NCERT Solutions for class-11 Physics Chapter 2 Units and Measurements As Per Latest syllabus

Summary of NCERT Class 11 Physics Chapter 2: Units and Measurements

1. Introduction to Measurement:
   • Measurement is the process of comparing an unknown quantity with a known or standard quantity.
   • Essential for quantifying physical quantities such as length, mass, time, temperature, and electric current.
2. Need for Measurement:
   • Measurement is fundamental in science and daily life for accuracy, consistency, and standardization.
   • Facilitates communication, comparison, and prediction of physical phenomena.
3. Systems of Units:
   • Different systems of units exist, including the International System of Units (SI) and the British System (FPS).
   • SI is widely used in scientific research and engineering due to its simplicity and uniformity.
4. Fundamental and Derived Units:
   • SI consists of seven base units representing fundamental quantities: meter (m), kilogram (kg), second (s), ampere (A), kelvin (K), mole (mol), and candela (cd).
   • Derived units, such as velocity (m/s) and acceleration (m/s^2), are combinations of base units.
5. Dimensional Analysis:
   • Dimensional analysis involves analyzing the dimensions of physical quantities to derive relationships and verify equations.
   • Helps identify errors and establish consistency in equations.
6. Dimensional Equations:
   • Express physical quantities in terms of their dimensions using dimensional equations.
   • Equations must be dimensionally consistent to be valid.
7. Dimensional Formula:
   • The dimensional formula represents the expression of a physical quantity in terms of its base units.
   • Useful for verifying equations and deriving new relationships.
8. Significance of Dimensions:
   • Dimensions provide insight into the nature of physical quantities and their interrelationships.
   • Helps classify physical quantities and understand their behavior in different contexts.
9. Errors in Measurement:
   • Errors can arise from various sources, including instrumental limitations, human factors, and environmental conditions.
   • Types of errors include systematic errors, random errors, and gross errors.
10. Accuracy and Precision:
    • Accuracy refers to the closeness of a measured value to the true value, while precision reflects the consistency of repeated measurements.
    • Instruments with high accuracy and precision are desirable for reliable measurements.
11. Significant Figures:
    • Significant figures represent the digits in a measured quantity that contribute to its precision.
    • Rules for determining significant figures aid in expressing measurements with the appropriate level of precision.
12. Propagation of Errors:
    • Errors in measured quantities can propagate through calculations, leading to uncertainties in the final result.
    • Techniques such as error propagation formulas help estimate the combined uncertainty in derived quantities.
13. Measurement of Length:
    • Various instruments, including meter scales, vernier calipers, and micrometers, are used to measure length with different levels of accuracy and precision.
    • Proper technique and instrument calibration are crucial for accurate length measurements.
14. Measurement of Mass:
    • Mass is measured using balances and weighing scales, calibrated to provide accurate readings.
    • Standard masses and calibration procedures ensure consistent measurements across different instruments.
15. Measurement of Time:
    • Time is typically measured using clocks and watches calibrated to an established time standard.
    • Atomic clocks provide the most accurate time measurements based on atomic transitions.
16. Conclusion:
    • Chapter 2 provides a comprehensive understanding of measurement systems, units, and techniques essential for scientific inquiry and practical applications.
    • Knowledge of measurement principles lays the foundation for accurate experimentation and analysis in physics and other scientific disciplines.

Questions And Answers

Question1. Fill in the blanks
a. The volume of a cube of side 1 cm is equal to…..m³
b. The surface area of a solid cylinder of radius 2.0 cm and height 10.0 cm is equal to … (mm)²
c.  A vehicle moving with a speed of 18 km h^–1covers….m in 1 s
d. The relative density of lead is 11.3. Its density is ….g cm^–3 or . …kg m^–3.

Solution :
a. Length of edge = 1cm = 1/100 m
Volume of the cube = side³
Putting the value of side, we get
Volume of the cube = (1/100 m)³ =(10^-2 m)³ 10^-6 m³.

