are to be is number of particles crossing

independent of each other. In option per unit volume
velocity can be expressed in terms of
is position
length and time.
4. Maybe represented in terms of L, T and x
if a  0, that is only if X contains mass.
5. A dimensionless quantity may have a
unit. For example plane angle which is 14. By dimensional analysis it can be shown
dimensionless has a unit radian. that is dimensionless.
6. A unitless quantity can never have a non
zero dimension. 15.
7. The LHS dimensionally reduces to

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 25. Length of the rod observed reading –
16. zero error.

17. 26.

18. Velocity of light in vacuum is

solve for .

19. 27.

solve for .
Solving we get ,
28.

20. is dimensionally correct.

29.
21. The formula for fine structure constant is
30. The observation should have three decimal
which is dimensionless. places since the least count is 0.001.

31.
22. should have the dimensions of time.

(a)

(b) 32.

33. Absolute error

(c)

None of the equations are correct. 34. Error add up in addition.

23. The argument of trigonometric functions
are dimensionless.

24. 35. In division relative errors add up.

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 Percentage error 3. has the units of frequency.

36. 4. Options are correct.

5. Options are correct.

(ASSERTION AND REASON)

37. The error equation for the combination is
1. Assertion and reason are correct statements
………….(Ref. NCERT) independently, but reason is not the correct
explanation of assertion.
2. Reason is the correct explanation of the
assertion. Absolute error cannot be negative
since it is the absolute value of the difference
between true value and measured value.
3. Planck’s constant is dimensional constant and
dimensional constants have fixed value and
they have dimensions.
4. Reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
The effective resistance can be expressed as
5. Both assertion and reason are false.

(MATRIX MATCH)
38.
1.
.

39. Surface area ,

LEVEL 3
(MULTIPLE OPTIONS CORRECT)
2.
1.

2.

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3. a. 3.

b.
4.

c.
INTEGER ANSWER TYPE)
a. Velocity of light in vacuum is
, order of magnitude is 8

b. The number of significant figures in radius is

2, so the can have only 2
d. significant figures.

c. , the dimension of

current is 2.

d.
(LINKED COMPREHENSION)
In the new system

1. e.

2.

****

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