Important Units, Errors & Significant Figures in Physics Measurements
Physics and Measurement – Key Concepts, Formulas & Revision Notes
FAQs on Physics and Measurement – Key Concepts, Formulas & Revision Notes
1. What is Physics and Measurement?
Physics and Measurement is the study of quantifying physical quantities using standardized units, formulas, and methods to ensure scientific accuracy. Key aspects include:
- Identification of physical quantities (like length, mass, time, temperature)
- Adoption of standard SI units for consistency
- Understanding measurement errors and their correction
- Application of significant figures and dimensional analysis
2. What are the fundamental quantities and their SI units?
There are seven fundamental quantities in physics, each with a unique SI unit:
- Length – metre (m)
- Mass – kilogram (kg)
- Time – second (s)
- Electric current – ampere (A)
- Temperature – kelvin (K)
- Luminous intensity – candela (cd)
- Amount of substance – mole (mol)
3. What are significant figures in measurement?
Significant figures are the digits in a measurement that convey its precision and reliability. They include:
- All non-zero digits
- Any zeros between non-zero digits
- Trailing zeros only if there is a decimal point
4. How to determine types of errors in measurement?
Measurement errors are categorized as:
- Systematic errors: Reproducible and consistent, often from faulty equipment
- Random errors: Vary unpredictably with each measurement
- Absolute error: The difference between measured and true values
5. What is dimensional analysis and why is it important?
Dimensional analysis is a method to check the correctness of physical equations and convert units. Its importance includes:
- Verifying if equations are dimensionally consistent
- Showing relationships between different physical quantities
- Converting units from one system to another (e.g., CGS to SI)
6. How do you count significant figures in a measurement?
Counting significant figures follows specific rules:
- All non-zero numbers are significant
- Zeros between non-zero numbers are significant
- Leading zeros are NOT significant
- Trailing zeros in a number with a decimal point ARE significant
7. How can I minimize errors during physics measurements?
To reduce measurement errors:
- Use properly calibrated instruments
- Repeat measurements and take the mean value
- Eliminate personal bias and parallax errors
- Follow standardized procedures and use correct units
8. Why are SI units preferred in scientific work?
SI units are used worldwide for consistency, clarity, and ease of communication. Their benefits include:
- Universal acceptance in science and engineering
- Facilitating standardization of scientific results
- Simplifying unit conversions and calculations
9. Where can I download Physics and Measurement revision notes PDF?
Students can access and download Physics and Measurement revision notes PDF from trusted online educational platforms or their textbook provider. Key features usually include:
- Summarized key formulas and concepts
- Solved examples and practice questions
- Well-structured for last-minute revision
10. Can a measurement be both highly precise and completely inaccurate?
Yes, a measurement can be very precise but inaccurate if there is a systematic error. For example:
- If an instrument is miscalibrated, repeated measurements may closely agree (high precision) but still be far from the true value (low accuracy).
11. Do dimensional formulas always guarantee equation correctness?
Dimensional formulas help check that all terms in a physics equation are consistent, but they don’t guarantee the equation is fully correct. Key points:
- They can identify missing or extra factors (like length, time, mass)
- Dimensional analysis cannot detect dimensionless errors (like numeric coefficients)

















