JEE Main · Physics ↓ Falling

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

A ball of radius r and density ρ dropped through a viscous liquid of density σ and viscosity η attains its terminal velocity at time t, given by t = A ρa rb ηc σd , where A is a constant and a, b c and d are integers. The value of (b + c)/(a + d) is ____.

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 1 to 1 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Time dimension: [T] = T Density dimension: [ρ] = [σ] = ML⁻³ Radius dimension: [r] = L Viscosity dimension: [η] = ML⁻¹T⁻¹

Core Logic

Given dimensional equation:

T = [ρ]^a [r]^b [η]^c [σ]^d T = ( ML⁻³)^a (L)^b ( ML⁻¹T⁻¹)^c ( ML⁻³)^d

Expand the bases:

T¹ = Ma+c+d L-3a+b-c-3d T-c
Step 1: Compare Exponents

For Time (T):

-c = 1 c = -1

For Mass (M):

a + c + d = 0 a - 1 + d = 0 a + d = 1

For Length (L):

-3a + b - c - 3d = 0 b - c - 3(a + d) = 0

Substitute c = -1 and a + d = 1:

b - (-1) - 3(1) = 0 b + 1 - 3 = 0 b = 2
Step 2: Final Calculation

We need the value of (b+c)/(a+d): Numerator b+c = 2 + (-1) = 1 Denominator a+d = 1

(b+c)/(a+d) = (1)/(1) = 1
Pattern Recognition

Whenever variables are lumped in a product string X = y^a z^b, equating dimensions on both sides produces a solvable linear system. The sum groups (a+d) can sometimes be substituted directly without fully isolating a or d individually.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements Class 11 Physics: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Reference Study Guides

More Units and Measurements Previous-Year Questions — Page 5

Q16 jee_main_2025_29_jan_evening Dimensional Analysis
Match List-I with List-II. array|l|l|l|l| List-I & & List-II & (A) & Young's Modulus & (I) & ML⁻¹T⁻¹ (B) & Torque & (II) & ML⁻¹T⁻² (C) & Coefficient of Viscosity & (III) & M⁻¹L³T⁻² (D) & Gravitational Constant & (IV) & ML²T⁻² array Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. (A)-(I), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(IV)
  • B. (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)
  • C. (A)-(IV), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(I)
  • D. (A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(III)

Solution

Related Formula
Young's Modulus: Y = (F/A)/(Δ / ) Torque: τ = F · r Viscosity Force: F = η A (dv)/(dx) Gravitational Force: F = (G m₁ m₂)/(r²)
Core Logic

Evaluating dimensions component-by-component:

  • (A) Young's Modulus:
[Y] = ([F])/([A]) = MLT⁻²L² = ML⁻¹T⁻² arrow (II)
  • (B) Torque:
[τ] = [F][r] = ( MLT⁻²)(L) = ML²T⁻² arrow (IV)
  • (C) Coefficient of Viscosity:
[η] = ([F])/([A][dv/dx]) = MLT⁻²(L²)( T⁻¹) = ML⁻¹T⁻¹ arrow (I)
  • (D) Gravitational Constant:
[G] = ([F][r²])/([m₁][m₂]) = ( MLT⁻²)(L²)M² = M⁻¹L³T⁻² arrow (III)

Matching path yields: (A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(III).

Pattern Recognition

Torque and energy share the identical dimensional formula ML²T⁻². Modulus and pressure share ML⁻¹T⁻². Spotting these matching associations cuts solving time significantly.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Q23 jee_main_2025_29_jan_evening Combination of Errors
A physical quantity Q is related to four observables a, b, c, d as follows: Q = (ab⁴)/(cd) where, a = (60 ± 3)~Pa ; b = (20 ± 0.1)~m ; c = (40 ± 0.2)~Nsm⁻² and d = (50 ± 0.1)~m , then the percentage error in Q is (x)/(1000) , where x = ______.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 7700 to 7700

Solution

Related Formula
(Δ Q)/(Q) = (Δ a)/(a) + 4(Δ b)/(b) + (Δ c)/(c) + (Δ d)/(d)
Core Logic

Write down fractional errors from the raw text configurations:

