1 - Measurements

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GENERAL PHYSICS
TOPIC 01 MEASUREMENTS
General physics
Length and time
Core
• Use and describe the use of rules and measuring cylinders to find a length or a
volume • Use and describe the use of clocks and devices, both analogue and digital,
for measuring an interval of time • Obtain an average value for a small distance and
for a short interval of time by measuring multiples (including the period of a
pendulum)
Supplement
• Understand that a micrometer screw gauge is used to measure very small distances
Physical quantity
1. It is a property of an object that can be measured with a measuring instrument
e.g. mass, length, time, volume etc.
Measurement
1. Before a measurement can be made, a standard or unit must be chosen. The
size of the quantity to be measured is then found with an instrument having a
scale marked in the unit.
2. Measurement is a process of comparing a physical quantity by its unit.
OR
It is a process of comparing an unknown quantity with a known fixed quantity
of the same kind. The known fixed quantity is called unit.
3. It can be expressed as the product of magnitude and unit of a physical quantity.
E.g. 𝐿 = 4 𝑚
4. Unit: - It is a specific measure of a given physical quantity which tells us that
how much of that physical quantity is one e.g. second is the unit of time.
5. Magnitude: - It is a pure number which tells us that how many times of the
unit is contained in the given physical quantity.
SI System of units
1. SI system is a universally accepted system of units.
1
2. Length, mass and time are three basic physical quantities in SI system. Units
for other quantities are based on them.
a) The SI system is a metric or decimal system in which units are divided or
multiplied by 10 to give smaller or larger units.
Base quantities and their units in SI: -
Quantity SI unit Symbol Device
LENGTH meter m Meter Rule
MASS kilogram kg Balance
TIME second sec Stopwatch
Some common prefixes: -

Prefix Symbol Multiplying
Factor
micro µ 10−6
milli m 10−3
centi c 10−2
kilo k 103
mega M 106
giga G 109
nano n 10−9
Measuring Length
1. Length is the distance between two points in space.
2. According to SI, the length is expressed in meter.
3. 1 meter: - The meter is the length of the path travelled by light in vacuum
during a time interval of 1/299 792 458 of a second.
4. There are several kinds of measuring devices used to measure length, among
others, are as follows.
I. Measuring tape
2
II. Rule
III. Vernier Calipers
IV. Micrometer screw or screw gauge
3
5. We use a meter rule for measuring ordinary lengths. We lay the rule closely
alongside the length to be measured such that one end of the given length
meets the zero end of the rule and we take the reading of rule at the other end
of the given length.
6. To obtain the average value of a small length or distance, multiples can be
measured e.g. to find the thickness of a sheet of paper we take a pile of many
sheets, find its thickness and then divide it by no of sheets taken.
7. Vernier Caliper: -
a) Vernier caliper is an instrument used to measure small lengths with high
precision of one tenth of a mm i.e. 0.1 mm or 0.01 cm.
b) Vernier scale is 9 mm long and is divided into 10 equal divisions so;
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1 𝑉𝑑 = 𝑚𝑚 = 0.9 𝑚𝑚 = 0.09 𝑐𝑚
10
c) Least count of Vernier scale;
𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 1 𝑀𝑑 1 𝑚𝑚
𝐿𝐶 = = = 0.1 𝑚𝑚 = 0.01 𝑐𝑚
𝑁𝑜 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 10
d) One end of the length to be

measured is made to coincide with
the zero of the millimeter scale and
the other end with the zero of the
Vernier scale. The length of the
object in Figure given below is
between 1.3 cm and 1.4 cm. The
reading to the second place of
decimals is obtained by finding the
Vernier mark which is exactly
opposite (or nearest to) a mark on
the millimeter scale. In this case it
is the 6th mark and the length is
1.36 cm, since
𝑂𝐴 = 𝑂𝐵 – 𝐴𝐵
∴ 𝑂𝐴 = (1.90 𝑐𝑚) – (6 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠)
= 1.90 𝑐𝑚 – 6(0.09) 𝑐𝑚
= (1.90 – 0.54) 𝑐𝑚 = 1.36 𝑐𝑚
OR
𝑂𝐴 = 𝑀𝑆𝑅 + 𝑛𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 × 𝐿𝐶
= 1.3 𝑐𝑚 + 6 × 0.01 𝑐𝑚
4
= 1.36 𝑐𝑚
8. Micrometers:-
a) It is even more precise than a Vernier caliper because it can measure a
minimum length of 0.001 cm.
b) It has two scales viz., main scale and the circular scale.
c) Circular scale may have 50 or 100 divisions on it.
d) Pitch: - It the smallest value of length which can be read directly from a
main scale accurately.
e) Least count: -
𝑃𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ 0.05 𝑐𝑚
𝐿𝐶 = = = 0.001 𝑐𝑚
𝑁𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 50
f) Rotate the thimble (or friction clutch) until the wire is firmly held between
the anvil and the spindle. To take a reading, first look at the main scale.
This has a linear scale reading on it. The long lines are every millimeter
the shorter ones denote half a millimeter in between. Then look at the
rotating scale for no coinciding.
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = 𝑀𝑆𝑅 + 𝑛𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 × 𝐿𝐶

