UNITS AND

MEASUREMENTS

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 CONTENTS
1. Introduction to Physics
2. Physical Quantities
3. Units :- Classification and System of Units
4. Dimensions :- Dimensional Formula and The
Three Applications
5. Measurements :- Significant Figures and
Rounding Off
6. Errors :- Types and Combination of errors
7. Instruments :- Accuracy and Precision

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 INTRODUCTION

PHYSICAL WORLD
1. What is Physics ?
A: Physics is the study of Basic Laws of Nature and their
manifestation in different natural phenomena.

2. What are the two principal thrusts in Physics?

A: Unification and Reduction.

3. Which topics are covered in CLASSICAL PHYSICS?

A: Mechanics , Electrodynamics, Optics and
Thermodynamics.

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FUNDAMENTAL FORCES

GRAVITATIONAL FORCE

ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE

STRONG NUCLEAR FORCE

WEAK NUCLEAR FORCE

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 RELATIVE STRENGTH

STRONG NUCLEAR
FORCE
ELECTROMAGNETIC
FORCE
RELATIVE STRENGTH WEAK NUCLEAR
FORCE
GRAVITATIONAL
FORCE

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. What is the ratio of relative strength of:

1. Gravitational Force and Weak Nuclear Force

2. Strong Nuclear Force and Electromagnetic Force

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RANGE OF FUNDAMENTAL FORCES

• GRAVITATIONAL FORCE –
INFINITE

• ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE –
INFINITE

• STRONG ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE

– Short (Nuclear Size : 10 -15 m)

• WEAK NUCLEAR FORCE – Very

Short (Sub- Nuclear Size : 10 -16 m)

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 PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

In Physics, all the quantities which are used to describe the

laws of physics and can be measured are called PHYSICAL
QUANTITIES.

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CLASSIFICATION ON BASIS OF DIRECTIONAL PROPERTIES

PHYSICAL
QUANTITIES

SCALAR VECTOR

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 SCALARS
The physical quantities which have only magnitude but no
direction are called scalar quantities.
Example: mass, distance, density, volume, time, etc.

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 VECTORS

The physical quantities which have both magnitude and

direction and obey laws of vector algebra are called vector
quantities.
Example: displacement, force, velocity, etc.

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CLASSIFICATION ON BASIS OF DEPENDENCY

PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

INDEPENDENT OF EACH DEPENDENT ON EACH

OTHER OTHER

FUNDAMENTAL 7 DERIVED

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FUNDAMENTAL OR BASE QUANTITIES
The quantities which do not depend upon other quantities
for their complete definition are known as fundamental or
base quantities.

MASS
LENGTH
TIME
TEMPERATURE

CURRENT
AMOUNT OF
SUBSTANCE

LUMINOUS
INTENSITY
7
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 DERIVED QUANTITIES
The quantities which can be expressed in terms of the
fundamental quantities are known as derived quantities.

SPEED

FORCE

DENSITY

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 MEASURING PROCESS

The process of measurement is basically comparison process

of a Physical quantity with respect to some standard quantity.

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UNITS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

The chosen reference standard of measurement in

multiples of which, a physical quantity is expressed is called
the unit of that quantity.

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 SYSTEM OF UNITS
FPS CGS MKS

LEN foot
cen
tim
met
GTH etre re

MA pou gra kilog

SS nd m ram

TI sec seco seco

ME ond nd nd

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 INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS (SI)
kilo
MASS gra kg
m
me
LENGTH
ter m MKS
sec
TIME on s
TEMPERAT d
kel
URE vin K
am
CURRENT per A
can
e ADDITIONAL
LUMINOUS
INTENSITY
AMOUNT
del cd
OF moa
mol
SUBSTANC le
E
PLANE ANGLE radian rad
SUPPLEMENTARY
SOLID ANGLE steradian sr

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FUNDAMENTAL OR BASE UNITS
The units of fundamental quantities are called base units.
me
MASS
tre m
kilo
LENGTH gra kg
sec
m
TIME on s
TEMPERAT
d
kel
URE vin K
am
CURRENT per A
can
e
LUMINOUS
INTENSITY del cd
AMOUNT a
OF mo mol
SUBSTANC le
E

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 DERIVED UNITS

The units of derived quantities or the units that can be

expressed in terms of the base units are called derived units.