  • (Δ a)/(a) = (3)/(60) = 0.05
  • (Δ b)/(b) = (0.1)/(20) = 0.005
  • (Δ c)/(c) = (0.2)/(40) = 0.005
  • (Δ d)/(d) = (0.1)/(50) = 0.002
  • Compute the total fractional error expression:

(Δ Q)/(Q) = [0.05 + 4(0.005) + 0.005 + 0.002] (Δ Q)/(Q) = 0.05 + 0.02 + 0.005 + 0.002 = 0.077

Percentage error expression configuration:

% Error = (Δ Q)/(Q) × 100 = 7.7 %

Given that percentage error equals (x)/(1000):

(x)/(1000) = 7.7 x = 7700
Pattern Recognition

Powers scale up error contributions via direct multiplication multipliers. The term b⁴ contributes exactly 4 times its basic fraction error component to the compilation step.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Q21 jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning Errors in Measurement
A tiny metallic rectangular sheet has length and breadth of 5 ~mm and 2.5 ~mm , respectively. Using a specially designed screw gauge which has pitch of 0.75 ~mm and 15 divisions in the circular scale, you are asked to find the area of the sheet. In this measurement, the maximum fractional error will be x100 where x is ________.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 3 to 3

Solution

Core Logic

First, find the least count of the measurement tool:

Least Count = PitchNumber of circular scale divisions = 0.75 ~mm15 = 0.05 ~mm

Least count calculation tracking diagram for Q21
Least count calculation tracking diagram for Q21

The area of the rectangular metallic sheet is calculated as:

A = L · W

Expressing the absolute error via fractional configuration parts:

dAA = dLL + dWW

Substituting the instrument limits (dL = dW = 0.05 ~mm):

dAA = (0.05)/(5) + (0.05)/(2.5) = (1)/(100) + (2)/(100) = (3)/(100)
Step 1: Final Value Match

Comparing this to the target format x100 gives:

x = 3

Pattern Recognition

The absolute measurement uncertainty matches the instrument's least count value directly. Sum up individual fractional errors to compute the total area uncertainty parameter.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements

Q23 jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning Dimensional Analysis
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. Answer: 0 to 0

Solution

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

Q9 jee_main_2025_03_april_morning Dimensional Formulae
Match the LIST-I with LIST-II
LIST-ILIST-II
A. Gravitational constantI. [LT⁻²]
B. Gravitational potential energyII. [L²T⁻²]
C. Gravitational potentialIII. [ML²T⁻²]
D. Acceleration due to gravityIV. [M⁻¹L³T⁻²]
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I
  • B. A-III, B-II, C-I, D-IV
  • C. A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I
  • D. A-I, B-III, C-IV, D-II

Solution

Related Formula

Newton's Law of Gravitation:

F = G(m₁ m₂)/(r²) G = (Fr²)/(m₁ m₂)

Potential Energy:

U = mgh [Work]

Potential:

V = (W)/(m)

Acceleration:

g = VelocityTime
Core Logic

Let's perform dimensional analysis for each item:

  • A. Gravitational constant (G):
[G] = ([F][r²])/([M²]) = [MLT⁻²][L²][M²] = [M⁻¹L³T⁻²]

Matches with IV.

  • B. Gravitational potential energy (U):
[U] = Dimensions of Work = [ML²T⁻²]

Matches with III.

  • C. Gravitational potential (V):
[V] = [Energy][M] = [ML²T⁻²][M] = [L²T⁻²]

Matches with II.

  • D. Acceleration due to gravity (g):
[g] = [Acceleration] = [LT⁻²]

Matches with I.

Step 1: Match and Selection

Let's align our matches:

  • A arrow IV
  • B arrow III
  • C arrow II
  • D arrow I
  • This sequence matches option (1).

Pattern Recognition

To save precious exam time on match-the-column questions, start with the easiest dimensional terms first. You know Acceleration due to gravity is g arrow [LT⁻²] (D-I) and energy is [ML²T⁻²] (B-III). Looking at the options, only Option 1 matches this sequence immediately!

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Physics: Units and Measurements Class 11 Physics: Gravitation

More Units and Measurements Questions — jee_main_2026_23_january_evening

Practice all Units and Measurements previous-year questions →

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