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Class – 9 Concise Physics Solutions

Chapter- Measurements and Experimentation

Exercise 1 (A)
Q. What is meant by measurement ?
1. Measurement is the process of comparing a given physical quantity with a known standard
quantity of the same nature.

Q. What do you understand by the Term Unit?

2. Unit is a quantity of constant magnitude which is used to measure the magnitudes of

other quantities of the same manner.

Q. What are the three requirements for selecting a unit of a physical quantity ?

3. The three requirements for selecting a unit of a physical quantity are

(i) It should be possible to define the unit without ambiguity.

(ii) The unit should be reproducible.
(iii) The value of units should not change with space and time.

Q. Name the three fundamentals quantities.

4. Definitions of three fundamental quantities:

S.I. unit of length (m): A metre was originally defined in 1889 as the distance between
two marks drawn on a platinum-iridium (an alloy made of 90% platinum and 10% iridium)
rod kept at 0°C in the International Bureau of Weights and Measures at serves near
Paris.

S.I. unit of mass (kg): In 1889, one kilogramme was defined as the mass of a cylindrical
piece of a platinum-iridium alloy kept at International Bureau of Weights and Measures
at serves near Paris.

S.I. unit of time (s): A second is defined as 1/86400th part of a mean solar day, i.e.

1s = × one mean solar day.

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Q. Name the three systems of units and state the various fundamentals units in them.

5. Three systems of unit and their fundamental units:

(i) C.G.S. system (or French system): In this system, the unit of length is centimeter (cm), unit of
mass is gramme (g) and unit of time is second (s).
(ii) F.P.S. system (or British system): In this system, the unit of length is foot (ft), unit of mass is
pound (lb) and unit of time is second (s).

(iii) M.K.S. system (or metric system): In this system, the unit of length is metre (m), unit of mass
is kilogramme (kg) and unit of time is second (s).

Q. Define a fundamental unit.

6. A fundamental (or basic) unit is that which is independent of any other unit or which can neither
be changed nor can be related to any other fundamental unit.

Q. What are the fundamental unit in S.I system ? Name them along with their symbols.

7. Fundamental quantities, units and symbols in S.I. system are

Quantity Unit Symbol

Length Metre m
Mass kilogramme kg
Time second s
Temperature kelvin K
Luminous intensity candela cd
Electric current ampere A
Amount of substance mole mol
Angle radian rd
Solid angle steradian st-rd

Q. Explain the meaning of derived unit with the help of example ?

8. The units of quantities other than those measured in fundamental units can be obtained in
terms of the fundamental units, and thus the units so obtained are called derived units.

Example:
Speed = Distance/time

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Hence, the unit of speed = fundamental unit of distance/fundamental unit of time
Or, the unit of speed = metre/second or ms-1.
As the unit of speed is derived from the fundamental units of distance and time, it is a derived
unit.

Q. Define Standard metre.

9. A metre was originally defined in 1889 as the distance between two marks drawn on a platinum-
iridium (an alloy with 90% platinum and 10% iridium) rod kept at 0o C in the International
Bureau of Weights and Measures at serves near Paris.

Q. Name two units of length which are bigger than a metre. How are they related of the
metre ?

10. Astronomical unit (A.U.) and kilometer (km) are units of length which are bigger than a
metre.
1 km = 1000 m
1 A.U. = 1.496 × 1011 m

Q. Write the names of two units of length smaller than a metre. Express their relationship
with metre.

11. Centimeter (cm) and millimeter (mm) are units of length smaller than a metre.
1 cm = 10-2 m
1 mm = 10-3 m

Q. How is nanometer related to Angstrom ?

12. 1 nm = 10

Q. Name the three convenient units used to measure length ranging from very short to very
long value. How are they related to the S.I unit?

13. Three convenient units of length and their relation with the S.I. unit of length:
(i) 1 Angstrom (Å) = 10-10 m
(ii) 1 kilometre (km) = 103 m
(iii) 1 light year (ly) = 9.46 × 1015 m

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Q. Name the S.I unit of mass and define it.

