Have you ever wondered how your GPS measures distance, or how the speed of rockets is computed by the scientists? Unit and Measurement, the first ever chapter of Class 11 Physics, is the answer. This chapter forms the basis of physics as it educates on the process of measuring, comparing and standardising physical quantities. It has an important role in not only CBSE board exams but also in competitive exams such as JEE and NEET.
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Subject experts at Careers360 have created these NCERT Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 Notes Units and Measurement in accordance with the latest CBSE syllabus. There are plain descriptions of SI units, significant figures, error analysis, and dimensional analysis, all in a friendly manner, included inside. These NCERT notes make it easy and easy to learn measurement techniques with solved examples, key formulas, and the application to everyday life. These clearly organised Units and Measurement Class 11 Notes will help students to solidify their fundamentals, become more accurate in solving problems, and with such a solid foundation, they can embark on their physics preparation process with confidence.
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Chapter 1 Units and Measurements lays the foundation of physics by describing physical quantities, SI units, significant figures, errors and dimensional analysis. These Units and Measurement Class 11 Notes consist of brief explanations and solved problems, and so are ideal when revising physics in a short time and for last-minute preparations for exams.
NCERT Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 Notes Units and Measurement introduce the foundation of Physics by explaining how physical quantities are measured, the importance of SI units, and the role of significant figures. These notes simplify concepts like accuracy, precision, and dimensional analysis, making them very useful for quick revision and exam preparation.
Physical quantity (Q) = Magnitude × Unit = n × u
Volume = length ✕ breadth ✕ height = m ✕ m ✕ m = m³
Density = mass/volume = kgm⁻³
A unit system is a comprehensive set of units that includes both fundamental and derived units for various physical quantities. Typical systems include:
Name of Quantity |
Name of unit |
Symbol |
Length |
Meter |
m |
Mass |
Kilogram |
kg |
Time |
Second |
s |
Electric current |
Ampere |
A |
Thermodynamic temperature |
Kelvin |
K |
Amount of substance |
Mole |
mol |
Luminous intensity |
Candela |
cd |
Name of Quantity |
Name of unit |
Symbol |
Plane angle |
Radian |
rad |
Solid angle |
Steradian |
sr |
Practical units of length:
1 kilometer(km) = 10³m
1 centimeter(cm) = 10⁻²m
1 millimeter (mm) = 10⁻³m
1 micron(μ) = 10⁻⁶m
1 nanometer (nm) = 10⁻⁹m
1 Angstrom (Å) = 10⁻¹ºm
1 fermometer = 1 fermi (fm) = 10⁻¹⁵m
Astronomical unit (AU): 1AU is the average distance of the sun from the Earth, commonly used for measuring astronomical distances.
1 AU = 1.496 ✕ 10¹¹m ≅ 1.5 ✕ 10¹¹m
Light Year (ly): 1 light-year is the distance travelled by light in one year.
1 light-year = (3 ✕ 10⁸ms⁻¹) ✕ (365 ✕24✕60✕60)s = 9.46 ✕ 10¹⁵m
Parallactic second or parsec(pc): The parallactic second (pc): 1 parsec is the distance between the average radius of the Earth's orbit around the Sun and an angle of 1" (second of arc).
Practical units of mass:
1 metric ton = 10³kg
1 quintal = 10²kg
1 gram = 10⁻³kg
1miligram = 10⁻³g = 10⁻⁶kg
To measure the mass of an atom or molecule, we use a unified atomic mass unit(u) defined as 1/12th the mass of an atom of the carbon-12 isotope.
1u = 1.66 ✕ 10⁻²⁷kg
Practical units of time:
1 millisecond (ms) = 10⁻³s
1 microsecond (*s) = 10⁻⁶s
1 nanosecond (ns) = 10⁻⁹s
1 picosecond (ps) = 10⁻¹²s
A shake is the unit of time used in microscopic physics
1 shake = 10⁻⁸s
Significant figures in a physical quantity's measured value indicate the number of digits in which we have confidence. The greater the number of significant figures obtained in a measurement, the greater the measurement's accuracy. The opposite is also true.