The volume of a cube of side 1 cm is equal to 10^-6 m³

b. Given,
Radius, r = 2.0 cm = 20 mm (convert cm to mm)
Height, h = 10.0 cm =100 mm
The formula of total surface area of a cylinder S = 2πr (r + h)
Putting the values in this formula, we get
Surface area of a cylinder S = 2πr (r + h = 2 x 3.14 x 20 (20+100)
= 15072 = 1.5 × 10⁴ mm²
The surface area of a solid cylinder of radius 2.0 cm and height 10.0 cm is equal to 1.5 × 10⁴ mm²

c. Using the conversion,
Given,
Time, t = 1 sec
speed = 18 km h-1 = 18 km / hour
1 km = 1000 m and 1hour = 3600 sec
Speed = 18 × 1000 /3600 sec = 5 m /sec
Use formula
Speed = distance / time
Cross multiply it, we get
Distance = Speed × Time = 5 × 1 = 5 m
A vehicle moving with a speed of 18 km h^–1covers 5 m in 1 s.

d. Density of lead = Relative density of lead × Density of water
Density of water = 1 g/cm³
Putting the values, we get
Density of lead = 11.3 × 1 g / cm³
= 11.3 g cm^-3
1 cm = (1/100 m) =10^–2 m³
1 g = 1/1000 kg = 10^-3 kg
Density of lead = 11.3 g cm^-3 = 11.3
Putting the value of 1 cm and 1 gram
11.3 g/cm³ = 11.3 × 10^-3 kg (10-2m)^-3 = 11.3 ×10^–3 × 106 kg m^-3 =1.13 × 103 kg m^–3
The relative density of lead is 11.3. Its density is 11.3 g cm^-3 g cm^–3 or 1.13 × 103 kg m^–3.

Question2. Fill in the blanks by suitable conversion of units:
a. 1 kg m²s^–2= ….g cm² s^–2
b.  1 m =….. ly
c. 3.0 m s^–2=…. km h^–2
d. G= 6.67 × 10^–11 N m² (kg)^–2=…. (cm)3s^–2 g^–1.

Solution :
a. 1 kg = 10³ g
1 m² = 104 cm²
1 kg m² s^–2 = 1 kg × 1 m² × 1 s^–2
=103 g × 104 cm² × 1 s^–2 = 10⁷ g cm² s–2
1 kg m²s^–2= 10⁷ g cm² s^–2

b.  Distance = Speed × Time
Speed of light = 3 × 10⁸ m/s
Time = 1 year = 365 days = 365 × 24 hours = 365 × 24 × 60 × 60 sec
Putting these values in above formula we get
1 light year distance = (3 × 10⁸ m/s) × (365 × 24 × 60 × 60 s) = 9.46 × 10¹⁵ m
9.46 × 10¹⁵ m = 1 ly
So that 1 m = 1/ 9.46 × 10¹⁵ ly = 1.06 × 10^-16 ly

c. 1 hour = 3600 sec so that 1 sec = 1/3600 hour
1 km = 1000 m so that 1 m = 1/1000 km
3.0 m s^–2 = 3.0 (1/1000 km)( 1/3600 hour)^-2 = 3.0 × 10^–3 km × ((1/3600)^-2 h–2)
= 3.0 × 10^–3 km × (3600)² h^–2 = 3.88 × 10⁴ km h^–2
3.0 m s^–2= 3.88 × 10⁴ km h^–2

d. 1 N = 1 kg m s^–2

1 kg = 10^–3 g^–1

1 m³ = 10⁶ cm³

∴ 6.67 × 10^–11 N m² kg^–2 = 6.67 × 10^–11 × (1 kg m s^–2) (1 m²) (1 s^–2)

= 6.67 × 10^–11 × (1 kg × 1 m³ × 1 s^–2)

= 6.67 × 10^–11 × (10^–3 g^–1) × (10⁶ cm³) × (1 s^–2)

= 6.67 × 10^–8 cm³ s^–2 g^–1

Question3. A calorie is a unit of heat or energy and it equals about 4.2 J where 1J = 1 kg m²s^–2. Suppose we employ a system of units in which the unit of mass equals α kg, the unit of length equals β m, the unit of time is γ s. Show that a calorie has a magnitude 4.2 α^–1 β^–2 γ² in terms of the new units.

Solution :
Given that,
1 Calorie=4.2 J = 4.2 Kg m² s^-2 …… (i)
As new unit of mass = α Kg
∴ 1 Kg = 1/α new unit of mass
Similarly, 1 m = β^-1 new unit of length
1 s = γ^-1 new unit of time
Putting these values in (i), we get
1 calorie = 4.2 (α-1 new unit of mass) (β^-1 new unit of length)2 (γ^-1 new unit of time)-2
 = 4.2 α^-1 β^-2 γ² new unit of energy (Proved)

Question4. Explain this statement clearly: “To call a dimensional quantity ‘large’ or ‘small’ is meaningless without specifying a standard for comparison”. In view of this, reframe the following statements wherever necessary:
a. atoms are very small objects
b. a jet plane moves with great speed
c. the mass of Jupiter is very large
d. the air inside this room contains a large number of molecules
e.  a proton is much more massive than an electron
f.  the speed of sound is much smaller than the speed of light.