14. S.I. unit of mass is 'kilogramme'.

In 1889, one kilogramme was defined as the mass of a cylindrical piece of a platinum-
iridium alloy kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures at serves near
Paris.

Q. Complete the following :

a) 1 light year =……….m

b) 1 m =……….
c) 1 m =……….. µ
d) 1 micron =………..
e) 1 fermi = ……….. m

15. (a) 1 light year = 9.46 × 1015 m

(b) 1 m = 1010
(c) 1 m = 106 µ (micron)

(d) 1 micron = 104

(e) 1 fermi = 10-15 m

Q. State two units of mass bigger than smaller than a kilogram. How are
they related to the kilogram.

16. The units 'gramme' (g) and 'milligramme' (mg) are two units of mass smaller than
'kilogramme'.
1 g = 10-3 kg
1 mg = 10-6 kg

Q. State two units of mass bigger than a kilogram. Give their relationship
with the kilogram ?

17. The units 'quintal' and 'metric tonne' are two units of mass bigger than 'kilogramme'.
1 quintal = 100 kg
1 metric tonne = 1000 kg

Q. Complete the following :-

a) 1 g =………kg
b) 1 mg =………kg
c) 1 quintal =………kg

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d) 1 a.m.u (or u) =……..kg

18. (a) 1 g = 10-3 kg

(b) 1 mg = 10-6 kg
(c) 1 quintal = 100 kg
(d) 1 a.m.u (or u) = 1.66 x 10-27 kg

Q. Name the S.I unit of time and define it.

19. The S.I. unit of time is second (s).

A second is defined as 1/86400th part of a mean solar day, i.e.

1s= × one mean solar day

Q. Name two units of time bigger than a second. How are they related to the Second ?

20. The units 'minute' (min) and 'year' (yr) are two units of time bigger than second(s).
1 min = 60 s
1 yr = 3.1536 × 107 s

Q. What is a leap year ?

21. A leap year is the year in which the month of February has 29 days.

Q. 'The year 2016 will have February of 29 days'. Is this statement true ?

22. Yes, the given statement is true.

Q. What is a lunar month ?

23. One lunar month is the time in which the moon completes one revolution around the
earth. A lunar month is made of nearly 4 weeks.

Q. Complete the following:-

a) 1 nano second =……….s.
b) 1 µs =……….s.
c) 1 mean solar day =……….s.
d) 1 year =……….s.

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24. (a) 1 nanosecond = 10-9 s
(b) 1 µs = 10-6 s
(c) 1 mean solar day = 86400 s
(d) 1 year = 3.15 × 107 s

Q. Name the physical quantities which are measured in the following units :-
a) u
b) ly
c) ns
d) nm

25. (a) Mass (b) Distance (or length) (c) Time (d) Length

Q. Write the derived units of the followings

a) speed
b) force
c) work
d) pressure

26. (a) ms-1 (b) kg ms-2 (c) kg m2s-2 (d) kg m-1s-2

Q. How are the followings derived units related to the fundamental units ?
a) Newton
b) watt
c) joule
d) Pascal

27. (a) kg ms-2 (b) kg m2s-3

(c) kg m2s-2 (d) kg m-1s-2

Q. Name the physical quantities related to the following units:-

a) km2
b) Newton
c) Joule
d) Pascal
e) watt

28. (a) Area (b) Force (c) Energy

(d) Pressure (f) Power

MCQ.

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Q. The fundamental unit is :-
a) Newton
b) Pascal
c) hertz
d) second
1. Second
Q. Which of the following unit is not a fundamental unit:

a) metre
b) Litre
c) second
d) kilogram
2. Litre

Q. The unit of time is:

a) light year
b) parsec
c) leap year
d) angstrom
3. Leap year

Q. 1 is equal to :
a) 0.1nm
b) 10-10 cm
c) 10-8 m
d) 104 µ
4. 0.1 nm

Q. ly is the unit of :-
a) time
b) length
c) mass
d) none of this
5. Length

Exercise 1 (B)
1. The least count of an instrument is the smallest measurement that can be taken
accurately with it. For example, if an ammeter has 5 divisions between the marks
0 and 1A, then its least count is 1/5 = 0.2 A or it can measure current up to the
value 0.2 accurately.