SPEED

FORCE

DENSITY

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 SUPPLEMENTARY UNITS

PLANE ANGLE SOLID ANGLE

RADIAN : 1 radian is the STERADIAN : 1 steradian is
angle subtended at the the solid angle subtended
centre of a circle by an arc at the centre of a sphere,
equal in length to the by that surface of the
radius of the circle sphere which is equal in
area to the square of the
radius of the sphere.

θ
Ω

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 IMPROPER UNITS

These are the units which are not of the same nature as
that of the physical quantities for which they are used.

kg - wt

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DIMENSIONS & DIMENSIONAL FORMULA

Dimension: Dimensions of a physical quantity are the

powers (or exponents) to which the base quantities are
raised to express that quantity.
Dimensional Formula : The dimensional formula of any
physical quantity is that expression which represents how
and which of the base quantities are included in that
quantity.
It is written by enclosing the symbols for base quantities with
appropriate powers in square brackets.

MASS
[M1L0T0]

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 DIMENSIONAL EQUATION

Dimensional Equation : The equation obtained by

equating a physical quantity with its dimensional
formula is called a dimensional equation.

For example:

[MASS]= [M1L0T0] is a Dimensional Equation

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DIMENSIONS & DIMENSIONAL FORMULA

MASS [M1L0T0]

LENGTH [M0L1T0]

TIME [M0L0T1]

TEMPERATURE [M0L0T0K1]

CURRENT [M0L0T0A1]

LUMINOUS INTENSITY [M0L0T0Cd1]

AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE [M0L0T0mol1]

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of : MECHANICS

1. Speed

2. Acceleration

3. Force

4. Work

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of : MECHANICS

1. Energy : KE or PE or Heat or Any Form

2. Power

3. Pressure

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of : WAVES

1. Frequency

2. Wavelength

3. Amplitude

4. Energy Density

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of : GRAVITATION

1. Gravitational Force

2. Universal Gravitational Constant

3. Orbital/Escape Velocity

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 EXAMPLES
CIRCULAR
Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of : MOTION

1. Angle

2. Angular Velocity

3. Angular Acceleration

4. Tangential Acceleration

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 EXAMPLES

ROTATIONAL
Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of :
MOTION

1. Torque

2. Moment of Inertia

3. Angular Momentum

4. Radius of Gyration

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of : HEAT

1. Heat Current

2. Thermal Conductivity

3. Specific Heat Capacity

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of :

PROPERTIES OF MATTER

1. Stress

2.Strain

3. Young’s Modulus

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of : ELECTROSTATICS

1. Charge

2.Electric Field

3. Electric Flux

4. Electric Dipole Moment

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of :

ELECTRODYNAMICS
1. Voltage or Potential Difference

2. Electrical Resistance

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 EXAMPLES

ELECTRODYNAMICS

3. Capacitance

4. Current Density

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of : MAGNETISM

1. Magnetic Field

2. Magnetic Flux

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of : CONSTANTS

1. Permittivity Constant

2.Dielectric Constant

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 EXAMPLES

3. Permeability Constant

4. Planck’s Constant

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 RULES OF DIMENSIONS

1. Only SAME physical quantities can be added or subtracted.

2. If physical quantities are multiplied or divided then a NEW

physical quantity is formed.

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 DIMENSIONLESS QUANTITIES

Dimensionless Quantities are:

1. Ratio of physical quantities with same dimensions.

2. All mathematical constants.

3.All standard mathematical functions and their inputs

(exponential, logarithmic, inverse trigonometric &
trigonometric).

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Find the dimensions of unknown

quantities A,B,C in the following:

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Find the dimensions of unknown

quantities A,B in the following:

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Find the dimensions of unknown

quantities A,B in the following:

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Find the dimensions of product of

unknown quantities A and B in the
following:

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Find the dimensions of unknown

quantities a/b in the given Van-der
Waal’s equation for 1 mole of gas is:

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DIMENSIONS IN CALCULUS

DIFFERENTIATION INTEGRATION

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the Dimensional Formula of : CALCULUS

1. 2.

3. 4.

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APPLICATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL FORMULA

1. To convert a physical quantity from one system of units

to other:

This is based on the fact that magnitude of a physical

quantity remains same whatever system is used for
measurement.

