When two persons measure an object, it should result in a uniform value. When you get a uniform value, an accurate and reliable measurement arrives for a judgement or result. Universally, all these measurements should result in the same value. A common set of units of measurement which helps to bring in uniformity, known as standard units of measurement, is introduced.
Later, SI units of measurement were introduced for the standardisation of the measurement. To quantify the exact size and shape of objects, the concept of dimensional analysis was found. In this article, let us learn in detail about the standard units of measurement and dimensional analysis.
Standardisation of Measurement
We identify the things in the environment based on colour, structure and composition. Likewise, when we measure an object, we need to know various parameters like length, area, weight, mass, and volume. To measure the hotness or coldness parameter, known as the temperature, is used in different scales. For example, 1-foot measures around 0.3 metres, which is 30 cm. How do you buy land to construct the house? Before you buy, you need to know the dimension of the site/plot on which you are investing. So how do you measure? In this type of situation, standard unit measurements come into the picture.
The body/object that is to be measured gives different values in each system. Hence, standard units of measurement help in fetching uniform values across the globe. The globally used standard systems of measurement are:
- US Customary System
- British Imperial System
- International System of Units (SI) units
The metric system revolves around the observable features of nature. Advancements in metrics systems over time are globally welcomed as the International System of Units, known as the SI System. Some of the SI units of measurement are mole (mol), metre (m), kelvin (K), the ampere (A), the second (s), the candela (cd), and the kilogram (kg).
For example, metre (m) is the base unit; we add prefixes like Kilo, Deca, Mega, and Hecto to measure large units. The seven quantities and their units of measurement are length (metre), time (seconds), temperature (kelvin), electric current (ampere), luminous intensity (candela), and mass (kilogram).
What is the Factor Label Method?
The factor label method is also known as dimensional analysis or unit factor method. The dimensional analysis method helps obtain the relationship between physical quantities using the units of measurement and dimensions. This method is one of the important ways of measurement since the units are the same and help in performing mathematical calculations effortlessly.
Do you know the dimension of potential energy and electric charge? The dimension of potential energy is [M^1 L^2 T^-3 I^-1]. The dimension of electric charge is [M^0 L^0 T^1 I^1].
In daily life, measurements play an important role in accurate and efficient working. It is one of the ways to record or measure a given object. It is also one of the universally accepted methods of describing an object specifically. Describing the parameters or values using standard units of measurement reduces uncertainty and conveys the value in a more specific way.