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2. Total length of the scale = 1 m = 100 cm
No. of divisions = 100
Length of each division = Total length/total no. of divisions
= 100 cm/100
= 1 cm
Thus, this scale can measure with an accuracy of 1 cm.

To increase the accuracy, the total number of divisions on the scale must be
increased.
3. The least count of a metre rule is 1 cm.
The length cannot be expressed as 2.60 cm because a metre scale measures
length correctly only up to one decimal place of a centimeter.
4. The least count of vernier callipers is equal to the difference between the values
of one main scale division and one vernier scale division.

Let n divisions on vernier callipers be of length equal to that of (n - 1) divisions on

the main scale and the value of 1 main scale division be x. Then,
Value of n divisions on vernier = (n - 1) x

Alternatively, value of 1 division on vernier =

Hence,

Least count =
L.C. = (Value of one main scale division)/(Total no. of divisions on vernier
callipers)
Value of one main scale division = 1 mm
Total no. of divisions on vernier = 10

Therefore, L.C. =
5. Vernier constant is equal to the difference between the values of one main scale
division and one vernier scale division. It is the least count of vernier callipers.
6. A vernier calipers is said to be free from zero error, if the zero mark of the vernier
scale coincides with the zero mark of the main scale.
7. Due to mechanical errors, sometimes the zero mark of the vernier scale does not
coincide with the zero mark of the main scale, the vernier callipers is said to have
zero error.
It is determined by measuring the distance between the zero mark of the main
scale and the zero mark of the vernier scale.
The zero error is of two kinds
(i) Positive zero error
(ii) Negative zero error

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(i) Positive zero error: On bringing the two jaws together, if the zero mark of the
vernier scale is on the right of the zero mark of the main scale, the error is said to
be positive.

To find this error, we note the division of the vernier scale, which coincides with
any division of the main scale. The number of this vernier division when
multiplied by the least count of the vernier callipers, gives the zero error.
For example, for the scales shown, the least count is 0.01 cm and the 6th division of the
vernier scale coincides with a main scale division.

Zero error = +6 × L.C. = +6 × 0.01 cm

= +0.06 cm

(ii) Negative zero error: On bringing the two jaws together, if the zero mark of the
vernier scale is on the left of the zero mark of the main scale, then the error is said to be
negative.

To find this error, we note the division of the vernier scale coinciding with any division of
the main scale. The number of this vernier division is subtracted from the total number
of divisions on the vernier scale and then the difference is multiplied by the least count.

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For example, for the scales shown, the least count is 0.01 cm and the sixth division of
the vernier scale coincides with a certain division of the main scale. The total number of
divisions on vernier callipers is 10.

Zero error = - (10 - 6) × L.C.

= - 4 × 0.01 cm = - 0.04 cm

Correction:
To get correct measurement with vernier callipers having a zero error, the zero error
with its proper sign is always subtracted from the observed reading.

Correct reading = Observed reading - zero error (with sign)

8.

9. Diagram of vernier callipers:

Main parts and their functions:

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Main scale: It is used to measure length correct up to 1 mm.
Vernier scale: It helps to measure length correct up to 0.1 mm.
Outside jaws: It helps to measure length of a rod, diameter of a sphere, external
diameter of a hollow cylinder.
Inside jaws: It helps to measure the internal diameter of a hollow cylinder or pipe.
Strip: It helps to measure the depth of a beaker or a bottle.