= 2.5𝑚𝑚 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 +
33 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒
= 0.25 𝑐𝑚 + 33 × 0.001 𝑐𝑚 = 0.283 𝑐𝑚
9. Possible sources of errors in the measurement of length
I. Error due to parallax: - Parallax error is an error caused by humans,
while measuring a quantity if your eye is not at the proper angle to the
scale you’re reading, it will cause parallax error. It only depends upon
the line of sight. Parallax error can be easily removed by
careful observation.
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II. Zero error: - Sometimes the zero end of a ruler may be broken. In such
a situation you can use any other full mark of the scale, say, 1.0 cm.
Then subtract 1 cm from the reading to get the correct reading.
III. Wrong placement of the scale: - The ruler should be exactly parallel
to the length to be measured.
IV. Length to be measured in not straight.
Error
1. The difference between the true value and the measured value is called error.
2. There are two main types of errors;
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3. Systematic errors
a) These are the errors which shifts the result of measurement in only one
direction.
b) It can be corrected if we can find the reason for it.
c) Example: To determine the temperature of a human body, a thermometer
placed under the armpit will always give a temperature lower than the
actual value of the body temperature.
4. Random errors: -
a) There are the errors which shift the measurement in the both the directions.
b) The causes of these errors are random and not detectable e.g. random
fluctuations in the temperature.
c) These errors cannot be eliminated but can be minimized by taking several
readings and then taking their average.
Significant figures
1. The digits that are known reliably plus the first uncertain (or estimated) digit
are known as significant digits or significant figures.
Common Rules for Counting Significant figures
1. All non-zero digits are significant. E.g. 3.245 has 4 sig figs.
2. All zeros occurring between two non-zero digits are significant no matter where
the decimal point is, if at all. E.g. 4.308 has 4 sig figs.
3. If the number is less than 1, the zero(s) on the right of the decimal point and to
the left of first non-zero digit are not significant. E.g. 0.023 has 2 sig figs.
4. In a number without a decimal point, the trailing zeros are not significant. E.g.
3400 has 2 sig figs.
5. However, in a number with decimal point, the trailing zeros are significant. E.g.
2.320 has 4 sig figs.
6. Power of 10 is irrelevant to the determination of sig figs.
Rules of arithmetic operation with significant figures

1. The following rules for arithmetic operations with significant figures ensure
that the final result of a calculation is shown with precision that is consistent
with the precision of the measured values:
a) Addition and subtraction: - In both, addition and subtraction, the final result
should retain as many decimal places as are there in the number with the
least decimal places.
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a) Multiplication and division: - In multiplication or division, the final result