When counting the number of significant figures in a given measured quantity, the following rules apply.
(1) Non-zero digits: A number's non-zero digits are all considered significant.
For example, 41.3 contains three significant figures, 147.6 contains four significant figures, and 12.123 contains five significant figures.
(2) Between non-zero digits, a zero: Significant is A zero between two non-zero digits.
For example, 5.03 contains three significant figures, 5.404 contains four significant figures, and 6.004 contains four significant figures.
(3) Leading zeros: Leading zeros (zeroes to the left of the first non-zero digit) are ignored.
For example, the number 0.583 has three significant figures, the number 0.045 has two significant figures, and the number 0.003 has one significant figure.
(4) Trailing zeros: Trailing zeros are considered significant (zeroes to the right of the last non-zero digit).
For example, 4.250 has four significant figures, 434.00 has five significant figures, and 243.000 has six significant figures.
(5) Exponential notation: The numerical portion of exponential notation indicates the number of significant figures.
For example, 1.32 10*10-2 has three significant figures, while 1.32*104 has three significant figures.
When rounding off measurements, the following rules are followed:
For example, 7.82 is rounded to 7.8, and 3.94 is rounded to 3.9.
For example, 6.87 is rounded to 6.9, and 12.78 is rounded to 12.8.
For example, 16.351 is rounded to 16.4, and 6.758 is rounded to 6.8.
For example, 3.250 becomes 3.2, and 12.650 becomes 12.6.
For example, 3.750 is rounded to 3.8, and 16.150 is rounded to 16.2.
All derived physical quantities can be expressed using the seven base quantities as discussed at the beginning of this chapter. Hence, these quantities are also referred to as the seven dimensions of the physical world. They are represented by using square brackets. Thus, the seven dimensions of the physical world are represented as follows.
[M] for mass
[L] for length
[T] for time
[A] for electric current
[K] for thermodynamic temperature
[cd] for luminous intensity
[mol] for amount of substance
The dependence of all other physical quantities on these base quantities can be expressed in terms of their dimensions.
For example, the speed
Therefore, the dimension of speed can be given as
Thus, the dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers (or exponents) to which the base quantities are raised to represent that quantity.
The expression of a physical quantity in terms of its dimensions is called its dimensional formula. For example, the dimensional formula of force is
The table given in the formulae chart at the end of this chapter gives the dimensional formulae for some physical quantities.
An equation which contains a physical quantity on one side and its dimensional formula on the other side is called the dimensional equation of that quantity. Dimensional equations for a few physical quantities are given below.
Speed
Area
Force
The physical quantities having the same derived units have the same dimensions.
The dimensions of a physical quantity are calculated by raising the fundamental units to the powers that are needed to derive its derived units.
The length, mass, and time are denoted by [L], [M], and [T], respectively.
Uses of Dimensional Equations
To convert units of one system into units of another system: The product of a physical quantity's numerical value and its corresponding unit is a constant. Let the numerical value of a physical quantity p be n₁ and n₂ in two different systems and the corresponding units be u₁ and u₂, then
If the dimensions of the physical quantity are a in mass, b in length, and c in time, then its dimensional formula will be
Similarly, if the fundamental units in the second system are M₂, L₂, and T₂, then
According to Eqn (i), we have
Using this formula, we can convert the numerical value of a physical quantity from one system of units to another system.
To check the correctness of an equation: All terms on both sides of a physical equation must have the same dimensions. This is known as the dimension homogeneity principle.
