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Units and Measurements appeared 50 times across 3 years — 5.8% of Physics. This question is from Significant Figures.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 14 22 14 50

For an experimental expression y=(32.3×1125)/(27.4) , where all the digits are significant. Then to report the value of y we should write :-

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

In multiplication and division arithmetic rules, the final product or quotient must be rounded off to retain as many significant figures as are present in the least precise operand.

Core Logic

Let us check the significant digit count of the operands in the expression :

  • 32.3 has 3 significant figures.
  • 1125 has 4 significant figures.
  • 27.4 has 3 significant figures.
  • The minimum number of significant figures among the numbers is 3.

Step 1: Rounding Off

Direct calculation yield :

y = 1326.186...

Rounding this value off to contain exactly 3 significant figures means changing it to 1330, since the digit after 2 is 6 (which is greater than 5), updating the hundreds spot upwards.

Pattern Recognition

Never keep unearned precision from automated calculation. The output is bounded strictly by your least precise entry.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Reference Study Guides

More Units and Measurements Previous-Year Questions — Page 9

Q38 jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Measuring Instruments
Identify the physical quantity that cannot be measured using a spherometer:
  • A. Radius of curvature of concave surface
  • B. Specific rotation of liquids
  • C. Thickness of thin plates
  • D. Radius of curvature of convex surface

Solution

Core Logic

A spherometer is a mechanical instrument designed to measure small vertical displacements to calculate the thickness of thin plates or the radius of curvature of spherical (convex/concave) surfaces.

Specific rotation of liquids is an optical property measured via a polarimeter, completely outside the scope of a spherometer.

Pattern Recognition

Spherometers operate purely on linear micrometer screw scale geometry, hence restricted strictly to spatial dimensions.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Q47 jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Dimensional Analysis
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. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
  • B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
  • C. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
  • D. Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Solution

Core Logic

Evaluate dimensions step-by-step:

  • Planck's constant (h):
  • E = h u [h] = ([E])/([ u]) = ML²T⁻²T⁻¹ = ML²T⁻¹

  • Angular momentum (L):
L = mvr [L] = M · LT⁻¹ · L = ML²T⁻¹

Since [h] = [L], Statement I is true.

  • Linear momentum (P):
P = mv [P] = MLT⁻¹
  • Moment of force (Torque τ):
τ = F r [τ] = MLT⁻² · L = ML²T⁻²

Since [P] ≠ [τ], Statement II is false.

Pattern Recognition

Planck's constant can always be paired with angular momentum units (Joule-seconds), while moment of force matches work/energy footprints, not translational momentum.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Q38 jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning Error Analysis
The resistance R = (V)/(I) where V = (200 ± 5) ~V and I = (20 ± 0.2) ~A, the percentage error in the measurement of R is:
  • A. 3.5%
  • B. 7%
  • C. 3%
  • D. 5.5%

Solution

Related Formula

By propagation of maximum relative error in division:

R = (V)/(I) (Δ R)/(R) = (Δ V)/(V) + (Δ I)/(I)

Percentage error in R is given by:

% error in R = ( (Δ V)/(V) + (Δ I)/(I) ) × 100
Core Logic

Given values:

V = 200 ~V, Δ V = 5 ~V I = 20 ~A, Δ I = 0.2 ~A
Step 1: Evaluate Relative Error
(Δ R)/(R) = (5)/(200) + (0.2)/(20) (Δ R)/(R) = (5)/(200) + (2)/(200) (Δ R)/(R) = (7)/(200)
Step 2: Calculate Percentage Error
% error in R = (Δ R)/(R) × 100 = (7)/(200) × 100 = 3.5%

Thus, the percentage error is 3.5%.

Pattern Recognition

Whenever independent physical quantities are multiplied or divided, their fractional/relative errors always add up. Make sure to keep the base denominator values aligned to make mental calculations quick.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Q31 jee_main_2024_30_january_evening Vernier Callipers
If 50 Vernier divisions are equal to 49 main scale divisions of a travelling microscope and one smallest reading of main scale is 0.5 ~mm, the Vernier constant of travelling microscope is:
  • A. 0.1 ~mm
  • B. 0.1 ~cm
  • C. 0.01 ~cm
  • D. 0.01 ~mm

Solution

Related Formula
Vernier Constant (Least Count) = 1 ~MSD - 1 ~VSD
Core Logic

Given that 50 Vernier Scale Divisions (VSD) equal 49 Main Scale Divisions (MSD).

50 ~VSD = 49 ~MSD 1 ~VSD = (49)/(50) ~MSD

Also, the smallest reading of the main scale (1 ~MSD) is 0.5 ~mm.

Step 1: Calculate Vernier Constant
Vernier Constant = 1 ~MSD - 1 ~VSD = 1 ~MSD - (49)/(50) ~MSD = (1)/(50) ~MSD

Substitute the value of 1 ~MSD:

= (1)/(50) × 0.5 ~mm = (0.5)/(50) ~mm = (1)/(100) ~mm = 0.01 ~mm
Pattern Recognition

In Vernier calipers problems where N VSD = (N-1) MSD, the Least Count is always exactly (1)/(N) MSD.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Q44 jee_main_2024_30_january_evening Dimensional Analysis
If mass is written as m = k c^p G-1/2 h1/2 then the value of P will be: (Constants have their usual meaning with k a dimensionless constant)
  • A. 1/2
  • B. 1 / 3
  • C. 2
  • D. -1 / 3

Solution

Related Formula
[m] = [M]¹ [L]⁰ [T]⁰ [c] = [L T⁻¹] [G] = [M⁻¹ L³ T⁻²] [h] = [M L² T⁻¹]
Core Logic

By applying the principle of dimensional homogeneity, the dimensions on both sides of the equation must be identical.

[M]¹ [L]⁰ [T]⁰ = [L T⁻¹]^p [M⁻¹ L³ T⁻²]-1/2 [M L² T⁻¹]1/2
Step 1: Substitute Dimensions
[M] = L^p T-p · M1/2 L-3/2 T¹ · M1/2 L¹ T-1/2
Step 2: Collect Powers of L

Equating the powers of [L] on both sides:

0 = p - (3)/(2) + 1 0 = p - (1)/(2) p = (1)/(2)
Pattern Recognition

The expression m ∝ √(hc/G) is a known fundamental relation representing the Planck mass. The exponent on c inside the square root gives p = 1/2.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

More Units and Measurements Questions — jee_main_2025_24_jan_morning

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