Physics Class-11

Chapter
01 Measurements
SHORT QUESTION AND ANSWERS
1. What is a physical quantity?
Ans: A physical quantity is a measurable attribute of a physical system such as length,
mass, time or temperature.
2. What is a unit of measurement?
Ans: A unit of measurement is a standard quantity used to express the magnitude of
a physical quantity, such as meters for length or seconds for time.
3. What are derived quantities?
Ans: Derived quantities are physical quantities that are derived from base quantities
by multiplication or division. Examples include area (length x length), volume,
speed and force.
4. What are base quantities?
Ans: Base quantities are fundamental physical quantities that cannot be defined in
terms of other quantities. Examples include length, mass, time, electric current,
temperature, amount of substance and luminous intensity.
5. What is a derived unit?
Ans: A derived unit is a unit of measurement that is defined in terms of the
fundamental units of the SI system, such as newtons (force) or joules (energy).
6. What is the purpose of measurement uncertainty?
Ans: Measurement uncertainty is an estimated of the range of values within which
the true value of a physical quantity is likely to lie, and is used to express the
reliability of a measurement.
7. What is the SI system of units?
Ans: The SI (International System of Units) system is a standardized system of units
used worldwide to express physical quantities. It consists of seven base units
and derived units.

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8. List the seven base SI Units.

Ans: The seven base SI units are:
- Meter (m) for length
- Kilogram (kg) for mass
- Second (s) for time
- Ampere (A) for electric current
- Kelvin (K) for temperature
- Mole (mol) for amount of substance
- Candela (cd) for luminous intensity
9. What is calibration?
Ans: Calibration is the process of adjusting or verifying the accuracy of a measuring
instrument by comparing it to a known standard.
10. what is Vernier caliper?
Ans: A Vernier caliper is a precision instrument used to measure small lengths,
diameters or depths with high accuracy. It consists of a main scale and a sliding
vernier scale.
11. What is the least count of a measuring instrument?
Ans: The least count is the smallest measurement that can be accurately measured
using a measuring instrument. For example, the least count of a Vernier caliper
is typically 0.01 cm.
12. What is the difference between a scalar and a vector quantity?
Ans: A scalar quantity has only magnitude (e.g mass, speed), while a vector quantity
has both magnitude and direction (e.g velocity, force).
13. What is the difference between precision and accuracy?
Ans: Precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements, while accuracy
refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value.
14. What is a screw gauge?
Ans: The least count of a screw gauge is typically 0.01 mm or 0.001 cm.
15. What is the importance of significant figures in measurements?
Ans: Significant figures indicate the precision of a measurement. They include all the
certain digits plus one uncertain digit in a measured value.

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16. What are random errors?

Ans: Random errors are unpredictable variations in measured caused by unknown
factors. They can be minimized by taking multiple readings and averaging them.
17. What are systematic errors?
Ans: Systematic errors are consistent, repeatable errors caused by faulty
instruments, incorrect calibration or experimental setup. They affect the
accuracy of measurements.
18. what is dimensional analysis?
Ans: Dimensional analysis is a method used to check the correctness of equations by
comparing the dimensions of physical quantities on both sides of the equation.
19. What is the principle of homogeneity of dimensions?
Ans: The principle states for an equation to by physically correct, the dimensions of
all terms on both sides of the equation must be the same.
20. What is the SI unit of force?
Ans: The SI unit of force is the newton (N), where 1N = 1 kg.m/s2
21. What is the difference between mass and weight?
Ans: Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object (unit: kilogram), while
weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity (unit: newton).
22. What is the SI unit of energy?
Ans: The SI unit of energy is the joule (J) where 1J = 1 N.m.
23. What is the importance of units in measurements?
Ans: Units provide a standard for expressing and comparing measurements. They
ensure consistency and clarity in communication of scientific data.
24. Express the derived unit of area in terms of base units?
Ans: The derived unit of area is square meters (m2), which is derived from the base
unit of length (meter)
25. Express the derived unit of volume in terms of base units.
Ans: The derived unit of volume is cubic meter (m3), derived from the base unit of
length (meter).

