UNIT

To measure any physical quantity we assume a standard of definite magnitude of that quantity. Then we give a name of that standard, which is known as unit . These are of two types: (a) Fundamental units : The units which are independent and which can not derived from other units, are defined as fundamental units. e.g. The units of mass, length and time. (b) Derived units : The units which are derived with the help of fundamental units are called derived units. e.g. The units of velocity, acceleration etc.

PROPERTIES OF UNIT
1 , n where u and n are the units of physical quantity and its numerical value respectively. Relation between unit and its numerical value is n1u1 = n2u2.

The unit of a physical quantity is inversely proportional to its numerical value i.e. u

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

Four systems of units are commonly used : CGS (Centimetre - Gram - Second) system FPS (Foot-Pound-Second) system MKS (Metre-Kilogram-Second) system SI unit The general conference of weights and measures held in 1971 decided a new system of units which is known as the International System of Units. It is abbreviated as SI from the french name Le Systeme International d unites. It is based on the seven fundamental and two supplementary physical quantities. Fundamental Physical Quantity 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Length Mass Time Electric Current Temperature Luminous Intensity Amount of Substance Supplementary Physical Quantity 1. 2. Plane Angle Solid Angle Unit metre kilogram second ampere kelvin candela mole Unit radian steradian Symbol m kg s A K cd mol Symbol rad sr

DIMENSIONS
Every quantity is expressed in terms of base quantities. It is written as a product of different powers of base quantities. The exponent of a base quantity that enters into the expression, is called the dimension of that base quantity. e.g., Force = mass acceleration velocity mass time =

mass

length/time time

-2 = mass length time Thus, the dimensions of force are 1 in mass, 1 in length and 2 in time. The dimensions of all other base quantities are zero. Note: For convenience the base quantities are represented by one letter symbol. Generally, mass is denoted by M, length by L, time by T and electric current by A or I. The thermodynamic temperature, the amount of substance and the luminous intensity are denoted by the symbols of their units K, mol and cd respectively. The physical quantity that is expressed in terms of the base quantities is enclosed in square brackets to remind that the equation is among the dimensions and not among the magnitudes. Thus equation one may be written as [force] = [MLT-2] Note: Such an expression for a physical quantity in terms of the base quantities is called the dimensional formula.

USES OF DIMENSIONS
A. HOMOGENEITY OF DIMENSIONS IN AN EQUATION B. CONVERSION OF UNITS C. DEDUCING RELATION AMONG THE PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

LIMITATIONS OF THE DIMENSIONAL METHOD

(a) (b) First of all we have to know the quantities on which a particular physical quantity depends. Method works only if the dependence is of the product type

1 Not applicable for the equations like s = ut + at 2 2

1 Not applicable for the equations like s = ut + at 2 2 .

(c) (d) Numerical constant having no dimensions can not be deduced by the method of dimensions. Method works only if there are as many equations available as there are unknowns.

ORDER OF MAGNITUDE
Normally decimal is used after first digit using powers of ten, e.g : 3750 m will be written as 3.750 10 m The order of a physical quantity is expressed in power of 10 and is taken to be 1 if (10) = 3.16 and 10 if > 3.16. e.g. :
8 speed of light 3 10 , order =

108

Mass of electron = 9.1 10

31

, order = 1030

SIGNIFICANT DIGITS
In a multiplication or division of two or more quantities, the number of significant digits in the answer is equal to the number of significant digits in the quantity which has the minimum number of significant digits. e.g : 12.0/7.0 will have two significant digits only.

The least significant digit is rounded according to the rules given below. For addition and subtraction write the numbers one below the other with all the decimal points in one line. Now locate the first column from left that has doubtful digits. All digits right to this column are dropped from all the numbers and rounding is done to this column. The addition and subtraction are now performed to get the answer. Note: Number of Significant figure in the magnitude of a physical quantity can neither b e increased nor decreased. e.g. If we have 3.10 kg, then it can not be written as 3.1 kg or 3.100 kg.

ERRORS : (FRACTIONAL AND PERCENTAGE ERRORS)

If
x

is the error in measurement of x, then

x x 100 x x fractional error = and percentage error =

experimental value ~ Standard value Standard value Percentage error in experimental measurement = 100

ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION

x, Let error in x is and error in y is x y . i.e., The errors add.

y,

then the error in

or x

y is

MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION

Let errors in x, y, z are respectively
x, y

and
a x x

x y z c ) is obtained from the relation

f f

z . Then error in a quantity f (defined as y z b c . y z

The fractional errors (with

proper multiples of exponents) add. The error in f is

f.