Units & Measurements
The position of a particle moving on $x$-axis is given by $x(t)=A \sin t+B \cos ^2 t+C t^2+D$, where $t$ is time. The dimension of $\frac{A B C}{D}$ is
The maximum percentage error in the measurment of density of a wire is
[Given, mass of wire $=(0.60 \pm 0.003) \mathrm{g}$
radius of wire $=(0.50 \pm 0.01) \mathrm{cm}$
length of wire $=(10.00 \pm 0.05) \mathrm{cm}]$
If $B$ is magnetic field and $\mu_0$ is permeability of free space, then the dimensions of $\left(B / \mu_0\right)$ is
Given below are two statements :
Statement I: In a vernier callipers, one vernier scale division is always smaller than one main scale division.
Statement II : The vernier constant is given by one main scale division multiplied by the number of vernier scale divisions.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
A physical quantity C is related to four other quantities $\mathrm{p}, \mathrm{q}, \mathrm{r}$ and s as follows
$ C=\frac{p q^2}{r^3 \sqrt{s}} $
The percentage errors in the measurement of $\mathrm{p}, \mathrm{q}, \mathrm{r}$ and s are $1 \%, 2 \%, 3 \%$ and $2 \%$, respectively. The percentage error in the measurement of $C$ will be__________%
Explanation:
To determine the percentage error in the measurement of $ C $, which is related to $ p $, $ q $, $ r $, and $ s $ as:
$ C = \frac{p q^2}{r^3 \sqrt{s}} $
we first express it in terms of powers:
$ C = p^1 q^2 r^{-3} s^{-1/2} $
The percentage error in $ C $ can be calculated using the formula for the propagation of error, which is:
$ \left(\frac{\Delta C}{C}\right)_{\max} = \left|\frac{\Delta p}{p}\right| + 2\left|\frac{\Delta q}{q}\right| + 3\left|\frac{\Delta r}{r}\right| + \frac{1}{2}\left|\frac{\Delta s}{s}\right| $
Given the percentage errors for $ p $, $ q $, $ r $, and $ s $ are $ 1\% $, $ 2\% $, $ 3\% $, and $ 2\% $ respectively, we substitute these values into the formula:
$ \left(\frac{\Delta C}{C}\right)_{\max} = 1\% + 2 \times 2\% + 3 \times 3\% + \frac{1}{2} \times 2\% $
Calculating each part:
Contribution from $ p $: $ 1\% $
Contribution from $ q $: $ 4\% $ (since $ 2 \times 2\% = 4\% $)
Contribution from $ r $: $ 9\% $ (since $ 3 \times 3\% = 9\% $)
Contribution from $ s $: $ 1\% $ (since $ \frac{1}{2} \times 2\% = 1\% $)
Adding these contributions together:
$ 1\% + 4\% + 9\% + 1\% = 15\% $
Thus, the maximum percentage error in the measurement of $ C $ is $ 15\% $.
$\text { A physical quantity } Q \text { is related to four observables } a, b, c, d \text { as follows : }$
$Q = \frac{ab^4}{cd}$
where, $\mathrm{a}=(60 \pm 3) \mathrm{Pa} ; \mathrm{b}=(20 \pm 0.1) \mathrm{m} ; \mathrm{c}=(40 \pm 0.2) \mathrm{Nsm}^{-2}$ and $\mathrm{d}=(50 \pm 0.1) \mathrm{m}$, then the percentage error in Q is $\frac{x}{1000}$, where $x=$ _________ .