Solution :
The given statement is true because a dimensionless quantity may be large or small in comparision to some standard reference. For example, the coefficient of friction is dimensionless. The coefficient of sliding friction is greater than the coefficient of rolling friction, but less than static friction.
a.  An atom is a very small object in comparison to a soccer ball.
b.  A jet plane moves with a speed greater than that of a bicycle.
c.  Mass of Jupiter is very large as compared to the mass of a cricket ball.
d. The air inside this room contains a large number of molecules as compared to that present in a geometry box.
e. A proton is more massive than an electron.
f. Speed of sound is less than the speed of light.

Question5. A new unit of length is chosen such that the speed of light in vacuum is unity. What is the distance between the Sun and the Earth in terms of the new unit if light takes 8 min and 20 s to cover this distance?

Solution :
Distance between the Sun and the Earth:
= Speed of light × Time taken by light to cover the distance
Given that in the new unit, speed of light = 1 unit
Time taken, t = 8 min 20 s = 500 s
∴Distance between the Sun and the Earth = 1 × 500 = 500 units

Question6. Which of the following is the most precise device for measuring length:
a. a vernier callipers with 20 divisions on the sliding scale
b. a screw gauge of pitch 1 mm and 100 divisions on the circular scale
c.  an optical instrument that can measure length to within a wavelength of light

Solution :
a.  Least count of this vernier callipers = 1SD – 1 VD  = 1 SD – 19/20 SD = 1/20 SD
 = 1.20 mm = 1/200 cm = 0.005 cm
b. Least count of screw gauge = Pitch/Number of divisions = 1/1000 = 0.001 cm.
c. Wavelength of light, λ ≈ 10-5 cm = 0.00001 cm
Hence, it can be inferred that an optical instrument is the most suitable device to measure length.

Question7. A student measures the thickness of a human hair by looking at it through a microscope of magnification 100. He makes 20 observations and finds that the average width of the hair in the field of view of the microscope is 3.5 mm. What is the estimate on the thickness of hair?

Solution :
Magnification of the microscope = 100
Average width of the hair in the field of view of the microscope = 3.5 mm
∴Actual thickness of the hair is 3.5/100 = 0.035 mm.

8. Answer the following:

Question8.1: You are given a thread and a metre scale. How will you estimate the diameter of the thread?

Solution : Wrap the thread on a uniform smooth rod in such a way that the coils thus formed are very close to each other. Measure the length of the thread using a metre scale. The diameter of the thread is given by the relation,
Diameter = Length of thread /Number of turns

Question8.2: A screw gauge has a pitch of 1.0 mm and 200 divisions on the circular scale. Do you think it is possible to increase the accuracy of the screw gauge arbitrarily by increasing the number of divisions on the circular scale?

Solution : It is not possible to increase the accuracy of a screw gauge by increasing the number of divisions of the circular scale. Increasing the number divisions of the circular scale will increase its accuracy to a certain extent only.

Question8.3: The mean diameter of a thin brass rod is to be measured by vernier callipers. Why is a set of 100 measurements of the diameter expected to yield a more reliable estimate than a set of 5 measurements only?

Solution : A set of 100 measurements is more reliable than a set of 5 measurements because random errors involved in the former are very less as compared to the latter.

Question9. The photograph of a house occupies an area of 1.75 cm2on a 35 mm slide. The slide is projected on to a screen, and the area of the house on the screen is 1.55 m². What is the linear magnification of the projector-screen arrangement?

Solution :
Here area of the house on slide = 1.75 cm² = 1.75 x 10^-4 m² and area of the house of projector-screen = 1.55 m²
.•. Areal magnification =Area on screen/Area on slide = 1.55 m² / 1.75 x 10^-4 m² = 8.857 x 10³
.•. Linear magnification

Question10. State the number of significant figures in the following:
a. 0.007 m²
b.  2.64 x 1024 kg
c.  0.2370 g cm^-3
d.  6.320 J
e.  6.032 N m^-2
f. 0.0006032 m²
 

Solution :
a.  Answer: 1
The given quantity is 0.007 m².
If the number is less than one, then all zeros on the right of the decimal point (but left to the first non-zero) are insignificant. This means that here, two zeros after the decimal are not significant. Hence, only 7 is a significant figure in this quantity.

b. Answer: 3
The given quantity is 2.64 × 1024 kg.
Here, the power of 10 is irrelevant for the determination of significant figures. Hence, all digits i.e., 2, 6 and 4 are significant figures.

