UNIT, DIMENSIONS AND

ERROR ANALYSIS
Single correct choice
(This section contains multiple choice questions. Each question has 4
choices (A), (B), (C) and (D) for its answer, out of which ONLY ONE is
correct)

1) In a system of units if force (𝐹), acceleration (𝐴) and time (𝑇) are taken as
fundamental units, then the dimensional formula of energy is :

(A) FA 2 𝑇

2
(B) FAT

(C) FA2 T 3

(D) FAT

𝐸2
2) 𝜇 has the dimensions ( 𝐸 = electric flux, 𝜇0 = permeability of free space)
0

(A) [M 2 𝐿3 T −2 A2 ]

(B) [MLT −4 ]

(C) [ML3 T −2 ]

(D) [M −1 L2 TAA−2 ]
3) A particle of mass 𝑚 is executing oscillations about the origin on the 𝑥-axis. Its
potential energy is U(x) = K|x|3 , where K is a positive constant. If the amplitude of
oscillation is a, then its time period T is:

1
(A) proportional to
√a

(B) independent of a

(C) proportional to √a

(D) proportional to 𝑎3/2

4) In the formula 𝑋 = 3𝑌𝑍 2 , 𝑋 and 𝑍 have dimensions of capacitance and magnetic

induction respectively. What are the dimensions of 𝑌 in MKSQ system ?

(A) [M −3 L−1 T 3 Q4 ]

(B) [𝑀 −3 𝐿−2 𝑇 4 𝑄4 ]

(C) [M −2 L−2 T 4 Q4 ]

(D) [𝑀−3 𝐿−2 𝑇 3 𝑄1 ]

5) Find the thickness of the cubical object using the defective vernier calliper main scale
has mm marks and 10 divisions of vernier scale coincide with 9 divisions of main scale.

(A) 13.8 mm
(B) 13.5 mm

(C) 14.1 mm

(D) 13.0 mm

6) The length and breadth of a rectangle are (6.0 ± 0.3)cm and (4.0 ± 0.2)cm. Then the
area of the rectangle with error limits is :

(A) 26 cm2

(B) (24 ± 2)cm2

(C) (24.0 ± 4.8)cm2

(D) (24.0 ± 2.4)cm2

7) Diameter of a steel ball is measured using a vernier callipers which has divisions of
0.1 cm on its main scale (MS) and 10 divisions of its vernier scale (VS) match 9 divisions
on the main scale. Three such measurements for a ball are given as :

S.No. MS (cm) VS divisions

1 0.5 8

2 0.5 4

3 0.5 6

If the zero error is −0.03 cm, then mean corrected diameter is :

(A) 0.53 cm

(B) 0.56 cm

(C) 0.59 cm
(D) 0.52 cm

Multiple correct choice

(This section contains multiple choice questions. Each question has 4
choices (A), (B), (C) and (D) for its answer, out of which ONE OR
MORE is(are) correct)

8) The number of circular divisions on the shown screw gauge is 50 . It moves 0.5 mm on
main scale for one complete rotation. Main scale reading is 2 . Then,

(A) Diameter of the ball is 1.20 mm

(B) Diameter of the ball is 2.20 mm

(C) Zero error is positive

(D) Zero error is negative

9) Let [𝜀0 ] denote the dimensional formula of the permittivity of the vacuum and [𝜇0 ]
that of the permeability of the vacuum. If 𝑀 = mass, 𝐿 = length, 𝑇 = time and 𝐼 =
electric current, then :

(A) [𝜀0 ] = [𝑀−1 𝐿−3 𝑇 2 𝐼]

(B) [𝜀0 ] = [M −1 𝐿−3 T 4 I2 ]

(C) [𝜇0 ] = [MLT −2 I−2 ]

(D) [𝜇0 ] = [ML2 L−1 I]

10) The SI nit of the inductance, the henry can by written as :

(A) weber ampere

(B) volt-second/ampere

(C) joule/(ampere) )2

(D) ohm-second

11) Consider two sets of a measurement

Set-1: 10.8 g, 10.7 g, 10.9 g
Set-2: 10.431 g, 10.742 g, 9.821 g
In set-1

(A) precision is greater in comparison to set-2

(B) precision is smaller in comparison to set-2

(C) Mean absolute error is greater comparison to set-2

(D) Mean absolute error is smaller comparison to set-2

1
12) The least count of a stop watch is 5 s. Two persons ( 𝐴 and 𝐵 ) use this watch to
measure the time period of an oscillating pendulum. Person 𝐴 takes the time period of
30 oscillations and person 𝐵 takes the time period of 50 oscillations. Neglecting all other
sources of error, we can say that