Limitations:
Q1:
The length and breadth of a rectangular sheet are 16.2 cm and 10.1 cm respectively. The area of the sheet in appropriate significant figures and error is:
(a) $164 \pm 3 \mathrm{~cm}^2$
(b) $163.62 \pm 2.6 \mathrm{~cm}^2$
(c) $163.6 \pm 2.6 \mathrm{~cm}^2$
(d) $163.62 \pm 3 \mathrm{~cm}^2$
Answer:
Given :
$$
\begin{aligned}
& l=16.2 \mathrm{~cm}, \text { and } \Delta l=0.1 \\
& b=10.1 \mathrm{~cm}, \Delta b=0.1 \\
& l=16.1 \pm 0.1 \text { and } b=10.1 \pm 0.1
\end{aligned}
$$
$$
\begin{aligned}
\text { Now, area (a) } & =l \times b \\
& =16.2 \times 10.1 \\
& =163.62 \mathrm{~cm}^2 \\
& =164 \mathrm{~cm}^2
\end{aligned}
$$
(by rounding off the answer of the area in 3 significant numbers)
$$
\begin{aligned}
& \Delta \frac{A}{A}=\frac{\Delta l}{l}+\frac{\Delta b}{b} \\
& =\frac{0.1}{16.2}+\frac{0.1}{10.1} \\
& \frac{\Delta A}{164}=\left(\frac{10.1 \times 0.1+16.2 \times 0.1}{16.2 \times 10.1}\right)
\end{aligned}
$$
Thus, $\Delta A=2.64 \mathrm{~cm}^2$
We get $\Delta A=3 \mathrm{~cm}^2$
(by rounding off the answer of $\Delta A$ in 1 significant number)
Thus, $\Delta A=(164 \pm 3) \mathrm{cm}^2$
Hence, the correct answer is option (a).
Q2:
Which of the following are not units of time?
a) second
b) parsec
c) year
d) light year
Answer:
Parsec and Light year
Explanation: Parsec & Light year are units to measure distance, while second \& Year are units to measure time.
Hence, the answers are options (b) and (d).
Q3:
If momentum (P), area (A), and time (T) are taken to be fundamental quantities, then energy has the dimensional formula
(a) $\left(P^1 A^{-1} T^1\right)$
(b) $\left(P^2 A^1 T^1\right)$
(c) $\left(P^1 A^{-1 / 2} T^1\right)$
(d) $\left(P^1 A^{1 / 2} T^{-1}\right)$
Answer:
Explanation: Let us consider $\left[P^a A^b T^c\right]$ the formula for energy for fundamental quantities $\mathrm{P}, \mathrm{A}$ \& T .
Thus, the dimensional formula of-
$
\begin{aligned}
& \text { Energy }(\mathrm{E})=\left[P^a A^b T^c\right] \\
& \text { Momentum }(\mathrm{P})=\left[M L T^{-1}\right] \\
& \text { Area }(\mathrm{A})=\left[L^2\right] \\
& \operatorname{Time}(\mathrm{T})=\left[T^1\right]
\end{aligned}
$
Now, E = f.s
Thus, $\left[P^1 A^{1 / 2} T^{-1}\right]$ is the dimensional formula of energy.
Hence, the answer is option (d).
Origin of Physics Concepts
Precision with Numerical Problems
Learning SI Units and Conversions
Significant Figures and Analysis of Error.
Connection of Theory and Experiments
Boosts Exam Preparation
Competitive Exam Relevance
The NCERT Class 11 Notes (Chapter-wise) provide simplified explanations, key formulas, and important concepts for every chapter of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. These notes help students in quick revision, last-minute preparation, and building strong fundamentals for school exams as well as competitive exams like JEE and NEET.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Physics is based on units and measurement. They assist in a standardisation of physical quantities in order to make them more accurate, easier to compare and understand in experiments and in real life.
Accuracy is defined as the proximity between the true and measured value. Precision is the relationship between the measurements made repeatedly, with or without accuracy.
The main topics covered in Units and Measurements include introduction to measurement, units of measurement, , precision, significant figures, dimensional analysis, unit conversions, measurement of physical quantities, dimensional formulas and equations and dimensional analysis and its applications.
Fundamental units are the basic units of measurement for base physical quantities like length (meter), mass (kilogram), and time (second). They are independent and cannot be broken down further. Derived units are combinations of fundamental units used to express other physical quantities like speed (m/s), force (newton), and pressure (pascal).
Dimensional analysis helps verify the correctness of physical equations, convert units from one system to another, and derive relations between physical quantities. It ensures that both sides of an equation are dimensionally consistent, which is a quick way to check if an equation could be correct.
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