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26. What is the derived unit of speed, and how is it expressed in base units?
Ans: The derived unit of speed meters per second (m/s), which is derived from the
base units of length (meter) and time (second).
27. Express the derived unit of acceleration in terms of base units.
Ans: The derived unit of acceleration is meters per second square (m/s2), derived
from the base units of length (meter) and time (second)
28. Express the derived unit of pressure in terms of base units.
Ans: The derived unit of force is the newton (N), which is expressed in base units as
kg.m/s2) (kilogram x meter / second2)
29. Express the derived unit of pressure in terms of base units.
Ans: The derived unit of pressure is the pascal (Pa), which is expressed in base units
as kg/(m.s2) (kilogram / meter x second2)
30. What is the derived unit of energy, and how is it expressed in base units?
Ans: The derived unit of energy is the joule (J), which is expressed in base units as
kg.m2/s2 (kilogram x meter2 / second2)
31. Express the derived unit of power in terms of base units.
Ans: The derived unit of power is the watt (W), which is expressed in base units as
kg.m2/s3 (kilogram x meter2 / second3)
32. What is the derived unit of frequency, and how is it expressed in base units?
Ans: The derived unit of frequency is the hertz (Hz), which is expressed in base units
as s-1 (per second)
33. Express the derived unit of density in terms of base units.
Ans: The derived unit of density is kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3), derived from
the base units of mass (kilogram) and length (meter)
34. What is the derived unit of electric charge, and how is it expressed in base
units?
Ans: The derived unit of electric charge is the coulomb (C), which is expressed in base
units as A.s (ampere x second)

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35. Express the derived units of voltage in terms of base units.

Ans: The derived unit of voltage is the volt (V), which is expressed in base units as
kg.m2(A.s3) (kilogram x meter2 / ampere x second3)
36. What is the derived unit of resistance, and how is it expressed in base units?
Ans: The derived unit of resistance is the ohm (), which is expressed in base units
as kg.m2(A2.s3) (kilogram x meter2 / ampere2 x second3)
37. Express the derived unit of momentum in terms of base units?
Ans: The derived unit of momentum is kilogram meters per second (kg.m/s), derived
from the base units of mass (kilogram), length (meter), and time (second)
38. What is the derived unit of work, and how is it expressed in base units?
Ans: The derived unit of work is the joule (J), which is expressed in base units as
kg.m2/s2 (kilogram x meter2 / second2)
39. Express the derived unit of angular velocity in terms of base units.
Ans: The derived unit of angular velocity is radians per second (rad/s), which is
expressed in base units as s-1 (per second).
40. What is the derived unit of torque, and how is it expressed in base units?
Ans: The derived unit of torque is newton-meter (N.m), which is expressed in base
units as kg-m2/s2 (kilogram x meter2 / second2)
41. Express the derived unit of capacitance in terms of base units.
Ans: The derived unit of capacitance is the fard (F), which is expressed in base units
as A2.s4/(kg.m2) (ampere2 x second4 / kilogram x meter2)
42. What is the derived unit of magnetic flux, and how is it expressed in base
units?
Ans: The derived unit of magnetic flux is the weber (Wb), which is expressed in base
units as kg.m2/(A.s2) (kilogram x meter2 / ampere x second2)
43. What is estimation in physics?
Ans: Estimation is an approximate calculation or judgement of the value, size, or
quality of a physical quantity when precise measurement is not possible or
necessary.

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44. Why is estimation important in Physics?

