Unit –1 1 Measurement

UNIT-1 MEASUREMENT

PHYSICS is the science that deals with idea of matter and energy.
The physical quantities are measured in units. There are seven SI base quantities in Physics. The names
and their units are given below:

Physical Quantities Base Unit Symbol

Length metre m
Mass kilogram kg
Time second s
Current ampere A
Temperature kelvin K
Amount of substance mole mol
Light Intensity candela cd

PREFIXES FOR SI UNIT:

Prefixes are multiple and sub multiple units of Physical quantities. The prefixes are used to express the
physical quantity in big or small values. Some commonly used SI prefixes are given below:

Value Prefix Symbol

10
-1 deci d
10
-2 centi c

10
-3 milli m

10
-6 mirco µ

10
-9 nano n
103 Kilo K
6
10 Mega M
9
10 Giga G

The instruments for measurement of length

1: Metre Rule:-
a. A metre rule is a wooden or plastic or steel bar of length 1m or 100 cm.
b. The divisions marked on ruler are in cm, mm, and inches.
c. The accuracy or least count of ruler is 1mm or 0.1cm.
d. The ruler is used to measure the length of straight objects or straight distance between
two points in cm or in mm.
e. The eyesight must be perpendicular to the point of reading of ruler to avoid parallax error.
f. The wear and tear of instrument may damage few divisions at the ends of ruler. The error
caused due to the damaged divisions is called zero error. Check the zero error before
using the ruler.
 Accurate length of object = 19.0 cm Inaccurate length of object = 21.0 cm

zero error at
object
this end

cm 10 20 30 cm 10 20 30
Accurate measurement
Inaccurate measurement
2: Measuring Tape:-
a. A measuring tape is a plastic strip of several meters long.
b. The divisions marked on tapes are in cm, mm, inches, feet, and meters.
c. The accuracy or least count of tape is 1mm or 0.1cm.
d. The measuring tape is used to measure the distance between two points in meters. The
tape can also measure the length or diameter or circumference of curved objects.
e. The parallax error and zero error must be avoided while using measuring tape.
3: Vernier Calipers:-

a. A Vernier caliper consists of main scale, Vernier scale and two jaws, made up of steel.
b. The accuracy of this instrument is 0.1mm or 0.01cm.
c. The Vernier caliper is used to measure the diameter of spherical objects, internal and
external diameter of tubes in cm or mm.
How to read Vernier calipers
 Check the zero error of instrument. Its value must be added to or subtracted from the final
reading.
 Grip the object gently between outside jaws.
inside jaws

main scale

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
0 5 10
Vernier scale

ball bearing

outside jaws
 Read the main scale division directly opposite the zero mark on the Vernier scale. For diagram
above,
Main scale reading = 3.1 cm

 Read the Vernier scale division which coincides with a marking on the main scale.
i.e. Vernier scale reading = 4×L.C
= 4×0.01 cm = 0.04 cm
Final reading = main scale reading + Vernier scale reading i.e.
Final reading = 3.1 + 0.04
Or
Final reading = 3.14 cm
4: Micrometer Screw gauge:
a. A screw gauge consists of ratchet, thimble, sleeve, spindle, and anvil.
b. The accuracy of this instrument is 0.01 mm or 0.001cm
c. The screw gauge is used to measure diameter of ball bearings & wires, thickness of coin
& paper etc.

HOW TO READ SCREW GAUGE

 Check the zero error, by closing the spindle without any object. This value is either added to or
subtracted from the final reading.
 Grip the object between anvil and spindle. The rachet is used to tighten the object in the grip.
thimble scale

sleeve thimble
anvil
spindle
0
mm
0 5 45
40
35
30
ratchet
main scale

datum line
cross-section
of wire
 Read the main scale, by noting the last division seen on the sleeve.
For diagram above:
Main scale reading = 8.5 mm
 Read the thimble scale division, coinciding with the datum line.
i.e. Thimble scale reading = 40 × L.C
= 40 × 0.01 = 0.40 mm
The final reading can be calculated as:
 Final reading = main scale reading + thimble scale reading
Final reading = 8.5 + 0.40
i.e. Final reading = 8.90 mm

PRECAUTIONS OF USING CALIPERS AND MICROMETER:

1. Check zero error and note its value.
2. Clean and wipe the instruments.
3. Avoid parallax error.
4. Grip the object in instruments gently.
5. Repeat the reading and take average value for more accuracy.

ERRORS IN MEASUREMENT:
1. Parallax error:
This error is produced due to wrong positioning of eye level on the point of reading. The eyesight
must be perpendicular to the point of reading to avoid this error.
2. Zero error:
The zero error occurs when the Vernier caliper or micrometer is fully closed without any object
and does not give zero reading.
The zero error is either added to or subtracted from the final reading.
 0
5 45
0 0

All measurements should be reduced All measurements should be

No zero error
by 0.03 mm (- 0.03 mm) increased by 0.03mm (+0.03 mm)

3. Human Reaction error:

The error caused by a person in noting the time intervals, due to his/her reaction time. This error
varies from person to person according to their age. This error can be minimized by repeating the
experiment and taking average values.

MEASUREMENT OF TIME:
Time is measured in years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds. Due to wide range of time
intervals different kinds of clocks and watches are used as summarized in the table below.

Type of lock/watch Use and accuracy

Atomic Clock Measure very short time intervals of about 10-10 seconds.
Digital stopwatch Measure short time interval (in minutes and seconds) to an accuracy of ±0.01s
Analogue stopwatch Measures short time intervals (in minutes and seconds) to an accuracy of ±0.1s.
Ticker-tape timer Measures short time intervals of 0.02 s.
Watch Measures longer time intervals in hours, minutes, and seconds.
Pendulum clock Measures longer time intervals in hours, minutes, and seconds.
Radioactive decay
Measures in years the age of remains from thousands of years ago
clock

THE SIMPLE PENDULUM:

A simple pendulum consists of a metal bob, attached at the end of string, hanging from a support.

BASIC TERMS OF PENDULUM: Fixed support

 Oscillation:
One complete round trip of a pendulum is
called oscillation. i.e. from O→A→B and
back to O.

 Time Period (T): String

Time taken by a pendulum to complete
one oscillation.
metal bob
 Frequency (f):
B
It is number of oscillations completed in
one second.
A
f= 1
where f = frequency, measured in Hertz (Hz). 𝑇 O
O→mean position
A→ end position
B→ end position

How to determine time period of a Pendulum using stopwatch?

 Set the pendulum into motion.
 Note time for 20 oscillations by using stopwatch.
 Find the time for one oscillation by using the formula:

𝑡
T=
𝑛
Where
t = time noted by watch.
n = no. of oscillations.
T = time period.