PHYSICS

Aakash
STUDY PACKAGE – 01
For – JEE / NEET
 Units and Measurement
AIEEE Syllabus
Physics, Technology and Society, S I units, Fundamental and derived
units. Least count, accuracy and precision of measuring instruments,
CHAPTER
1
Errors in measurement, Significant figures, Dimensions of Physical
quantities, dimensional analysis and its applications

UNITS THIS CHAPTER

Measurement of any physical quantity involves its comparison with a certain COVERS :
basic, reference standard called unit.
Any standard unit must have two properties  Units
(a) Invariability
 Dimensions
(b) Availability
The result of measurement of a physical quantity is expressed by a number  Dimensional analysis
(numerical measure) accompanied by a unit. and applications
Measurement = nu
 Limitations of
Fundamental quantities : The units for these quantities are called
fundamental or base units. Length, mass, time, electric current etc. are some Dimensional method
of the fundamental quantities.
 Accuracy and
Derived quantities : They can be expressed in terms of fundamental Precision
quantities. Tthe units of derived quantities are expressed in terms of
fundamental units and they are called derived units. e.g., velocity, force,  Significant figures
impulse etc. are derived quantities.
International system of units (SI) :- This system of units was introduced in  Errors in
1971 by the general conference on weights and measures and was measurement
internationally accepted. It has seven fundamental units along with two
supplementary units.  Measuring
Instruments
DIMENSIONS
All the physical quantities represented by derived units can be expressed in
terms of some combination of seven fundamental quantities. These seven
fundamental quantities are called seven dimensions of the physical world. They
are denoted with square brackets [ ].
The dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers (or exponents) to which
the base quantities are raised to represent that quantity. Note that,
1. In this type of representation the magnitudes are not considered. It is the
quality of the type of the physical quantity that enters.
2. The expression which shows how and which of the base quantities
represent the dimensions of a physical quantity is called dimensional
formula of the given physical quantity.
3. An equation obtained by equating a physical quantity with its dimensional
formula is called the dimensional equation of the physical quantity.
e.g. [S] = [M0L2T–2K–1] …(i)

Aakash IIT-JEE - Corporate Office : Aakash Tower, Plot No. 4, Sector-11, Dwarka, New Delhi-75 Ph.: 45543147/8 Fax : 25084119
(1)

Aakash Materials Provided By - Material Point Available on Learnaf.com

 IIT - JEE/NEET Units and Measurement

DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Principle of Homogeneity of dimensions : It states that in a correct equation, the dimensions of each term
added or subtracted must be same. Every correct equation must have same dimensions on both sides of the
equation.

Conversion of units : The numerical value of a physical quantity in a system of units can be changed to
another system of units using the equation n[u] = constant i.e., n1[u1] = n2[u2] where n is the numerical value
and u is the unit.

By knowing the conversion factors for the base quantities and dimensional formula of the derived quantity, one
can convert the numerical value of a physical quantity from one system of units to other system of units.

a b c
 M   L  T 
n2  n1  1   1   1  where the dimensional formula of the physical quantity is [MaLbTc].
 M 2   L2  T2 

To find a relation among the physical quantities. If one knows the quantities on which a particular physical
quantity depends and guesses that this dependence is of product type, method of dimensions are helpful in
deducing their relation.

Suppose we want to find the relation between force, mass and acceleration. Let force depends on mass and
acceleration as follows.

F = Kmbac when K = dimensionless constant b and c are powers of mass and acceleration.

According to principle of homogeneity.

[F] = [K] [m]b [a]c

 [MLT–2] = [M0L0T0] [M]b [LT–2]c

 [MLT–2] = MbLc T–2c

Equating the dimension on both sides we get 1 = b, 1 = c, –2c = –2.

 b = 1 and c = 1.

Now putting the values of b and c in our required equation we will get a mathematical equation F = Kma.

The value of K can be found experimentally.

LIMITATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL METHOD

1. Dimensional method cannot be used to derive equations involving addition and substraction.

2. Numerical constants having no dimensions cannot be obtained by method of dimensions.

3. Dimensional method fails when number of variables is more than number of equations obtained from the
exponents of fundamental quantities.

4. Equations using trigonometric, exponential and logarthmic functions can not be deduced.

Aakash IIT-JEE - Corporate Office : Aakash Tower, Plot No. 4, Sector-11, Dwarka, New Delhi-75 Ph.: 45543147/8 Fax : 25084119
(2)

Aakash Materials Provided By - Material Point Available on Learnaf.com

 Units and Measurement IIT - JEE/NEET

Some Important Points :

1. If name of unit is the name of scientist, then for e.g., 5 Ampere is wrong, correct is 5 ampere. Also 5a
is wrong, correct is 5A.
2. Pure numbers are dimensionless.
3. All trigonometrical ratios, powers, exponential and logarithmic functions are dimensionless.
4. All ratio of physical quantities having same dimensional formula are dimensionless. e.g. relative density,
relative permeability, dielectric constant, angles, refractive index etc.
5. Dimensions do not depend upon magnitude.

ACCURACY AND PRECISION

Accuracy
The closeness of the measured value to the true value of the physical quantity is known as the accuracy of
the measurement.

Precision
It is the measure of the extent to which successive measurements of a physical quantity differ from one
another.

Suppose the true value of a measurement is 35.75 and two measured values are 35.73 and 35.725. Here 35.73
is closest to 35.75, so its accuracy is more than 35.725 but 35.725 is more precise than 35.73 because 35.725
is measured upto after 3 decimal places.

SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
The number of digits in the measured value about the correctness of which we are sure plus one more digit
are called significant figures.

Rules for counting the significant figures

Rule I : All non-zero digits are significant.

Rule II : All zeros occurring between the non zero digits are significant. For example 230089 contains six
significant figures.

Rule III : All zeros to the left of non zero digit are not significant. For example 0.0023 contains two significant
figures.

Rule IV : If a number ends in zeros that are not to the right of a decimal, the zeros are not significant.

For example, number of significant figures in

1500 (Two)

1.5 × 103 (Two)

1.50 × 103 (Three)

1.500 × 103 (Four)

Length of an object may be represented in many ways say 5 m, 5.0 m, 500 cm, 5.00 m, 5 × 102 cm. Here
5.00 m is most precise as it contains 3 significant figures.

Aakash IIT-JEE - Corporate Office : Aakash Tower, Plot No. 4, Sector-11, Dwarka, New Delhi-75 Ph.: 45543147/8 Fax : 25084119
(3)

Aakash Materials Provided By - Material Point Available on Learnaf.com

 IIT - JEE/NEET Units and Measurement

Rules for Arithmetic Operations with Significant Figures

Rule I : In addition or subtraction, the final result should retain as many decimal places are there are in the
number with the least decimal places.
Rule II : In multiplication or division, the final result should retain as many significant figures as are there in
the original number with the least significant figures.

Rounding Off of Uncertain Digits

Rule I : The preceding digit is raised by 1 if the insignificant digit to be removed is more than 5 and is left
unchanged if the later is less than 5.

Rule II : When the insignificant digit to be removed is 5 and the uncertain digit is even, 5 is simply dropped
and if it is odd, then the preceding digit is raised by 1.

ERRORS IN MEASUREMENT
1. Mean Absolute Error :- It is given by

| a1 |  | a2 |  ......  | an |

a 
n

a1  a2  ......  an
am  = is taken as the true value of a quantity, if the same is not known.
n

a1 = am – a1
a2 = am – a2
.....................
an = am – an
Final result of measurement may be written as :
a = am ± a
2. Relative Error or Fractional Error : It is given by

a Mean absolute Error


am Mean value of measuremen t

3. Percentage Error 
a
 100%
am

4. Combination of Errors :
(i) In Sum : If Z = A + B, then Z = A + B, maximum f ractional error in this case
Z A B
 
Z AB AB

i.e. when two physical quantities are added then the maximum absolute error in the result is the sum
of the absolute errors of the individual quantities.