c. Answer: 4
The given quantity is 0.2370 g cm^–3.
For a number with decimals, the trailing zeroes are significant. Hence, besides digits 2, 3 and 7, 0 that appears after the decimal point is also a significant figure.

d. Answer: 4
The given quantity is 6.320 J.
For a number with decimals, the trailing zeroes are significant. Hence, all four digits appearing in the given quantity are significant figures.

e.  Answer: 4
The given quantity is 6.032 Nm^–2.
All zeroes between two non-zero digits are always significant.

f. Answer: 4
The given quantity is 0.0006032 m².
If the number is less than one, then the zeroes on the right of the decimal point (but left to the first non-zero) are insignificant. Hence, all three zeroes appearing before 6 are not significant figures. All zeros between two non-zero digits are always significant. Hence, the remaining four digits are significant figures.

Question11. The length, breadth and thickness of a rectangular sheet of metal are 4.234 m, 1.005 m, and 2.01 cm respectively. Give the area and volume of the sheet to correct significant figures.

Solution :
Length of sheet, l = 4.234 m

Breadth of sheet, b = 1.005 m

Thickness of sheet, h = 2.01 cm = 0.0201 m

The given table lists the respective significant figures:

Quantity	Number	Significant Figure
l	4.234	4
b	1.005	4
h	0.0201	3

Hence, area and volume both must have least significant figures i.e., 3.

Surface area of the sheet = 2 (l × b + b × h + h × l)

= 2(4.234 × 1.005 + 1.005 × 0.0201 + 0.0201 × 4.234)
= 2(4.25517 + 0.0202005 + 0.0851034)
= 2 × 4.36
= 8.72 m²

Volume of the sheet = l × b × h

= 4.234 × 1.005 × 0.0201

= 0.0855 m³

This number has only 3 significant figures i.e., 8, 5, and 5.

Question12. The mass of a box measured by a grocer’s balance is 2.300 kg. Two gold pieces of masses 20.15 g and 20.17 g are added to the box. What is (a) the total mass of the box, (b) the difference in the masses of the pieces to correct significant figures?

Solution :
Mass of grocer’s box = 2.300 kg

Mass of gold piece I = 20.15g = 0.02015 kg

Mass of gold piece II = 20.17 g = 0.02017 kg

(a) Total mass of the box = 2.3 + 0.02015 + 0.02017 = 2.34032 kg

In addition, the final result should retain as many decimal places as there are in the number with the least decimal places. Hence, the total mass of the box is 2.3 kg.

(b) Difference in masses = 20.17 – 20.15 = 0.02 g

In subtraction, the final result should retain as many decimal places as there are in the number with the least decimal places.

Question13. A physical quantity P is related to four observables a, b, c and d as follows:
The percentage errors of measurement in a, b, c and d are 1%, 3%, 4% and 2%, respectively. What is the percentage error in the quantity P? If the value of P calculated using the above relation turns out to be 3.763, to what value should you round off the result?

Solution :

Percentage error in P = 13 %
Value of P is given as 3.763.
By rounding off the given value to the first decimal place, we get P = 3.8.

Question14. A book with many printing errors contains four different formulas for the displacement y of a particle undergoing a certain periodic motion:

(a = maximum displacement of the particle, v = speed of the particle. T = time-period of motion). Rule out the wrong formulas on dimensional grounds.

Solution :

Since the dimensions on both sides are equal, the formula is dimensionally correct.

(b) It is dimensionally incorrect, as the dimensions on both sides are not equal.

(c) It is dimensionally incorrect, as the dimensions on both sides are not equal.

(d) 

The formula is dimensionally correct.

Question15. A famous relation in physics relates ‘moving mass’ m to the ‘rest mass’ m₀ of a particle in terms of its speed v and the speed of light, c. (This relation first arose as a consequence of special relativity due to Albert Einstein). A boy recalls the relation almost correctly but forgets where to put the constant c. He writes : m = m₀ / (1-v²)1/2 Guess where to put the missing c.

Solution :
Given the relation,
m = m0 / (1-v2)1/2
Dimension of m = M¹ L⁰ T⁰
Dimension of m⁰ = M¹ L⁰ T⁰
Dimension of v = M⁰ L1 T^–1
Dimension of v² = M⁰ L² T^–2
Dimension of c = M⁰ L¹ T^–1
The given formula will be dimensionally correct only when the dimension of L.H.S is the same as that of R.H.S. This is only possible when the factor, (1-v²)1/2 is dimensionless i.e., (1 – v²) is dimensionless. This is only possible if v² is divided by c². Hence, the correct relation is
m = m₀ / (1 – v²/c²)1/2

Question16. The unit of length convenient on the atomic scale is known as an angstrom and is denoted by Å: 1 Å = 10-10 m. The size of a hydrogen atom is about 0.5 Å. What is the total atomic volume in m3 of a mole of hydrogen atoms ?