should retain as many significant figures as are there in the original number
with the least significant figures.
Rounding off
1. If the digit to be dropped is less than 5, the preceding digit is left unchanged.
E.g. 17.43 → 17.4
2. If the digit to be dropped is more than 5, the preceding digit is raised by 1.E.g.
19.47→19.5
3. If the digit to be dropped is 5 followed by digits other than zero, the preceding
digit is raised by 1. E.g. 16.352→16.4, 16.35279→16.4
4. If the digit to be dropped is 5 or 5 followed by zero, the preceding digit is left
unchanged, if it is even and is raised by one, if it is odd. E.g. 12.45→ 12.4,
13.35→13.4, 19.750→19.8, 17.650→17.6
Scientific Notation
1. In scientific notation, a number is expressed in the power of 10 as 𝑎 × 10𝑏 ,
where ‘a’ is the number between 1 and 10 and b is any positive or negative
exponent of 10. The decimal point is written after the first non-zero digit.
2. We retain only those zeros in the base number which are the result of a
measurement. Now the power of 10 is not relevant to the determination of
significant numbers.
Measuring Area
3. We can use the following formulae to find the area of some regular shaped
objects.
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 = (𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒)2
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 = 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ × 𝐵𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ
𝟏
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = × 𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒 × 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
𝟐
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑒 = 𝜋𝑟 2
Measuring Volume
1. Volume is the amount of space occupied.
2. The SI unit of volume is 𝑚3 . The other units are;
1
1 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑒 = 1000 𝑐𝑚3 𝑜𝑟 1000 𝑐𝑐 = 𝑚3
1000
8
1𝑚𝑙 = 1𝑐𝑚3
3. To measure the volume of a liquid we use a measuring cylinder. We take the
given liquid in the measuring cylinder and take the reading.
4. Measuring the volume of a regular solid object: - To find out the volume of a
regular object, you can use a mathematical formula, you just need to make a
couple of length measurements.
E.g. 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑐𝑢𝑏𝑒 = (𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒)3
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑐𝑢𝑏𝑜𝑖𝑑 = 𝑙𝑏ℎ
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
4
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 = 𝜋𝑟 3
3
5. Measuring volume of a solid of irregular
shape by displacement method: - To
measure the volume of a solid object of
irregular shape, we put the object into
measuring cylinder with water. When we
add the object it displaces the water,
making the water level rise. Measure this
rise. This is the volume of our object.
6. Precautions in taking readings: -
a) The measuring cylinder should be
upright or erect for that the cylinder
should be kept on a flat horizontal
surface.
b) The line of sight must be perpendicular
to the measuring scale to avoid parallax error.
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c) Formation of bubbles inside the cylinder should be completely avoided.
Any bubble within leads to wrong measurements.
d) Cylinder should be free of impurities or else they add up to ingredients
inside and lead to wrong measurement.
e) One should always read the bottom of the meniscus (curved shape of the
free surface of the liquid). The meniscus formed by the mercury is curved
(convex) opposite to that of other liquids (concave) and the top is read.
f) One should prefer a measuring cylinder of smaller diameter (lesser LC).

Measurement of mass
1. The amount of matter contained in an object is called its mass.
2. The SI unit is kg and the other unit is gram (g).
1
1 𝑘𝑔 = 1000 𝑔 and 1𝑔 = 𝑘𝑔 = 0.001 𝑘𝑔
1000
3. The mass can be measured with beam balance, lever balance or electronic
balance etc.
Density and Floatation
1. It is defined as mass per unit volume.
𝑚
𝜌=
𝑉
2. The symbol for density is rho (ρ).
3. SI unit is 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 .
4. Gases have much lower density than liquids or solids.
5. Density is the key to floating, ice is less dense than water.
Laws of floatation: -
a) If the density of solid is lesser than the density of a liquid, the solid will
float partially submerged into the liquid.
b) If the density of solid is more than the density of a liquid, the solid will
sink into the liquid.
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c) If the density of solid is equal to the density of a liquid, the solid will float
fully submerged into the liquid.
d)
𝑘𝑔
6. Density of water is 103 𝑜𝑟 1 𝑔/𝑐𝑚3 .
𝑚3
Measuring time
1. Time: - It is the ordering or duration of events.
2. Any phenomenon that repeats itself after a regular interval of time can be used
to measure time e.g. heart beats, swinging of a pendulum etc.
3. 1 Second: - The second is the duration of 9 192 631 770 periods of the
radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of
the ground state of the cesium 133 atom.
4. Other units of time are minute, hour, day, week, month and year etc.
5. The common devices to measure the time or duration of an event are clock
and stopwatch. In stopwatch, each second is calibrated into one hundred part
of a second called cent second. The precession of time duration of an event
can be improved by measuring the time for number of events and dividing
time by total number of events. For example to measure the time period of a
pendulum the time for ten swings should be recorded and dividing the total
time by ten to get the time for one swing.
6. Taking time with a stop watch: -
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Instrument Least count
Clocks 1s
Stop Watch 0.01 s
Ticker tape timer 0.02 s between 2 dots
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TOPICWISE WORKSHEET
Physical quantity
Q.1. What is a physical quantity? Give few examples.
Measurement
Q.2. Why do we need measurement?
Q.3. What is measurement?
Q.4. Define the followings;
a) Unit
b) Magnitude
Q.5. How is a measurement expressed?
SI System of units
12
Q.6. Is SI system of units universally acceptable?
Q.7. Is SI system a metric system?
Q.8. Name three base quantities and their corresponding symbols, used in SI.
Q.9. Complete the following table.
Prefix Symbol Multiplying