Ans: Estimation helps in making quick calculations, checking the reasonableness of
results, and understanding the scale of physical phenomena when exact
measurements are unavailable.
45. Estimate the mess of a car?
Ans: The mass of a car is approximately 1000 to 2000 kilograms.
46. Estimate the length of a football field?
Ans: The length of a football field is approximately 100 meters.
47. Estimate the height of a two-story building?
Ans: The height of a two-story building is approximately 6 to 8 meters.
48. Estimate the volume of a water bottle?
Ans: The volume of a standard water bottle is approximately 500 milliliters (0.5 liters)
49. Estimate the time it takes for light to travel from the Sun to the Earth.
Ans: Light takes approximately 8 minutes and 20 seconds to travel from the Sun to
the Earth.
50. Estimate the diameter of a human hair?
Ans: The diameter of a human hair is approximately 0.1 millimeters (100
micrometers)
51. Estimate the speed of a walking person.
Ans: The speed of a walking person is approximately 1 to 2 meters per second.
52. Estimate the mass of an apple.
Ans: The mass of an apple is approximately 100 to 200 grams.
53. Estimate the thickness of a sheet of a paper.
Ans: The thickness of a sheet of paper is approximately 0.1 millimeters.
54. Estimate the volume of air in a classroom.
Ans: For a classroom of dimensions 10m x 8m x 3m, the volume of air is
approximately 240 cubic meters.
55. Estimate the number of breaths a person takes in a day.
Ans: A person takes approximately 20,000 to 25,000 breaths in a day.

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56. Estimate the mass of the Earth?

Ans: The mass of the Earth is approximately 6 x 1024 kilograms.
57. Estimate the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
Ans: The distance between the Earth and the Moon is approximately 384,000
kilometers.
58. Estimate the power consumption of a household light bulb?
Ans: A household light bulb typically consumes 60 to 100 watts of power.
59. Estimate the speed of sound in air?
Ans: The speed of sound in air is approximately 343 meters per second at room
temperature.
60. Estimate the number of seconds in a year?
Ans: The number of second in a year is approximately 3.15 x 107 second.
61. Estimate the mass of a textbook?
Ans: The mass of a textbook is approximately 1 to 2 kilograms.
62. Estimate the area of a football field.
Ans: The area of a football field is approximately 100 meters / 50 meters = 500
square meters.
63. What are dimensions in physics?
Ans: Dimensions are the powers to which the base quantities (like length, mass and
time) are raised to represent a physical quantity. For example, the dimensions
of speed are [L][T]-1.
64. What is dimensional formula?
Ans: A dimensional formula is an expression that shows how a physical quantity is
related to the base quantities. It is written in terms of the dimensions of mass
(M), length (L), time (T), electric current (A), temperature (K), amount of
substance (mol), and luminous intensity (cd).
65. Write the dimensional formula for speed?
Ans: The dimensional formula for speed is [L][T]-1
66. Write the dimensional formula for acceleration?
Ans: The dimensional formula for acceleration is [L][T]-2

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67. Write the dimensional formula for force?

Ans: The dimensional formula for force is [M][L][T]-2
68. Write the dimensional formula for work or energy?
Ans: The dimensional formula for work or energy is [M][L]2[T]-2
69. Write the dimensional formula for power
Ans: The dimensional formula for power is [M][L]2[T]-3
70. Write the dimensional formula for pressure?
Ans: The dimensional formula for pressure is [M][L]-1[T]-2
71. Write the dimensional formula for density?
Ans: The dimensional formula for density is [M][L]-3
72. Write the dimensional formula for momentum?
Ans: The dimensional formula for momentum is [M][L][T]-1
73. Write the dimensional formula for frequency?
Ans: The dimensional formula for frequency is [T]-1
74. Write the dimensional formula for electric charge?
Ans: The dimensional formula for electric charge is [A][T]
75. Write the dimensional formula for voltage (electric potential)
Ans: The dimensional formula for voltage is [M][L]2[T]-3[A]-1
76. Write the dimensional formula for resistance?
Ans: The dimensional formula for resistance is [M][L]2[T]-3[A]-2
77. Write the dimensional formula for capacitance?
Ans: The dimensional formula for capacitance is [M]-1[L]-2[T]4[A]2
78. Write the dimensional formula for magnetic flux?
Ans: The dimensional formula for magnetic flux is [M][L]2[T]-2[A]-1
79. What is the principle of homogeneity of dimensions?
Ans: The principle of homogeneity states that for an equation to be physically
correct, the dimensions of all terms on both sides of the equation must be the
same.

