Units, Dimensions and Measurement 69

[M ][LT 2 ]
 [LT 1 ]  = [ LT 1
]
[ML1 T 1 ][L]
L.H.S. = R.H.S. i.e., the above formula is Correct.
Problem 35. A dimensionally consistent relation for the volume V of a liquid of coefficient of viscosity 
flowing per second through a tube of radius r and length l and having a pressure difference
p across its end, is
pr 4  l 8 pl p 
(a) V  (b) V  (c) V  (d) V 
8l 8 pr 4
r 4
8lr 4
Volume
Solution : (a) Given V = Rate of flow =  [L3 T 1 ] , P = Pressure = [ ML1 T 2 ] , r = Radius = [L]
sec
 = Coefficient of viscosity = [ML1 T 1 ] , l = Length = [L]
By substituting the dimension of each quantity we can check the accuracy of the formula
P r 4
V
8l

[ML1T 2 ] [L4 ]
 [L3 T 1 ]  1 1
= [L3 T 1 ]
[ML T ] [L]
L.H.S. = R.H.S. i.e., the above formula is Correct.
1
Problem 36. With the usual notations, the following equation S t  u  a(2t  1) is
2
(a) Only numerically correct (b) Only dimensionally
correct
(c) Both numerically and dimensionally correct (d) Neither numerically
nor dimensionally correct
Solution : (c) Given S t = distance travelled by the body in tth sec.= [LT 1 ] , a = Acceleration = [LT 2 ] ,

v = velocity = [LT 1 ] , t = time = [T]

By substituting the dimension of each quantity we can check the accuracy of the formula
1
St  u  a (2t  1)
2
 [LT 1 ]  [LT 1 ]  [LT 2 ] [T ]  [LT 1 ]  [LT 1 ]  [LT 1 ]

Since the dimension of each terms are equal therefore this equation is dimensionally
correct. And after deriving this equation from Kinematics we can also proof that this
equation is correct numerically also.
Problem 37. If velocity v, acceleration A and force F are chosen as fundamental quantities, then the
dimensional formula of angular momentum in terms of v, A and F would be

(a) FA1 v (b) Fv3 A 2 (c) Fv 2 A 1 (d) F 2 v 2 A 1

Solution : (b) Given, v = velocity = [LT 1 ] , A = Acceleration = [LT 2 ] , F = force = [MLT 2 ]
By substituting, the dimension of each quantity we can check the accuracy of the formula
 70 Units, Dimensions and Measurement

[Angular momentum] = Fv3 A 2

[ML 2 T 1 ]  [MLT 2 ] [LT 1 ]3 [LT 2 ]2

= [ML2 T 1 ]
L.H.S. = R.H.S. i.e., the above formula is Correct.
Problem 38. The largest mass (m) that can be moved by a flowing river depends on velocity (v), density
(  ) of river water and acceleration due to gravity (g). The correct relation is

 2v 4 v 6 v 4 v 6
(a) m  2
(b) m  2
(c) m  3
(d) m 
g g g g3
Solution : (d) Given, m = mass = [M], v = velocity = [LT 1 ] ,  = density = [ML 3 ] , g = acceleration due to
gravity = [LT–2]
By substituting, the dimension of each quantity we can check the accuracy of the formula
 v6
mK
g3

[ML3 ][ LT 1 ]6
 [M ] 
[LT  2 ] 3
= [M]
L.H.S. = R.H.S. i.e., the above formula is Correct.

