UNITS AND MEASUREMENT

Need Measurement
for
•
To understand
any phenomenon in
physics we have to
perform experiments .

•
Experiments
several
require measurements
,
and we measure

physical properties like length ,

mass
,
time
, temperature pressure
,
etc .

Experimental verification and theories also

of laws
•

needs measurement
of physical properties
.

Quantities
Physical property that be measured and described
A
physical unit
can
called Quantities
by a number and is
physical .

Examples -

is
•
Mass
of a
person
table is
65kg
.

Length
3m
of
•
a .

•
Area of a hall is 9-00 m2 .

Temperature of
is 300K
•
a room .

Types of Quantities
physical
which do not
1 Fundamental Quantities
depends
-
The
physical Quantities
quantities for their
on
any other
physical
measurements are known as fundamental quantities
time electric
These are mass
length
, , ,
current ,

temperature ,
luminous intensity and amount
of substance .

2 Derived Quantities - The

physical Quantities which depend
on one or more
fundamental quantities for their
measurement are known as derived quantities .

Examples
-

Force ,
Speed ,
Area and so on .

Force = mass ✗ acceleration

N
kg
-2
=
Ms

↳ Fundamental
detained units
unit
Units for measurement

The
Quantities
standard used
is called
for theunitmeasurement of
a .
a
physical
Enampk -
a- meter , foot for
,

pound for
inch
length .

kilogram
a
, mass .

3
Second minute ,
hour , for time .

fahrenheit Kelvin for temperature

• .
,

Characteristics -

→
well
suitable
defined
size
Reproduce able
→

→ Invariable
→ Indestructible

Internationally acceptable
-
.

System Units
Of
set units which is used to measure all kinds
A complete of and derived quantities is called a
of fundamental
units
system of
.

CGS Units
system of
introduced in France
This
system was
first
.

also Gaussian units

→ St is
It is based
known
centimeter ,
on
as
system
and
of second
gram
→

mass and
as
time
the
.
fundamental units of length ,

system of units
MKS

This also introduced in France

system
• was .

→ It is also
based
known as French
andsystem
of unit .

→ It is on meter ,
kilogram second as the
fundamental units
of length ,
mass and time .

FPS units
system of
This introduced in Britain
system
→
was .

It is also known British units

and of
system
→ as .

→ St is based on
foot , pound second as the
time
fundamental units
of length , mass and .
International of units
system
→ In
1971 , General conference
and decided
on
weight and Measures

meeting
unit
held its
system of
a

for international
usage
.

This called international of units

system is
system
→

and abbreviated as SI from its French

name •

unit consists units and

→ The SI
of seven
units
fundamental
two
supplementary
.

SEVEN FUNDAMENTAL UNITS

fundamental Quantity SI Unit SYMBOL

meter
length
Mass
kilogram
m

kg
Time second s

Kelvin K
Temperature
Electric Current A
Ampere
ed
Luminous
intensity Candela
Amount
of substance mole not

Important Definitions :

Meter -

The meter is the

length of the path travelled
by light 1 in a vacuum
secondduring a time interval
of of a .

29.97.92.458

kilogram The
kilogram
- is the mass
of prototype cylinder
of platinum iridium
international
-

alloy the
preserved and Measures
at

at Sevres ,
near
Bureau
Paris .
of weights ,

Second second is the time taken

One 9,19 26.31.770
by
-

oscillations of emitted
the
light a cesium -133 atom
by .

Supplementaryis units : -

Radian used
a. It to measure plane angle .
-

Steradian used solid

2 It is to measure
angle
- .
 In radian

In steradian

Rules
for writing SI units

9- •
Full name of unit always starts with small letter
even if named after person
a .

• newton • Newton
Ampere
• •

ampere
•
coulomb •
Coulomb
named after scientist should be in
2.
Symbol for unit a

capital letter .

•
N for newton •
K for Kelvin
•
d- for ampere
•
C
for Coulomb

for all other units written in small

3.
Symbol
letter .
are

• m
for meter
second
•
kgCdfor kilogram
Candela
• s
for
•
for
a. One
space is left between the last
digit of numeral
and unit
the
symbol of a .

•
10
kg
•
10kg
• 5 N • 5N
• 15 m • 15m

5 . The units do not have plural forms .