(A) Absolute error in measurement of one time period by 𝐴 is greater than the of 𝐵

(B) Absolute error in measurement of one time period by 𝐴 is equal to that of 𝐵

(C) Accuracy in measurement of one time period by 𝐵 is greater than that of 𝐴

(D) Accuracy in measurement of one time period by 𝐴 is equal to that of 𝐵

Comprehension type
(This section contains groups of questions. Each group has 3
multiple choice questions based on a paragraph. Each question
has 4 choices (A), (B), (C) and (D) for its answer, out of which
ONLY ONE is correct)

Comprehension 1
Determining the value of ' 𝑔 ' using a simple pendulum

In this experiment, a small spherical bob is hanged with a cotton thread. This
arrangement is called simple pendulum. The bob is displaced slightly and allowed to
oscillate. To find time period, time taken for 50 oscillations is noted using a stop watch.

𝐿 𝐿
Theoretically 𝑇 = 2𝜋√ ⇒ 𝑔 = 4𝜋 2 2
𝑔 𝑇

where 𝐿 = Equivalent length of pendulum = length of thread (ℓ) + radius (𝑟) of bob, 𝑇 =
time period of the simple pendulum
so ' 𝑔 ' can be easily determined by equation ...(1).

Graphical method to find ' 𝒈 ' :

4𝜋 2
𝑇2 = ( )𝐿
𝑔

so, T 2 ∝ L
  Find 𝑇 for diferent values of 𝐿.
 Plot 𝑇 2 𝑣/𝑠 𝐿 curve. From equation (2), it should be a straight line, with slope =
4𝜋 2
( ).
𝑔
4𝜋 2
Find slope 𝑇 'v/s 𝐿 graph and equate it to ( 𝑔
) and get ' 𝑔 '.

13) In certain observation we got ℓ = 23.2 cm, 𝑟 = 1.32 cm and time taken for 10
oscillation was 10.0 sec. Estimate the value of ' 𝑔 ' in proper significant figure. (take 𝜋 2 =
10 )

(A) 9.8 m/s2

(B) 9.80 m/s2

(C) 9.800 m/s2

(D) none of these

14) For different values of 𝐿, we get different values of ' 𝑇 '. The curve between 𝐿 𝑣/𝑠 𝑇𝑇 2
is shown. Estimate ' 𝑔 ' from this curve. (take 𝜋 2 = 10 )

(A) 9.7 m/s′

(B) 9.6 m/s2

(C) 9.8 m/s2

10 m
(D) s2

Comprehension 2
Working: Resonance tube is a 100 cm tube. Initially it is filled with water. To increase the
length of air column in the tube, water level is lowered. The air column is forced with a
tuning fork of frequency 𝑓0 .
Let at length ℓ1 , we get a first resonance (loud voice) then

𝑉
ℓeq =
4𝑓0

V
⇒ ℓ1 + 𝜀 = …….(1)
4f0

where 𝜀 is end correction

If we further lower the water level, the noise becomes moderate. But at ℓ2 . We, again get
a loud noise (second resonance) then

3V
ℓeq2 = 4f
0

3V
⇒ ℓ2 + 𝜀 = 4f ………..(ii)
0

From (i) and (ii)

𝑉 = 2𝑓0 (ℓ2 − ℓ1 )

Observation table :
Room temperature is 27∘ C
 Position of water

level (cm)

Freq.
of Speed of
tuning Water Water
Mean sound
level level
Resonance
fork in resonant 𝑉
is is
(Hz) length = 2f0 (l2
falling rising
− I1 )
(f0 )

1st
23.9 24.1 I1 = ⋯ … …
Resonance
330 Hz V = ⋯……
2nd
73.9 74.1 I2 = ⋯ … ….
Resonance

15) Speed of sound calculated is roughly

(A) 340 m/sec

(B) 380 m/sec

(C) 430 m/sec

(D) 330 m/s

16) From equation (i) and (ii) end correction can be calculated . Estimate the diameter of
the tube using imparical formula (𝜀 ≈ 0.3 d )

(A) 2.5 cm

(B) 3.3 cm

(C) 5.2 cm
(D) None of these

Integer type
(This section contains subjective answer type questions. The answer
to each question is a Integer)

17) The diameter of a wire of length 100 cm is measured with the help of a screw gauge.
The main scale reading is 1 mm and circular scale is reading is 25 . Pitch of the screw
gauge is 1 mm and the total number of divisions on the circular scale is 100 . This wire is
used in an experiment of determination of Young's modulus of a wire by Searle's method.
The following data are available: elongation in the wire 𝑙 = 0.125 cm under the tension of
50 N, least count for measuring normal length of wire is 0.01 cm and for elongation in
the wire is 0.001 cm. The maximum error in the calculating value of Young's modulus
8𝑛
(Y), assuming that the force is measured very accurately, is 10 %, where n is very nearest
integer. Find the value of 𝑛.