(5) As a research tool to derive new relations : If one knows the dependency of a physical
quantity on other quantities and if the dependency is of the product type, then using the method
of dimensional analysis, relation between the quantities can be derived.
Example : (i) Time period of a simple pendulum.
Let time period of a simple pendulum is a function of mass of the bob (m), effective length
(l), acceleration due to gravity (g) then assuming the function to be product of power function
of m, l and g

i.e., T  Km x l y g z ; where K = dimensionless constant

If the above relation is dimensionally correct then by substituting the dimensions of

quantities –
[T] = [M]x [L]y [LT–2]z
or [M0L0T1] = [MxLy+zT–2z]
Equating the exponents of similar quantities x = 0, y = 1/2 and z = – 1/2

l
So the required physical relation becomes T  K
g

l
The value of dimensionless constant is found (2 ) through experiments so T  2
g
 Units, Dimensions and Measurement 71

(ii) Stoke’s law : When a small sphere moves at low speed through a fluid, the viscous
force F, opposing the motion, is found experimentally to depend on the radius r, the velocity of
the sphere v and the viscosity  of the fluid.
So F = f (, r, v)
If the function is product of power functions of , r and v, F  K x r y v z ; where K is
dimensionless constant.

If the above relation is dimensionally correct [MLT 2 ]  [ML1 T 1 ] x [L]y [LT 1 ]z

or [MLT 2 ]  [M x L x y  z T  x z ]
Equating the exponents of similar quantities x = 1; – x + y + z = 1 and – x – z = – 2
Solving these for x, y and z, we get x = y = z = 1
So eqn (i) becomes F = Krv
On experimental grounds, K = 6; so F = 6rv
This is the famous Stoke’s law.

Sample problem based on formulae derivation

Problem 39. If the velocity of light (c), gravitational constant (G) and Planck's constant (h) are chosen
as fundamental units, then the dimensions of mass in new system is
(a) c 1 / 2 G 1 / 2 h 1 / 2 (b) c 1 / 2 G 1 / 2 h 1 / 2 (c) c 1 / 2 G 1 / 2 h 1 / 2 (d) c 1 / 2 G 1 / 2 h 1 / 2
Solution : (c) Let m  c x G y h z or m  K c x G y h z
By substituting the dimension of each quantity in both sides
[M 1 L0 T 0 ]  K[LT 1 ] x [M 1 L3 T 2 ]y [ML2 T 1 ]z  [M y  z Lx  3 y  2 z T  x  2 y  z ]

By equating the power of M, L and T in both sides : y  z  1 , x  3 y  2 z  0 ,  x  2 y  z  0

By solving above three equations x  1 / 2 , y  1 / 2 and z  1 / 2 .
 m  c 1 / 2 G 1 / 2 h 1 / 2
Problem 40. If the time period (T) of vibration of a liquid drop depends on surface tension (S), radius
(r) of the drop and density ( ) of the liquid, then the expression of T is

(a) T  K r 3 / S (b) T  K  1 / 2 r 3 / S (c) T  K r 3 / S 1 / 2 (d) None of these

Solution : (a) Let T  S x r y  z or T = K S x r y  z

By substituting the dimension of each quantity in both sides
[M 0 L0 T 1 ]  K [MT 2 ] x [L]y [ML3 ]z  [M x  z Ly  3 z T 2 x ]
By equating the power of M, L and T in both sides x  z  0 , y  3 z  0 , 2 x  1
By solving above three equations  x  1 / 2 , y  3 / 2 , z  1 / 2

r 3
So the time period can be given as, T  K S 1 / 2 r 3 / 2  1 / 2  K .
S
 72 Units, Dimensions and Measurement

Problem 41. If P represents radiation pressure, C represents speed of light and Q represents radiation
energy striking a unit area per second, then non-zero integers x, y and z such that P x Q y C z
is dimensionless, are
[AFMC 1991; CBSE 1992; CPMT 1981, 92; MP PMT 1992]

(a) x  1, y  1, z  1 (b) x  1, y  1, z  1 (c) x  1, y  1, z  1 (d) x  1, y  1, z  1

Solution : (b) [P x Q y C z ]  M 0 L0 T 0
By substituting the dimension of each quantity in the given expression
[ML 1 T 2 ] x [MT 3 ] y [LT 1 ] z  [M x  y L x  z T 2 x  3 y  z ]  M 0 L0 T 0
by equating the power of M, L and T in both sides: x  y  0 ,  x  z  0 and 2 x  3y  z  0
by solving we get x  1, y  1, z  1 .

