Chapter-2

Physical Quantities and Measurement

 Synposis
 The observation of a phenomenon is made possible by using the
five senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing and taste.
 Our senses are not always reliable. They are subjective.
 Sometimes it is necessary to make an exact measurement.
 Physics is a science of measurement.
 We use instruments to get an exact measurement.

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 Four basic measurements in our daily life are: measurement of
length, measurement of mass, measurement of time, and

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measurement of temperature.

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Measurement is basically a process of comparison of the given
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quantity with a standard unit.

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 For measuring a quantity we need a unit, and then we find the

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number of times that unit is contained in that quantity.
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 The unit selected for measurement should be of a convenient

size and it must not change ‘with place or time.
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 The distance between two fixed points is called length.

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 The S.I. unit of length is metre (m). Its multiple is kilometre

(km), where 1 km = 1000 m. Its sub multiples are centimetre
(cm) and millimetre (mm), where 1 cm = 10 -2 m and 1 mm = 10-
3
m.
 The FPS unit of length is foot (ft) and its sub multiple is inch
where 1 ft = 12 inch and 1 ft = 30.48 cm.
 The most common instruments used to measure length are the
metre ruler and the measuring tape which are marked in cm and
mm.
 To measure a length accurately with a metre ruler, the scale
should be placed with its markings close to the object and
parallel to its r length. The eye is kept in front of and in line with
the reading to be taken.
 The quantity of matter contained in a body is called its mass.
 The S.I. unit of mass is kilogram (kg). Its multiples are quintal
and metric tonne. 1 quintal = 100 kg and 1 metric tonne =10
quintal = 1000 kg. Its sub multiples are gram (g) and milligram
(mg) where 1 g = 10 kg and l mg = 10-6 kg.
 The FPS unit of mass is pound (lb) where 1 lb = 453.59 g.
 Mass of a body is measured by using a beam balance or an
electronic balance.
 The interval between two instances or events is called time.
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 The S.I. unit of time is second (s), 1 s of a mean solar
86400

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day. The C.G.S. and F.P.S. unit of time is also second (s).

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The multiple unit of time are minute (mm), hour (h), day and

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year where 1 min = 60 s, 1 h = 3600 s, 1 day = 86400 s and 1

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year = 3.15 × 107 s.
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 The time at any instant is recorded by a pendulum clock or

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watch and the time interval of an event is measured by using a

stop watch or a stop clock.
 The temperature is the measure of degree of hotness or coldness
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of a body.
 The S.I. unit of temperature is Kelvin(K), but the common unit
of temperature is degree Celsius (°C) and degree Fahrenheit
(°F).
 Doctors use a clinical thermometer to measure the patient’s
body temperature.
 The normal temperature of a human body is 37°C or 98.6°E
 The total surface occupied by an object is called its area. Area
is expressed as the product of measured length of two sides.
 The S.I. unit of area is square metre (m2).
 One square metre is the area of a square of each side one metre.
 The bigger (or multiple) units of area are dam2, hectare and
square kilometre (km2), where 1 dam2 =100 m2,1 hectare=
104 m2 and 1 km2 = 106 m2
  The smaller (or sub multiple) units of area are cm2 and mm2
where 1cm2 = 10-4 m2 and 1 mm2 = 10-6 m2

Test yourself
A. Objective Questions
1. Write true or false for each statement

(a) S.I. unit of temperature is Fahrenheit.

Answer. False

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(b) Every measurement involves two things – a number and a unit

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Answer. True

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(c) Mass is the measure of quantity of matter.

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Answer. True
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(d) The S.I. unit of time is hour.
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Answer. False
(e) The area can be expressed as the product of length of two
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sides.
Answer. True

2. Fill in the blanks

(a) The S.I. unit of length is metre of time is second of mass is
kilogram.

(b) °C is the unit of temperature.

(c) 1 metric tonne = 1000 kg

(d) The zero mark in Celsius thermometer is the melting point of ice
(e) The thermometer used to measure the human body temperature is
called the clinical thermometer.

(f) The normal temperature of human body is 37 °C or 98.6 °F.

(g) The mass of an object is measured with the help of a beam

balance.