18) In some observations, value of ' 𝑔 ' are coming as

x
9.81,9.80,9.82,9.79,9.78,9.84,9.79,9.78,9.79 and 9.80 m/s2 . If percentage error in g is 100 %
then, 𝑥 is:

19) From Meter Bridge, resistivity of a wire comes from

𝜋D2 s ℓ
𝜌=
4 L 100 − ℓ

where ℓ is balance length, 𝐷 is diameter of wire, 𝑆 is resistance, 𝐿 is total length of wire.

Find the value of ℓ (in cm ) corresponding to minimum possible permissible error in 𝜌.

𝑎 2𝑏 3
20) A physical quantity 𝑥 is calculated from the relation 𝑥 = 𝑐√𝑑
. If % error in 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and
𝑑 are 2%, 1%, 3% and 4% respectively, what is the percentage error in 𝑥.

21) To find the distance 𝑑 over which a signal can be seen clearly in foggy conditions, a
railways engineer uses dimensional analysis and assumes that the distance depends on
the mass density 𝜌 of the fog, intensity (power/area) 𝑆 of the light from the signal and its
frequency 𝑓. The engineer find that 𝑑 is proportional to 𝑆1/𝑛 . The value of 𝑛 is
 Answer key & Solutions
1) (B)

Energy = K[ Force ]x [ Acceleration ]y [ Time ]z

[𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −2 ] = 𝐾[𝑀𝐿𝑇 −2 ]𝑥 [𝐿𝑇 −2 ]𝑦 [𝑇]𝑧
Solving this we get
𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = 1, 𝑧 = 2

2) (B)

𝐸2 𝜀0 𝐸 2 energy / volume energy ( speed )2

[ ]=[ ]= [ ] = [ ]
𝜇0 𝜀0 𝜇0 (1/ speed of light )2 volume
𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −2 𝐿2 𝑇 −2
=[ ] = [𝑀𝐿𝑇 −4 ]
𝐿2

3) (𝑨)

𝑈(x) = K|x|3
[U] [ML2 T −2 ]
∴ [K] = 3 = = [ML−1 T −2 ]
[x] [L3 ]

Now time period may depend on

T ∝ (mass) 𝑥 (amplitude) 𝑦 ( K)2 or
Equating the powers, we get

−2𝑧 = 1 or 𝑧 = −1/2
𝑦 − 𝑧 = 0 or 𝑦 = 𝑧 = −1/2
1
∴ 𝑇 ∝ ( amplitude )−1/2 or 𝑇 ∝ (𝑎)−1/2 or 𝑇 ∝
√𝑎

4) (B)

𝑋 Capacitance 𝑀−1 𝐿−2 𝑄2 𝑇 2

[𝑌] = [ 2 ] = [ ] = [ ] = [𝑀−3 𝐿−2 𝑄4 𝑇 4 ]
𝑍 ( Magnetic induction )2 𝑀2 𝑄−2 𝑇 −2

5) (B)
Zero error (excess reading) = 0.3 mm.
observed thickness of block = 13.8 mm.
Actual thickness = 13.8 − 0.3 = 13.5 mm.

6) (D)

Here, 𝐴 = 24.0

Δ𝐴 Δ𝑙 Δ𝑏 0.3 0.2
∴ = ±( + ) = ±( + )
𝐴 1 𝑏 6.0 4.0
±= 0.1 ⇒ Δ𝐴 = ±2.4

So, Area = (24.0 ± 2.4)cm2

7) (C)

Least count = 0.01 cm

𝑑1 = 0.5 + 8 × 0.01 + 0.03 = 0.61 cm

𝑑2 = 0.5 + 4 × 0.01 + 0.03 = 0.57 cm
𝑑3 = 0.5 + 6 × 0.01 + 0.03 = 0.59 cm
0.61 + 0.57 + 0.59
Mean diameter = = 0.59 cm
3

8) (AC)

0.5
Zero error = 5 × 50 = 0.05 mm
Actual measurement

0.5
= 2 × 0.5 mm + 25 × − 0.05 mm
50
= 1 mm + 0.25 mm − 0.05 mm = 1.20 mm.
9) (𝐁𝐂)