•
6 metre •
6 meters
14
kg 14
Kgsseconds
• •

• 20 second • 20
• 18 Kelvin •
18 kelvins

6 . Full stop should not be used after the unit .

•
Fm • 1- meter .

•
12 N • 12 N .
7- .
No space is used between the
symbol for units .

•
4 Js •
4 Js
•
19 Mm • 19 N m
•
25 VA • 25 11 A

SI PREFIXES

Use
of SI prefixes
• 3
milliampere = 3mA =
3×10-3 A
• 5 microvolt = 5h11 =
5×10-611
• 8 nanosecond = 8ns = 8 ✗ 10-9 S
6 6×10-12 m
6
pico metre pm
• = =

• 5 kilometre =
5km = 5 ✗ 103 me
7 7- ✗ 106
megawatt IN
• = 7- MIN =

Some practical units for measuring length

1 micron = 10 -6m 2 9- nanometer = 10 -9m

Bacteria Molecules
3 1
angstrom
A- =
to -10m 4 1 fermi = to -15m

Atoms Molecules
Astronomical units
5 6
Lightdistance
Yeah It is the
- -

travelled
It is
defined as the
mean
the
distance
of
earth
by light in vacuum in

from sun one

year
. .

9.5 ✗ 1015m
"
1 AU = 105 ✗ 10 m 9- LY =

7- Parsac It is
-

subtends
defined as the distance at which an arc

of It9- AU angle of unit

"
an
1 .

is the
largest practical of distance used
in astronomy .

9- Parsec - 3. I ✗ 1016 m .

some
practical units
for measuring area

is
used in
Acre It to measure
large areas
• -

British
system of units
.

"
X 208
'

1 ache = 208
'
8.5
"
8.5 = 4046.8mi
 is used
Hectare St to measure
large areas in
• -

units
French
system of
.

1 hectare = 100m ✗ loom = 10000 mi

Barn It is used to measure small areas

sections very
• -

such as nuclear cross .

28
1 barn =
10 m2
-

some
practical units
for measuring mass
.

metric ton
1000kg
• 1 =

• 9-
quintal 100kg
=

9-
pound 140.454
kg
• =

1
slug 59kg limit
• = •

•
1 Chander Sekhar = 1. A ✗ mass of sun
2.785 ✗ 1030
kgmass
=

It is the
biggest unit for measuring .

atomic unit
1
1,2
✗ mass
of single C atom
•
mass .
.

atomic
1 mass unit = 1.66×10
-27kg .

It is the smallest
piratical unit for measuring mass

is used to
St
and neutron
measure
.
mass
of single ,
atoms ,
proton
some
practical units
for measuring time .

day day 24h

• 1 Solar =

• 9- Sidereal = 23h and 56 min .

sidereal
solary day
1 Solar 365 366
yeah
• = =

days
.

day
• 1 Lunar month =
27.3 Solar
• I shake =
10 -8s .

Measurement of
length .

direct method
a
By
distance
Lengthbetween
may
be
defined as the
of separation
two
points in
space
.

Devices
• Meter
used for
scale measuring ( direct
LC =
length
1mm )
.

•
vernier Calle I LC 0.1mm I
peers
=

• Screw
gauge
or
sphere meter ( LC = 0.01mm )
 Indirect method
b
By
Triangulation
It is a method
Method
of like height of
measuringmountain
the an
inaccessible object a .

Let AB=h be the

mountain to be
heightmeasured
of
the

h
elevation
The
angle
peak from
of point of a
its
-0 '
-02
ground
C
C on the B
☐
and let it be 0 , ,
d se

Again measure the

angle of elevation from point D.
LAD B. =
-02

In rt .
☐ ABC ,
lot ② ,
=
N

In art .

DABD cot 0-2 = den

,
he

I. lot 0-2 lot 0 d -1N d

un
-
= =
, -

h h

h = d
Coto , - Wto ,

Parallax Method
It is a method
which
useful for measuring
less than
distances

of the stars
earth
are too
light years
away from
.

Parallax It is the apparent shift in the position of an

-

object with respect to another when we

shift
our side wise
eye
.

distance between the two observation

The
is called basis .
points of
To measure the distance D
of a
far away planet
method
by
S the
parallax ,
we observe
from
Earth , separated
two different positions and B on the
A

by distance AB=b at the same

-

time as shown
.
.