(ii) In Difference : If Z = A – B, then maximum absolute error is Z = A + B and maximum fractional

Z A B
error in this case  
Z AB AB

Aakash IIT-JEE - Corporate Office : Aakash Tower, Plot No. 4, Sector-11, Dwarka, New Delhi-75 Ph.: 45543147/8 Fax : 25084119
(4)

Aakash Materials Provided By - Material Point Available on Learnaf.com

 Units and Measurement IIT - JEE/NEET

(iii) In Product : If Z = AB, then the maximum fractional error,

Z A B
 
Z A B

where Z/Z is known as fractional error.

(iv) In Division : If Z = A/B, then maximum fractional error is

Z A B
 
Z A B

Z A
(v) In Power : If Z = An then n
Z A

AxBy
In more general form if Z 
Cq

then the maximum fractional error in Z is

Z A B C
x y q
Z A B C

Applications :

T 1 l
1. For a simple pendulum, T  l1/2  
T 2 l

2. For a sphere

4 3
A  4r 2 , V  r
3

A r V r
  2. and  3.
A r V r
3. When two resistors R1 and R2 are connected

(a) In series

Rs = R1 + R2

 Rs = R1 + R2

ΔRs R1  R2


Rs R1  R2

(b) In parallel,

1 1 1
 
RP R1 R2

R p R1 R 2
  
R p2 R12 R 22

Aakash IIT-JEE - Corporate Office : Aakash Tower, Plot No. 4, Sector-11, Dwarka, New Delhi-75 Ph.: 45543147/8 Fax : 25084119
(5)

Aakash Materials Provided By - Material Point Available on Learnaf.com

 IIT - JEE/NEET Units and Measurement

MEASURING INSTRUMENTS AND LEAST COUNT

The error in the measurement by an instrument is equal to least count of the instrument.
For example, a meter scale has smallest division 1 mm. This represents the least count or the absolute error
in the measurement.
Let a length measured by the meter scale = 56.0 cm
This implies that x = 56.0 cm
Absolute error x = 1 mm = 0.1 cm

x 0.1
Relative error = 
x 56.0

Vernier Callipers
It consists of two scales viz main scale and vernier scale.
Vernier scales moves on the main scale. The least count of the
instrument is the smallest distance between two consecvtive 0.9 cm
divisions and it is equal to 1 MSD – 1 VSD. vs
In the figure shown, 1 MSD = 0.1 cm
0 main scale 1
1 VSD = 0.09 cm 1 cm
Least count = 1 MSD – 1 VSD = 0.01 cm
For the commonly used instruments, least counts are given below :
Least count of Vernier callipers = 1 MSD – 1 VSD

Screw Gauge
It contains a main scale and a circular scale. The circular scale is divided into a number of divisions. In other
words, the complete rotation of circular scale is divided into a number of parts. The least count of a screw
gauge is pitch/no. of circular scale divisions.
If reading on main scale is 5 cm (say) and reading on circular scale is 25 divisions, then the reading is
5 cm + 25 × least count.

Pitch
Least count of spherometer and Screw Gauge =
No. of CSD

FUNDAMENTAL QUANTITIES, THEIR UNIT AND DIMENSIONAL FORMULA

Sl. No. Fundamental Quantity Fundamental Unit Unit Symbol Used Dimensions

1. Mass kilogram kg [M]

2. Length metre m [L]
3. Time second s [T]
4. Temperature Kelvin K [K]
5. Electric current Ampere A [A]
6. Luminous Intensity candela cd [cd]
7. Amount of Matter mole mol [mol]

Aakash IIT-JEE - Corporate Office : Aakash Tower, Plot No. 4, Sector-11, Dwarka, New Delhi-75 Ph.: 45543147/8 Fax : 25084119
(6)

Aakash Materials Provided By - Material Point Available on Learnaf.com

 Units and Measurement IIT - JEE/NEET

SUPPLEMENTARY QUANTITY AND UNIT

Sl. No. Supplementary Supplementary Unit Symbol
Physical Quantity Unit Used
1. Plane angle radian rad [180º =  radian]
2. Solid angle steradian sr

Table : SI Units and Dimensions of Some Important Physical Quantities

S.No. Quantity SI Unit Dimensional Formula

1. Volume m3 [M0L3T0]
2. Density kg m–3 [M1L–3T0 ]
3. Velocity ms–1 [M0L1T–1]
4. Acceleration ms–2 [M0L1T–2]
5. Angular Velocity rad s–1 [M0L0T–1]
6. Frequency s–1 or hertz (Hz) [M0L0T–1]
7. Momentum kg ms–1 [M1L1T–1]
8. Force kg ms–2 or newton (N) [M1L1T–2]
9. Work, Energy kg m2s–2 or roule (J) [M1L2T–2]
10. Power kg m2 s–3 or Js–1 [M1L2T–3]
or watt (W)
11. Pressure, Stress Nm–2 or pascal (Pa) [M1L–1T–2]
12. Modulus of Elasticity Nm–2 [M1L–1T–2]
13. Moment of Inertia kg m2 [M1L2T0]
14. Torque Nm [M1L2T–2]
15. Angular Momentum kg m2 s–1 [M1L2T–1]
16. Impulse Ns [M1L1T–1]
17. Coefficient of Viscosity kg m–1 s–1 [M1L–1T–1]
18. Surface Tension Nm–1 [M1L0T–2]
19. Universal Gravitational Nm2 kg–2 [M–1L3T–2]
Constant
20. Latent Heat J kg–1 [M0L2T–2]
21. Specific Heat J kg–1 K–1 [M0L2T–2K–1]
22. Thermal Conductivity J m–1 s–1 K–1 [M1L1T–3K–1]
23. Electric Charge As or coulomb (C) [M1L0T1A1]
24. Electric Potential JC–1 or volt (V) [M1L2T–3A–1]
25. Electric Resistance VA–1 or ohm () [M1L2T–3A–2 ]
26. Electric Resistivity m [M1L3T–3A–2 ]

Aakash IIT-JEE - Corporate Office : Aakash Tower, Plot No. 4, Sector-11, Dwarka, New Delhi-75 Ph.: 45543147/8 Fax : 25084119
(7)

Aakash Materials Provided By - Material Point Available on Learnaf.com

 IIT - JEE/NEET Units and Measurement

S.No. Quantity SI Unit Dimensional Formula

27. Electric Conductance –1 or siemens (S) [M–1L–2T3 A2 ]

28. Electric Conductivity –1 m–1 or S m–1 [M–1L–3T3 A2]
29. Capacitance CV–1 or farad (F) [M–1L–2T4 A2]
30. Inductance Vs A–1 or henry (H) [M1L2T–2 A–2]
31. Electric field NC–1 or Vm–1 [M1L1T–3 A–1]
32. Magnetic Induction NA–1 m–1 or tesla (T) [M1L0T–2 A–1]
33. Magnetic Flux Tm2 or weber (Wb) [M1L2 T–2A–1]
34. Permittivity C2 N–1 m–2 [M–1 L–3 T4A2]
35. Permeability Tm A–1 or Wb A–1 m–1 [M1L1T–2 A–2]
36. Planck's Constant Js [M1L2 T–1]
37. Boltzman Constant JK–1 [M1L2 T–2 K–1]
38. Stefan Constant W m–2K–4 [M1L0T–3K–4]

  

Aakash IIT-JEE - Corporate Office : Aakash Tower, Plot No. 4, Sector-11, Dwarka, New Delhi-75 Ph.: 45543147/8 Fax : 25084119
(8)

Aakash Materials Provided By - Material Point Available on Learnaf.com

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your love and support, we hope you are always being happy and get success in your life, we
are happy to see you again.

Regards from Learnaf team

Click on very top right corner for download and other more options.