Short Q/A Physical Quantities and Measurement - Students Free Notes

Differentiate between precision and accuracy.

Precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements, indicating how close the values are to each other. Accuracy, however, refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value. A measurement can be precise without being accurate, and vice versa. Related Questions: Q12. Differentiate between precision and accuracy. How does physics play … Read more

How can random errors be reduced?

Random errors can be reduced by taking multiple measurements and averaging the results. Using precise instruments, ensuring stable conditions, and performing experiments in controlled environments also minimize random fluctuations in data. Statistical analysis helps in quantifying and reducing their impact on results. Related Questions: How does physics play an important role in our life? Estimate … Read more

Why do we need to consider significant digits in measurements?

Significant digits provide information about the precision of a measurement. They indicate how exact a measurement is and help communicate the uncertainty of a value. For instance, in scientific calculations, maintaining the correct number of significant digits ensures accurate results, avoiding overestimation or underestimation of precision. Related Questions: How does physics play an important role … Read more

What precautions should be kept in mind while taking measurements using a measuring cylinder?

When using a measuring cylinder, ensure the cylinder is placed on a flat surface to avoid parallax error. Read the level of the liquid at the bottom of the meniscus, not the top. Avoid overfilling the cylinder, and make sure to clean the cylinder before each use to prevent contamination. Related Questions: How does physics … Read more

How is a measuring cylinder used to measure the volume of an irregularly shaped stone?

To measure the volume of an irregular stone, submerge it in a measuring cylinder filled with water. The stone displaces an amount of water equivalent to its volume. Measure the change in water level before and after immersion to determine the volume of the stone. Related Questions: Q.8 How measuring cylinder is used to measure … Read more

Differentiate between a mechanical stopwatch and a digital stopwatch.

A mechanical stopwatch uses mechanical gears and springs to measure time, requiring manual resetting. A digital stopwatch, on the other hand, uses electronic components like microchips to provide more accurate and easily readable time measurements, often with features like memory and precise start/stop functionality. Related Questions: How does physics play an important role in our … Read more

Explain why a screw gauge can measure length more precisely than vernier calipers.

A screw gauge can measure lengths with higher precision because it has a finer scale for reading measurements. The screw’s threads provide a precise increment, allowing for measurements in thousandths of a millimeter, while vernier calipers measure with precision up to one-tenth of a millimeter. This fine threading of the screw gauge enables more accurate … Read more

Justify that displacement is a vector quantity while energy is a scalar quantity.

Displacement is a vector because it has both magnitude and direction, indicating the shortest path between two points. Energy, on the other hand, is a scalar as it only has magnitude and no direction. For example, while displacement can be positive or negative depending on the direction, energy remains always positive and doesn’t depend on … Read more

Show that the prefix micro is a thousand times smaller than the prefix milli.

The prefix “milli” represents 10−3 (one-thousandth), and “micro” represents 10−6 (one-millionth). Therefore, 10−3÷10−6=1000. Thus, micro is 1000 times smaller than milli. Related Questions: Q.4 Show that prefix micro is thousand times smaller than prefix milli. How does physics play an important role in our life? Estimate your age in minutes and seconds. What base quantities are involved … Read more

What base quantities are involved in these derived physical quantities: force, pressure, power, and charge?

Force: Derived from mass (kg), length (m), and time (s), using the equation F = ma (Newton’s Second Law). Pressure: Derived from mass, length, and time (P = Force/Area), so base quantities include mass (kg), length (m), and time (s). Power: Derived from mass, length, and time (P = Work/Time), so the base quantities are … Read more