⑥ is called
The LASB represented
by symbol
parallactic
the
parallax
angle or
angle .
 is
As the
b
planet very far away ,

<< 1 ,
and
☐

⑥ is small
veryAB
% .

Hence can be taken as

an

circle
arc
length
with of centre
b
of
ats and
a

the distance D as the radius

AS =
BS

so ,
AB = b = DO
_
Where -0=0 , -1012J
1. D=
by

LASER METHOD
stimulated
The word stands for
emission radiation
light amplification by
of
.

It is the method uses reflection technique for

the distance is
measuring of very
the Laser
intense of
moon .
a

source
directional highly monochromatic ,

highly Laser beam towards of light

and beam .

A is sent the
moon and its reflected pulse is reciered in some
time t .

Distance and is
given by
between the earth the moon

S = cxt
2
 SONAR Method
and
The word stands for sound Navigation depth ranging .

This method is used

the sea bed
for - .
finding the
of
Sonar ultrasonic transmitted
On a
,
waves are
through
record
They distancereflected back and
the ocean .

are we
time
the
or sea - bed
.
The
can be
s
of
determined
the
as
submerged
-
rock

s = text
2
where vis the
wave in water
speed .
of ultrasonic

Practice
Problem
for
material
Ques 1 .

in
Express
the SI
the
units density of .
a
0.8g cm -3

Ques 2 .
How
many ✗ proton
↳
would make 1g ?
I. 67
Mp 10
kg
-

= .

Calculate the 19 degree (b) I. ( minute

angle( second
Quests )
of (a)
.

and (C) in radians

of Use 1
of 1
"
arc 1 arc .

360 = 21-1 radian ,

10=60
'
and I '
= 60
"
.

is observed
Queso .
The moon
from
earth Thediametrically
two
opposite
points A and B on the
angledirections
. ②
subtended at the moon
Observation Is 1054 Given the bythe two
diameter the
of
of distance
'
.

earth to be 1.276 ✗ 107m ,

compute the
the earth
of the moon from
.

Mass And
Weight
 Inertial and Gravitational Masses

Note :-
Inertial mass
of a
body is measured
by a

inertial balance .

measured
Gravitational
device called
mass
physical
of a
body is
balance .
by a

Dimensions of a
Physical Quantity
All the derived Quantities
in terms of some physical
combination of
can be
expressed
fundamental
the seven

quantities
on base .

All these fundamental quantities as the seven dimensions

Of the world .

Dimension of
length[ It ]
-

Dimension of mass M] -

Dimension of time IT ] -

Dimension of electric current -

EAT
Dimension
of thermodynamics temperature -1k ]
.

Dimension of luminous intensity [ cd ] -

Dimension of amount of substance [ moi ] -

Dimensional formulae of Some
Physical Quantities
 Problem Practice
for
Ques : Deduce the dimensional formula for the following
Quantities
physical
.

%) Gravitational constant
Ii ) Power
's Modulus
ciii )
Young
Civ ) coefficient
tension
of viscosity
4) Surface
Lvi ) Plank 's constant -

Applications of dimensional Analysis

1. To convert
Physical Quantity from one
system to

system
Another .

It is based on the fact that value of remains

'
the
'
nu
constant in all unit .

n
number
, Up =
Nz U2
unit
dimentional
Let
Physical Quantity has
formula
[ Map -14 then ,

n.IM#.T.9=niLM.i:-i.7nz--n,-r9,-a-L M L
,
-
b-
T,
T2
- c

-
2- -
2
. -
-

Illustration 1 : convert 1. Joule

'
into
' '

eng I MET -4
solution
physical quantity
'
: is •
so
energy
A. = 9- b = 2 ,
c = -2
g
Joule is unit whereas is the
unit
a SI
of energy erg
Cgs
of energy
.

SI CGS
n =
1 nz =
?
,

Mr =
1kg
1m
Mz =

1
9-
gram
L, =
Lz = cm

Tp = Is Tz = 9- S

A b C
N z
= N ,
M, L, T ,

Mz L2 T2
 1 2 -2
Nz =
Ma 1kg 1m Is
9- g 1cm Is

2
Nz = No 103 9 102cm
9- 1cm
g

Nz = I ✗ 103 ✗ 104

Nz =
107
•
1J 9- OF
egg
=
• .

