Introduction
Prepare for JEE, NEET, and CBSE Board Class 11 exams with our comprehensive study material, including FAQs, MCQs, explanations, and worksheets. Get high-quality learning resources at Anand Technical Publishers.
The Seven Base Units of Measurement
1. Length – Metre (m)
- Defined as the length of the path traveled by light in a vacuum in exactly 1/299,792,458 seconds.
- Based on the fundamental speed of light, c = 299,792,458 m/s.
2. Time – Second (s)
- Defined by 9,192,631,770 periods of oscillations of light emitted by a caesium-133 atom.
- Determined using highly precise atomic clocks.
3. Mass – Kilogram (kg)
- Defined by a prototype platinum-iridium cylinder kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris.
- The mass of a cylinder made of platinum-iridium alloy kept at International Bureau of Weights and Measures is defined as 1 kg.
- On atomic scale, 1 kilogram is equivalent to the mass of 5.0188 × 1025 atoms of 6C12 (an isotope of carbon).
- Standardized worldwide for accurate weight measurement.
4. Electric Current – Ampere (A)
- Defined as the constant current that produces a force of 2 × 10⁻⁷ newton per metre between two parallel conductors 1 metre apart in a vacuum.
- Chosen because measuring current is more practical than measuring charge.
5. Temperature – Kelvin (K)
- Defined as 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water.
- The triple point of water is where solid, liquid, and gas states coexist.
6. Amount of Substance – Mole (mol)
- Defined as the amount of substance that contains as many entities as 0.012 kg of carbon-12.
- A mole contains Avogadro’s number of particles.
7. Luminous Intensity – Candela (cd)
- Defined as the luminous intensity of a source emitting radiation at 540 × 10¹² Hz.
- With a radiant intensity of 1/683 watt per steradian in a given direction.
FAQs on SI Base Units
Q1: Why is the speed of light used to define a metre? A1: The speed of light is a universal constant, making it a highly precise standard for defining length.
Q2: What is the significance of the second being based on caesium-133? A2: The oscillations of caesium-133 provide an extremely stable and accurate measure of time.
Q3: Why is electric current measured in amperes instead of charge? A3: Measuring current is easier and more practical than directly measuring charge.
MCQs on SI Base Units
Q1: What is the base unit of luminous intensity?
- (A) Watt
- (B) Joule
- (C) Candela
- (D) Ampere
Answer: (C) Candela
Explanation: Candela (cd) is the SI unit of luminous intensity.
Q2: The Kelvin scale is based on which fundamental physical concept?
- (A) Boiling point of water
- (B) Triple point of water
- (C) Freezing point of mercury
- (D) Average kinetic energy of particles
Answer: (B) Triple point of water
Explanation: The Kelvin scale is defined using the triple point of water.
Test Your Knowledge
SI Base Units Quiz
Worksheet on SI Base Units
- Define the following SI base units:
- (a) Metre
- (b) Second
- (c) Kilogram
- Convert the following measurements:
- (a) 5 kilograms to grams
- (b) 2 moles to number of entities (use Avogadro’s number)
- (c) 300 Kelvin to Celsius
- Fill in the blanks:
- (a) The SI unit of electric current is ___.
- (b) 1 mole contains ___ atoms/molecules.
- (c) The SI unit of time is ___.
For comprehensive study materials, worksheets, and practice questions for JEE, NEET, and CBSE Board Class 11 exams, visit Anand Technical Publishers.
Proprietor: NIRMAL ANAND Educations
Written by: Neeraj Anand
Published by: Anand Technical Publishers
Contact: +91-9463138669
Email: anandclasses1996@gmail.com