Problem 42. The volume V of water passing through a point of a uniform tube during t seconds is related
to the cross-sectional area A of the tube and velocity u of water by the relation V  A u  t  ,
which one of the following will be true
(a)      (b)      (c)      (d)     

Solution : (b) Writing dimensions of both sides [L3 ]  [L2 ] [LT 1 ]  [ T ]  [L3 T 0 ]  [L2   T   ]
By comparing powers of both sides 2    3 and     0
1
Which give    and   (3   ) i.e.      .
2
Problem 43. If velocity (V), force (F) and energy (E) are taken as fundamental units, then dimensional
formula for mass will be
(a) V 2 F0 E (b) V 0 FE2 (c) VF2 E0 (d) V 2 F0 E
Solution : (d) Let M  V a Fb Ec
Putting dimensions of each quantities in both side [M ]  [LT 1 ]a [MLT 2 ]b [ML2 T 2 ]c
Equating powers of dimensions. We have b  c  1, a  b  2c  0 and a  2b  2c  0
Solving these equations, a  2, b = 0 and c = 1

So M  [V 2 F 0 E]

Problem 44. Given that the amplitude A of scattered light is :

(i) Directly proportional to the amplitude (A0) of incident light.
(ii) Directly proportional to the volume (V) of the scattering particle
(iii) Inversely proportional to the distance (r) from the scattered particle
(iv) Depend upon the wavelength (  ) of the scattered light. then:
1 1 1 1
(a) A  (b) A  (c) A  (d) A 
  2
 3
4
KA0 Vx
Solution : (b) Let A 
r
By substituting the dimension of each quantity in both sides
 Units, Dimensions and Measurement 73

[L] .[ L3 ][L x ]
 [ L] 
[ L]
 [L]  [L3  x ] ;  3  x  1 or x  2

 A  2

1.12 Limitations of Dimensional Analysis.

Although dimensional analysis is very useful it cannot lead us too far as,
(1) If dimensions are given, physical quantity may not be unique as many physical
quantities have same dimensions. For example if the dimensional formula of a physical quantity
is [ML2 T 2 ]it may be work or energy or torque.
(2) Numerical constant having no dimensions [K] such as (1/2), 1 or 2 etc. cannot be
deduced by the methods of dimensions.
(3) The method of dimensions can not be used to derive relations other than product of
power functions. For example,

s  u t  (1 / 2) a t 2 or y  a sin  t

cannot be derived by using this theory (try if you can). However, the dimensional
correctness of these can be checked.
(4) The method of dimensions cannot be applied to derive formula if in mechanics a
physical quantity depends on more than 3 physical quantities as then there will be less number
(= 3) of equations than the unknowns (>3). However still we can check correctness of the given
equation dimensionally. For example T  2 1 mgl can not be derived by theory of dimensions
but its dimensional correctness can be checked.
(5) Even if a physical quantity depends on 3 physical quantities, out of which two have
same dimensions, the formula cannot be derived by theory of dimensions, e.g., formula for the
frequency of a tuning fork f  (d / L2 ) v cannot be derived by theory of dimensions but can be
checked.
1.13 Significant Figures.
Significant figures in the measured value of a physical quantity tell the number of digits in
which we have confidence. Larger the number of significant figures obtained in a measurement,
greater is the accuracy of the measurement. The reverse is also true.
The following rules are observed in counting the number of significant figures in a given
measured quantity.
(1) All non-zero digits are significant.
Example : 42.3 has three significant figures.
243.4 has four significant figures.
 74 Units, Dimensions and Measurement

24.123 has five significant figures.