3. Match the following columns

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Column A Column B

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(a) length of a housing plot (i) clock
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(b) Breadth of a book (ii) Beam balance

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(c) Mass of an apple (iii) Thermometer

(d) Period of time for study (iv) Measuring tape
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(e) Temperature of a body (v) graph paper

(f) Surface area of a leaf (vi) Metre ruler
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Answer :

Column A Column B
(a) length of a housing plot (iv) Measuring tape
(b) Breadth of a book (vi) Metre ruler
(c) Mass of an apple (ii) Beam balance
(d) Period of time for study (i) clock
(e) Temperature of a body (iii) Thermometer
(f) Surface area of a leaf (v) graph paper
4. Select the correct alternative
(a) The symbol of degree Celsius is
1. °C
2. °F
3. K
4. °K

(b) l0 mm is equal to
1. 1cm
2. 1m

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3. 10dm

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4. 10cm

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(c) The amount of surface occupied by an object is called its:

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1. volume
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2. area
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3. mass
4. Length
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(d) A metre ruler is graduated in:

1. m
2. cm
3. mm
4. Km

(e) A thermometer is graduated in:

1. Kelvin
2. °C
3. g
4. Cm
B. Short/Long Answer Questions
Question 1. What is measurement ? How is a measurement
expressed ?

Answer:
Measurement is a comparison of an unknown quantity with a known
fixed quantity of the same kind.
The value obtained on measuring a quantity is called its magnitude.
The magnitude of a quantity is expressed as numbers in its unit.

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Question 2. State two characteristics of a unit.

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Answer:
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Two characteristics of a unit are

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1. It should be of convenient size.

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2. It must be universally accepted, i. e. its value must remain same
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at all places and at all times.

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Question 3. Name four basic measurements in our daily life.

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Answer:
In our daily life we measure the following four basic physical
quantities.
1. Length
2. Mass
3. lime
4. Temperature

Question 4. What are the S.I. units of

1. mass
2. length
3. time and
4. temperature.
 Write their names and symbols.

Answer:
S.I. units are as follows

Quantity S.I. unit Symbol of S.I unit

(i) Length Metre m
(ii) Mass Kilogram kg
(iii) Time Second S.

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(iv) Temperature Kelvin K

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Question 5. Define one metre, the S.I. unit of length. State its one

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multiple and one sub multiple.
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Answer:
One metre is defined as the distance travelled by light in air in
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of a second
299,792,458
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Multiple of metre = Kilometre

Submultiples of metre = Centimetre

Question 6. Convert the following quantities as indicated

(a) 12 inch = ft
(b) 1 ft = cm
(c) 20 cm = m
(d) 4.2 m = cm
(e) 0.2 km = m
(f) 0.2 cm = mm
(g) 1 yard = m
Answer:
(a) 12 inch = 1 ft

(b) 1 ft = 30.48cm

(c) 100 cm = 1m
1
∵ 1 cm = m
100
1
∴ 20 cm = × 20m = 0.2
100
∴ 20 cm = 0.2 m

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(d) 1m = 100 cm
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42
∴ 4.2 m = 100 × 4.2 cm = 100 × cm = 420 m
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10
∴ 4.2 m = 420 m

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(e) 1 km =1000 m
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2
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∴ 0.2 km = 1000 × 0.2 m = 1000 × m = 200 m

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∴ 0.2 km = 200 m
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(f) 1 cm= 10mm

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2
∴ 0.2 cm = 10 × 0.2 m = 1000 × m = 200 m
10
∴ 0.2 cm = 200 m

(g) 1 yard = 0.91 m

Question 7. (a) Describe in steps how would you measure the

length of a pencil using a metre rule. Draw a diagram if
necessary.

Answer:
To measure the length of a pencil using a metre rule, place metre rule
with its marking close to the object. Let PQ be a pencil.
The end P of the pencil coincides with the zero mark on the ruler. The
end Q of the pencil is read by keeping the eye at the position ‘B’
vertically above the end Q. So the length of pencil is 4.3 cm.

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(b) Explain with an example how you will use the metre ruler in
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part (a) if the ends of ruler are broken.

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Answer:
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The ends of the ruler get damaged with use and its zero mark may not
be visible. To measure the length of an object with such a ruler, the
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object is placed close to a specific markings on the ruler and positions

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of both ends of the object are read on the ruler.

The difference of the two readings gives the length of the object. In
fig. the reading on ruler at the end X is 1.0 cm and at the end Y is 4.3
cm. So the length of the rod XY is 4.3 — 1.0 = 3.3 cm.
Question [Link] the device which you will use to measure the
perimeter of your play ground. Describe in steps how you will use
it.