Factor
micro µ 10−6
10−3
centi
103
mega
109
nano n 10−9
Q.10.
a) Write these fractions as powers of ten:
(A) 1/1000 (B) 7/100 000 (C) 1/10 000 000 (D) 3/60 000
b) Express the following decimals as powers of ten with one figure before the
decimal point:
(A) 0.5 (B) 0.084 (C) 0.000 36 (D) 0.001 04
Measuring Length
Q.11. What are the readings on the Vernier scales in Figures a and b?
13
[55.3 mm, 95.8 mm]
Q.12. What are the readings on the micrometer screw gauges in figures a and b?
[2.31 mm, 14.97 mm]
Q.13. The diameter of a copper wire is thought to be approximately 0.3 mm.

Which instrument should be used to obtain a more accurate measurement of
the diameter of the wire?
14
(A) measuring tape
(B) metre rule
(C) micrometer
(D) ruler
Q.14. The pages of a book are numbered 1 to 200 and each leaf is 0.10 mm thick. If
each cover is 0.20 mm thick, what is the thickness of the book? [10.4 mm]
Q.15. A student has a stack of 20 identical coins.

Fig. below shows the student measuring the height of the stack using a ruler.
a) With his eye at the position shown, the student’s measurement of the height
of the stack is 6.8 cm. Suggest two reasons why the student’s measurement is
inaccurate.
b) Another student correctly determines the height of the stack as 7.7 cm.
Calculate the average thickness of one coin.
c) The mass of a single coin is 12 g. State this mass in kg.
Solution: -
15
1. (a) any two from:
• Gap between ruler and stack
• Eye not perpendicular/ level with top of stack
• Zero error of ruler
(b) 7.7 ÷ 20 = 0.385 (𝑐𝑚) 𝑂𝑅 0.39 (𝑐𝑚)
(c) 0.012 (𝑘𝑔)
Error
Q.16. What is error?
Q.17. Write down two differences between systematic and random errors.
Q.18. How can random error be minimized.
Q.19. Can systematic error be eliminated altogether?
Q.20. Can random error be eliminated altogether?
Q.21. Name the error which shifts the result of a measurement in one direction only.
Significant figures and Common Rules for Counting Significant figures
Q.22. How many significant figures are there in a length measurement of:
(A) 2.5 cm, (B) 5.32 cm, (C) 7.180 cm, ( D) 0.042 cm
[2, 3, 4, 2]
Q.23. Add 7.21, 12.141 and 0.0028, and express the result to an appropriate number
of significant numbers. [19.35]
3 2
Q.24. Add 6.75 × 10 cm and 4.52 × 10 cm. [7.20 × 103 cm]
Q.25. Determine the answer for each of the following. Be sure to use the correct
number of significant figures.
b) 17.34 + 4.900 + 23.1 [45.3]
c) 9.80 − 4.762 [5.04]
d) 3.9 × 6.05 × 420 [9900]
Q.26. Subtract 36.8 km from 97 km. [60 km]
Q.27. Subtract 4.27153 from 6.807 and express the result to an appropriate no of
significant figures. [2.535]
−6 −4
Q.28. Subtract 2.5 × 10 from 4.0 × 10 with due regards to significant
figures. [4.0 × 10−4 ]
Q.29. A jeweler puts a diamond weighing 5.42 g in a box 1.2 kg. Find the total
weight of the box and the diamond to correct no of sig figs. [1.2 kg]
Q.30. Compute the following w.r.t. significant figures.
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0.9995×1.53
(i) 4.6 × 0.128 (ii)
1.592
Solution: -
(i) 4.6 × 0.128 = 0.5888 = 0.59
0.9995×1.53 1.529235
(ii) = = 0.96057474 = 0.961
1.592 1.592
Q.31. The diameter of a sphere is 2.78 m. Calculate its volume with due regard to
sig figs. [11.3 m2]
Q.32. A thin wire has a length of 21.7 cm and radius 0.46 mm. Calculate the volume
of the wire to correct sig figs. [0.14 cm3]
Rounding off
Q.33. Round off the following numbers as indicated:
(i) 18.35 up to 3 digits (ii) 143.45 up to 4 digits (iii) 18967 up to 3 digits
(iv) 12.653 up to 3 digits (v) 248337 up to 3 digits (vi) 321.135 up to 5 digits
(vii) 101.55 x 106 up to 4 digits (viii) 31.325 x10-5 up to 4 digits
Solution: - (i) 18.4 (ii) 143.4 (iii) 19000 (iv) 12.7 (v) 248000 (vi) 321.14
(vii) 101.6 x 106 (viii) 31.32 x 10-5
Q.34. Round off each of the followings to 3 significant figures.
a) 77.0653 [77.1]
b) 6,300,178.2
c) 0.00023350 [0.000234]
d) 10.2030 [10.2]
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e) 2.895 × 10 [2.90 × 1021 ]
Scientific Notation
Q.35. Convert each of the followings into scientific notation.
a) 0.982 × 10−3 = 9.82 × 10−4
b) 0.0473 = 4.73 × 10−2
Measuring Volume
17
Measurement of mass