Explanation:
Given, $Q = {{a{b^4}} \over {cd}}$
$a = (60 \pm 3)\,Pa \Rightarrow a = 60\,Pa,\,\Delta a = 3Pa$
$b = (20 \pm 0.1)\,m \Rightarrow b = 20m,\,\Delta b = 0.1\,m$
$c = (40 \pm 0.2)\,Ns{m^{ - 2}} \Rightarrow c = 40\,Ns{m^{ - 2}},\,\Delta c = 0.2\,Ns{m^{ - 2}}$
$d = (50 \pm 0.1)\,m \Rightarrow \,d = 50\,m,\,\Delta d = 0.1m$
As, $Q = {{a{b^4}} \over {cd}}$
by taking ln on both sides,
$\ln Q = \ln a + u\ln b - \ln c - \ln d$
Now, by differentiating,
${{dQ} \over Q} = {{da} \over a} + 4{{db} \over b} - {{dc} \over c} - {{dd} \over d}$
So, maximum fractional error in Q is given by,
${{\Delta Q} \over Q} = {{\Delta a} \over a} + 4{{\Delta b} \over b} + {{\Delta c} \over c} + {{\Delta d} \over d}$
$ \Rightarrow {{\Delta Q} \over Q} = {3 \over {60}} + 4\left( {{{0.1} \over {20}}} \right) + {{0.2} \over {40}} + {{0.1} \over {40}}$
$ = {1 \over {20}} + {1 \over {50}} + {1 \over {200}} + {1 \over {500}}$
$ \Rightarrow {{\Delta Q} \over Q} = {{50 + 20 + 5 + 2} \over {1000}} = {{77} \over {1000}}$
Hence the % error in $Q = {{\Delta Q} \over Q} \times 100\% $
$ = {{7700} \over {1000}}\% = {x \over {1000}}$ (given)
So, $x = 7700$
A tiny metallic rectangular sheet has length and breadth of 5 mm and 2.5 mm , respectively. Using a specially designed screw gauge which has pitch of 0.75 mm and 15 divisions in the circular scale, you are asked to find the area of the sheet. In this measurement, the maximum fractional error will be $\frac{x}{100}$ where $x$ is _______ .
Explanation:

Given, L = 5 mm, B = 2.5 mm
We know, least count of a screw gauge,
$L.C. = {\text{Pitch length} \over \text{No. of division on circular scale}}$
$ \Rightarrow L.C. = {{0.75} \over {15}} = 0.05\,mm$
We know, $A = LB$
By taking $ln$ on both sides,
$ \Rightarrow \ln A = \ln L + \ln B$
by differentiating both sides,
$ \Rightarrow {{dA} \over A} = {{dL} \over L} + {{dB} \over B}$
Here, $dL = dB = 0.05\,mm$ (L.C.)
So fractional error,
${{dA} \over A} = {{0.05} \over 5} + {{0.05} \over {2.5}}$
$ = {1 \over {100}} + {2 \over {100}} = {3 \over {100}} = {x \over {100}}$ (given)
Hence, $x = 3$.
The least count of a screw guage is 0.01 mm . If the pitch is increased by $75 \%$ and number of divisions on the circular scale is reduced by $50 \%$, the new least count will be ________ $\times 10^{-3} \mathrm{~mm}$
Explanation:
The least count (L.C.) of a screw gauge is given by:
$ \text{L.C.} = \frac{\text{Pitch}}{\text{Number of Divisions on Circular Scale}} $
Let the original pitch be $p$ and the original number of divisions be $n$. Then, the original least count is:
$ \frac{p}{n} = 0.01 \, \text{mm} $
After modifications:
The pitch is increased by 75%, so the new pitch is:
$ p_{\text{new}} = p + 0.75p = 1.75p $
The number of divisions is reduced by 50%, so the new number of divisions is:
$ n_{\text{new}} = 0.5n $
The new least count is then:
$ \text{L.C.}_{\text{new}} = \frac{p_{\text{new}}}{n_{\text{new}}} = \frac{1.75p}{0.5n} = \frac{1.75}{0.5} \times \frac{p}{n} = 3.5 \times \frac{p}{n} $
Substitute the original least count:
$ \text{L.C.}_{\text{new}} = 3.5 \times 0.01 \, \text{mm} = 0.035 \, \text{mm} $
Expressed in the form $\times 10^{-3} \, \text{mm}$, this becomes:
$ 0.035 \, \text{mm} = 35 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{mm} $
Thus, the new least count is:
$ 35 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{mm} $
A temperature difference can generate e.m.f. in some materials. Let S be the e.m.f. produced per unit temperature difference between the ends of a wire, σ the electrical conductivity and κ the thermal conductivity of the material of the wire. Taking M, L, T, I and K as dimensions of mass, length, time, current and temperature, respectively, the dimensional formula of the quantity $Z = \frac{S^2 \sigma}{\kappa}$ is :
[M0L0T0I0K0]
[M0L0T0I0K−1]
[M1L2T−2I−1K−1]
[M1L2T−4I−1K−1]
Figure 1 shows the configuration of main scale and Vernier scale before measurement. Fig. 2 shows the configuration corresponding to the measurement of diameter D of a tube. The measured value of D is:
0.12 cm
0.11 cm
0.13 cm
0.14 cm