(2) A zero becomes significant figure if it appears between to non-zero digits.
Example : 5.03 has three significant figures.
5.604 has four significant figures.
4.004 has four significant figures.
(3) Leading zeros or the zeros placed to the left of the number are never significant.
Example : 0.543 has three significant figures.
0.045 has two significant figures.
0.006 has one significant figures.
(4) Trailing zeros or the zeros placed to the right of the number are significant.
Example : 4.330 has four significant figures.
433.00 has five significant figures.
343.000 has six significant figures.
(5) In exponential notation, the numerical portion gives the number of significant figures.
Example : 1.32  10–2 has three significant figures.
1.32  104 has three significant figures.
1.14 Rounding Off.
While rounding off measurements, we use the following rules by convention:
(1) If the digit to be dropped is less than 5, then the preceding digit is left unchanged.
Example : x  7.82 is rounded off to 7.8, again x  3 . 94 is rounded off to 3.9.
(2) If the digit to be dropped is more than 5, then the preceding digit is raised by one.
Example : x = 6.87 is rounded off to 6.9, again x = 12.78 is rounded off to 12.8.
(3) If the digit to be dropped is 5 followed by digits other than zero, then the preceding digit is
raised by one.
Example : x = 16.351 is rounded off to 16.4, again x = 6.758 is rounded off to 6.8.
(4) If digit to be dropped is 5 or 5 followed by zeros, then preceding digit is left unchanged, if
it is even.
Example : x = 3.250 becomes 3.2 on rounding off, again x = 12.650 becomes 12.6 on
rounding off.
(5) If digit to be dropped is 5 or 5 followed by zeros, then the preceding digit is raised by one,
if it is odd.
Example : x = 3.750 is rounded off to 3.8, again x = 16.150 is rounded off to 16.2.
1.15 Significant Figures in Calculation.
 Units, Dimensions and Measurement 75

In most of the experiments, the observations of various measurements are to be combined

mathematically, i.e., added, subtracted, multiplied or divided as to achieve the final result.
Since, all the observations in measurements do not have the same precision, it is natural that
the final result cannot be more precise than the least precise measurement. The following two
rules should be followed to obtain the proper number of significant figures in any calculation.
(1) The result of an addition or subtraction in the number having different precisions
should be reported to the same number of decimal places as are present in the number having
the least number of decimal places. The rule is illustrated by the following examples :
(i) 33.3  (has only one decimal place)
3.11
+ 0.313
36.723  (answer should be reported to one decimal place)
Answer = 36.7
(ii) 3.1421
0.241
+ 0.09  (has 2 decimal places)
3.4731  (answer should be reported to 2 decimal places)
Answer = 3.47
(iii) 62.831  (has 3 decimal places)
– 24.5492
38.2818  (answer should be reported to 3 decimal places after
rounding off)
Answer = 38.282
(2) The answer to a multiplication or division is rounded off to the same number of
significant figures as is possessed by the least precise term used in the calculation. The rule is
illustrated by the following examples :
(i) 142.06
 0.23  (two significant figures)
32.6738  (answer should have two significant figures)
Answer = 33
(ii) 51.028
 1.31  (three significant figures)
66.84668
Answer = 66.8
 76 Units, Dimensions and Measurement

0.90
(iii)  0.2112676
4.26
Answer = 0.21
1.16 Order of Magnitude.
In scientific notation the numbers are expressed as, Number  M  10 x . Where M is a
number lies between 1 and 10 and x is integer. Order of magnitude of quantity is the power of
10 required to represent the quantity. For determining this power, the value of the quantity has
to be rounded off. While rounding off, we ignore the last digit which is less than 5. If the last
digit is 5 or more than five, the preceding digit is increased by one. For example,

(1) Speed of light in vacuum  3  10 8 ms 1  10 8 m / s (ignoring 3 < 5)

(2) Mass of electron  9.1  10 31 kg  10 30 kg (as 9.1 > 5).