2. To
It is
check
based
correctness
principle of
of physical Relation
According
withhomoginity
"

on .
to
this Quantities
can
physical
be added subtracted ,
or
equal
same
.
dimension

Illustration 2 : Let us check the dimensional

correctness of the
eqn of motion .

'
S = at +
Ig at

solution : LHS 5=-14

RHS at +
Iata
[ LT NT ] [ LT 1) [ TY
- ' -

= +

=
[L ] +
[ L]
=
[L ]
% LHS = RHS

Hence , Equation is
dimensionally correct .

derive relationship Different

3. To
Quantities .
a between
physical

Using principle of homogeneity can derive expression we an

for physical quantity in terms

of given physical
quantity on which it
depends .

Illustration 3 : -
Time period of pendulum depends on
• mass Of bob lm )
(e)
length of pendulum string (g)
•

acceleration due to
gravity
•

Deduce the relation among the

following Quantities .
 Solution Question
According to the
: -

T ma lb
gc
✗

K lb
-

ma
gc
= 1

where K is the dimensionless constant .

di mentioned
Using formula
.

[Moot ] =/ MY -1L ]b[ LT Y

'
' -

[ Ljbtc [
-2C
[ M°L°T ]
a
[ pq ] ]
'
=
T

Equating powers of
M ,
L and T

M ; a -

- O
L ; btc = 0

T ; -2C = I

C. -1 : b
12
=
. =

Putting the values a. band c in

equation a-
,
we
get
' " 12
m° l
•

d- K
=
g-
1- =
K l
l 9

From experiment 1<=21-1

T = 21T l
\
9

dimentional
Limitations
of Analysis
does
• This method
di mention al constant
not
provide K .
any information
about

••
This method could not derive a relation which
depends Quantities
relationphysical
on more than three .

which
trigonometry
• It
fails to derive a involves

logarithmic
relation
exponential function
dimentionally is
or .

correct it be
If
•
a
may
wooing
.
 Different types of variable and constant
1. Dimensional Variables The Quantities which -

physical
dimensions and have variable value are called
possess
di mentioned variables .
En - Area .
volm ,
velocity etc .

Dimensional ess Variables

2. The
physical Quantities
. -

who dimenteons but variables

have
possess no

values are called dimensionless variables .

strain etc
En -

Angle ,
specific gravity ,

3. Dimensional constants which dimensions and

possess
-

have constant values are called dimensional

constant En
gravitational constant Plank's constant
. .

etc .

a. Dimensionless constant
no
The constant
dimensions are called dimensionless
.

quantities
constantshaving .

En -
T
g
e
, etc

Accuracy Precision
 ERROR
between true value and measured value
Difference called
of a
physical quantity is error .

Error = True Value -

Measured value

different types of error

a-
Systematicdirection
Error -
Those error
called
which oeuvre in
single
fined is
systematic
divided in
error .

Depending on cause it is
following type :
-

(a) Instrumental errors

Those
calibration
error which arises due to
manufacturing
called
or

instrumental
error
defect of.
instrument is

(b)
Imperfection
Those error
in
experimental
which
techniques
arises due to
wrong
or

in
imperfect
comes
method
under this
experimental
error .
arrangement
(c) Personal error
Those error which arises due to individual's bias or

is called Personal
carelessness
of person error .

2 Random error
which and random
those error
irregularly
occur
called
in direction
error .
and
magnitude is random

3 Least -
Count error
The smallest value which a instrument can measure
least court precise value it cannot
is so more
of
.

this
be
is
measured
called by that
least
instrument
count error
,

.
type of error

4 Gross Error
Those error which arises due to carelessness or
improper
adjustment which can not be corrected is called
error
gross
.

5 Absolute error
value
the
magnitude of the
difference between the true

of the quantity and individual measurement .

