Chapter 1: Physical Quantities and Measurements

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1.1​ Which instrument is most suitable for measuring the thickness of a few
sheets of cardboard?
o​ (d) Micrometer screw gauge​
Explanation: The micrometer screw gauge measures small thicknesses with high
precision (0.01 mm), making it ideal for thin materials like cardboard.

1.2​One femtometre is equal to:

o​ (b) 10−15 m​
Explanation: The prefix "femto" denotes 10−15.

1.3​A light year is a unit of:

(c) Distance​
Explanation: A light year measures the distance light travels in one year.

1.4​Which one is a non-physical quantity?

(c) Colour​
Explanation: Colour is a perceptual attribute and cannot be measured
instrumentally.

1.5​When using a measuring cylinder, one precaution is to:

(d) Position the eye in line with the bottom of the meniscus​
Explanation: This ensures accurate reading by avoiding parallax error.

1.6​Volume of water consumed per day is estimated in:

(b) Litre​
Explanation: Litres are practical for daily water volume measurements.

1.7​A displacement can measures:

(d) Volume of a solid​
Explanation: It calculates volume by measuring displaced water.

1.8​Two rods with lengths 12.321 cm and 10.3 cm are placed side by side, the
difference in their lengths is:
(b) 2.0 cm​
Explanation: 12.321−10.3=2.021, rounded to 2.0 cm (1 decimal place).

1.9​The correct Vernier Callipers reading is:

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(c) 3.47 cm​
Explanation: Vernier Callipers measure to 0.01 cm precision.

1.10​ Thickness of a book sheet is likely:

(b) 1×10−4 m​
Explanation: From the textbook, the thickness is 1.0×10−4 m.

1.11​Vernier constant for a scale with 0.5 mm divisions:

(b) 0.1 mm​
Explanation: Least count = 1 MSD−1 VSD=0.5−0.45=0.1 mm.

B. Short Answer Questions

1.1.​ Can a non-physical quantity be measured? If yes, how?
Answer: Non-physical quantities (e.g., emotions) cannot be measured with
instruments but can be assessed qualitatively via surveys or criteria.

1.2.​ What is measurement? Name its two parts.

Answer: Measurement is the process of comparing an unknown quantity with
a standard. Its two parts are:
●​ Numerical value
●​ Unit.
1.3.​ Why do we need a standard unit for measurements?
Answer: Standard units ensure consistency, avoid confusion, and facilitate
global communication.

1.4.​ Write the name of 3 base quantities and 3 derived quantities.

Base: Length (m), mass (kg), time (s).

Derived: Speed (m/s), area (m²), force (N).

1.5.​ Which SI unit will you use to express the height of a desk?
Answer: Metre (m).

1.6 Write the name and symbols of all SI base units.

Answer:
▪​ Length: metre (m)
▪​ Mass: kilogram (kg)
▪​ Time: second (s)
▪​ Temperature: kelvin (K)
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▪​ Electric current: ampere (A)
▪​ Luminous intensity: candela (cd)
▪​ Amount of substance: mole (mol).

1.7​Why is the prefix used? Name three sub-multiples and three multiple prefixes
with their symbols.
Answer: Prefixes simplify large/small numbers.
●​ Sub-multiples: milli (m, 10−3), micro (µ, 10−6), nano (n, 10−9).
●​ Multiples: kilo (k), mega (M), giga (G).

1.8 What is meant by:

(a) 5 pm: 5×10−12 m.

(b) 15 ns: 15×10−9 s.

(c) 6 µm: 6×10−6 m.

(d) 5 fs: 5×10−15 s.

1.9 (a) For what purpose, a Vernier Callipers is used?

(a) Use of Vernier Callipers: Measures small lengths (e.g., diameter, thickness).

(b) Parts: Main scale and Vernier scale.

(c) Least count: 1 MSD−1 VSD.

(d) Zero error: Occurs if the Vernier zero misaligns with the main scale zero.

1.9​Determine the length from the figure (hypothetical).

Answer: Main scale reading + (Vernier division × least count).

1.10 Which reading out of A, B and C shows the correct length and why?
Correct reading is at eye level (B) to avoid parallax error.

C. Constructed Response Questions

1.​ Units for the following:
o​ (a) Thickness of a coin: mm
o​ (b) Length of a book: cm
o​ (c) Football field: m
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o​ (d) Distance between cities: km
o​ (e) Mass of a coin: g
o​ (f) School bag mass: kg
o​ (g) Class duration: minutes
o​ (h) Petrol volume: liters
o​ (i) Boiling milk: minutes.