Sample problems based on significant figures

Problem 45. Each side a cube is measured to be 7.203 m. The volume of the cube up to appropriate
significant figures is
(a) 373.714 (b) 373.71 (c) 373.7 (d) 373
Solution : (c) Volume  a 3  (7.023)3  373 .715 m 3

In significant figures volume of cube will be 373 .7 m 3 because its side has four significant
figures.
Problem 46. The number of significant figures in 0.007 m 2 is
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4
Solution : (a)
Problem 47. The length, breadth and thickness of a block are measured as 125.5 cm, 5.0 cm and 0.32 cm
respectively. Which one of the following measurements is most accurate
(a) Length (b) Breadth (c) Thickness (d) Height
Solution : (a) Relative error in measurement of length is minimum, so this measurement is most
accurate.
Problem 48. The mass of a box is 2.3 kg. Two marbles of masses 2.15 g and 12.39 g are added to it. The
total mass of the box to the correct number of significant figures is
(a) 2.340 kg (b) 2.3145 kg. (c) 2.3 kg (d) 2.31 kg
Solution : (c) Total mass  2.3  0.00215  0.01239  2.31 kg

Total mass in appropriate significant figures be 2.3 kg.

Problem 49. The length of a rectangular sheet is 1.5 cm and breadth is 1.203 cm. The area of the face of
rectangular sheet to the correct no. of significant figures is :
(a) 1.8045 cm 2 (b) 1.804 cm 2 (c) 1.805 cm 2 (d) 1.8 cm 2
Solution : (d) Area  1.5  1.203  1.8045 cm 2  1.8 cm 2 (Upto correct number of significant figure).
 Units, Dimensions and Measurement 77

Problem 50. Each side of a cube is measured to be 5.402 cm. The total surface area and the volume of
the cube in appropriate significant figures are :
(a) 175.1 cm 2 , 157 cm 2 (b) 175.1 cm 2 , 157.6 cm 3
(c) 175 cm 2 , 157 cm 2 (d) 175.08 cm 2 , 157.639 cm 3
Solution : (b) Total surface area = 6  (5.402)2  175 .09 cm 2  175 .1 cm 2 (Upto correct number of significant
figure)
Total volume  (5.402)3  175 .64 cm 3  175.6 cm 3 (Upto correct number of significant figure).

Problem 51. Taking into account the significant figures, what is the value of 9.99 m + 0.0099 m
(a) 10.00 m (b) 10 m (c) 9.9999 m (d) 10.0 m
Solution : (a) 9.99 m  0.0099 m  9.999 m  10 .00 m (In proper significant figures).

Problem 52. The value of the multiplication 3.124  4.576 correct to three significant figures is
(a) 14.295 (b) 14.3 (c) 14.295424 (d) 14.305
Solution : (b) 3 .124  4 .576  14 .295 =14.3 (Correct to three significant figures).

Problem 53. The number of the significant figures in 11.118  10 6 V is

(a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 5 (d) 6
Solution : (c) The number of significant figure is 5 as 10 6 does not affect this number.
Problem 54. If the value of resistance is 10.845 ohms and the value of current is 3.23 amperes, the
potential difference is 35.02935 volts. Its value in significant number would be
(a) 35 V (b) 35.0 V (c) 35.03 V (d) 35.025 V
Solution : (b) Value of current (3.23 A) has minimum significant figure (3) so the value of potential
difference V( IR) have only 3 significant figure. Hence its value be 35.0 V.

1.17 Errors of Measurement.

The measuring process is essentially a process of comparison. Inspite of our best efforts,
the measured value of a quantity is always somewhat different from its actual value, or true
value. This difference in the true value of a quantity is called error of measurement.
(1) Absolute error : Absolute error in the measurement of a physical quantity is the
magnitude of the difference between the true value and the measured value of the quantity.
Let a physical quantity be measured n times. Let the measured value be a1, a2, a3, ….. an. The
a  a 2  ....an
arithmetic mean of these value is am  1
n
Usually, am is taken as the true value of the quantity, if the same is unknown otherwise.
By definition, absolute errors in the measured values of the quantity are
a1  a m  a1
a 2  am  a 2
………….
 78 Units, Dimensions and Measurement

an  am  an
The absolute errors may be positive in certain cases and negative in certain other cases.
(2) Mean absolute error : It is the arithmetic mean of the magnitudes of absolute errors in
all the measurements of the quantity. It is represented by a. Thus
| a1 |  | a 2 | ..... | an |
a 
n
Hence the final result of measurement may be written as a  am  a

