Chapter No.

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PHYSICAL QUANTITIES AND MEARSURMENTS

CHAPTER – 01

SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

1) Create a table to show reasonable estimates of some physical quantities.

Physical Quantity Estimate

Mass of an electron 9.11 × 10−31 kg

Speed of light 3.00 × 108 m/s

Avogadro's number 6.022 × 1023 mol−1

Gravitational constant 6.674 × 10−11 m3 kg−1 s−2

2) Express the units of the following derived quantities in terms of base units.

(a) Force:

Force = mass × acceleration

[F] = [kg] × [m/s2 ] = kg ⋅ m ⋅ s−2

(b) Work:

Work = force × distance

[W] = [kg ⋅ m ⋅ s−2 ] × [m] = kg ⋅ m2 ⋅ s−2

(c) Power:
work
Power =
time
[kg ⋅ m2 ⋅ s−2 ]
[P] = = kg ⋅ m2 ⋅ s−3
[s]

(e) Electric Charge:

Electric Charge = current × time

[Q] = [A] × [s] = A ⋅ s

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3) Why is it important to use an instrument of smallest resolution?

Using an instrument with the smallest resolution allows for more precise measurements. The resolution of an
instrument determines the smallest increment that can be measured. For example, if you measure length with
a ruler that has millimeter markings, your measurement is more precise compared to a ruler that only has
centimeter markings. Higher resolution reduces the rounding error and increases the reliability of the
measurement.

4) What is the importance of increasing the number of readings in an experiment?

Increasing the number of readings in an experiment helps to reduce random errors and improve the accuracy
of the result. By taking multiple readings, you can calculate the average, which tends to be closer to the true
value. Additionally, it allows for the identification and exclusion of outliers, and helps to estimate the
uncertainty of the measurements more accurately.

5) What is the difference between precision and accuracy?

• Precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements. If you measure the same quantity
several times and get similar results each time, your measurements are precise.

• Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value. Even if measurements
are precise, they may not be accurate if there is a systematic error.

6) What is the principle of homogeneity of dimensions?

The principle of homogeneity of dimensions states that all terms in a physical equation must have the same
dimensions. This ensures the consistency of units in equations. For example, in the equation of motion 𝑠 =
1
𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 , all terms on the right-hand side must have the same dimensional units as the left-hand side,
which is the dimension of length [𝐿].

7) A ball is thrown in the air and 5 different students are individually measuring the time it takes to
fall back down using stopwatches. The times obtained by each student are the following: 6.2 s, 6.0 s,
6.4 s, 6.1 s, 5.8 s.

(i) What is the uncertainty of the results?

To calculate the uncertainty, we first find the mean of the measurements:

6.2 + 6.0 + 6.4 + 6.1 + 5.8
Mean = = 6.1 s
5
Next, we calculate the deviations of each measurement from the mean, then find the average deviation:

Deviations =∣ 6.2 − 6.1 ∣, ∣ 6.0 − 6.1 ∣, ∣ 6.4 − 6.1 ∣, ∣ 6.1 − 6.1 ∣, ∣ 5.8 − 6.1 ∣

= 0.1,0.1,0.3,0.0,0.3
0.1 + 0.1 + 0.3 + 0.0 + 0.3
Average Deviation = = 0.16 s
5

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Therefore, the uncertainty in the measurements is ±0.16 s.

(ii) How should the resulting time be expressed?

The resulting time should be expressed as the mean value with the uncertainty:

Time=6.1 s±0.16 s

COMPHREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Define and explain the term uncertainty.

Answer: Uncertainty in measurement refers to the doubt that exists about the result of any measurement. It
represents the range of values within which the true value is expected to lie. Uncertainty can arise from
various sources, such as limitations of the measuring instrument, the skill of the experimenter, or the
inherent variability of the physical quantity being measured.
Mathematical Explanation: The uncertainty in a measured quantity 𝑥 can be expressed as:
𝑥 ± 𝛥𝑥
where 𝛥𝑥 is the uncertainty in 𝑥.

2. Discuss the rules for calculating uncertainty propagation in the final results in
different cases.
Answer: When combining measurements, the uncertainties must also be combined to reflect the overall
uncertainty in the result. The rules for uncertainty propagation depend on the mathematical operations
performed on the measurements.
Mathematical Explanation:
• Addition/Subtraction: When quantities are added or subtracted, their absolute uncertainties add.

𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑦or𝑧 = 𝑥 − 𝑦

𝛥𝑧 = √(𝛥𝑥)2 + (𝛥𝑦)2

• Multiplication/Division: When quantities are multiplied or divided, their relative (percentage)

uncertainties add.
𝑥
𝑧 = 𝑥 ⋅ 𝑦or𝑧 =
𝑦

𝛥𝑧 𝛥𝑥 2 𝛥𝑦 2
= √( ) + ( )
𝑧 𝑥 𝑦

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3. What does the dimension of a physical quantity mean? What are its advantages,
explain with the help of examples?
Answer: The dimension of a physical quantity refers to the nature of the quantity and is expressed in terms
of fundamental quantities such as length (L), mass (M), time (T), etc. Dimensions help in understanding the
physical nature of a quantity and in verifying the correctness of equations.
Advantages:
1. Dimensional Homogeneity: It ensures that equations are dimensionally consistent.
2. Unit Conversion: Dimensions help in converting units from one system to another.
3. Checking Equations: Dimensions help in checking the correctness of derived equations.