Q.1.
a) If the density of wood is 0.5 g/cm3 what is the mass of
(i)1 𝑐𝑚3 , (ii) 2 𝑐𝑚3 , (iii)10 𝑐𝑚3 ?
b) What is the density of a substance of
i) mass 100 g and volume 10 cm3,
ii) Volume 3 𝑚3 and mass 9 kg?
c) The density of gold is 19 g/cm3. Find the volume of
i) 38 g,
ii) 95 g of gold.
Q.2. A piece of steel has a volume of 12 𝑐𝑚3 and a mass of 96 g.
What is its density in
a) 𝑔/𝑐𝑚3 ,
b) 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 ?
Q.3. What is the mass of 5 𝑚3 of cement of density 3000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 ?
Q.4. What is the mass of air in a room measuring 10 𝑚 × 5.0 𝑚 × 2.0 𝑚 if the
density of air is1.3 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 ?
Q.5. When a golf ball is lowered into a measuring cylinder of water, the water level
rises by 30 𝑐𝑚3 when the ball is completely submerged. If the ball weighs
33 𝑔 in air, find its density.
Q.6. Why does ice float on water?
Measuring time
MCQ
18
Physical quantity
Measurement
SI System of units
Measuring Length
Q.1. A length of cotton is measured between two points on a ruler.
When the length of cotton is wound closely around a pen, it goes round six
times.
What is the distance once round the pen?
(A) 2.2 cm (B) 2.6 cm (C) 13.2 cm (D) 15.6 cm [A]
Q.2. The diagram shows an enlarged drawing of the end of a metre rule. It is being
used to measure the length of a small feather.
19
What is the length of the feather?

(A) 19 mm (B) 29 mm (C) 19 cm (D) 29 cm [A]
Q.3. Some liquid is heated in a flask.

The diagrams show the height of the liquid in the tube when the liquid is cold
and when it is hot.
What is the difference in the heights?

(A) 1.7 cm (B) 2.8 cm (C) 3.2 cm (D) 4.5 cm [B]
20
Error
Significant figures and Common Rules for Counting Significant figures
Rounding off
Scientific Notation
Measuring Area
Measuring Volume
Q.1. A student uses a measuring cylinder to measure the volume of some water. The
diagram shows part of the measuring cylinder. The top and the bottom of the
meniscus are labelled.
What is the volume of water?

(A) 47.0 𝑐𝑚3 (B) 47.5 𝑐𝑚3 (C) 49.0 𝑐𝑚3 (D) 49.5 𝑐𝑚3 [A]
21
Q.2. A student wishes to measure accurately the volume of approximately 40 𝑐𝑚3of
water. She has two measuring cylinders, a larger one that can hold 100 𝑐𝑚3 , and
a smaller one that can hold 50 𝑐𝑚3 . The water form a meniscus where it touches
the glass.
Which cylinder should the student use and which water level she should use to
ensure an accurate result?
Cylinder Water Level
A Larger one Bottom of meniscus
B Smaller one Top of meniscus
C Smaller one Bottom of meniscus
D Larger one Top of meniscus
[C]
Q.3. Which of the following is not necessary when using a measuring cylinder to
measure the volume of a quantity of water?
(A) Making sure that the measuring cylinder is vertical
(B) Making sure that your eye is level with the liquid surface
(C) Reading the bottom of the meniscus
(D) Using the largest measuring cylinder possible [D]
Measurement of mass
22
Q.1. An empty beaker is placed on a top-pan balance. Some water is now poured
into the beaker.
What is the weight of the water?