Magnitude = numeric value (n) × unit (u) = constant

n 1u 1 = n 2u 2

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APPLICATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL FORMULA

So if a quantity is represented by [Ma Lb Tc] then :

n1 = numerical value in I system

n2 = numerical value in II system
M1 = unit of mass in I system
M2 = unit of mass in II system
L1 = unit of length in I system
L2 = unit of length in II system
T1 = unit of time in I system T2
= unit of time in II system
 
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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Convert 1 newton (SI unit) into dyne

(CGS unit).

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Convert 0.5 gm/cm2 to SI System.

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Convert 1J to a system where unit of

mass, length and time are 100gm, 20m
and 10s respectively.

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APPLICATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL FORMULA

2. To check the dimensional correctness of a given physical

relation:
If in a given relation, terms on both the sides have the
same dimensions, then the relation is dimensionally
correct.
This is known as the Principle of Homogeneity of
Dimensions.

A Dimensionally Correct equation may be

Physically Incorrect

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Check the dimensional correctness of:

P = rgh

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Check the dimensional correctness of:

KE = 3mv2

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APPLICATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL FORMULA

3. To derive relationship between different physical

quantities:

If independent quantities are known then relations

amongst the quantities can be calculated using the
principle of homogeneity.

Can be used only for the Product

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Position (x) of a particle depends on

acceleration (a) and time (t). Find its relation.

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. It is known that the time of revolution T of a

satellite around the earth depends on the universal
gravitational constant G, the mass of the earth M, and
the radius of the circular orbit R. Obtain an expression
for T.

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. If work (W), acceleration (A) and time(T)

are taken as fundamental quantities, then
dimensions of length is ?

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. If pressure (P), velocity (V) and time(T) are

taken as base quantity. Find dimension of
force

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LIMITATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

1. In Mechanics the formula for a physical quantity

depending on more than three physical quantities cannot be
derived. It can only be checked.

2.This method can be used only if the dependency is of

multiplication type.

3.The formulae containing exponential, trigonometrical and

logarithmic functions cannot be derived using this method.

4.Formulae containing more than one term which are added

or subtracted like s= ut + (½)at2 also cannot be derived.

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LIMITATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

5.The relation derived from this method gives no information

about the dimensionless constants.

6.If dimensions are given, physical quantity may not be

unique as many physical quantities have the same
dimensions.

7.It gives no information whether a physical quantity is a

scalar or a vector.

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SIGNIFICANT FIGURES OR DIGITS

Any meaningful value have 3 types of information associated

with it:

1. the magnitude of the variable being measured.

2. its units.
3. an estimate of its uncertainty.

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SIGNIFICANT FIGURES OR DIGITS

Significant Figures or Digits

• Significant figures (SF) in a measurement are the figures or

digits that are known with certainity plus one that is
uncertain (i.e. Last digit).

• Significant figures in a measured value of a physical quantity

tell the number of digits in which we have confidence.

• Larger the number of significant figures obtained in a

measurement, greater is its accuracy and vice versa.

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SIGNIFICANT FIGURES OR DIGITS

Rules to find out the number of significant figures

RULE - 1
All the non-zero digits are significant
1936

RULE - 2
All the zeros between two non-zero digits are significant.
10508

RULE - 3
All the zeros to left of first non-zero digit are not significant.
00108

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SIGNIFICANT FIGURES OR DIGITS

Rules to find out the number of significant figures

RULE - 4
If the number is less than 1, zeros on right of decimal point
but to the left of the first non-zero digit are not significant.
0.002308
RULE - 5
The trailing zeros (zeros to the right of the last non-zero digit)
in a number with a decimal point are significant.
1.580

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SIGNIFICANT FIGURES OR DIGITS

Rules to find out the number of significant figures

RULE - 6
The trailing zeros in a number without a decimal point may
not be significant.
7800

RULE - 7

The trailing zeros in a number without a decimal point will be

significant if there’s a unit with the numerical value.
7800m

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 ROUNDING OFF

To represent the result of any computation containing more

than one uncertain digit, it is rounded off to appropriate
number of significant figures.

RULE - 1: If the digit to be rounded off is more than

5, then preceding digit is increased by one.

RULE - 2 : If the digit to be rounded off is less than 5,

then the preceding digit is left unchanged.