Solution :
Radius of hydrogen atom, r = 0.5 Å = 0.5 × 10^-10 m
Volume of hydrogen atom = (4/3) π r³
= (4/3) × (22/7) × (0.5 × 10-10)³
= 0.524 × 10^-30 m³
1 mole of hydrogen contains 6.023 × 10²³ hydrogen atoms.
∴ Volume of 1 mole of hydrogen atoms = 6.023 × 10²³ × 0.524 × 10^–30
= 3.16 × 10^–7 m³

Question17. One mole of an ideal gas at standard temperature and pressure occupies 22.4 L (molar volume). What is the ratio of molar volume to the atomic volume of a mole of hydrogen ? (Take the size of hydrogen molecule to be about 1 Å). Why is this ratio so large ?

Solution :
Radius of hydrogen atom, r = 0.5 Å = 0.5 × 10^-10 m
Volume of hydrogen atom = (4/3) π r³
= (4/3) × (22/7) × (0.5 × 10^-10)3
= 0.524 × 10^-30 m³
Now, 1 mole of hydrogen contains 6.023 × 10²³ hydrogen atoms.
∴ Volume of 1 mole of hydrogen atoms, Va = 6.023 × 10²³ × 0.524 × 10^–30
= 3.16 × 10^–7 m³
Molar volume of 1 mole of hydrogen atoms at STP,
Vm = 22.4 L = 22.4 × 10^–3 m³

Hence, the molar volume is 7.08 × 10⁴ times higher than the atomic volume. For this reason, the inter-atomic separation in hydrogen gas is much larger than the size of a hydrogen atom.

Question18. Explain this common observation clearly : If you look out of the window of a fast moving train, the nearby trees, houses etc. seem to move rapidly in a direction opposite to the train’s motion, but the distant objects (hill tops, the Moon, the stars etc.) seem to be stationary. (In fact, since you are aware that you are moving, these distant objects seem to move with you).

Solution : Line of sight is defined as an imaginary line joining an object and an observer’s eye. When we observe nearby stationary objects such as trees, houses, etc. while sitting in a moving train, they appear to move rapidly in the opposite direction because the line of sight changes very rapidly.
On the other hand, distant objects such as trees, stars, etc. appear stationary because of the large distance. As a result, the line of sight does not change its direction rapidly.

Question19. The principle of ‘parallax’ in section 2.3.1 is used in the determination of distances of very distant stars. The baseline AB is the line joining the Earth’s two locations six months apart in its orbit around the Sun. That is, the baseline is about the diameter of the Earth’s orbit ≈ 3 × 10¹¹ m. However, even the nearest stars are so distant that with such a long baseline, they show parallax only of the order of 1″ (second) of arc or so. A parsec is a convenient unit of length on the astronomical scale. It is the distance of an object that will show a parallax of 1″ (second) of arc from opposite ends of a baseline equal to the distance from the Earth to the Sun. How much is a parsec in terms of meters?

Solution :
Diameter of Earth’s orbit = 3 × 10¹¹ m
Radius of Earth’s orbit, r = 1.5 × 10¹¹ m
Let the distance parallax angle be 1″ = 4.847 × 10^–6 rad.
Let the distance of the star be D.
Parsec is defined as the distance at which the average radius of the Earth’s orbit subtends an angle of 1″
Therefore, D = 1.5 × 10¹¹ /4.847 × 10^–6= 0.309 x 10¹⁷
= 0.309 × 10-6 ≈ 3.09 × 10¹⁶ m
Hence, 1 parsec ≈ 3.09 × 10¹⁶ m

Question20. The nearest star to our solar system is 4.29 light years away. How much is this distance in terms of parsecs? How much parallax would this star (named Alpha Centauri) show when viewed from two locations of the Earth six months apart in its orbit around the Sun?