Length, breadth and thickness of a strip having a uniform cross section are measured to be 10.5 cm, 0.05 mm, and 6.0 μm, respectively. Which of the following option(s) give(s) the volume of the strip in cm3 with correct significant figures:
$3.2 \times 10^{-5}$
$32.0 \times 10^{-6}$
$3.0 \times 10^{-5}$
$3 \times 10^{-5}$
The de-Broglie wavelength associated with a particle of mass $m$ and energy $E$ is $h / \sqrt{2 m E}$. The dimensional formula for Planck's constant is :
The dimensional formula of latent heat is :
One main scale division of a vernier caliper is equal to $\mathrm{m}$ units. If $\mathrm{n}^{\text {th }}$ division of main scale coincides with $(n+1)^{\text {th }}$ division of vernier scale, the least count of the vernier caliper is :
If $\epsilon_{\mathrm{o}}$ is the permittivity of free space and $\mathrm{E}$ is the electric field, then $\epsilon_{\mathrm{o}} \mathrm{E}^2$ has the dimensions :
There are 100 divisions on the circular scale of a screw gauge of pitch $1 \mathrm{~mm}$. With no measuring quantity in between the jaws, the zero of the circular scale lies 5 divisions below the reference line. The diameter of a wire is then measured using this screw gauge. It is found that 4 linear scale divisions are clearly visible while 60 divisions on circular scale coincide with the reference line. The diameter of the wire is :
Least count of a vernier caliper is $\frac{1}{20 \mathrm{~N}} \mathrm{~cm}$. The value of one division on the main scale is $1 \mathrm{~mm}$. Then the number of divisions of main scale that coincide with $\mathrm{N}$ divisions of vernier scale is :
In an expression $a \times 10^b$ :
The diameter of a sphere is measured using a vernier caliper whose 9 divisions of main scale are equal to 10 divisions of vernier scale. The shortest division on the main scale is equal to $1 \mathrm{~mm}$. The main scale reading is $2 \mathrm{~cm}$ and second division of vernier scale coincides with a division on main scale. If mass of the sphere is 8.635 $\mathrm{g}$, the density of the sphere is:
In a vernier calliper, when both jaws touch each other, zero of the vernier scale shifts towards left and its $4^{\text {th }}$ division coincides exactly with a certain division on main scale. If 50 vernier scale divisions equal to 49 main scale divisions and zero error in the instrument is $0.04 \mathrm{~mm}$ then how many main scale divisions are there in $1 \mathrm{~cm}$ ?
In finding out refractive index of glass slab the following observations were made through travelling microscope 50 vernier scale division $=49 \mathrm{~MSD} ; 20$ divisions on main scale in each $\mathrm{cm}$
For mark on paper
$\text { MSR }=8.45 \mathrm{~cm}, \mathrm{VC}=26$
For mark on paper seen through slab
$\mathrm{MSR}=7.12 \mathrm{~cm}, \mathrm{VC}=41$
For powder particle on the top surface of the glass slab
$\text { MSR }=4.05 \mathrm{~cm}, \mathrm{VC}=1$
(MSR $=$ Main Scale Reading, VC = Vernier Coincidence)
Refractive index of the glass slab is :
To find the spring constant $(k)$ of a spring experimentally, a student commits $2 \%$ positive error in the measurement of time and $1 \%$ negative error in measurement of mass. The percentage error in determining value of $k$ is :
Match List I with List II
| LIST I | LIST II | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A. | Torque | I. | $ \left[M^1 L^1 T^{-2} A^{-2}\right] $ |
| B. | Magnetic field | II. | $ \left[L^2 A^1\right] $ |
| C. | Magnetic moment | III. | $ \left[M^1 T^{-2} A^{-1}\right] $ |
| D. | Permeability of free space | IV. | $ \left[M^1 L^2 T^{-2}\right] $ |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
While measuring diameter of wire using screw gauge the following readings were noted. Main scale reading is $1 \mathrm{~mm}$ and circular scale reading is equal to 42 divisions. Pitch of screw gauge is $1 \mathrm{~mm}$ and it has 100 divisions on circular scale. The diameter of the wire is $\frac{x}{50} \mathrm{~mm}$. The value of $x$ is :
What is the dimensional formula of $a b^{-1}$ in the equation $\left(\mathrm{P}+\frac{\mathrm{a}}{\mathrm{V}^2}\right)(\mathrm{V}-\mathrm{b})=\mathrm{RT}$, where letters have their usual meaning.