(A) 0.044 kg B 0.168 kg C 0.0044 N D 0.44 N
Q.1. A student weighs four metal blocks, as shown. Each block is the same size
and shape. Which metal has the greatest density?
Q.2. A measuring cylinder containing only water is placed on an electronic

balance. A small, irregularly shaped stone is now completely immersed in the
water. The diagrams show the equipment before and after the stone is
immersed.
23
What is the density of the material of the stone?

(A) 1.7 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3 (B) 3.3 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3 (C) 4.5 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3 (D) 8.7 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3
[C]
Q.3. A student wishes to determine the density of an irregularly-shaped stone. First

he finds the mass of the stone. Next he lowers the stone into a measuring
cylinder containing water. The diagrams show the measuring cylinder before
and after the stone is lowered into it.
How should the student calculate the density of the stone?

(A) mass of stone × reading 2
24
(B) mass of stone × (reading 2 – reading 1)
(C) mass of stone ÷ reading 2
(D) mass of stone ÷ (reading 2 – reading 1) [D]
Q.4. The diagrams show the dimensions and masses of four regular solid objects.
The objects are made from different metals.
Which metal has the greatest density? [C]
Q.5. Diagram 1 shows a measuring cylinder containing water. Diagram 2 shows

the same measuring cylinder and water after 10 identical solid glass spheres
have been added.
The mass of one of the spheres is 10 g. What is the density of the glass from
which the spheres are made? [C]
3 3 3
A 0.25 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚 B 0.40 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚 C 2.5 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚 D 4.0 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3
25
Q.6. The diagram shows a cuboid block made from a metal of density 2.5 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3 .
What is the mass of the block?

(A) 8.0 g (B) 16 g (C) 50 g (D) 100 g [D]
Q.7. The diagram shows an experiment to find the density of a liquid.
What is the density of the liquid?

A 0.5 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3 B 2.0 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3 C 8.0 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3 D 10.0 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3 [B]
Q.8. Diagram 1 shows a piece of foam rubber that contains many pockets of air.
Diagram 2 shows the same piece of foam rubber after it has been compressed
so that its volume decreases.
26
What happens to the mass and to the weight of the foam rubber when it is
compressed? [D]
Q.9. Three liquids P, Q and R have different densities and do not mix. The liquids
are placed in a measuring cylinder and allowed to settle. A small block is then
dropped into the measuring cylinder and comes to rest, as shown.
Which statement about the density of the block is correct?

(A) It is equal to the density of Q.
(B) It is greater than the density of P.
(C) It is greater than the density of R.
(D) It is less than the density of Q.
27
Q.10. The diagram shows some liquid in a measuring cylinder.

The mass of the liquid is 16 g.
What is the density of the liquid? [A]

(A) 0.80 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚 (B) 1.25 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚 (C) 36 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚 (D) 320 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3
3 3 3
Q.11. Two objects P and Q are placed in a beaker containing a liquid.

Object P floats in the liquid and object Q sinks.
Which row for the densities of object P, object Q and the liquid is possible?
[D]
28
Q.12. A person measures the length, width, height and mass of a metal block with
rectangular sides. Which of these measurements must be used in order to
calculate the density of the metal?
(A) mass only
(B) height and mass only
(C) length, width and height only
(D) length, width, height and mass [D]
Measuring time
Q.1. A pendulum is set in motion and 20 complete swings are timed. The time
measured is 30 s. What is the time for one complete swing of the pendulum?
0.67 s (B) 0.75 s (C) 1.5 s (D) 3.0 s [C]
MISCELLANEOUS WORKSHEET
Q.1. A cylindrical can is rolled along the ruler shown in the diagram.
The can rolls over twice.