1.2.1​ Why might a standard system of measurement be helpful to a tailor?

Answer: Ensures consistent sizing, avoids errors, and allows universal pattern
replication.

1.2.2​ Micrometer screw gauge with 100 divisions:

1 𝑚𝑚
●​ Least count: 100
= 0.01 mm.
●​ Thickness: Main scale reading + (circular scale reading × 0.01 mm).
1.2.3​ Measure pencil diameter with a metre scale:
Wrap pencils tightly, measure total width, divide by the number of pencils.

1.2.4​ If a metre scale’s end is worn out:

Align the pencil with the undamaged section of the scale.

1.2.5​ Why is it better to place the object close to the metre scale?
To reduce parallax error and ensure accurate alignment.

1.2.6​ Why a standard unit is needed to measure a quantity correctly:

To eliminate variability and ensure universal understanding.

1.2.7​ Natural time standards:

Earth’s rotation (day/night), lunar phases, pendulum motion.

1.2.8​ Difficulty locating meniscus in a wide vessel:

A wide meniscus is flatter, making it hard to pinpoint the exact level.

1.2.9​ Instruments for measuring:

(i) Internal diameter of a test tube: Vernier Callipers

(ii) Depth of a beaker: Metre rule.

D. Comprehensive Questions
1.1​ Base vs. Derived Quantities:
o​ Base: Fundamental (e.g., length, mass).
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o​ Derived: Defined using base quantities (e.g., speed = distance/time).
o​ SI Base Units: m, kg, s, A, K, cd, mol.

1.2​Give three examples of derived Units in SI. How are they derived from base
units? Describe briefly.
Force (N): kg ⋅ m/s2.
Pressure (Pa): N/m2.
Volume (m³): length × width × height.
●​ Force (Newton, N)
o​ Derived from: Mass (kg), length (m), and time (s).
o​ Formula: F=ma (force = mass × acceleration).
o​ SI Unit: 1 N=1 kg ⋅ m/s2.
●​ Pressure (Pascal, Pa)
o​ Derived from: Force (N) and area (m²).
𝐹
o​ Formula: P = 𝐴 ​(pressure = force per unit area).
o​ SI Unit: 1 Pa=1 N/m2=1 kg/(m⋅s2)
●​ Electric Charge (Coulomb, C)
o​ Derived from: Electric current (A) and time (s).
o​ Formula: Q=I ⋅ t (charge = current × time).
o​ SI Unit: 1 C=1 A⋅s.

Similarities
1.​ Both are precision measuring instruments used in engineering and
manufacturing.
2.​ Both measure dimensions (length, thickness, diameter) with high accuracy.
3.​ Require proper handling to avoid errors (e.g., parallax, zero error).
4.​ Use a combination of scales (main scale and secondary scale) for measurements.

Differences

Aspect Vernier Calipers Micrometer Screw Gauge

Less precise (least More precise (least
Precision
count: 0.02 mm). count: 0.01 mm or better).
Measurement Large range (e.g., 0–150 Small range (e.g., 0–25
Range mm). mm per micrometer).
Screw-and-thimble
Sliding jaws with a
Design mechanism with a
Vernier scale.
calibrated spindle.

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Aspect Vernier Calipers Micrometer Screw Gauge

Measures internal,
Measures small thicknesses
Applications external, and depth
(e.g., wires, sheets).
dimensions.
Easier for quick, versatile Requires careful operation
Ease of Use
measurements. for high precision.
Measurement Direct reading from Requires rotating the
Type Vernier scale. thimble for measurements.
Typical Use Workshop, labs, general Precision machining,
Cases engineering. toolmaking, quality control.

Key Takeaways
●​ Vernier Calipers are versatile but less precise, ideal for general-purpose
measurements.
●​ Micrometers offer higher precision but are limited to smaller ranges, perfect for
specialized tasks.

1.2.1​ Identify and explain the reasons for human errors, random errors and
systematic error
Types of Errors:
Human errors: Parallax, reaction time.

Systematic errors: Faulty calibration.

Random errors: Environmental fluctuations.