Answer:
We will use a measuring tape to measure the perimeter of our
playground.
To measure the length of playground the tape is spread along the
length of the curved area.

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Question 9. The diagram below shows a stick placed along a

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metre RULER. The length of the stick is measured keeping the

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eye at positions A, B and C.
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(a) Write the length if stick PQ as observed, for each position of

the eye. Are they all same?

Answer:
Length of stick PQ from

Position A =3.4 cm

Position B = 3.2 cm

Position C = 3.00 cm
No they are not same.

(b) Which is the correct position of the eye? Write the correct
length of the stick.

Answer:
‘B’ is the correct position of the eye. Correct length of the stick PQ =
3.2 cm

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Question 10. Define mass. State its (1) S.I. (2) [Link] and (3) EP.S.

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units. How are they related ?

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Answer:

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The mass of a body is the quantity of matter contained in it. The S.I.
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unit of mass is kilogram. In short form, it is written as kg.
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In [Link]. system, the unit of mass is gram, (symbol g).

In F.P.S. system, the unit of mass is pound (symbol lb)
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Question 11. Convert the following quantities as indicated:

(a) 2500 kg = ………. metric tonne.

(b) 150 kg = ............ quintal

(e) 10 lb = ………. Kg

(d) 250 g = … .kg

(e) 0.01 kg = ………. g

(f) 5 mg = ………. Kg
Answer:

(a) 2500 Kg = 2.5 metric tonne.

1000 kg = 1 metric tonne
1
1 kg = metric tonne
1000
1
∴ 2500 kg = × 2500 metric tonne
1000
∴ 2500 kg = 2.5 metric tonne

(b) 150 kg = 1.5 quintal

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100 kg = 1 quintal

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1 kg =
100
quintal

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1
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150 kg = quintal = 1.5 quintal
100

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∴ 150 kg = 1.5 quintal
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(c) 10 lb = 4.5359 kg
1 lb = 453.59 g
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1
= 453.59 × kg [∵ 1kg = 1000 g]
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1000
= 0.45359 kg
∴ 10 lb = 0.45359 × 10 kg = 4.5359 kg
∴ 10 lb = 4.5359 kg

(d) 2500 g = 2.5 kg

1000 g = 1 kg
1
1g= kg
1000
1
∴ 2500 g = × 2500 kg = 2.5 kg
1000
∴ 2500 g = 2.5 kg
(e) 0.01 kg = 10 g
1 kg = 1000 g
∴ 0.01 kg = 1000 × 0.01 g
1
= 1000 × g = 10 g
100
∴ 0.01 kg =10 g

(f) 5 mg = 5 × 10−6 kg
5
5 mg = g or 5 × 10−3 g
1000
5 5
g or 5 × 10−3 g = or 5 × 10−6 kg

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1000 1000×1000

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Question 12. Name the instrument which is commonly used to

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measure the mass of a body. State how is it used ?
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Answer:
Instrument commonly used to measure the mass of a body, is the
beam balance.
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When we hold up the balance, we observe that when there is nothing

on either pan, the beam is horizontal. The body whose mass is to be
measured is placed on the left pan. The standard weight are put on the
right pan. They are so adjusted that the beam is again horizontal on
holding the balance up. The total of the standard weights gives the
mass of the given body.

Question 13. Define one kilogram, the S.I. unit of mass. How is it
related to (i) quintal (ii) metric tonne and (iii) gram.

Answer:
The mass of 1 litre of water at 4 °C is taken as 1 kilogram
1 quintal = 100 kg
1 metric ton = 10 quintal = 1000 kg

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Question 14. Name and define the S.I. unit of time. How is it

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related to (i) minute (ii) hour, (iii) day and (iv) year ?
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Answer:
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The S.I. unit of time is second. In short form we write it as ‘ S ’.
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One second is the time interval between the two consecutive ticks that
you hear from pendulum wall clock.
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1 min = 60 s

1 h = 60 min. = 3600 s.

1 day = 24 h = 86400 s.

1 year = 365 days = 3.15 × 107 s.

Question 15. Name two devices used to measure the short time
interval of an event.

Answer:
Two devices used to measure the time interval of an event are
1. Stopwatch
2. Stop Clock

Question 16. Express in second

1. 3 minute 15 second and

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2. 5 hour 2 minute 5 second.

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Answer:
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1. 3 minute = 15 second

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1 minute = 60 second
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3 minutes 15 second = 60 × 3 + 15
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= 180 + 15
= 195 seconds
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2. 1 minute =60 second

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2 minutes =2 × 600 = 120 second …(1)

1 hour 3600 second
5 hour 3600 × 5 = 18000 second …(2)
5 hour 2 minutes and 5 second
= 18000 + 120 + 5 = 18125 seconds

Question 17. What does the temperature measure ?

Answer:
Temperature measures the degree of coldness and hotness of a body.
Question 18. Name the
1. S.I. unit and
2. one common unit of temperature. Write their symbols also.

Answer:
The S.I. unit of temperature is Kelvin (symbol K).
Common unit of temperature is degree centigrade (symbol °C)

Question 19. Name the instrument used for measuring of the

temperature of a person. Draw its labelled neat diagram.

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Answer:

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The temperature is measured with a thermometer.
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Question 20. Write the temperature of (i) melting ice (ii) boiling
water.

Answer:
The temperature of
1. melting ice = 0 °C
2. boiling water = 100 °C
Question 21. What is a clinical thermometer ? State its special
feature. Draw a labelled neat diagram of a clinical thermometer
showing the range of temperature marked on it.

Answer:
Doctors use a special thermometer called the clinical thermometer for
measuring the temperature of the patient’s body. This thermometer
has the markings from 35°C to 42°C. It has a slight bend or kink in
the stem just above the bulb. This kink is called the constriction. This
constriction prevents the mercury from falling back all by itself. The

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temperature of a healthy person is 37°C. This temperature is marked

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by a red arrow.

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Question 22. What is the normal temperature of the human body

? How is it indicated in a clinical thermometer ?

Answer:
Normal temperature of a human body is 37°C or 98.6 °F.
To measure the temperature of a patient’s body, its bulb is kept either
below the tongue or under the arm’s pit of the patient for about a
minute. Then the thermometer is taken out and its reading is noted.
When the temperature of patient’s body is above 37°C, he is said to
suffer with fever.
Question 23. Can a clinical thermometer be used to measure the
temperature of the boiling water ? Give reason for your answer.

Answer:
No, a clinical thermometer cannot be used to measure the temperature
of boiling water.
The reasons are
1. It has a very small range.
2. It can break on cooling and on excess heating.

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Question 24. Explain the term ‘area of a surface’.
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Answer:
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The total surface occupied by an object is called its area or surface
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area.
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Question 25. Name the S.I. unit of area and define it.
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Answer:
The S.I. unit of area is square metre or meter2 which in short form is
written as m2.

Question 26. How are the units

1. square yard
2. hectare
3. km2
4. cm2
5. mm2 related to the S.I. unit of area ?
Answer:
(i) square yard : one square yard is the area of a square of each
side 0.836 metre
1 square yard = 1 yard × 1 yard
= 0.9144m ×0.9144m
=0.836 m2 ( or 0.84 m2 nearly )

(ii) Hectare : one hectare is the area of a square of each side

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100 metre. Thus,

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1 hectare = 100 meter ×100 meter = 10000 metre2 (or 104 m2 )
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(iii) 𝐊𝐦𝟐 : one square kilometre is the area of a square of each side

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1 kilometre . thus,
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1 km2 = 1 km × 1 km = 1000 m × 1000m = 106 m2
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1 1 1
(iv) 𝐜𝐦𝟐 : 1 cm2 = ( m) × ( m)= m2
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100 100 10000

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10−4 m2

(v) m𝐦𝟐 : 1 mm2 = 10−6 m2

Question 27. Explain how you will measure the area of (i) a
square (b) a leaf?

Answer:
The area of a square can be calculated by using the following formula
–
1. Area of square of side l
= side x side
= l × l = L2 .
The area of a leaf is obtained by using a graph paper. A graph paper
has small squares of each side 1 mm. The area of each big square is 1
cm2.
Procedure: Place the leaf on graph paper. Draw its outline on the
paper and remove it. Now count the number of complete squares. To
this add the number of incomplete squares which are half or more
than half. Ignore the squares which are less than half. Thus,
Approximate area = (No. of complete squares + no. of half or more
than half of incomplete squares) × area of one square.

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