What is the circumference of the can?
(A) 13 cm (B) 14 cm (C) 26 cm (D) 28 cm [A]
Q.2. The density of aluminum is 2.70 𝑔/𝑐𝑚3 . The thickness of a rectangular sheet
of aluminum foil varies but is much less than 1 mm.
A student wishes to find the average thickness. She obtains the following
measurements
29
Mass of sheet is 60.7 g
Length of sheet is 50.0 cm
Width of sheet is 30.0 cm
Calculate the student’s values for
I. Volume of the sheet
II. The average thickness of the sheet.
a) Another student, provided with a means of cutting the sheet, decides to
find its average thickness using a single measuring instrument. Assume
the surfaces of the sheet are perfectly smooth.
I. Name a measuring instrument she could use.
II. Describe the procedure she should follow to obtain an accurate
value of the average thickness of the sheet.
Details of how to read the instrument are not required.
Q.3. A student has a large number of coins of different diameters all made of the
same metal. She wishes to find the density of the metal by a method
involving placing the coins in water.
a) State the formula needed to calculate the density.
b) Describe how the measurements of the required quantities are carried out.
c) State one precaution taken when carrying out the measurements in (b) to
ensure that the result is as accurate as possible.
Q.4. The period of vertical oscillations of a mass hanging from a spring is known
to be constant.
a) A student times single oscillations with a stop watch. In 10 separate
measurements, the stop watch readings are
1.8 s, 1.9 s, 1.7 s, 1.9 s, 1.8 s, 1.8 s, 1.9 s, 1.7 s, 1.8 s, 1.8 s
What is the best value obtainable from these reading for the time of one
oscillation? Explain how you arrive at your answer.
b) Describe how, using the same stop watch, the student can find the period of
oscillations more accurately.
Q.5. A flask with a tap has a volume of 400 𝑐𝑚3 . When full of air, flask has a
mass of 30.98 g.
The flask is connected to a vacuum pump, the air is pumped out and then the
tap is closed.
30
The flask now has a mass of 30.72 g.
Calculate
a) The mass of the air in the flask before connecting to the vacuum pump, in
g.
b) The density of the air in the glass.
Q.6. Read the sentences below and then answer the questions which follow.
“When potatoes are bought in a market, the weight of a bag full of potatoes is
affected by the density of the potatoes. A lady fills her bag when she buys 5 kg
of large potatoes. A man buys 5 kg of small potatoes. He puts them in a bag of
the same size as the lady's, but his bag is not filled.’’
a) Which word in these sentences describes a quantity which is a force?
[Weight]
b) What does the 5 kg measure? Tick one box.
The density of potatoes

The mass of potatoes
The volume of potatoes
The weight of potatoes
c) Suggest one reason why the man's 5 kg of potatoes occupies less volume
than the lady's potatoes. [The density of man’s potatoes is more than lady’s
potatoes]
Q.7. Fig. below shows a wooden raft. The raft is made from 8 logs.
The logs are all of the same type of wood.
a) The average mass of each log is 65.0 kg.