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80. Why is dimensional analysis important?

Ans: Dimensional analysis is important because it helps:
- Check the correctness of equations.
- Derive relationships between physical quantities.
- Convert units from one system to another.
81. Check the dimensional correctness of the equation v = u + at?
Ans: Dimensions of v (final velocity): [L][T]-1
Dimensions of u (initial velocity): [L][T]-1
Dimensions of at (acceleration x time) [L][T]-2 x [T] = [L][T]-1
Since all terms have the same dimensions, the equation is dimensionally
correct.
82. Check the dimensional correctness of the equation F = ma.
Ans: Dimensions of F (force): [M][L][T]-2
Dimensions of ma (mass x acceleration): [M] x [L][T]-2 = [M][L][T]-2
Since both sides have the same dimensions, the equation is dimensionally
correct.
83. What is precision?
Ans: Precision refers to the consistency or repeatability of measurements. It
indicates how close multiple measurements of the same quantity are to each
other.
84. What is accuracy?
Ans: Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the true or accepted value
of the quantity being measured.
85. Can a measurement be precise but not accurate? Give an example.
Ans: Yes, a measurement can be precise but not accurate. For example, if a scale
consistently reads 5.2 kg for an object whose true mass is 5.0 kg, the
measurements are precise (consistent) but not accurate (not close to the true
value).
86. Can a measurement be accurate but not precise? Give an example.
Ans: Yes, a measurement can be accurate but not precise. For example, if a scale
reads 4.9 kg, 5.1 kg, and 5.0 kg for an object whose true mass is 5.0 kg, the

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measurements are accurate (close to the true value) but not precise (not
consistent).
87. What are systematic errors?
Ans: Systematic errors are consistent, repeatable errors caused by faulty
instruments, incorrect calibration, or experimental setup. They affect the
accuracy of measurements.
88. What are random errors?
Ans: Random errors are unpredictable variations in measurements caused by
unknown factors. They affect the precision of measurements.
89. How can systematic errors be minimized?
Ans: Systematic errors can be minimized by:
- Calibrating instruments properly
- Using correct experimental techniques
- Identifying and eliminating sources of bias.
90. How can random errors be minimized?
Ans: Random errors can be minimized by:
- Taking multiple measurements and calculating the average.
- Using more precise instruments.
- Controlling environmental factors.
91. What is the relationship between precision and random errors?
Ans: Precision is inversely related to random errors. Lower random errors result in
higher precision, and vice versa.
92. What is the relationship between accuracy and systematic errors?
Ans: Accuracy is inversely related to systematic errors. Lower systematic errors
result in higher accuracy and vice versa.
93. What is the role of significant figures in precision?
Ans: Significant figures indicate the precision of a measurement. More significant
figures imply greater precision.
94. What is the least count of a measuring instrument?
Ans: The least count is the smallest measurement that can be accurately measured
using a measuring instrument. It determines the precision of the instrument.

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95. How does the least count affect precision?

Ans: A smaller least count means higher precision, as the instrument can measure
smaller increments of the quantity.
96. What is the difference between absolute error and relative error?
Ans: Absolute error is the difference between the measured value and the true
value. Relative error is the ratio of absolute error to the true value, often
expressed as a percentage.
97. What is the formula for percentage error?
Ans: The formula for percentage error is:
Percentage Error = ( ) x 100
98. What is the difference between error and uncertainty?
Ans: Error is the difference between the measured value and the true value, while
uncertainty is an estimate of the range within which the true value is expected
to lie.
99. What is the importance of calibration in improving accuracy?
Ans: Calibration ensures that an instrument provides accurate measurements by
comparing it to a known standard. It helps eliminate systematic errors.
100. What is the role of repeated measurements in improving precision?
Ans: Repeated measurements help reduce random errors by allowing the calculation
of an average value, which is more precise than a single measurement.
101. How can you determine if a set of measurements is precise?
Ans: A set of measurements is precise if the values are close to each other, indicating
low variability or random errors.

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