10. Three uses of vernier callipers are

(a) Measuring the internal diameter of a tube or a cylinder.
(b) Measuring the length of an object.
(c) Measuring the depth of a beaker or a bottle.
11. Two scales of vernier calipers are
(a) Main scale
(b) Vernier scale
The main scale is graduated to read up to 1 mm and on vernier scale, the length
of 10 divisions is equal to the length of 9 divisions on the main scale.
Value of 1 division on the main scale= 1 mm
Total no. of divisions on the vernier scale = 10
Thus, L.C. = 1 mm /10 = 0.1 mm = 0.01 cm.

Hence, a vernier callipers can measure length correct up to 0.01 cm.

12. Measuring the length of a small rod using vernier calipers:

The rod whose length is to be measured is placed in between the fixed end and
the vernier scale as shown in the figure.

In this position, the zero mark of the vernier scale is ahead of 1.2 cm mark on
main scale. Thus the actual length of the rod is 1.2 cm plus the length ab (i.e.,
the length between the 1.2 cm mark on the main scale and 0 mark on vernier
scale).
To measure the length ab, we note the pth division of the vernier scale, which
coincides with any division of main scale.
Now, ab + length of p divisions on vernier scale = length of p divisions on main
scale

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Alternatively, ab = length of p divisions on the main scale - length of p divisions
on the vernier scale.
= p (length of 1 division on main scale - length of 1 division on vernier scale)
= p × L.C.

Therefore, total reading = main scale reading + vernier scale reading

= 1.2 cm + (p × L.C.)
13. (a) Outside jaws
(b) Inside jaws
(c) Strip
(d) Outer jaws
14. (i) Pitch: The pitch of a screw gauge is the distance moved by the screw along
its axis in one complete rotation.
(ii) Least count (L.C.) of a screw gauge: The L.C. of a screw gauge is the
distance moved by it in rotating the circular scale by one division.
Thus, L.C. = Pitch of the screw gauge/total no. of divisions on its circular scale.
If a screw moves by 1 mm in one rotation and it has 100 divisions on its circular
scale, then pitch of screw = 1 mm.
Thus, L.C. = 1 mm / 100 = 0.01 mm = 0.001 cm
15. The least count of a screw gauge can be increased by decreasing the pitch and
increasing the total number of divisions on the circular scale.
16. Diagram of screw gauge:

Main parts and their functions:

1. Ratchet: It advances the screw by turning it until the object is gently held between
the stud and spindle of screw.
2. Sleeve: It marks the main scale and base line.
3. Thimble: It marks the circular scale.
4. Main scale: It helps to read the length correct up to 1 mm.
5. Circular scale: It helps to read length correct up to 0.01 mm.

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17. A screw gauge is used for measuring diameter of circular objects mostly wires
with an accuracy of 0.001 cm.
18. Ratchet helps to advance the screw by turning it until the object is gently held
between the stud and spindle of the screw.
19. Due to mechanical errors, sometimes when the anvil and spindle end are brought
in contact, the zero mark of the circular scale does not coincide with the base line
of main scale. It is either above or below the base line of the main scale, in which
case the screw gauge is said to have a zero error. It can be both positive and
negative.
It is accounted by subtracting the zero error (with sign) from the observed
reading in order to get the correct reading.
Correct reading = Observed reading - zero error (with sign)
20. Diagram of a screw gauge with L.C. 0.001 cm and zero error +0.007 cm.

21. Backlash error: If by reversing the direction of rotation of the thimble, the tip of
the screw does not start moving in the opposite direction immediately but
remains stationary for a part of rotation; it is called backlash error.
Reason: It happens due to wear and tear of the screw threads.
To avoid the backlash error, while taking the measurements the screw should be
rotated in one direction only. If the direction of rotation of the screw needs to be
changed, then it should be stopped for a while and then rotated in the reverse
direction.
22. Measurement of diameter of wire with a screw gauge:

The wire whose thickness is to be determined is placed between the anvil and
spindle end, the thimble is rotated until the wire is firmly held between the anvil
and spindle. The rachet is provided to avoid excessive pressure on the wire. It
prevents the spindle from further movement. The thickness of the wire could be
determined from the reading as shown in the figure below.

