CBSE Notes for Class 11 Physics : Measurements and Units
1 Measurement The process of measurement is basically a comparison process. To measure a physical quantity, we have to find out how many times a standard amount of that physical quantity is present in the quantity being measured. The number thus obtained is known as the magnitude and the standard chosen is called the unit of the physical quantity. 2 Unit The unit of a physical quantity is an arbitrarily chosen standard which is widely accepted by the society and in terms of which other quantities of similar nature may be measured. 3 Standard The actual physical embodiment of the unit of a physical quantity is known as a standard of that physical quantity. • To express any measurement made we need the numerical value (n) and the unit ( μ ). Measurement of physical quantity = Numerical value x Unit For example: Length of a rod = 8 m where 8 is numerical value and m (metre) is unit of length. 4 Fundamental Physical Quantity/Units It is an elementary phys