A vernier callipers has 20 divisions on the vernier scale, which coincides with $19^{\text {th }}$ division on the main scale. The least count of the instrument is $0.1 \mathrm{~mm}$. One main scale division is equal to ________ mm.
Time periods of oscillation of the same simple pendulum measured using four different measuring clocks were recorded as $4.62 \mathrm{~s}, 4.632 \mathrm{~s}, 4.6 \mathrm{~s}$ and $4.64 \mathrm{~s}$. The arithmetic mean of these readings in correct significant figure is :
Applying the principle of homogeneity of dimensions, determine which one is correct, where $T$ is time period, $G$ is gravitational constant, $M$ is mass, $r$ is radius of orbit.
The equation of stationary wave is :
$y=2 \mathrm{a} \sin \left(\frac{2 \pi \mathrm{nt}}{\lambda}\right) \cos \left(\frac{2 \pi x}{\lambda}\right) \text {. }$
Which of the following is NOT correct :
| List I (Number) | List II (Significant figure) |
|---|---|
| (A) 1001 | (I) 3 |
| (B) 010.1 | (II) 4 |
| (C) 100.100 | (III) 5 |
| (D) 0.0010010 | (IV) 6 |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
$ \begin{aligned} & \mathrm{r}=(0.35 \pm 0.05) ~\mathrm{cm} \\\\ & \mathrm{R}=(100 \pm 10) ~\mathrm{ohm} \\\\ & l=(15 \pm 0.2)~ \mathrm{cm} \end{aligned} $
The percentage error in resistivity of the material of the wire is :
Consider two physical quantities $A$ and $B$ related to each other as $E=\frac{B-x^2}{A t}$ where $E, x$ and $t$ have dimensions of energy, length and time respectively. The dimension of $A B$ is
The measured value of the length of a simple pendulum is $20 \mathrm{~cm}$ with $2 \mathrm{~mm}$ accuracy. The time for 50 oscillations was measured to be 40 seconds with 1 second resolution. From these measurements, the accuracy in the measurement of acceleration due to gravity is $\mathrm{N} \%$. The value of $\mathrm{N}$ is:
If the percentage errors in measuring the length and the diameter of a wire are $0.1 \%$ each. The percentage error in measuring its resistance will be:
A force is represented by $F=a x^2+b t^{\frac{1}{2}}$
where $x=$ distance and $t=$ time. The dimensions of $b^2 / a$ are:
If 50 Vernier divisions are equal to 49 main scale divisions of a traveling microscope and one smallest reading of main scale is $0.5 \mathrm{~mm}$, the Vernier constant of traveling microscope is
If mass is written as $m=k \mathrm{c}^{\mathrm{P}} G^{-1 / 2} h^{1 / 2}$ then the value of $P$ will be : (Constants have their usual meaning with $k a$ dimensionless constant)
Match List I with List II.
| List I | List II | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (A) | Coefficient of viscosity | (I) | $\left[\mathrm{M} \mathrm{L}^2 \mathrm{~T}^{-2}\right]$ |
| (B) | Surface tension | (II) | $\left[\mathrm{M} \mathrm{L}^2 \mathrm{~T}^{-1}\right]$ |
| (C) | Angular momentum | (III) | $\left[\mathrm{M} \mathrm{L}^{-1} \mathrm{~T}^{-1}\right]$ |
| (D) | Rotational kinetic energy | (IV) | $\left[\mathrm{M} \mathrm{L}^0 \mathrm{~T}^{-2}\right]$ |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
A physical quantity $Q$ is found to depend on quantities $a, b, c$ by the relation $Q=\frac{a^4 b^3}{c^2}$. The percentage error in $a, b$ and $c$ are $3 \%, 4 \%$ and $5 \%$ respectively. Then, the percentage error in $Q$ is :
The resistance $R=\frac{V}{I}$ where $\mathrm{V}=(200 \pm 5) \mathrm{V}$ and $I=(20 \pm 0.2) \mathrm{A}$, the percentage error in the measurement of $\mathrm{R}$ is :
Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : In Vernier calliper if positive zero error exists, then while taking measurements, the reading taken will be more than the actual reading.
