📘 Chapter 1: Physical Quantities and Measurements – MCQs
Prepared by Muhammad Tayyab, Subject Specialist Physics, Govt Christian High School Daska. Based on PECTAA 2026 syllabus (National Curriculum 2023).
📖 What's Inside: This section covers multiple choice questions from Chapter 1 Physical Quantities and Measurements including measuring instruments (micrometer screw gauge, Vernier Callipers), SI units (femtometre, light year), non-physical quantities, meniscus reading, volume measurement, significant figures, and Vernier constant. Each question includes a detailed explanation as per the official PECTAA 2026 Physics curriculum. Perfect for Punjab Boards (Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, etc.) and all BISE boards across Pakistan.
📚 Related Resources – Chapter 1: Physical Quantities and Measurements
📋 Exercise Short Qs
📝 Short Qs
📖 Comprehensive Qs
🔢 Numerical Problems
✅ MCQs
✏️ Constructed Response
Physical Quantities and Measurements covers fundamental concepts of measurement, SI units, and measuring instruments.
📝 Multiple Choice Questions (PECTAA 2026)
1.1 The instrument that is most suitable for measuring the thickness of a few sheets of cardboard is:
✅ Correct Answer: (D) Micrometer screw gauge
A micrometer screw gauge is used to measure very small thicknesses and diameters accurately. A few sheets of cardboard have a small thickness, so a micrometer screw gauge is most suitable.
A micrometer screw gauge is used to measure very small thicknesses and diameters accurately. A few sheets of cardboard have a small thickness, so a micrometer screw gauge is most suitable.
1.2 One femtometre is equal to:
✅ Correct Answer: (B) \(10^{-15} \text{ m}\)
One femtometre (fm) is equal to \(10^{-15} \text{ m}\). The prefix "femto" represents \(10^{-15}\).
One femtometre (fm) is equal to \(10^{-15} \text{ m}\). The prefix "femto" represents \(10^{-15}\).
1.3 A light year is a unit of:
✅ Correct Answer: (C) Distance
A light year is the distance covered by light in one year. It is a unit of distance used in astronomy.
A light year is the distance covered by light in one year. It is a unit of distance used in astronomy.
1.4 Which one is a non-physical quantity?
✅ Correct Answer: (C) Colour
Colour cannot be measured using tools and instruments; it is a non-physical quantity. Distance, density, and temperature can all be measured.
Colour cannot be measured using tools and instruments; it is a non-physical quantity. Distance, density, and temperature can all be measured.
1.5 When using a measuring cylinder, one precaution to take is to:
✅ Correct Answer: (D) Position the eye in line with the bottom of the meniscus
The reading is taken corresponding to the bottom edge of the surface (for water). Keep your eye in front and in line with the lower meniscus of the water to avoid parallax error.
The reading is taken corresponding to the bottom edge of the surface (for water). Keep your eye in front and in line with the lower meniscus of the water to avoid parallax error.
1.6 Volume of water consumed by you per day is estimated in:
✅ Correct Answer: (B) Litre
Volume of water consumed by you per day is estimated in litres. A litre is a common unit for measuring liquid volumes in daily life.
Volume of water consumed by you per day is estimated in litres. A litre is a common unit for measuring liquid volumes in daily life.
1.7 A displacement can be used to measure:
✅ Correct Answer: (D) Volume of a solid
A displacement can is used to measure the volume of a solid by water displacement method. The solid displaces water equal to its volume.
A displacement can is used to measure the volume of a solid by water displacement method. The solid displaces water equal to its volume.
1.8 Two rods with lengths 12.321 cm and 10.3 cm are placed side by side, the difference in their lengths is:
✅ Correct Answer: (B) 2.0 cm
12.321 − 10.3 = 2.021 cm. When subtracting, the answer should have the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the fewest decimal places (10.3 has 1 decimal place), so the answer is 2.0 cm.
12.321 − 10.3 = 2.021 cm. When subtracting, the answer should have the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the fewest decimal places (10.3 has 1 decimal place), so the answer is 2.0 cm.
1.9 Four students measure the diameter of a cylinder with Vernier Callipers. Which of the following readings is correct?
✅ Correct Answer: (C) 3.47 cm
Vernier Callipers can measure length correct up to 0.1 mm (0.01 cm), so the reading should have 2 decimal places in cm. Therefore, 3.47 cm is the correct reading.
Vernier Callipers can measure length correct up to 0.1 mm (0.01 cm), so the reading should have 2 decimal places in cm. Therefore, 3.47 cm is the correct reading.
1.10 Which of the following measures are likely to represent the thickness of a sheet of this book?
✅ Correct Answer: (B) \(1 \times 10^{-4} \text{ m}\)
The thickness of a sheet of book is typically about 0.1 mm = \(1 \times 10^{-4} \text{ m}\).
The thickness of a sheet of book is typically about 0.1 mm = \(1 \times 10^{-4} \text{ m}\).
1.11 In a Vernier Callipers ten smallest divisions of the Vernier scale are equal to nine smallest divisions of the main scale. If the smallest division of the main scale is half millimetre, the Vernier constant is equal to:
✅ Correct Answer: (C) 0.05 mm
1 Main Scale Division = 0.5 mm
Number of Vernier Scale Divisions = 10
Least count = \(\frac{1 \text{ M.S div}}{\text{No. of V.S divisions}} = \frac{0.5 \text{ mm}}{10} = 0.05 \text{ mm}\)
1 Main Scale Division = 0.5 mm
Number of Vernier Scale Divisions = 10
Least count = \(\frac{1 \text{ M.S div}}{\text{No. of V.S divisions}} = \frac{0.5 \text{ mm}}{10} = 0.05 \text{ mm}\)
📊 Your Score: 0 / 11
💡 Exam Tip:
For MCQs, read each question carefully and eliminate obviously wrong options first. Pay attention to units, prefixes (femto, nano, micro), and significant figures. Understanding the least count of instruments and physical vs non-physical quantities is crucial. These questions follow the PECTAA 2026 pattern and are prepared by Subject Specialist Muhammad Tayyab.
Chapter 1✨ Physical Quantities and Measurements
Chapter 2Kinematics
Chapter 3Dynamics
Chapter 4Turning Effect of Forces
Chapter 5Work and Energy
Chapter 6Mechanical Properties of Matter
Chapter 7Thermal Properties of Matter
Chapter 8Magnetism
Chapter 9Nature of Science
📖 Complete syllabus coverage for Class 9 Physics (PECTAA 2026) – Chapters 1 to 9
Created by Hira Science Academy | Aligned with PECTAA 2026 Syllabus