Example: The dimension of velocity 𝑣 is:

[𝐿]
[𝑣] =
[𝑇]

4. What is meant by estimation of a physical quantity? Explain with the help of an

example.
Answer: Estimation of a physical quantity involves making an approximate measurement or guess based on
available information or reference points.
Example: Estimating the height of a building by comparing it to a known height, such as a nearby object or
using a known unit (e.g., a meter stick).

NUMERICAL PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

1. Estimate the number of heartbeats in a lifetime.

Solution: Let's assume the average human heart rate is 70 beats per minute.

• Number of beats per minute: 70

• Number of beats per hour: 70 × 60 = 4200

• Number of beats per day: 4200 × 24 = 100800

• Number of beats per year: 100800 × 365 = 36864000

Assuming an average lifespan of 70 years:

• Total number of heartbeats: 36864000 × 70 ≈ 2.58 × 109

2. Determine the dimensions of each of the following quantities:

𝑣2
a) 𝑎𝑥

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Solution:

• 𝑣 (velocity) has dimensions: [𝑣] = [𝐿𝑇 −1 ]

• 𝑎 (acceleration) has dimensions: [𝑎] = [𝐿𝑇 −2 ]

• 𝑥 (distance) has dimensions: [𝑥] = [𝐿]

Dimensions: Dimensionless
𝑎𝑡 2
b) 2

Solution:

• 𝑎 (acceleration) has dimensions: [𝑎] = [𝐿𝑇 −2 ]

• 𝑡 (time) has dimensions: [𝑡] = [𝑇]

Dimensions: Length [L]

𝒙𝟐
3. If 𝑨 = 𝒚𝟐 𝒛, then find the percentage uncertainty in 𝑨.

Solution: Given the percentage uncertainties:

• 𝛥𝑥/𝑥 = 1%

• 𝛥𝑦/𝑦 = 1%

• 𝛥𝑧/𝑧 = 2%

Using the formula for propagation of uncertainties in a product/division:

𝛥𝐴 𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑦 𝛥𝑧
= 2( ) + 2( ) + ( )
𝐴 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧

𝛥𝐴
= 2(1%) + 2(1%) + (2%) = 2% + 2% + 2% = 6%
𝐴
4. By using dimensions, derive the SI base unit of the constant 𝒄 in the expression 𝑭 = 𝒄𝒓𝒗.

Solution:

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Chapter No. 01 Bravo Academy I-14/3, Islamabad Contact Number:
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• 𝐹 (force) has dimensions: [𝐹] = [𝑀𝐿𝑇 −2 ]

• 𝑟 (radius) has dimensions: [𝑟] = [𝐿]

• 𝑣 (velocity) has dimensions: [𝑣] = [𝐿𝑇 −1 ]

Given 𝐹 = 𝑐𝑟𝑣, the dimensions of 𝑐 are:

SI base units: kg m−1 s−1

5. Check the homogeneity of the equation 𝑷 = 𝝆𝒈𝒉.

Solution:

• 𝑃 (pressure) has dimensions: [𝑃] = [𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2 ]

• 𝜌 (density) has dimensions: [𝜌] = [𝑀𝐿−3 ]

• 𝑔 (acceleration due to gravity) has dimensions: [𝑔] = [𝐿𝑇 −2 ]

• ℎ (height) has dimensions: [ℎ] = [𝐿]

The equation is dimensionally homogeneous.

6. Estimate how many protons are there in a bacterium.

Solution: Estimate the mass of a bacterium as 10−15 kg. The mass of a proton is 1.67 × 10−27 kg.

mass of bacterium 10−15

Number of protons = = ≈ 6 × 1012
mass of proton 1.67 × 10−27

7. Estimate how many hydrogen atoms it takes to stretch across the diameter of the Sun.

Solution: Diameter of the Sun: 1.39 × 109 m Diameter of a hydrogen atom: 0.53 × 10−10 m

Diameter of the Sun 1.39 × 109

Number of hydrogen atoms = = ≈ 2.62 × 1019
Diameter of a hydrogen atom 0.53 × 10−10

8. The current passing through a resistor 𝑹 = (𝟏𝟑 ± 𝟎. 𝟓) 𝜴 is 𝑰 = (𝟑 ± 𝟎. 𝟏) A.

a) Calculate the power consumed (correct to one significant figure).

Solution:

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𝑃 = 𝐼2 𝑅

𝑃 = (3 A)2 × 13 𝛺 = 9 × 13 = 117 W

Correct to one significant figure: 1 × 102 W (1 significant figure)

b) Find the percentage uncertainty of the current passing through the resistor.

0.1
Percentage uncertainty in 𝐼 = × 100% = 3.33%
3
c) Find the percentage uncertainty of the resistance.

0.5
Percentage uncertainty in 𝑅 = × 100% = 3.85%
13
d) Find the absolute uncertainty of the electrical power.

Solution: The percentage uncertainty of power 𝑃 is given by the sum of the percentage uncertainties of 𝐼
and 𝑅:

Percentage uncertainty in 𝑃 = 2 × 3.33% + 3.85% = 6.66% + 3.85% = 10.51%

The absolute uncertainty in power 𝛥𝑃 is:

10.51
𝛥𝑃 = ( ) × 117 W ≈ 12.3 W
100

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Bravo Academy and Digital Skills Center, Near Rohi Chowk, Sector I-14, Islamabad
Contact Number: +92-317-0674216