Solution :
Distance of the star from the solar system = 4.29 ly
1 light year is the distance travelled by light in one year.
1 light year = Speed of light × 1 year
= 3 × 108 × 365 × 24 × 60 × 60 = 94608 × 10¹¹ m
∴ 4.29 ly = 405868.32 × 10¹¹ m
∵ 1 parsec = 3.08 × 10¹⁶ m
∴ 4.29 ly = 405868.32 × 1011 / 3.08 × 10¹⁶  =  1.32 par sec
Using the relation,
θ = d / D
where,
Diameter of Earth’s orbit, d = 3 × 10¹¹ m
Distance of the star from the earth, D = 405868.32  ×  10¹¹ m
∴ θ = 3 × 10¹¹ / 405868.32 × 10¹¹  =  7.39 × 10^-6 rad
But, 1 sec = 4.85 × 10^–6 rad
∴ 7.39 × 10^-6  rad =  7.39 × 10^-6  /  4.85 × 10^-6 =  1.52″

Question21. Precise measurements of physical quantities are a need of science. For example, to ascertain the speed of an aircraft, one must have an accurate method to find its positions at closely separated instants of time. This was the actual motivation behind the discovery of radar in World War II. Think of different examples in modern science where precise measurements of length, time, mass etc. are needed. Also, wherever you can, give a quantitative idea of the precision needed.

Solution : It is indeed very true that precise measurements of physical quantities are essential for the development of science. For example, ultra-shot laser pulses (time interval ∼ 10–15 s) are used to measure time intervals in several physical and chemical processes.
X-ray spectroscopy is used to determine the inter-atomic separation or inter-planer spacing.
The development of mass spectrometer makes it possible to measure the mass of atoms precisely.

Question22.  Just as precise measurements are necessary in science, it is equally important to be able to make rough estimates of quantities using rudimentary ideas and common observations. Think of ways by which you can estimate the following (where an estimate is difficult to obtain, try to get an upper bound on the quantity):
a. the total mass of rain-bearing clouds over India during the Monsoon
b. the mass of an elephant
c. the wind speed during a storm
d. the number of strands of hair on your head
e. the number of air molecules in your classroom.

Solution :
a.  During monsoons, a Metrologist records about 215 cm of rainfall in India i.e., the height of water column, h = 215 cm = 2.15 m
Area of country, A = 3.3 × 10¹² m²
Hence, volume of rain water, V = A × h = 7.09 × 10¹² m³
Density of water, ρ = 1 × 103 kg m^–3
Hence, mass of rain water = ρ × V = 7.09 × 10¹⁵ kg
Hence, the total mass of rain-bearing clouds over India is approximately 7.09 × 10¹⁵ kg.

b. Consider a ship of known base area floating in the sea. Measure its depth in sea (say d₁).

Volume of water displaced by the ship, V_b = A d₁

Now, move an elephant on the ship and measure the depth of the ship (d₂) in this case.

Volume of water displaced by the ship with the elephant on board, V_be= Ad₂

Volume of water displaced by the elephant = Ad₂ – Ad₁

Density of water = D

Mass of elephant = AD (d₂ – d₁)

c.  Wind speed during a storm can be measured by an anemometer. As wind blows, it rotates. The rotation made by the anemometer in one second gives the value of wind speed.

d. Area of the head surface carrying hair = A
With the help of a screw gauge, the diameter and hence, the radius of a hair can be determined. Let it be r.
∴Area of one hair = πr²
Number of strands of hair ≈ Total surface area / Area of one hair = A / πr²

e.  Let the volume of the room be V.
One mole of air at NTP occupies 22.4 l i.e., 22.4 × 10^–3 m³ volume.
Number of molecules in one mole = 6.023 × 10²³
∴Number of molecules in room of volume V
= 6.023 × 10²³ × V / 22.4 × 10^-3  =  134.915 × 1026 V  =  1.35 × 1028 V

Question23. The Sun is a hot plasma (ionized matter) with its inner core at a temperature exceeding 107 K, and its outer surface at a temperature of about 6000 K. At these high temperatures, no substance remains in a solid or liquid phase. In what range do you expect the mass density of the Sun to be, in the range of densities of solids and liquids or gases ? Check if your guess is correct from the following data : mass of the Sun = 2.0 × 10³⁰ kg, radius of the Sun = 7.0 × 10⁸ m.

Solution :
Mass of the Sun, M = 2.0 × 10³⁰ kg
Radius of the Sun, R = 7.0 × 10⁸ m

Volume V = 43��3

The density of the Sun is in the density range of solids and liquids. This high density is attributed to the intense gravitational attraction of the inner layers on the outer layer of the Sun.

Question24. When the planet Jupiter is at a distance of 824.7 million kilometers from the Earth, its angular diameter is measured to be 35.72″ of arc. Calculate the diameter of Jupiter.