1.2.2​ Differentiate between Precision and Accuracy of a measurement with

examples.
1.​ Precision:
o​ Related to least count of the instrument (e.g., Vernier Calipers: 0.1 mm).
o​ Example: Repeated measurements of a pendulum’s period yield similar values
(e.g., 2.15 s, 2.14 s, 2.16 s).
2.​ Accuracy:
o​ Requires minimizing systematic errors (e.g., zero error in instruments).
o​ Example: Measuring a 10.0 cm rod as 10.1 cm due to a calibration error.
3.​ Combined Case:
o​ Accurate and Precise: Measurements are both close to the true value and
consistent (e.g., 10.0 cm, 10.0 cm, 10.0 cm).
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E. Numerical Problems
1.​ 1.1 Calculate the number of seconds in a (a) day (b) week (c) month.
o​ (a) 1 day=8.64×104 s
o​ (b) 1 week=6.048×105 s
o​ (c) 1 month=2.592×106 s

1.3 Solve the following addition or subtraction. State your answers in scientific
notation.

o​ (a) 4×10−4 kg+3×10−5 kg = 4.3×10−4 kg

o​ (b) 5.4×10−6 m−3.2×10−5 m=−2.66×10−5 m

1.4​Solve the following multiplication or division.

o​ (a)
o​ (b) .

1.5 Calculate the following:

1.6 State the number of significant digits in each measurement.

Significant
Measurement Explanation
Figures
Leading zeros are not
(a) 0.0045 m0.0045m 2 significant. Non-zero digits
(4, 5) are significant.
All non-zero digits (2, 4, 7)
and the captive zero
(b) 2.047 m2.047m 4
(between 2 and 4) are
significant.
Non-zero digits (3, 4) and
(c) 3.40 m3.40m 3 the trailing zero (after the
decimal) are significant.
All digits in the coefficient (3,
(d) 3.420×104 m3.420×104m 4 4, 2, 0) are significant in
scientific notation.

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Key Rules Applied:
1.​ Leading zeros are never significant.
2.​ Captive zeros (between non-zero digits) are significant.
3.​ Trailing zeros after a decimal point are significant.
4.​ Scientific notation explicitly shows all significant digits in the coefficient.

Final Answers:

●​ (a) 2
●​ (b) 4
●​ (c) 3
●​ (d) 4.

1.7 Write in scientific notation:

o​ (a) 0.0035 m=3.5×10−3 m
o​ (b) 206.4×102 m=2.064×104 m.

1.8 Write using correct prefixes:

o​ (a) 5.0×104 cm=0.5 km
o​ (b) 580×102 g=58 kg580×102g=58kg
o​ (c) 45×10−4 s=4.5 ms.

1.9 Light year is a unit of distance. Calculate the distance if the speed of light
is 3.0×108 m/s.
Given:

●​ Speed of light, c=3.0×108 m

●​ Time, t=1 year

Step 1: Convert 1 year to seconds

1 year=365.25 days × 24 hours/day × 60 minutes/hour × 60 seconds/minute =

31,557,600 seconds = 3.15576×107 s (rounded to 6 significant figures).
Step 2: Calculate distance using Distance=Speed × Time

Distance = (3.0×108 m/s) × (3.15576×107 s) = 9.46728 × 1015 m.​

Step 3: Apply significant figures

●​ The speed of light (3.0×108) has 2 significant figures.

●​ The final answer must therefore be rounded to 2 significant figures:

Distance = 9.5×1015 m.

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Final Answer: 9.5×1015 m​

Note:​
The standardized value of 1 light-year is 9.461×1015 m. The slight difference arises
from using c=3.0×108 m/s (an approximation) instead of the exact 299,792,458 m/s.

Answer: 9.46×1015 m.

1.10 Express the density of mercury (13.6 g/cm-3) in kg/m-3.

To convert the density of mercury from g/cm3 to kg/m3:

1.​ Convert grams to kilograms:

13.6 g/cm3 =13.6×10−3 kg/cm3 = 0.0136 kg/cm3.

Convert cubic centimeters to cubic meters:

1 cm3=10−6 m3 ⇒1 kg/cm3 =106 kg/m3.

Multiply to adjust units:

0.0136 kg/cm3 × 106 kg/m3 = 13,600 kg/m3.

Final Answer:
13,600 kg/m3 or 1.36×104 kg/m3.
Note:
●​ 13.6 g/cm3 =13,600 kg/m3 (direct conversion).
●​ The answer retains 3 significant figures as in the original value.

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