What are measurements? (Importance, 2025)

With measurement, it would be easier to create an electronic circuit as we need a specific amount of current and voltage for making a circuit.

The process in which we weigh or measure any physical quantity of material with the help of equipment and instruments is called measurement. By physical quantity, we mean the properties of material like mass, length, and different physical quantities like speed distance, force, and momentum. We need measurement for precision and accuracy and it is also very important for global communication and collaboration.

This article aims to provide an in-depth understanding of measurements, their significance, and the reasons why they are indispensable.

Measurements

There will not be a single day in our lives where we don’t talk about measurements. Whenever we cook, we have to add the species after measuring its quantity.

In school, we have to measure the time for class to give equal attention to every subject.

In the field of electronic engineering, measurements play a vital role in designing, analyzing, and verifying the performance of electronic systems and devices.

So it means that measurement is not only important in our daily life but equally important in electronic and system design.

In electronics, we use multimeters along with other tools for measurements.

Let’s talk about what actual word measurements mean in detail.

Measurement is the fundamental concept in physics, mathematics, and engineering. It involves comparing the quantity being measured to a standard unit of measurement.

It is the process in which the physical quantity of the material is measured. We can also say measurement is assigning numbers or values to objects, events, or phenomena to quantify and compare them.

Physical quantity

In our daily lives, we encounter measurement situations like buying groceries, for example, 2kg apples or 4kg oranges. All these numbers are associated with measurements, and these quantities are known as physical quantities.

The property of material that can be measured is called physical quantity. It represents a measurable aspect of the physical world and anything that can be measured is called physical quantities.

Suppose you look around, you can measure the length of the table, your height, the time, and the temperature of the environment. There are various physical quantities in the world.

The physical quantity is defined by two factors, like a number and the unit, this is how we express measurements. When you are measuring your mass you have to add units with the numeric for better understanding.

If you say 50, what does it mean but if you say 50kg, it means you are talking about the mass. Every physical quantity has specified units that make physical quantities different from one another.

The units of physical quantity play a very important role in expressing them, the quantity can be extremely small or extremely large.

In the early stages, in different countries different units were used for the same physical qualities, for mass there are units like kilogram and gram.

This has caused a lot of confusion the International System of Units or the SI system was developed to prevent confusion. The SI system defines two sets of physical quantities: Base and Derive quantities.

1. Base quantities

Base quantities, also known as fundamental quantities, are a set of independent physical quantities from which all other derived quantities can be derived.

These quantities serve as the foundation for a system of measurement and are typically chosen in a way that they are mutually independent, meaning one cannot be expressed in terms of the others.

In the International System of Units (SI), there are seven base quantities defined:

Base Quantity	Unit	Symbol
Length	Meter	m
Mass	Kilogram	kg
Time	Second	s
Electric current	Ampere	A
Temperature	Kelvin	K
Amount of substance	Mole	mol
Luminous intensity	Candela	cd

By defining a set of base quantities, it becomes possible to establish a consistent and coherent system of measurement that is widely used across scientific, engineering, and everyday applications.

These base quantities provide the foundation for measuring and expressing other physical quantities.

2. Derived quantity

Derived quantities are physical quantities that are derived from combinations of one or more base quantities through mathematical operations or equations.

They are not considered fundamental or independent but are instead defined in terms of base quantities.

Derived quantities are created by combining base quantities using multiplication, division, exponentiation, or other mathematical operations.

Some examples of derived quantities include:

Derived quantity	Formula	Derived unit
Area	Length(m) X Length (m)	m^2
Volume	Length (m) X Width (m) X Height (m)	m^3
Density	mass(kg) /volume (m3)	kg/m^3
Velocity	Distance (m)/ time (s)	m/s
Acceleration	Velocity/time	m/s^2
Force	Mass (kg)/acceleration	kgm/s^2

As you can see all the quantities units are derived from base quantities that’s why they are called derived quantities.

These are just a few examples of derived quantities. In practice, numerous other derived quantities arise in various scientific, engineering, and everyday contexts.

Why do we need measurements?

Measurement is an essential aspect of our understanding and interaction with the physical world.

It provides a means to assign numerical values to physical quantities, enabling us to quantify, compare, and describe various aspects of our environment.

Here are several reasons why measurement is crucial:

1. Decision-making and problem solving

Measurement plays a pivotal role in decision-making and problem-solving by providing a quantitative foundation for analysis and evaluation.

Engineers, scientists, and professionals across various fields rely on measurements to identify the magnitude and nature of a problem, enabling them to develop targeted strategies.

Measurement allows you to make precise decisions to improve the overall effectiveness of the action.

2. Electronics

Measurement is also very important in electronics as we design different electronic circuits so for this we need to measure voltage, current, resistance, and many more things.

Measurements enable the identification of faults or malfunctions in circuits and devices, such as short circuits or incorrect voltage levels.

Measurements bridge the gap between theory and application, ensuring that electronic systems are functional, safe, and efficient.

3. Quality control

Measurement also plays a crucial role in quality control by helping ensure that products or processes meet specific standards and requirements.

Imagine you’re baking cookies, and you want each cookie to be the same size and perfectly cooked. This is where measurement comes in.

The same goes for the other larger manufacturing industries. So, in simple terms, measurement is like the ‘recipe’ that ensures every product meets the quality standards set by the baker or manufacturer.

4. Everyday life

In our daily lives, we always do measurements daily.

For instance, if a recipe calls for two cups of flour, it means you need to use a measuring cup to scoop up the flour until it reaches the specified level. This precision ensures that you add the right amount, avoiding a dish that’s too dry or too gooey.

In this way, measurements make our daily tasks more predictable and successful.

5. Scientific research

In scientific research, measurement is like the superhero that helps scientists. Imagine you’re a scientist trying to figure out how fast a car is moving.

To do this, you need to measure its speed. You might use a speedometer, a tool that gives you a number (measurement) in miles per hour or kilometers per hour (units).

This number helps you compare and explain how fast one car is compared to another. This is how measurement helps in various scientific research.

Conclusion

A basic idea that penetrates all parts of our life is measurement. From simple daily tasks to complex scientific examinations.

Measurement is the process of assigning a numerical value to a physical quantity. Anything that can be measured is called physical quantity.

There are two types of physical quantity: base quantity and derived quantity. The base quantity provides the base for the derived quantity.

Measurement is essential for decision-making, problem-solving, quality control, scientific research, precision and accuracy, and everyday tasks.

It is also very essential in electronics to design different electronic circuits efficiently.

This was all about the measurements and why measurement is so important.

This article will help you to clear your confession regarding measurement.