Calculate the total weight of the raft.
Total weight of the raft =....................................................... N
b)
31
I. The mass of one of the logs is 66.0 𝑘𝑔. It is 3.0 𝑚 long and has a
cross sectional area of 0.040 𝑚2 .
Calculate the density of the wood in the log.
Density =............................................... 𝑘𝑔 / 𝑚3 .
II. Explain why the log in (b) (i) floats on water.
Q.8.
a) A student has a piece of metal that has an irregular shape. The weight of the
metal is 3.0 N. Calculate the mass of the metal.
b) Fig. below shows the piece of metal, a measuring cylinder and a beaker
containing water.
i) Describe how to determine the volume of the metal, using the equipment in
above fig.
ii) Explain why the procedure in (b) (i) is not suitable for finding the volume
of a piece of low-density wood that is of similar shape and size to the piece
of metal in (a).
iii) The mass of another piece of metal is 405 g and its volume is 150 cm3.
Calculate the density of the metal. State the unit.
0625/O/N/18/Q.3
Q.13. A student wishes to find the volume of a piece of wood of irregular shape. Her
experiment requires the use of a small brass object of mass 200 𝑔.
a) Calculate the volume of the brass object. The density of brass is
8.4 𝑔 / 𝑐𝑚3
b) To find the volume of the piece of wood, the student has a measuring
cylinder, a supply of water and the brass object in (a). The piece of wood
and the brass object are small enough to be placed in the measuring
cylinder.
32
I. The piece of wood does not sink in water. Suggest why.
II. Describe what the student does to find the volume of the piece of
wood, stating the measurements that she makes and any calculations
required.
Q.14. A student has 500 identical, rectangular sheets of paper. The mass of 1.0 m2
of the paper is 0.080 kg.
a) Using a metre rule, she measures the length of one sheet of paper and its
width. The length is 0.300 m and the width is 0.210 m.
I. Calculate the mass of one sheet of paper.
II. The student makes a single pile of the 500 sheets of paper.
With a metre rule, she measures the height of the pile. The height of
the pile is 0.048 m.
Calculate the density of the paper.
III. A second student has only 5 sheets of the same type of paper. Suggest
how this student determines the density of the paper to a similar
accuracy. Additional apparatus may be used.
Q.15. A student wishes to determine the density of a small, irregularly shaped stone.
a) With the aid of a labelled diagram, describe an experiment to determine
the volume of the stone.
b) (i) State the other quantity, apart from the volume, that must be measured
in order to determine the density.
(ii) State the formula that is used to calculate the density.
c) The student now wishes to determine the volume of a small, irregularly
shaped piece of wood that floats in water. He notices that a small lead
weight tied to the wood makes it sink in water.
Describe how the student can adapt the experiment in (a) to determine the
volume of the wood. You may draw a diagram.
33
Q.16. Fig. below shows a side view of a large tank in a marine visitor attraction.
The tank is 51 m long and 20 m wide. The sea-water in the tank is 11 m deep
and has a density of 1030 𝑘𝑔 / 𝑚3 .
a) Calculate the mass of water in the tank.
b) The pressure at point M, halfway down the large viewing panel, is 60 kPa
more than atmospheric pressure.
Calculate the depth of M below the surface of the water.
c) The viewing panel is 32.8 m wide and 8.3 m high.
Calculate the outward force of the water on the panel. Assume that the
pressure at M is the average pressure on the whole panel.
34
35
36
37
Ticker Tape Timer
A ticker tape timer is a machine that produce a dot on a tape at a fixed time interval.
How to use: The tape is attached to an object and the state of motion of the object can
be deduced from the dots on the tape.
38
Reading the tape from ticker tape timer
The procedure to deducing the state of motion from the resulting tape is best explained
using an example. The figure above consists of 3 tapes, X, Y and Z, with a length of 1 m
from the first dot to the last dot. The dots are made by a ticker tape timer with a time
interval of 0.1 seconds.
For X, the dots are evenly spaced. Since the length is 1 m, the spacing between each
dots is 0.2 m. We can calculate the speed of the object
using Speed=DistanceTime=0.20.1=2m/sSpeed=DistanceTime=0.20.1=2m/s Hence, X
represent the tape from an object that is moving at constant speed.
For Y, the spacing between the dots increases as time passes. Since the dots are made
with a fixed time interval, the time in the formula above is fixed. We will get an
increasing speed as the distance between the dots increases. Hence, Y represent the
tape from an object that is accelerating.
For Z, the spacing between the dots decreases as time passes. Using the same
reasoning as above, Z represent the tape from an object that is decelerating.
39
40

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M Kedawat Physics Classes (IBDP, IGCSE, CBSE, ISC) / 9460600699 /

Some common prefixes: -

III. Vernier Calipers

IV. Micrometer screw or screw gauge

d) One end of the length to be

𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = 𝑀𝑆𝑅 + 𝑛𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 × 𝐿𝐶

Rules of arithmetic operation with significant figures

a) Multiplication and division: - In multiplication or division, the final result

f) One should prefer a measuring cylinder of smaller diameter (lesser LC).

Prefix Symbol Multiplying

[55.3 mm, 95.8 mm]

[2.31 mm, 14.97 mm]

Q.13. The diameter of a copper wire is thought to be approximately 0.3 mm.

Q.15. A student has a stack of 20 identical coins.

Density and Floatation

What is the distance once round the pen?

(A) 2.2 cm (B) 2.6 cm (C) 13.2 cm (D) 15.6 cm [A]

What is the length of the feather?

Q.3. Some liquid is heated in a flask.

What is the difference in the heights?

What is the volume of water?

What is the weight of the water?

Q.2. A measuring cylinder containing only water is placed on an electronic

What is the density of the material of the stone?

Q.3. A student wishes to determine the density of an irregularly-shaped stone. First

How should the student calculate the density of the stone?

Q.5. Diagram 1 shows a measuring cylinder containing water. Diagram 2 shows

What is the mass of the block?

Q.7. The diagram shows an experiment to find the density of a liquid.

What is the density of the liquid?

Which statement about the density of the block is correct?

Q.10. The diagram shows some liquid in a measuring cylinder.

What is the density of the liquid? [A]

Q.11. Two objects P and Q are placed in a beaker containing a liquid.

The can rolls over twice.

The density of potatoes

a) The average mass of each log is 65.0 kg.

Ticker Tape Timer

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