Solution :
Distance of Jupiter from the Earth, D = 824.7  ×  10⁶ km = 824.7  × 10⁹ m
Angular diameter = 35.72″ = 35.72 × 4.874  ×  10^-6 rad
Diameter of Jupiter = d
Using the relation,
θ = d/ D
d = θ D = 824.7 × 10⁹  ×  35.72  ×  4.872 × 10^-6
= 143520.76  ×  10³ m = 1.435  ×  10⁵ Km

Additional Exercises

Question25. A man walking briskly in rain with speed v must slant his umbrella forward making an angle θ with the vertical. A student derives the following relation between θ and v : tan θ = v and checks that the relation has a correct limit: as v → 0, θ → 0, as expected. (We are assuming there is no strong wind and that the rain falls vertically for a stationary man). Do you think this relation can be correct ? If not, guess the correct relation.

Solution :
Incorrect; on dimensional ground
The relation is tan θ = ν
Dimension of R.H.S = M⁰ L¹ T^–1
Dimension of L.H.S = M⁰ L⁰ T⁰
(∵ The trigonometric function is considered to be a dimensionless quantity)
Dimension of R.H.S is not equal to the dimension of L.H.S. Hence, the given relation is not correct dimensionally.
To make the given relation correct, the R.H.S should also be dimensionless. One way to achieve this is by dividing the R.H.S by the speed of rainfall ν’
Therefore, the relation reduces to
tan θ = ν / ν’
This relation is dimensionally correct.

Question26. It is claimed that two cesium clocks, if allowed to run for 100 years, free from any disturbance, may differ by only about 0.02 s. What does this imply for the accuracy of the standard cesium clock in measuring a time-interval of 1 s?

Solution :

Total time = 100 years = 100 x 365 x 24 x 60 x 60 s

Error in 100 years = 0.02 s
Error in 1 second=0.02/100 x 365 x 24 x 60 x 60
=6.34 x 10^-12 s
Accuracy of the standard cesium clock in measuring a time-interval of 1 s is 10^-12 s

Question27. Estimate the average mass density of a sodium atom assuming its size to be about 2.5 Å. (Use the known values of Avogadro’s number and the atomic mass of sodium). Compare it with the density of sodium in its crystalline phase : 970 kg m-3. Are the two densities of the same order of magnitude ? If so, why ?

Solution :
Diameter of sodium atom = Size of sodium atom = 2.5 Å
Radius of sodium atom, r = (1/2)  × 2.5 Å = 1.25  Å = 1.25 × 10^-10 m
Volume of sodium atom, V = (4/3) π r³
= (4/3) × 3.14 × (1.25  ×  10^-10)³ = V_Sodium
According to the Avogadro hypothesis, one mole of sodium contains 6.023 × 10²³ atoms and has a mass of 23 g or 23  ×  10^–3 kg.
∴ Mass of one atom = 23  × 10^-3 / 6.023  × 10²³  Kg = m₁
Density of sodium atom, ρ = m₁ /  V_Sodium
Substituting the value from above, we get
Density of sodium atom,  ρ =4.67  × 10^-3 Kg m^-3
It is given that the density of sodium in crystalline phase is 970 kg m^–3.

Hence, the density of sodium atom and the density of sodium in its crystalline phase are not in the same order. This is because in solid phase, atoms are closely packed. Thus, the inter-atomic separation is very small in the crystalline phase.

Question28. The unit of length convenient on the nuclear scale is a Fermi : 1 f = 10^-15 m. Nuclear sizes obey roughly the following empirical relation :
r = r₀ A 1/3
where r is the radius of the nucleus, A its mass number, and r0 is a constant equal to about, 1.2 f. Show that the rule implies that nuclear mass density is nearly constant for different nuclei. Estimate the mass density of sodium nucleus. Compare it with the average mass density of a sodium atom obtained in Exercise. 2.27.

Solution :
Radius of nucleus r is given by the relation,
r = r₀ A 1/3
r₀ = 1.2 f = 1.2 × 10^-15 m
Volume of nucleus, V = (4 / 3)  π r³
= (4 / 3) π  (r₀ A1/3)³  =  (4 / 3)  π r₀ A    ….. (i)

Now, the mass of a nuclei M is equal to its mass number i.e.,
M = A amu = A × 1.66 × 10^–27 kg
Density of nucleus, ρ = Mass of nucleus / Volume of nucleus
= A X 1.66 × 10^-27 / (4/3) π r₀³ A
= 3 X 1.66 × 10-27 / 4 π r0³  Kg m^-3

his relation shows that nuclear mass depends only on constant r0. Hence, the nuclear mass densities of all nuclei are nearly the same.
Density of sodium nucleus is given by,
ρ_Sodium = 3 ×  1.66  × 10^-27 / 4  ×  3.14  ×  (1.2 × 10^-15)³
= 4.98 × 10¹⁸ / 21.71 = 2.29 × 10¹⁷ Kg m^-3