RULE - 3 : If the digit to be rounded off is 5 then the

preceding digit is increased by one if it is odd
and is left unchanged if it is even.

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Round off to Four Significant Digits :

(a) 7.1082
(b) 65.837
(c) 33.1251
(d) 33.1351
(e) 33.125
(f) 33.135
(g) 33.1250
(f) 33.1350

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RULES FOR ARITHMETIC OPERATORS

RULE - FOR ADDITION OR SUBTRACTION

In addition or subtraction the number of decimal places in

the result should be equal to the number of decimal places of
that term in the operation which contain lesser number of
decimal places.

51.49 + 7.200 =
12.587 – 12.5 =
34.663 – 2.41 =

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RULES FOR ARITHMETIC OPERATORS

RULE - FOR MULTIPLICATION OR DIVISION

In multiplication or division, the number of SF in the product

or quotient is same as the smallest number of SF in any of the
factors.

2.0 x 42 =
8.50 x 2.000 =
1.100 x 200 =

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SIGNIFICANT FIGURES IN EXPONENTIAL FORM

RULE – EXPONENTIAL FORM

When the number is expressed in exponential form, the

exponential term does not affect the number of S.F.

For example :

x = 65.4 = 6.54 × 101.

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 ORDER OF MAGNITUDE

Order of magnitude of a quantity is the power of 10 required

to represent that quantity in exponential form. This power is
determined after rounding off the value of the quantity
properly.

The order of magnitude of following is :

4900 = 4.9 x 104

50000 = 5 x 104

51000 = 5.1 x 104

0.0810 = 8.10 x 10-2

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Write the order of magnitude of:

(a) G = 6.67 x 10-11

(b) k = 9 x 109
(c) c = 3 x 108
(d) e = 1.6 x 10-19
(e) 2
(f) 9
(g) 0.02
(f) 0.09

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 ERRORS IN MEASUREMENT

ERRORS IN MEASUREMENTS:

The result of every measurement by any measuring

instrument contains some uncertainty. This uncertainty is
called error.

Every calculated quantity which is based on measured value,

also has an error.

Every measurement is limited by the reliability of the

measuring instrument and skill of the person making the
measurement.

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 TYPES OF ERRORS

1. SYSTEMATIC OR CONTROLLABLE ERRORS

Systematic errors are the errors whose causes are known.

They can be either positive or negative. Due to the known
causes these errors can be minimised. Systematic errors can
further be classified into three categories :

A. Instrumental errors
B. Environmental errors
C. Observational errors

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 TYPES OF ERRORS

A. Instrumental errors :- These errors are due to imperfect

design or erroneous manufacture or misuse of the
measuring instrument. These can be reduced by using
more accurate instruments.

B. Environmental errors :- These errors are due to the

changes in external environmental conditions such as
temperature, pressure, humidity, dust, vibrations or
magnetic and electrostatic fields.

C. Observational errors :- These errors arise due to improper

setting of the apparatus or carelessness in taking
observations.
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 TYPES OF ERRORS

2. RANDOM ERRORS

• These errors are due to unknown causes.

• Therefore they occur irregularly and are variable in

magnitude and sign.

• The causes of these errors are not known precisely, they can
not be eliminated completely.

• For example, when the same person repeats the same

observation in the same conditions, he may get different
readings different times.

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 TYPES OF ERRORS

HOW TO REDUCE RANDOM ERRORS

Random errors can be reduced by repeating the

observations a large number of times and taking the
arithmetic mean of all the observations. This mean value
would be very close to the most accurate reading.

If the number of observations is made n times then the

random error reduces to times.

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 TYPES OF ERRORS

3. GROSS ERRORS

Gross errors arise due to human carelessness and mistakes in

taking reading or calculating and recording the measurement
results. For example :-

• Reading instrument without proper initial settings.

• Taking the observations wrongly without taking necessary
precautions.
•Committing mistakes in recording the observations.
•Putting improper values of observations in calculations.
•These errors can be minimised by increasing the sincerity
and alertness of the observer.

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 REPRESENTATION OF ERRORS

ABSOLUTE ERROR (Da) : The difference between the true

value and the individual measured value of the quantity is
called the absolute error of the measurement.

ABSOLUTE ERROR = TRUE VALUE – MEASURED VALUE

Da = aT – a

•If true value of a quantity is not given then mean of all the
measured values is taken.

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 REPRESENTATION OF ERRORS

MEAN ABSOLUTE ERROR (Da)m : The arithmetic mean of all

the absolute errors(magnitudes) is defined as the final or
mean absolute error.

MEAN ABSOLUTE ERROR =

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 REPRESENTATION OF ERRORS

RELATIVE OR FRACTIONAL ERROR : It is defined as the ratio

of the mean absolute error to the true value or the mean
value of the quantity measured.

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 REPRESENTATION OF ERRORS

PERCENTAGE ERROR : When the relative error is expressed

in percentage, it is known as percentage error.

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. While measuring the length of a rod with

an instrument, the three readings were
4.01cm, 3.99cm, 4.06cm. Find :
1. Most Accurate Length
2. Absolute Error in each
3. Mean Absolute Error
4. Relative Error
5. Percentage Error

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 PROPOGATION OF ERRORS

ADDITION OR SUBTRACTION OF QUANTITIES : The maximum

absolute error in the sum or difference of the two quantities
is equal to the sum of the absolute errors in the individual
quantities.

X=A+B or X=A-B

DX = DA + DB

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. If the initial and final position of a particle

was measured as A = (6.4±0.1)cm and B =
(4.1±0.2)cm.
Calculate its displacement with proper error
limits.

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 PROPOGATION OF ERRORS

MULTIPLICATION OR DIVISION OF QUANTITIES :

The maximum fractional error in a quantity raised to a power
(n) is n times the fractional error in the quantity itself.

IF: X = ApBqCr

THEN:

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. If relative error in A is 0.1, B is 0.2 and C is

0.4, find the relative error in :
1. P = A2B3C
2. Q = A3B4/C2

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Find the absolute error in P in each case if

A=2±0.1 and B=1±0.2
and P = A3+ B2

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Find the absolute error(Δy) is y = sin θ for

θ = 60° and error in measurement of angle is
1.8°

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. For spherical mirror if u = (30.0±0.3)cm,

v = (60.0±0.6)cm. Find the focal length within
error limits:

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Two resistances are measured as (6±0.1)Ω and

(12±0.2)Ω. Find the equivalent resistance within error limits
if they are connected in:
1. Series 2. Parallel

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Two resistances are measured as (6±0.1) Ω and

(12±0.2)Ω. Find the equivalent resistance within error limits
if they are connected in:
1. Series 2. Parallel

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. If mass and velocity of a particle changes by

1% and 2% respectively. Find % change in K.E.

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. A wire has a mass (0.3 ± 0.003)gm, radius (0.5

±0.005)mm and length (6 ± 0.06)cm. Find % error in density.

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. If Voltage = (8 ± 0.5) V and Current = (2 ± 0.2) A. Find

Resistance in W with relative error, % error & absolute error

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. If two resistances R1 = (3 ± 0.05) W and R2 = (6 ± 0.02) W are

joined, find the equivalent resistance in W if they are connected in :
1. Series 2. Parallel

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LEAST COUNT OF INSTRUMENTS

LEAST COUNT

The smallest value of a physical quantity which can be

measured accurately with an instrument is called its least
count (L. C.)

LEAST COUNT = 1 litre

5 litre 4 litre
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 EXAMPLES

Ex. The least count of a stop watch is 1/5 second. The

time of 20 oscillations of a pendulum is measured to be
25s. What is the percentage error in the measurement of
time ?

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. The least count of a kid’s ruler is 1mm. He measures

the length of a rod with it and reports it 2.5cm. What is
the percentage error in the measurement of length ?

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 INSTRUMENTS – VERNIER CALLIPER

VERNIER CALLIPER

RANGE : 0 - 100 mm SENSITIVITY : 0.1 mm

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 LEAST COUNT OF VERNIER CALLIPER

LEAST COUNT
Suppose the size of one main scale division
(M.S.D.) is M units and that of one vernier scale
division (V. S. D.) is V units. Also let the length
of 'a' main scale divisions is equal to the length
of 'b' vernier scale divisions.