This implies that any measurement of the quantity is likely to lie between (am  a) and
(am  a).
(3) Relative error or Fractional error : The relative error or fractional error of
measurement is defined as the ratio of mean absolute error to the mean value of the quantity
measured. Thus
mean absolute error a
Relative error or Fractional error  
mean value am

(4) Percentage error : When the relative/fractional error is expressed in percentage, we

call it percentage error. Thus
a
Percentage error   100 %
am

1.18 Propagation of Errors.

(1) Error in sum of the quantities : Suppose x = a + b
Let a = absolute error in measurement of a
b = absolute error in measurement of b
x = absolute error in calculation of x i.e. sum of a and b.
The maximum absolute error in x is x  (a  b)
(a  b)
Percentage error in the value of x   100 %
ab
(2) Error in difference of the quantities : Suppose x = a – b
Let a = absolute error in measurement of a,
b = absolute error in measurement of b
x = absolute error in calculation of x i.e. difference of a and b.
The maximum absolute error in x is x  (a  b)
(a  b)
Percentage error in the value of x   100 %
ab
(3) Error in product of quantities : Suppose x = a  b
Let a = absolute error in measurement of a,
 Units, Dimensions and Measurement 79

b = absolute error in measurement of b

x = absolute error in calculation of x i.e. product of a and b.
x  a b 
The maximum fractional error in x is    
x  a b 
Percentage error in the value of x = (Percentage error in value of a) + (Percentage error in
value of b)
a
(4) Error in division of quantities : Suppose x 
b
Let a = absolute error in measurement of a,
b = absolute error in measurement of b
x = absolute error in calculation of x i.e. division of a and b.
x  a b 
The maximum fractional error in x is    
x  a b 
Percentage error in the value of x = (Percentage error in value of a) + (Percentage error in
value of b)
an
(5) Error in quantity raised to some power : Suppose x 
bm
Let a = absolute error in measurement of a,
b = absolute error in measurement of b
x = absolute error in calculation of x
x  a b 
The maximum fractional error in x is   n m 
x  a b 
Percentage error in the value of x = n (Percentage error in value of a) + m (Percentage
error in value of b)

Note :  The quantity which have maximum power must be measured carefully because it's
contribution to error is maximum.

Sample problems based on errors of measurement

Problem 55. A physical parameter a can be determined by measuring the parameters b, c, d and e
using the relation a = b c  / d  e  . If the maximum errors in the measurement of b, c, d
and e are b1 %, c 1 %, d1 % and e1 %, then the maximum error in the value of a
determined by the experiment is [CPMT 1981]

(a) ( b1  c1  d1  e1 )% (b) ( b1  c1  d1  e1 )%

(c) ( b1  c1  d1  e1 )% (d) ( b1  c1  d1  e1 )%

Solution : (d) a  b c  /d  e 

So maximum error in a is given by

 80 Units, Dimensions and Measurement

 a  b c d e
  100  .  100   .  100   .  100   .  100
 a  max b c d e

 b1  c1  d1  e1 %

Problem 56. The pressure on a square plate is measured by measuring the force on the plate and the
length of the sides of the plate. If the maximum error in the measurement of force and
length are respectively 4% and 2%, The maximum error in the measurement of pressure is
(a) 1% (b) 2% (c) 6% (d) 8%
F F
Solution : (d) P   , so maximum error in pressure (P )
A l2

 P  F l
  100    100  2  100 = 4% + 2 × 2% = 8%
 P  max F l

Problem 57. The relative density of material of a body is found by weighing it first in air and then in
water. If the weight in air is (5.00 0.05 ) Newton and weight in water is (4.00  0.05)
Newton. Then the relative density along with the maximum permissible percentage error is
(a) 5.0  11% (b) 5.0  1% (c) 5.0  6% (d) 1.25  5%
Solution : (a) Weight in air  (5.00  0.05 ) N