1 𝑞1 𝑞2
𝐹= ⋅
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
[q1 ][q2 ] [IT]2
[𝜀0 ] = =
[F][r 2 ] [MLT −2 ][L2 ]
−1 −3 4 2
= [M L T | ]

1
Speed of light, 𝑐 =
√𝜀0𝜇0

1
∴ [𝜇0 ] =
[𝜀0 ][c]2
1
=
[M L T 4 I2 ][LT −1 ]2
−1 −3

10) (ABCD)

𝜑 weber
(a) 𝐿 = or henry =
𝑖 ampere
𝑑𝑖
(b) 𝑒 = −𝐿 (𝑑𝑡 )
e
∴ L=−
(di/dt)
volt − second
or henry = ampere
1
(c) 𝑈 = 2 Li2
2U joule
∴ L= 2 =
i ( ampere )2
1
(d) U = Li2 = i2 Rt
2
∴ L = Rt or henry = ohm-second

11) (BD)

Smaller the least count greater the precision.

∑|𝑥−𝑥 |
Mean absolute error |Δ𝑥| = 𝑁 1

12) (AC)

Absolute error for 𝐴

1
30 T +
′
Δ𝑇 = 5−T= 1
30 150
Absolute error for 𝐵

1
50𝑇 + 5 1
′
Δ𝑇 = −𝑇 =
50 250

13) (B)

equivalent length of pendulum

𝐿 = 23.2 cm + 1.32 cm
= 24.5 cm

(Three significant figures)

10.0
time period T = = 1.00sec (Three sign
10
2
L 24.5 × 10−2 m
g = 4𝜋 2 = 4 × 10 = 9.80 m/s2
T (10.0/10)2 sec 2

14) (C)

g g
Since ℓ = (4𝜋2) T 2 so, slope of curve 𝐿v/sT 2 is (4𝜋2)

0.49 g
slope = = 2 ⇒ 𝑔 = 9.8 m/s2 .
2 4𝜋

15) (D)

ℓ1 = 24.0 cm
ℓ2 = 74.0 cm
𝑣 = 2𝑓0 (ℓ2 − ℓ1 ) = 2(330)(0.740 − 0.240)
= (2)(330)(0.500) = 330 m/sec.

16) (B)

1 cm
𝜀 = 1 cm = 0.3 d d = = 3.3 cm
0.3
18) 3

1
Least count of screw gauge = mm = 0.01 mm
100
diameter of the wire = (1 + 25 × 0.01)mm = 0.125 cm
4𝑇𝑙
since Y = 𝜋𝑑2 𝛿𝑙
Δ𝑌 Δ𝑙 2Δ𝑑 𝑑(𝛿𝑙) 0.01 2 × 0.001 0.001
∴ = + + = + +
𝑌 𝑙 𝑑 𝛿𝑙 100 0.125 0.125
Δ𝑌
Percentage error = 𝑌 × 100 = 2.41%

19) 14

S.N. Value of g Absolute error Δg = |g i − g̅|

1 9.81 0.01

2 9.80 0.00

3 9.82 0.02

4 9.79 0.01

5 9.78 0.02

6 9.84 0.04

7 9.79 0.01

8 9.78 0.02

9 9.79 0.01

10 9.80 0.00

∑Δg i
Δg mean =
10

g mean = 9.80 0.14

0.014
 Δ𝑔mean 0.014
percentage error = × 100 = × 100% = 0.14%
𝑔mean 9.80

20) 50

Δ𝜌 Δℓ Δℓ Δℓ(100)
Due to error in ℓ ( 𝜌 ) = ℓ
+ 100−ℓ = ℓ(100−ℓ) When ℓ(100 − ℓ) is maximum then
max
Δ𝜌
( )
𝜌
will be minimum, that means ℓ = 50 cm
max

21) 12

Δx Δa Δb Δc 1 Δd
= ± [2 + 3 + + ]
x a b c 2 d
Δx
∴ × 100 = ±(2 × 2% + 3 × 1% + 3% + 1/2 × 4%)
x
= ±(4% + 3% + 3% + 2%) = ±12%

22) 3

𝑑 = 𝑘 (𝜌)𝑎 (𝑆)𝑏 (𝑓)c

𝑏
𝑀 𝑎 𝑀4 𝐿2 𝑇 −2 1 𝑐
⇒ [𝐿] = [ 3 ] [ ] [ ]
𝐿 𝐿2 𝑇 𝑇
0= 𝑎+𝑏
1 1
1 = −3𝑎 ⇒ 𝑎 = − So 𝑏 =
3 3
0 = −3𝑏 + 𝑐
So n = 3