 Consider a,
,
az , as ,
- - . -
an be the n measured
values
of
considered
a

as
physical quantity
air thematic
,
then it's true value is
mean these value
of
Am = A, + Azt Azt - - - -
+ an
n

"
am = 9-
ai
n
i. = 1

oooh ,
Da , = am - a ,

A 92 = Am
-

az
Daz = Am -

As
i

i.
:
Dan = Am -

an

Then Da , Daz - - - - - - Dan is called absolute

, ,

error .

mean

The
of absolute error
arithmetic mean
of absolute error is called
mean
of absolute error .

☐ Em = Da . +1 bad -1 - - - - +1dam )
n

6 Relative error sa
The ratio of mean absolute error and true value
is called relative error .

Sa = Deem
am

7
Percentage error

% error = Relative error ✗ 100

% error = 15am ✗ 100

am

Illustration successive measurements the

period of
4 : In
simple pendulum
,
readings
of were
the oscillation
of 2056s
a

and
foundto be 2.63s , ,
2. a 2s
,
271s
 2.80s in an
experiment .
Calculate d) mean value of period
oscillation ④ absolute error in each
of ciii ) absolute cir) relative
measurement
mean
and
error error a
percentage
proper form
hit result in
error
express the
.

Solution : i] Mean period of oscillation ,

= 2.63 + 2. 56-12.42+2.71 -12.80

= 13012 = 2.624 s

=
2.62 [Rounded off to 2nd decimal place ]

in Absolute error
DT, = 2- 62
-

2. 63 = -0001s

☐ Tz =
2.62 -
2.56 =
0.06s

☐ Tz = 2062 -

2.42 =
0.20s

☐ Tg = 2.62 -

2 •
71 = -
0.09s

2062 2 80 D. 18s
DTs = =
- .
-

Iii Mean absolute error = EIA Til

n
AT = 0.01 t 0.06 -1 0.20 1- 0.09 + 0.18

5
AT = 0054 = 0.108
5
AT = 0.11s [ Rounded off to 2nd decimalplaces ]
Cir) Relative error .

8T = DF = 0.11 = 0 •
0419 = 0.04
=
, z.gg

(V ) % error in T = 0.04×100 = 4%
Hit absolute 2.62+-0.11
In terms
of
of error ,
1- =

12.62+-4%1
S
In terms
percentage error T s
=
,

Problem for Practise

Ques Convert Newton into
1 . one
dyne .

Ques 2 . The
density Mercury
Find itsof value
is
in
13.6
gem
units
-3 in CGS
system SI
. .
*µm.µm.enµm
Find the dimensions of in
Ques
Ag
the
3 .

equation :

and t is time
'
Fae bt where f- is is distance
f- = a +
,
force ,
n .

Queso The Vanderwall 's

.

equation for a
gas
is

P + a V -
b = RT • Determine the dimensions
y
,

and Hence write the SI units and b.

of a b .

of a

Ques 5
E
. find the
b '
dimensions
where E
of is axb in the
equation
is distance
:

and
; energy
= -
n n
,

at
tis time .

vibration
frequency n' stretched
string
'
The
Queso .

of of a

depends upon
:

Ñ
length
its l

in the
Ciii ) the tension T
string .

Obtain
dimensionally
an
expression for frequency 'v !
Quest around the sun in circular
. A
planet moves
revolution 'T depends nearly
orbit
period of orbit
'
Its
upon
.
:

41 radius
of the
'
r
'

Iii )
'
'
M
mass
of sun

ciiil
Show
gravitational
the
constantly
dimensionally that Ta is
.

✗ .

Taking the
proportionality constant write
as 27 the
,

expression for T .

Combination of ERROR

Addition
a

consider of Error
DA and DB absolute are error in A and B

respectively quantity which is

equal to
'
is . 2
'
a

of
' '
A and B
' '
sum .

2 = A + B
So ,
2 ± Dz = A ± DA + B I DB

2-1 D2 = A + B I DA t DB

AZ = ± DA t AB

b Difference
of Error
consider which is equal to difference
quantity
' '
a z

in A and B .
 2 = A -
B
=
( AIAA ) -

( BIBB )

2=1 Dz =
(A - B ) ± DA + DB

AZ = -1 ( DA +
☐ B)

c
Multiplication which is
quantity equal to product of
'

consider
'

a z
and
quantity A
' ' '
two
'
B .

