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

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 14 22 14 50

In a measurement, it is asked to find modulus of elasticity per unit torque applied on the system. The measured quantity has dimension of [MaLbTc] . If b = 3 , the value of c is

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 0 to 0 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

Core Logic

Let's find the dimensional formula for the ratio of Modulus of Elasticity to Torque:

Target Dimensions = [Modulus of Elasticity][Torque] Target Dimensions = [M L⁻¹ T⁻²][M L² T⁻²] = [M⁰ L⁻³ T⁰]
Step 1: Exponent Matching

Comparing this output to the target layout formula [Ma Lb Tc]:

c = 0

Pattern Recognition

Both dimensions share identical time dependence factors (T⁻²), meaning they cancel out completely. This leaves the time exponent value as exactly zero.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Reference Study Guides

More Units and Measurements Previous-Year Questions — Page 10

Q31 jee_main_2024_30_jan_morning Dimensional Analysis
Match List-I with List-II.
List-IList-II
A. Coefficient of viscosityI. [M L²T⁻²]
B. Surface TensionII. [M L²T⁻¹]
C. Angular momentumIII. [M L⁻¹T⁻¹]
D. Rotational kinetic energyIV. [M L⁰T⁻²]
  • A. A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
  • B. A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
  • C. A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
  • D. A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I

Solution

Related Formula
F = η A (dv)/(dy) Surface Tension = (F)/(l)

L = mvr

K.E = (1)/(2) I ω²
Core Logic

Let us determine the dimensional formula for each quantity sequentially:

A. Coefficient of viscosity (η): Using F = η A (dv)/(dy), we have:

[M L T⁻²] = η [L²] [T⁻¹] η = [M L⁻¹ T⁻¹] ⇒ (III)

B. Surface Tension (S.T.):

S.T = (F)/( ) = [M L T⁻²][L] = [M L⁰ T⁻²] ⇒ (IV)

C. Angular momentum (L):

L = mvr = [M] [L T⁻¹] [L] = [M L² T⁻¹] ⇒ (II)

D. Rotational kinetic energy (K.E.):

K.E = (1)/(2) I ω² = [M L² T⁻²] ⇒ (I)
Step 1: Final Matching

Matching the derived dimensional formulas: A arrow III B arrow IV C arrow II D arrow I

Pattern Recognition

Kinetic energy (whether translational or rotational) always carries the dimension of Work: [M L² T⁻²]. Surface tension is force per unit length, dropping the L term. Viscosity commonly includes L⁻¹.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Q33 jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Errors in Measurement
The measured value of the length of a simple pendulum is 20 cm with 2 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 N%. The value of N is:
  • A. 4
  • B. 8
  • C. 6
  • D. 5

Solution

Related Formula
T = 2π √(( )/(g)) g = (4π² )/(T²)
Core Logic

By taking logarithms and differentiating to find relative error (accuracy):

(Δ g)/(g) = (Δ )/( ) + 2(Δ T)/(T)
Step 1: Extrapolating Errors

Given values: = 20 cm = 200 mm Δ = 2 mm Ttotal = 40 s for 50 oscillations Δ Ttotal = 1 s Note: The relative error in time period T is equal to the relative error in total time t: (Δ T)/(T) = (Δ t)/(t).

Step 2: Substitution
(Δ g)/(g) = 0.2 cm20 cm + 2 ( 1 s40 s) (Δ g)/(g) = (2)/(200) + (2)/(40) (Δ g)/(g) = (1)/(100) + (5)/(100) = (6)/(100)
Step 3: Percentage Conversion

Percentage change = (Δ g)/(g) × 100% = (6)/(100) × 100% = 6%. Thus, N = 6.

Pattern Recognition

For pendulum gravity error, always use %g = % + 2(%T). Remember that measuring 50 oscillations reduces absolute error on a single swing, but the relative error Δ t / t remains unchanged whether you use total time or single period.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements Class 11 Physics: Oscillations

Q50 jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Dimensional Analysis
Consider two physical quantities A and B related to each other as E = (B - x²)/(At) where E, x and t have dimensions of energy, length and time respectively. The dimension of AB is
  • A. L⁻²M¹T⁰
  • B. L²M⁻¹T¹
  • C. L⁻²M⁻¹T¹
  • D. L⁰M⁻¹T¹

Solution

Related Formula

By the Principle of Homogeneity, terms added or subtracted must have the same dimensions: [B] = [x²]

Core Logic

Known dimensional formulas: Length x → [L] Energy E → [ML²T⁻²] Time t → [T]

Step 1: Dimension of B

Since x² is subtracted from B:

[B] = [x²] = [L²]
Step 2: Dimension of A

From the equation E = (B - x²)/(At):

[A] = ([B - x²])/([E][t]) [A] = [L²][ML²T⁻²][T] = [L²][ML²T⁻¹] [A] = [M⁻¹T¹]
Step 3: Dimension of AB
[AB] = [A] × [B] [AB] = [M⁻¹T¹] × [L²] [AB] = [L² M⁻¹ T¹]
Pattern Recognition

Identify sums/differences first to instantly isolate B. Once [B] is fixed, the entire numerator is just L². Swap out variables to isolate [A]. Combining is just standard exponent addition.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Q jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Errors In Measurement
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. 0.2%
  • B. 0.3%
  • C. 0.1%
  • D. 0.144%

Solution

Related Formula
R = (ρ L)/(A) = (ρ L)/(π ((d)/(2))²) = (4ρ L)/(π d²)
Core Logic

To find the maximum percentage error in resistance, apply logarithmic differentiation:

(Δ R)/(R) = (Δ L)/(L) + 2(Δ d)/(d)

Given percentage errors:

  • (Δ L)/(L) × 100% = 0.1%
  • (Δ d)/(d) × 100% = 0.1%
Step 2: Substitution

Substituting the values:

(Δ R)/(R) × 100% = 0.1% + 2(0.1%) = 0.1% + 0.2% = 0.3%
Pattern Recognition

Resistance scales inversely with the square of the diameter. The error multiplier for diameter is 2. Sum the linear components directly: Error = Lₑᵣᵣₒᵣ + 2 × dₑᵣᵣₒᵣ.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Current Electricity

Q41 jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Dimensional Analysis
A force is represented by F = ax² + bt1/2 Where x = distance and t = time. The dimensions of b² / a are:
  • A. [ML³T⁻³]
  • B. [MLT⁻²]
  • C. [ML⁻¹T⁻¹]
  • D. [ML²T⁻³]

Solution

Related Formula
Principle of Homogeneity: [F] = [ax²] = [bt1/2]
Core Logic

By the principle of dimensional homogeneity, each additive term must have the same dimension as the left hand side. Dimension of force F = [M L T⁻²].

For the term ax²:

[a] = ([F])/([x²]) = [M L T⁻²][L²] = [M L⁻¹ T⁻²]

For the term bt1/2:

[b] = [F][t1/2] = [M L T⁻²][T1/2] = [M L T-5/2]
Step 2: Computing Required Ratio

We need the dimension of (b²)/(a):

[ (b²)/(a) ] = [M L T-5/2]²[M L⁻¹ T⁻²] [ (b²)/(a) ] = [M² L² T⁻⁵][M L⁻¹ T⁻²] [ (b²)/(a) ] = [M²⁻¹ L2 - (-1) T-5 - (-2)] [ (b²)/(a) ] = [M L³ T⁻³]
Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units And Measurements

More Units and Measurements Questions — jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning

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