Weight in water  (4.00  0.05 ) N

Loss of weight in water  (1.00  0.1) N

weight in air 5.00  0.05

Now relative density  i.e. R . D 
weight loss in water 1.00  0.1

5.00  0.05 0 .1 
Now relative density with max permissible error      100  5.0  (1  10)%
1.00  5.00 1.00 
 5 .0  11 %
V
Problem 58. The resistance R = where V= 100  5 volts and i = 10  0.2 amperes. What is the total
i
error in R
5
(a) 5% (b) 7% (c) 5.2% (d) %
2
V  R  V I 5 0.2
Solution : (b) R    100    100   100   100   100  (5  2)% = 7%
I  R  max V I 100 10

Problem 59. The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum in the experiment is recorded as 2.63 s, 2.56
s, 2.42 s, 2.71 s and 2.80 s respectively. The average absolute error is
(a) 0.1 s (b) 0.11 s (c) 0.01 s (d) 1.0 s
2.63  2.56  2.42  2.71  2.80
Solution : (b) Average value   2.62 sec
5
Now | T1 |  2.63  2.62  0.01

| T2 |  2.62  2.56  0.06

 Units, Dimensions and Measurement 81

| T3 |  2.62  2.42  0.20

| T4 |  2.71  2.62  0.09

| T5 |  2.80  2.62  0.18

| T1 |  | T2 |  | T3 |  | T4 |  | T5 | 0 .54

Mean absolute error T    0 .108  0 .11 sec
5 5

Problem 60. The length of a cylinder is measured with a meter rod having least count 0.1 cm. Its
diameter is measured with venier calipers having least count 0.01 cm. Given that length is
5.0 cm. and radius is 2.0 cm. The percentage error in the calculated value of the volume
will be
(a) 1% (b) 2% (c) 3% (d) 4%

Solution : (c) Volume of cylinder V  r 2 l

V 2r l
Percentage error in volume  100   100   100
V r l

 0 .01 0 .1 
 2   100   100   (1  2)% = 3 %
 2 . 0 5 . 0 

Problem 61. In an experiment, the following observation's were recorded : L = 2.820 m, M = 3.00 kg, l =
4 Mg
0.087 cm, Diameter D = 0.041 cm Taking g = 9.81 m / s 2 using the formula , Y= , the
D 2 l
maximum permissible error in Y is
(a) 7.96% (b) 4.56% (c) 6.50% (d) 8.42%

4 MgL Y  M g L 2D l 
Solution : (c) Y  so maximum permissible error in Y =  100         100
D l2
Y  M g L D l 

 1 1 1 1 1 
    2    100
 300 9.81 9820 41 87 
 0 .065  100  6 .5 %

Problem 62. According to Joule's law of heating, heat produced H  I 2 Rt, where I is current, R is
resistance and t is time. If the errors in the measurement of I, R and t are 3%, 4% and 6%
respectively then error in the measurement of H is
(a)  17% (b)  16% (c)  19% (d)  25%

Solution : (b) H  I 2 R t

H  2I R t 
  100       100  (2  3  4  6)%  16 %
H  I R t 

Problem 63. If there is a positive error of 50% in the measurement of velocity of a body, then the error
in the measurement of kinetic energy is
(a) 25% (b) 50% (c) 100% (d) 125%
 82 Units, Dimensions and Measurement

1
Solution : (c) Kinetic energy E  mv 2
2
E  m 2v 
  100      100
E  m v 
v
Here m  0 and  100  50 %
v
E
  100  2  50  100 %
E
1
A3B 2
Problem 64. A physical quantity P is given by P= 3
. The quantity which brings in the maximum
C 4 D 2
percentage error in P is
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D
Solution : (c) Quantity C has maximum power. So it brings maximum error in P.