Question29. A LASER is a source of very intense, monochromatic, and unidirectional beam of light. These properties of a laser light can be exploited to measure long distances. The distance of the Moon from the Earth has been already determined very precisely using a laser as a source of light. A laser light beamed at the Moon takes 2.56 s to return after reflection at the Moon’s surface. How much is the radius of the lunar orbit around the Earth?

Solution :
Time taken by the laser beam to return to Earth after reflection from the Moon = 2.56 s
Speed of light = 3 × 10⁸ m/s
Time taken by the laser beam to reach Moon  = 1 / 2 × 2.56 = 1.28 s
Radius of the lunar orbit = Distance between the Earth and the Moon = 1.28 × 3 × 10⁸ = 3.84 × 10⁸ m = 3.84 × 10⁵ km

Question30. A SONAR (sound navigation and ranging) uses ultrasonic waves to detect and locate objects under water. In a submarine equipped with a SONAR the time delay between generation of a probe wave and the reception of its echo after reflection from an enemy submarine is found to be 77.0 s. What is the distance of the enemy submarine?
(Speed of sound in water = 1450 m s^-1).

Solution :
Let the distance between the ship and the enemy submarine be ‘S’.
Speed of sound in water = 1450 m/s
Time lag between transmission and reception of Sonar waves = 77 s
In this time lag, sound waves travel a distance which is twice the distance between the ship and the submarine (2S).
Time taken for the sound to reach the submarine = 1/2 × 77 = 38.5 s
∴ Distance between the ship and the submarine (S) = 1450 × 38.5 = 55825 m = 55.8 km

Question31. The farthest objects in our Universe discovered by modern astronomers are so distant that light emitted by them takes billions of years to reach the Earth. These objects (known as quasars) have many puzzling features, which have not yet been  satisfactorily  explained. What is the distance in km of a quasar from which light takes 3.0 billion years to reach us ?

Solution :
Time taken by quasar light to reach Earth = 3 billion years

= 3 × 10⁹ years

= 3 × 10⁹ × 365 × 24 × 60 × 60 s

Speed of light = 3 × 10⁸ m/s

Distance between the Earth and quasar

= (3 × 10⁸) × (3 × 10⁹ × 365 × 24 × 60 × 60)

= 283824 × 10²⁰ m

= 2.8 × 10²² km

Question32. It is a well known fact that during a total solar eclipse the disk of the moon almost completely covers the disk of the Sun. From this fact and from the information you can gather from examples 2.3 and 2.4, determine the approximate diameter of the moon.

Solution :

From examples 2.3 and 2.4  we get the following data

Distance of the Moon from Earth = 3.84 x 10⁸ m

Distance of the Sun from Earth = 1.496 x 10¹¹ m

Sun’s diameter = 1.39 x 10⁹ m

Sun’s angular diameter,θ = 1920″ = 1920 x 4.85 x 10^-6 rad = 9.31 x 10^-3 rad [1″ = 4.85 x 10^-6 rad]

During a total solar eclipse, the disc of the moon completely covers the disc of the sun, so the angular diameter of both the sun and the moon must be equal.

Therefore, Angular diameter of the moon, θ = 9.31 x 10^-3 rad
The earth-moon distance, S = 3.8452 x 10⁸ m

Therefore, the diameter of the moon, D = θ x S
= 9.31 x 10^-3 x 3.8452 x 10⁸ m = 35.796 x 10⁵ m

Question33. A great physicist of this century (P.A.M. Dirac) loved playing with numerical values of Fundamental constants of nature. This led him to an interesting observation. Dirac found that from the basic constants of atomic physics (c, e, mass of electron, mass of proton) and the gravitational constant G, he could arrive at a number with the dimension of time. Further, it was a very large number, its magnitude being close to the present estimate on the age of the universe (~15 billion years). From the table of fundamental constants in this book, try to see if you too can construct this number (or any other interesting number you can think of). If its coincidence with the age of the universe were significant, what would this imply for the constancy of fundamental constants?

Solution :

The values of different fundamental constants are given below:

We have to try to make permutations and combinations of the universal constants and see if there can be any such combination whose dimensions come out to be the dimensions of time. One such combination is: