C HAP TE R

Units, Dimension, Measurements and Practical Physics

Systems of Units
Fundamental or base quantities
MKS CGS FPS MKSQ MKSA
The quantities which do not depend upon other (i) Length Length Length Length Length
quantities for their complete definition are known (m) (cm) (ft) (m) (m)
as fundamental or base quantities. (ii) Mass Mass Mass Mass Mass
e.g. : length, mass, time, etc. (kg) (g) (pound) (kg) (kg)
(iii) Time Time Time Time Time
(s) (s) (s) (s) (s)
Derived quantities (iv) – – – Charge Current
The quantities which can be expressed in terms (Q) (A)
of the fundamental quantities are known as derived Fundamental Quantities in
quantities. S.I. System and their units
e.g. Speed (=distance/time), volume, S.N. Physical Qty. Name of Unit Symbol
acceleration, force, pressure, etc. 1 Mass kilogram kg
2 Length meter m
Units of physical quantities 3 Time second s
The chosen reference standard of measurement 4 Temperature kelvin K
in multiples of which, a physical quantity is 5 Luminous intensity candela Cd
expressed is called the unit of that quantity. 6 Electric current ampere A
e.g. Physical Quantity = Numerical Value × Unit 7 Amount of substance mole mol

SI Base Quantities and Units

SI Units
Base Quantity
Name Symbol Definition
Length meter m The meter is the length of the path traveled by light in vacuum during
a time interval of 1/(299, 792, 458) of a second (1983)
Mass kilogram kg The kilogram is equal to the mass of the international prototype of the
kilogram (a platinum-iridium alloy cylinder) kept at International Bureau
of Weights and Measures, at Sevres, near Paris, France. (1889)
Time second s The second is the duration of 9, 192, 631, 770 periods of the
radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine
levels of the ground state of the cesium-133 atom (1967)
Electric Current ampere A The ampere is that constant current which, if maintained in two
straight parallel conductors of infinite length, of negligible circular
cross-section, and placed 1 metre apart in vacuum, would produce
between these conductors a force equal to 2 x 10-7 Newton per metre
of length. (1948)
Thermodynamic kelvin K The kelvin, is the fraction 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic
Temperature temperature of the triple point of water. (1967)
Amount of mole mol The mole is the amount of substance of a system, which contains as
Substance many elementary entities as there are atoms in 0.012 kilogram of
carbon-12. (1971)
Luminous candela Cd The candela is the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source
Intensity that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 x 1012 hertz
and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt per
steradian (1979).
Note :- On November 16, 2018 at the General Conference on Weights and Measure (GCWM) the 130 years old
definition of kilogram was changed forever. It will now defined in terms of plank's constant. It will adopted on
20 May, 2019 (World Metrology Day - 20 May). The new definition of kg involves accurate weighing machine called
"Kibble balance".
 Supplementary Units Limitations of dimensional analysis
• Radian (rad) - for measurement of plane angle • In Mechanics the formula for a physical quantity
• Steradian (sr) - for measurement of solid angle depending on more than three other physical
quantities cannot be derived. It can only be checked.
Dimensional Formula
• This method can be used only if the dependency is
Relation which express physical quantities in terms of of multiplication type. The formulae containing
appropriate powers of fundamental quantities. exponential, trigonometrical and logarithmic
functions can't be derived using this method.
Use of dimensional analysis Formulae containing more than one term which
are added or subtracted like s = ut +½ at2 also
• To check the dimensional correctness of a given can't be derived.
physical relation
• To derive relationship between different physical • The relation derived from this method gives no
quantities information about the dimensionless constants.
• To convert units of a physical quantity from one • If dimensions are given, physical quantity may not
system to another be unique as many physical quantities have the same
a b c dimensions.
æM ö æL ö æT ö
n1u1= n2u2 Þ n2=n1 ç 1 ÷ ç 1 ÷ ç 1 ÷
è M2 ø è L 2 ø è T2 ø • It gives no information whether a physical quantity
is a scalar or a vector.
where u = MaLbTc

SI PREFIXES
The magnitudes of physical quantities vary over a wide range. The CGPM recommended standard prefixes for
magnitude too large or too small to be expressed more compactly for certain powers of 10.

Power of 10 Prefix Symbol Power of 10 Prefix Symbol

1018 exa E 10-1 deci d

PREFIXES 15 -2
10 peta P 10 centi c
USED FOR
1012 tera T 10-3 milli m
DIFFERENT
POWERS 10 9 giga G 10-6 micro m
-9
OF 10 10 6
mega M 10 nano n
10 3 kilo k 10-12 pico p
10 2 hecto h 10-15 femto f
10 1 deca da 10-18 atto a

Physical quantity Unit Physical quantity Unit

-2
Angular acceleration rad s Frequency hertz
Moment of inertia kg – m 2
Resistance kg m2 A-2 s- 3
Self inductance henry Surface tension newton/m UNITS
Magnetic flux weber Universal gas constant joule K-1 mol- 1 OF
IMPORTANT
Pole strength A–m Dipole moment coulomb–meter
PHYSICAL
Viscosity* poise Stefan constant watt m- 2 K-4
QUANTITIES
Reactance ohm Permittivity of free space (e0) coulomb2/N–m 2
Permeability of free space
Specific heat J/kg°C weber/A-m
(m0 )
Strength of magnetic
newton A-1 m- 1 Planck's constant joule–sec
field
Astronomical distance Parsec Entropy J/K

*SI unit of viscosity is decapoise.

 DIMENSIONS OF IMPORTANT PHYSICAL QUANTITIES
Physical quantity Dimensions Physical quantity Dimensions
Momentum M1 L1 T – 1 Capacitance M–1 L– 2 T 4 A 2
Calorie M1 L2 T – 2 Modulus of rigidity M1 L– 1 T – 2
Latent heat capacity M0 L2 T – 2 Magnetic permeability M1 L1 T –2A– 2
Self inductance M1 L2 T– 2A –2 Pressure M1 L– 1 T – 2
Coefficient of thermal conductivity M1 L1 T– 3K –1 Planck's constant M1 L2 T– 1
Power M1 L2 T – 3 Solar constant M1 L0 T– 3
Impulse M1 L1 T – 1 Magnetic flux M1 L2 T– 2 A–1
Hole mobility in a semi conductor M – 1 L0 T 2 A1 Current density M0L– 2 T0 A1
Bulk modulus of elasticity M1L– 1 T– 2 Young modulus M1 L– 1 T – 2
Potential energy M1 L2 T – 2 Magnetic field intensity M0L– 1 T0A 1
Gravitational constant M–1 L3 T –2 Magnetic Induction M1T–2A– 1
Light year M 0 L1 T 0 Permittivity M– 1 L–3 T4A 2
Thermal resistance M– 1 L–2 T 3 K Electric Field M1L1 T– 3A - 1
Coefficient of viscosity M1 L–1 T –1 Resistance ML2T– 3 A– 2
SETS OF QUANTITIES HAVING SAME DIMENSIONS
S.N. Quantities Dimensions
1. Strain, refractive index, relative density, angle, solid angle, phase, distance [M0 L0 T0]
gradient, relative permeability, relative permittivity, angle of contact, Reynolds
number, coefficient of friction, mechanical equivalent of heat, electric susceptibility,
etc.
2. Mass or inertial mass [M1 L0 T0 ]
3. Momentum and impulse. [M1 L1 T–1 ]
4. Thrust, force, weight, tension, energy gradient. [M1 L1 T–2 ]
5. Pressure, stress, Young's modulus, bulk modulus, shear modulus, modulus of [M1 L–1 T–2 ]
rigidity, energy density.
6. Angular momentum and Planck's constant (h). [ M1 L2 T–1]
7. Acceleration, g and gravitational field intensity. [ M0 L1 T–2]
8. Surface tension, free surface energy (energy per unit area), force gradient, spring [ M1 L0 T–2]
constant.
9. Latent heat capacity and gravitational potential. [ M0 L2 T–2]
10. Thermal capacity, Boltzmann constant, entropy. [ ML2T–2K–1]
11. Work, torque, internal energy, potential energy, kinetic energy, moment of force, [M1 L2 T–2 ]
2
(q2/C), (LI 2), (qV), (V2C), (I 2Rt), V t , (VIt), (PV), (RT), (mL), (mc DT)
R
12. Frequency, angular frequency, angular velocity, velocity gradient, radioactivity [M0 L0 T–1 ]
R 1 1
, ,
L RC LC
13. æ l ö æ mö æ L ö
12 12 [ M0 L0 T1]
ç g ÷ , ç k ÷ , ç R ÷ ,(RC), ( LC) , time
è ø è ø è ø
14. (VI), (I2R), (V2/R), Power [ M L2 T –3]
 SOME FUNDAMENTAL CONSTANTS KEY POINTS
Gravitational constant (G) 6.67 × 10–11 N m2 kg–2 • Trigonometric functions sinq,
Speed of light in vacuum (c) 3× 10 8 ms–1 cosq, t anq etc and their
arrangement s q are
Permeability of vacuum (m0) 4p × 10–7 H m–1
dimensionless.
Permittivity of vacuum (e0 ) 8.85 × 10–12 F m–1
• Dimensions of differential
Planck constant (h) 6.63 × 10–34 Js
é dny ù éyù
Atomic mass unit (amu) 1.66 × 10–27 kg coefficients ê n ú = ê n ú
ë dx û ë x û
Energy equivalent of 1 amu 931.5 MeV
Electron rest mass (me) 9.1 × 10–31 kg º 0.511 MeV • Dimensions of integrals
é ydx ù = [ yx ]
ëê ò
Avogadro constant (NA) 6.02 × 1023 mol–1 úû
4 –1
Faraday constant (F) 9.648 × 10 C mol
• We can't add or subtract two
Stefan–Boltzmann constant (s) 5.67× 10 –8 W m– 2 K–4
physical quantities of different
Wien constant (b) 2.89× 10 –3 mK dimensions.
Rydberg constant (R¥) 1.097× 107 m–1 • Independent quantities may be
Triple point for water 273.16 K (0.01°C) taken as fundamental quantities
in a new system of units.
Molar volume of ideal gas (NTP) 22.4 L = 22.4× 10–3 m3 mol–1

PRACTICAL PHYSICS

Rules for Counting Significant Figures Order of magnitude

For a number greater than 1 Power of 10 required to represent a quantity

• All non-zero digits are significant. 49 = 4.9 × 101 » 101 Þ order of magnitude =1

• All zeros between two non-zero digits are 51 = 5.1 ×101 » 102 Þ order of magnitude = 2
significant. Location of decimal does not matter. 0.051 =5.1 × 10-2 » 10-1order of magnitude = -1
• If the number is without decimal part, then the Propagation of combination of errors
terminal or trailing zeros are not significant.
Error in Summation and Difference :
• Trailing zeros in the decimal part are significant. x = a + b then Dx = ± (Da+Db)
For a Number Less than 1 Error in Product and Division
Any zero to the right of a non-zero digit is significant. A physical quantity X depend upon Y & Z as X = Ya Zb
All zeros between decimal point and first non-zero then maximum possible fractional error in X.
digit are not significant.
DX DY DZ
Significant Figures = a + b
X Y Z
All accurately known digits in measurement plus the Error in Power of a Quantity
first uncertain digit together form significant figure.
Ex. 0.108 ® 3SF, 40.000 ® 5SF, am Dx é æ Da ö æ Db ö
x= then = ± êm ç ÷ + n ç ÷
bn x ë è a ø è bø
1.23 × 10-19 ® 3SF, 0.0018 ® 2SF
Least count
Rounding off
The smallest value of a physical quantity which can
6.87® 6.9, 6.84 ® 6.8, 6.85 ® 6.8, be measured accurately with an instrument is called
6.75 ® 6.8, 6.65 ® 6.6, 6.95 ® 7.0 the least count of the measuring instrument.
Vernier Callipers Least count = 1MSD – 1 VSD (MSD ® main scale division, VSD ® Vernier scale division)

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 14 15

Ex. A vernier scale has 10 parts, which are equal to 9 parts of main scale having each path equal to 1 mm then
9
least count = 1 mm – mm = 0.1 mm [Q 9 MSD = 10 VSD]
10
Screw Gauge
Spindle Circular (Head) scale

Ratchet
pitch

0
Least count =

5
total no. of divisions

10
Linear (Pitch)
on circular scale Scale Thimble
Sleeve

Ex. The distance moved by spindle of a screw gauge for each turn of head is 1mm. The edge of the humble is
1mm
provided with a angular scale carrying 100 equal divisions. The least count = = 0.01 mm
100
Zero Error in Vernier Callipers :

Main scale Main scale Main scale

0 1 0 1 0 1

0 5 10 0 5 10 0 5 10
Vernier scale Vernier scale Vernier scale
without zero error with positive zero error with negative zero error
(i) (ii)

Calculation of zero error for vernier callipers :-

Positive zero error = (No. of Division of VS coincided with MS).LC
Negative zero error = (Total division in VS – No. of division of VS coincided with MS).LC

Correct reading with zero error

Correct reading = (Reading) – (Zero error)
The zero error is always subtracted from the reading to get the corrected value.
 Zero Error in Screw Gauge
If there is no object between the jaws (i.e. jaws are in contact), the screwgauge should give zero reading. But
due to extra material on jaws, even if there is no object, it gives some excess reading. This excess reading
is called Zero error.
Negative Zero Error Positive Zero Error
(3 division error) i.e., –0.003 cm (2 division error) i.e., +0.002 cm
Circular scale Circular scale

10 15
zero of the circular
5 scale is above the 10
0 zero of main scale 5 Zero of the circular
0 scale is below the
95 0
zero of main scale
Main scale 90 Main scale 95
reference line reference line 90
85

Calculation of zero error for screw gauge :-

Positive zero error = (No. of division of CS on MS).LC
Negative zero error = (Total division on CS – No. of division of CS on MS).LC
Correct reading = (Reading) – (zero error)

Remember :-
To get correct reading take zero error with their sign.
Positive zero error = + (Numerical value of zero error)
Negative zero error = – (Numerical value of zero error)