With the decrease in the least count of the measuring instrument, the accuracy of
the measurement increases and the error in the measurement decreases.
ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306
 EXAMPLES

Ex. The main scale division of vernier calliper is equal to

1mm. Given that 19 divisions of main scale are equal in
length to 20 division of vernier scale. Find the least count
of the vernier calliper.

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. One cm on the main scale of vernier calliper is divided

into ten equal parts. If 20 divisions of vernier scale
coincide with 18 small divisions of the main scale, what
will be the least count of callipers ?

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. The nth division of main scale coincides with (n + 1)th

division of vernier scale. Given one main scale division is
equal to 'a' units. Find the least count of the vernier
calliper.

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 READING OF VERNIER CALLIPER

ACCURATE
VERNIER CALLIPER

READING = (Main Scale Reading) + (Vernier Scale Reading × LC)

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. The main scale division of vernier calliper is equal to

1mm. 9 division of main scale are equal in length to 10
division of vernier scale. In measuring diameter the main
scale read 35 division and 4th division of vernier scale
coincide with main scale. Find:
(i) Least count (ii) Diameter

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. Find the zero error and the reading if LC = 0.01cm

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 INSTRUMENTS – VERNIER CALLIPER

ZERO ERROR

NO ZERO ERROR +ve ZERO ERROR -ve ZERO ERROR

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. Find the zero error in each if LC = 0.01 cm

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. Find the zero error in each if LC = 0.01 cm

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 READING OF VERNIER CALLIPER

INACCURATE
VERNIER CALLIPER

READING = (Main Scale Reading) + (Vernier Scale Reading × LC) – ZERO ERROR

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. Find the zero error and the reading if LC = 0.01cm

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

INSTRUMENTS – SCREW GAUGE

SCREW GUAGE

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

INSTRUMENTS – SCREW GAUGE

SCREW GUAGE

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. A spherometer has 100 equal divisions marked along

the periphery of its disc, and one full rotation of the disc
advances on the main scale by 0.01 cm. Find the least
count of the system.

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. The number of circular division on

the shown screw gauge is 50. It moves
2 mm on main scale for one complete
rotation. The diameter of the ball is :

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. The number of circular division on the

shown screw gauge is 100. It moves
0.5mm on main scale for one complete
rotation. The diameter of the ball is :

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 INSTRUMENTS – SCREW GAUGE

SCREW GUAGE

Circular Scale Circular Scale

Zero of
Circular Scale Zero of Circular
is above Main Scale is below
Scale Main Scale
Main Scale Main Scale
Reference Reference
Line Line

-ve ZERO ERROR +ve ZERO ERROR

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 INSTRUMENTS – SCREW GAUGE

READING OF SCREW GUAGE

Reading = MSR + (CSR × LC) - ZE

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. The number of circular division on the shown screw gauge

is 50. It moves 0.5 mm on main scale for one complete
rotation. Main scale reading is 5. The diameter ofthe ball is :

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 EXAMPLES

Ex. The number of circular division on the

shown screw gauge is 50 and pitch is 1mm.
The diameter of the ball is :

ABHISHEK SETHI - ALLEN - 16306

 ACCURACY & PRECISION

If we repeat a particular measurement, we usually do not get

precisely the same result as each result is subjected to some
experimental error. This imperfection in measurement can be
described in terms of accuracy and precision.
 ACCURACY & PRECISION

ACCURACY PRECISION

• The accuracy of a • Precision tells us to

measurement is a what resolution or
measure of how close limit the quantity is
the measured value is measured.
to the true value of
the quantity.
PRECISE BUT NOT ACCURATE
NEITHER PRECISE NOR ACCURATE
ACCURATE BUT NOT PRECISE
ACCURATE AND PRECISE
 EXAMPLES

Ex. If true value of a rod is 6.879 cm and we measure it by two

instruments A & B which gave readings 6.8cm and 6.21cm.
Which of the two is more:
1. Accurate 2. Precise
 EXAMPLES

Ex. Two students A and B carried out an experiment to

measure the time period of a pendulum which is actual 5.40 s
Which student is more accurate and which one is more precise:

STUDENT A STUDENT B
5.34, 5.40, 5.49 5.33, 5.37, 5.35
 EXAMPLES

Ex. An instrument having LC is 0.01cm measures the

length of a rod. Which can be the reading:

(1) 46.300cm (2) 8.2 cm

(3) 1cm (4) 5.03 cm