If Q is the quantity, n is the numerical value and u is the unit then;
Q = nu
n1u1 = n2u2 (bigger the unit, smaller is the value)
Systems of Measurement
(a) C.G.S (Centimeter-Gram-Second) system.
(b) F.P.S. (Foot-Pound-Second) system.
(c) M.K.S. (Meter-Kilogram--Second) system.
(d) M.K.S.A. (Meter-Kilogram-Second-Ampere) unit.
Fundamental Units
These units are independent of other units, thus called as fundamental units.
• Dimensional Formula:-
Dimensional formula of a physical quantity is the formula which tells us how and which of the fundamental units have been used for the measurement of that quantity.
• How to write dimensions of physical quantities:-
(a) Write the formula for that quantity, with the quantity on L.H.S. of the equation.
(b) Convert all the quantities on R.H.S. into the fundamental quantities mass, length and time.
(c) Substitute M, L and T for mass, length and time respectively.
(d) Collect terms of M,L and T and find their resultant powers (a,b,c) which give the dimensions of the quantity in mass, length and time respectively.
Uses of Dimensional Analysis :
1. To check the correctness of an equation
2. To find the conversion factor
3. To find the dimensions by comparison method
Significant Figures
There are three rules on determining how many significant figures are in a number:
1. Non-zero digits are always significant.
2. Any zeros between two significant digits are significant.
3. A final zero or trailing zeros in the decimal portion ONLY are significant.
4. If the last digit to be rounded off is 5 or greater than 5 , then the last significant digit is increased by 1 .
Order of Magnitude
Order of Magnitude is the power to which 10 is raised to ; to indicate the size of the quantity .
To find out order of magnitude :
1. The number should be in units place . e.g. 2.15 x 104has the order 4 .
2. If the number in units place is 5 or greater than 5 , then increase the order by 1 .
e.g. 7.4 x 106 has the order 7 .
Types of Errors
Personal Error
Error occurring due to human errors.
Random Error
Error occurring due to random changes in the environment of the experiment.
Systematic Error
Error occurring due to a constant error in the readings of instrument. This is caused due to the faulty
calibration of instrument.
Instrumental Error
Error occurring due to faulty construction of instrument.
Error Analysis
Mean Value: Average of All readings
Absolute Error : Individual Reading - Mean Value
Mean Absolute Error : Average of all Absolute values
Relative Error : Mean Absolute Error / Mean Value
Percentage Error : Relative Error x 100
Rules for Error Analysis :
1) If dx is the error in x , then Error in xnis n dx.
2) If dx is the error in x and dy is the error in y , then the Error in x + y , x – y , xy , x/y , is dx + dy
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