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The pitch of the screw = 1 mm

L.C. of screw gauge = 0.01 mm
Main scale reading = 2.5 mm
46th division of circular scale coincides with the base line.
Therefore, circular scale reading = 46 × 0.01 = 0.46 mm
Total reading = Main scale reading + circular scale reading
= (2.5 + 0.46) mm
= 2.96 mm
23. (a) Screw gauge
(b) Screw gauge
(c) Vernier calipers
(d) Screw gauge
24. Screw gauge measures a length to a high accuracy.
25. (a) Vernier callipers (b) Metre scale (c) Screw gauge.

MCQ.

1. The least count of a vernier calipers is 0.01 cm

2. 0.002 cm
3. A screw gauge
Exercise 1 (C)
1. A simple pendulum is a heavy point mass (known as bob) suspended from a rigid
support by a massless and inextensible string.
No, the pendulum used in pendulum clock is not a simple pendulum because the
simple pendulum is an ideal case. We cannot have a heavy mass having the size
of a point and string having no mass.
2. (i) Oscillation: One complete to and fro motion of the pendulum is called one
oscillation.
(ii) Amplitude: The maximum displacement of the bob from its mean position on
either side is called the amplitude of oscillation. It is measured in metres (m).
(iii) Frequency: It is the number of oscillations made in one second. Its unit is
hertz (Hz).

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(iv)Time period: This is the time taken to complete one oscillation. It is
measured in second (s).
3. Simple Pendulum:

4. Two factors on which the time period of a simple pendulum depends are

(i) Length of pendulum (l)

(ii) Acceleration due to gravity (g)

5. Two factors on which the time period of a simple pendulum does not depend are
(i) Material of the bob
(ii) Amplitude
6. We know that,

(a) If length quadruples then,

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Therefore, the time period is doubled.

(b) If the acceleration due to gravity is reduced to one-fourth,

Therefore, the time period is doubled.

7. Time period of a simple pendulum is inversely proportional to its frequency.

8. Measurement of time period of a simple pendulum:

(i) To measure the time period of a simple pendulum, the bob is slightly displaced
from its mean position and is then released. This gives a to and fro motion about
the mean position to the pendulum.
(ii) The time 't' for 20 complete oscillations is measured with the help of a stop
watch.
(iii)Time period 'T' can be found by dividing 't' by 20.
To find the time period, the time for the number of oscillations more than 1 is
noted because the least count of stop watch is either 1 s or 0.5 s. It cannot
record the time period in fractions such as 1.2 or 1.4 and so on.
9.

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10. The time period of a simple pendulum is directly proportional to the square root of
its effective length.

From this graph, the value of acceleration due to gravity (g) can be calculated as
follows.

The slope of the straight line can be found by taking two points P and Q on the straight
line and drawing normals from these points on the X- and Y-axis, respectively. Then,
the value of T2 is to be noted at a and b, the value of l at c and d. Then,

This slope is found to be constant at a place and is equal to , where g is the

acceleration due to gravity at that place. Thus, g can be determined at a place from
these measurements using the following relation:

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11. The ratio of their time periods would be 1:1 because the time period does not
depend on the weight of the bob.
12. Pendulum A will take more time (twice) in a given time because the time period
of oscillation is directly proportional to the square root of the length of the
pendulum. Therefore, the pendulum B will have a greater time period and thus
making lesser oscillations.
13. (a) The time period of oscillations is directly proportional to the square root of the
length of the pendulum.
(b) The time period of oscillations of simple pendulum does not depend on the
mass of the bob.
(c) The time period of oscillations of simple pendulum does not depend on the
amplitude of oscillations.
(d) The time period of oscillations of simple pendulum is inversely proportional to
the square root of acceleration due to gravity.
14. A pendulum with the time period of oscillation equal to two seconds is known as
a seconds pendulum.
15. The frequency of oscillation of a seconds' pendulum is 0.5 s-1. It does not depend
on the amplitude of oscillation.

MCQ.

1. Half
2. 2s
3. The time period of a second's pendulum is T = 2 s.

The time period is related to the length as

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