2 =
A B -

SO ,

2=1 D2 = A IDA ) BIDB

ZI D2 ABI ADB ± B DA ±
D_ADB_
=

neglected
DZ = ± ADB + BAA

d Division
which is equal to ratio and
' '

consider
quantity
'
A
'
a z
'
'
B .

z = A
B
Sog
2=1 Dz = A IDA

B -1 DB

1 I A 1=1 DAA
Dzz
Z =

1=1
B
BBB)
'
I ±
DZ ) A 1=1 DA
-

DBB
2 = 1 ±
B- a

II
1¥ I -1 DA I ¥ DB
=

A B

1=1
DE = 1 I
DAA ±
DJ ± DA DB

AB_
neglected
AZ DB
•

Drat
• • = ± +
B

Error in Power

✗ ayb
consider an equation : -

p =

zc
 then '

bD¥
± CAZ
pp
☐ = a + +

breath and
Illustrations : The
length ,
height of a
rectangular
block
of wood were measured to be :

L = 12 •
13+-0 .
02m ; b = 8.16 I 0.01m
h = 3. 46 I 0.01 m

Determine the in the volume

% error
of the block .

Solution Volume block

:
of = Lbh

in the volume is
The
percentage error
given by
YY Bel -1B¥ Ahn 100
✗ 100
=
+ ✗

= 0002 + 0-01 + 0.01 ✗ 100

12 •
13 8.16 z.gg

200
=
-1 100--1 too

% 816 346
=
0.1649 + 0 •
1225 + 0.2890
1140 = 0.58 % Rounded off to 2
Significant
figure
Problem
for practise
Ques 1 . Find % error in the
following :

' /3
(a) 2 = At B (b) ✗ = at b3
C ☐ 312 C Td

specific resistance of thin wire

of radius
'

Quesz .
The -
'
a

and
n' cm resistance Rr
length Lcm is
given by
'

r = -1192 R
L
If he = 0.26 -10.02cm ,
R = 32=1 IN and L = 7810.01cm ,

find the % error in r .

Significant Figure
All reliable plus one uncertain
digit is called
significant figure .
 OR

reliable digits
The
uncertain
total number
of digits directly
+ last
digit particular which
measurement
are obtained
called
from a are

significant figures .

Examples -

a- Let M 6.11g there 3

significant figures are
• =
,
there
2°
Speed -67km/h , a
significant figures .

30 Time 12076 s a
significant figures
-
.

Length -1.8cm
a.
, significant figures
2

Rules for
counting significant figures .

1. All non zero digits are

significant
-
.

Number significant figures

16 2
3506 3
6428 4

2 .
zeros between non
zero digits are
significant .

Number
significant figures
205 3
3008 A
60.005 5

Terminal decimal
3. zeros that are also to the
right of a

point in a number are

significant .

Number
significant figures
400 I
3050 3
20 It s 2

Terminal decimal
a. zeros that
number
are also to the
right of
point in a are
significant
.

Number
significant figures
64000 A
3. 60
3g
•

25.060
5 .

If the number is less than 1 ,

all zeroes before the
first non zero digit are not
significant
.
-

Number
significant figures
0.064 2
0 •
00850 3
0 . 0000 2050 4

6.
During confusion conversion
.
of units use power of 10 to avoid

Number
significant figures
2. 700 M tr
2. 700 ✗ 102 cm 4

2 700 ✗ 10-3 KM
•
4

Rules for rounding off a measurement

1 .

If the
digit to be dropped is less than 5 ,
then the

preceding digit
is
left unchanged .

Round
Number
off up to
3
digits
69 • 62 6406
3 651•
3065
546 3 •
546

preceding
If the digitis dropped
2 .
to be is more than 5 ,
then the
raised
digit by
one .

Number pound off up

to 3
digits
3. 479 3048
93046 93 5 •

6 83 •
7 684

3 . the
If than digit to be
dropped is 5
followed digits raised
by digit
other

preceding
zero ,
then the is

by
one .

Round
Number off up to 3
digits
620354 6204

9 •
6552 9 •
66

589 • 51 590
4.
Sf the
digit the be dropped is 5 followed
by
to zero or
increased
nothing ,
last
remaining
add
digit is
by 1 it
if is
,
but
left as it is
if even .

Round off upto

Number 3
digits
53 350
•
53.4
90455 9.46
78205 782