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Chapter1
Physical Quantities
- a quantity that can be measured.
- consists of a numerical magnitude and a unit.

International System of Units (SI unit)
Physical quantities are quantities that can be measured. They can be classified into:
(i) Base quantities
A base quantities is a quantity that cannot beexpressed in terms of other quantities.


(ii) Derived quantities
A derived quantity is a quantity that is a combination of base quantities by meant of
multiplication, division or both.

To make working with units easier, some derived units are given special names.



Prefix and standard form
-A prefix is a letter placed before a unit of measurement to act as the multiplier of the unit
- their symbols and the multipliers they represent are as follows:

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Scalar Quantities : quantity which has only magnitude or size [eg. Mass, length, speed,
volume]
Vector quantities: quantity which has magnitude or size and direction [ eg. Velocity, force,
displacement and acceleration]

Length:
A rule (ruler) is used to measure length for distances between 1mm and 1meter; the SI unit
for length is the meter (m)
To find out the volume of a regular object, you can use a mathematical formula, you just
need to make a couple of length measurements.
To measure the volume of an irregular object you have to put the object into measuring
cylinder with water. When you add the object it displaces the water, making the water level
rise. Measure this rise. This is the volume of your object.

Time:
An interval of time is measured using clocks, the SI unit for time is the second(s)
To find the amount of time it takes a pendulum to make a spin, time ~25 circles and then
divide by the same number as the number of circles.
Oscillation: each complete to-and- fro motion is one oscillation
Period: time take for one complete oscillation

Precision
- the smallest unit an instrument can measure
Place your eye directly above the markings to avoid PARALLAX ERRORS.
Precision of metre rule is 0.1cm or 1mm.
Precision of vernier calipers is 0.01cm.
Precision of micrometer screw gauge is 0.01mm.

Accuracy and consistency in measurements
1. Accuracy : the ability of an instrument to measure nearest to the actual value
2. Consistency: the ability of an instrument to measure consistently with little or no
relative deviation among readings
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3. Sensitivity: the ability of an instrument to detect small change in the quantity
measured