Reason (R) : The zero error in Vernier Calliper might have happened due to manufacturing defect or due to rough handling.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Given below are two statements :
Statement (I) : Planck's constant and angular momentum have same dimensions.
Statement (II) : Linear momentum and moment of force have same dimensions.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
A dimensionless quantity is constructed in terms of electronic charge $e$, permittivity of free space $\varepsilon_0$, Planck's constant $h$, and speed of light $c$. If the dimensionless quantity is written as $e^\alpha \varepsilon_0{ }^\beta h^\gamma c^\delta$ and $n$ is a non-zero integer, then $(\alpha, \beta, \gamma, \delta)$ is given by :
Explanation:
To determine the maximum percentage error in the volume of the cone, we first need to understand the dependence of the cone's volume on its dimensions: the diameter of the base and its height.
The volume $ V $ of a cone is given by the formula:
$ V = \frac{1}{3} \pi r^2 h $
where $ r $ is the radius of the base and $ h $ is the height.
Given that both the diameter ($ D $) of the base and the height ($ h $) are measured to be $ 20.0 \mathrm{~cm} $, we can find the radius $ r $ as follows:
$ r = \frac{D}{2} = \frac{20.0 \mathrm{~cm}}{2} = 10.0 \mathrm{~cm} $
Now, let's denote the errors in measuring the diameter and height as $ \Delta D $ and $ \Delta h $ respectively.
Since the measurements are taken with a scale having a least count of $ 2 \mathrm{~mm} $, we have:
$ \Delta D = 2 \mathrm{~mm} = 0.2 \mathrm{~cm} $
and
$ \Delta h = 2 \mathrm{~mm} = 0.2 \mathrm{~cm} $
To find the maximum percentage error in the volume, we need to use the formula for the propagation of relative errors. Considering the volume formula $ V = \frac{1}{3} \pi r^2 h $, the relative errors in $ r $ and $ h $ will propagate into the volume as follows:
The relative error in the radius $ \Delta r / r $ is:
$ \left(\frac{\Delta r}{r}\right) = \left(\frac{\Delta D / 2}{D / 2}\right) = \left(\frac{\Delta D}{D}\right) = \frac{0.2 \mathrm{~cm}}{20.0 \mathrm{~cm}} = 0.01 $
The relative error in the height $ \Delta h / h $ is:
$ \left(\frac{\Delta h}{h}\right) = \frac{0.2 \mathrm{~cm}}{20.0 \mathrm{~cm}} = 0.01 $
Since $ V $ is proportional to $ r^2 $ and $ h $, the total relative error in the volume is given by:
$ \left(\frac{\Delta V}{V}\right) = 2 \left(\frac{\Delta r}{r}\right) + \left(\frac{\Delta h}{h}\right) $
Substituting the relative errors, we get:
$ \left(\frac{\Delta V}{V}\right) = 2 (0.01) + 0.01 = 0.02 + 0.01 = 0.03 $
Hence, the maximum percentage error in the volume is:
$ 0.03 \times 100\% = 3\% $
Therefore, the maximum percentage error in the determination of the volume is 3%.
In the equation $\left[X+\frac{a}{Y^{2}}\right][Y-b]=\mathrm{R} T, X$ is pressure, $Y$ is volume, $\mathrm{R}$ is universal gas constant and $T$ is temperature. The physical quantity equivalent to the ratio $\frac{a}{b}$ is:
A body of mass $(5 \pm 0.5) ~\mathrm{kg}$ is moving with a velocity of $(20 \pm 0.4) ~\mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}$. Its kinetic energy will be
Match List I with List II
| LIST I | LIST II | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A. | Spring constant | I. | $\mathrm{[T^{-1}]}$ |
| B. | Angular speed | II. | $\mathrm{[MT^{-2}]}$ |
| C. | Angular momentum | III. | $\mathrm{[ML^2]}$ |
| D. | Moment of inertia | IV. | $\mathrm{[ML^2T^{-1}]}$ |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: