DBS1012

ENGINEERING
SCIENCE
PN SAFURAA BINTI MOHD BASIR
JABATAN MATEMATIK, SAINS DAN KOMPUTER

OVERVIEW

1.Understand physical quantities

Describe base quantities, derived quantities

and the International System of units.

Define scalar and vector quantities.

Solve problems of unit conversion.

2.

Interpret data of measurement

Describe inaccuracy and errors in measurement:

Apply techniques for measurement to

ensure accurate data by using
measurement equipments:
a.

Ruler

b.

Vernier Callipers

c.

Micrometer Screw Gauge

PHYSICAL QUANTITES
(Quantities that can be
measured)

BASE
QUANTITY
(Quantity that

CANNOT BE
DERIVED from
other physical
quantity)

DERIVED
QUANTITY
(Quantities that ARE
DERIVED from the
combination of several
base quantities by
multiplication and
division.

The International System of

Units (abbreviated SI from
systeme internationale , the
French version of the name) is
a scientific method of
expressing the magnitudes or
quantities of important natural
phenomena.

BASE QUANTITY
Base quantities : Physical quantity that
can not be
derived from other
physical
Base
Base
SI Unit
quantities.

Quantity

Length

Symbol

Quantity
Symbol

Meter

Mass

l
m

Kilogram

kg

Time

Second

Electric
Current

Ampere

Temperatu
re

Kelvin

Derived Quantity
Derived quantities : quantities that are derived from
the
combination of several base
quantities by multiplication or division.
Derived
Quantity
Area, A
Volume, V
Density,
Velocity, v
Acceleratio
n, a
Force, F
Pressure, P

Definition

SI Unit in
terms of base
units

Alternative
name for SI
unit

length x length

m2

length x length x
length

m3

mass / volume

kg m-3

length / time

m s-1

velocity / time

m s-2

momentum / time

kg m s-2

newton, N

force / area

kg m-1 s-2

pascal, Pa @ N
m-2

SCALAR & VECTOR QUANTITIES

Scalar quantities are physical quantities

with magnitude only.

Vector quantities are physical quantities
with direction and magnitude.
Some examples of scalar and vector
quantities:
Scalar Quantity
Vector Quantity
Speed
Displacement
Distance
Velocity
Volume
Acceleration
Temperature
Force
Time
Momentum

PREFIXES
Prefixes are the preceding factor used to
represent very small and very large
physical quantities in SI units.

Example :
Use the suitable prefixes to represent the
numbers below:
i) 2 500 000 watt
ii) 0.001 500 gram
Solutions:

1m=
_____mm

CONVERSION OF UNITS
List of some basic unit conversion

Change the following

quantities to the units shown.
a) 10 km = ____________m
b) 20 kg = _____________ g
c) 30 cm = ____________ m
d) 1.2 hours = _________ seconds
e) 45 cm2 = ____________ m2

CONVERSION OF UNITS
List of some basic unit conversion

Example: Complete the following unit

conversion

a) 12 kmh-1= __________ ms-1

b) 25 cm2 = __________m2

c) 31.8 g/cm3 = __________kg/m3

ERROR & types of error

Error is the difference between the
actual value of a quantity and the
value obtained in measurement
2 main types of
error:
1. Systematic Error
2. Random Error

SYSTEMATIC ERRORS
Systematic errors are errors that produce a result that
differs
from
the
true
value by a fixed amount and the measurement is always
Sources
of Systematic
errors: than
greater
or
less
the actual value.
Instruments

errors in scale (zero error)

errors in apparatus (damaged and is not in good condition)

Physical conditions of the surroundings

Temperature and atmospheric pressure

Physical limitations of the observer

reaction time varies from one person to another

Systematic error can be reduced by :
Conducting the experiment with care.
Repeating the experiment by using different
instruments.

RANDOM ERRORS
Random errors are errors of measurements in which the measured

quantities
differ from the mean value with different magnitudes and
directions.However
Random are
error
can cause
by:real value.
this readings
closed
to the
personal errors such as human limitations of sight and touch.
lack of sensitivity of the instrument: the instrument fail to respond to
the small change.
natural errors such as changes in temperature or wind, while the
experiment is in
progress.
wrong technique of measurement (parallax error).
Ways to reduce random errors
Taking repeated measurements to obtain
an average
value.
Maintaining good experimental technique
(e.g. reading from a correct position)

How to reduce
ERROR??
1. Conduct the
experiment with
care.
2. Repeat the
experiment by using
different
instrument.
3. Taking repeated
measurement to
obtain average
value.
4. Maintaining a good
experimental
technique.
5.

EXAMPLE OF MEASUREMENT TOOLS

STOP WATCH

MICROMETE
SCREW
R GAUGE
MEASURING
CYLINDER

RULER

VERNIER CALLIPER

BEAM BALANCE

MEASUREMENT AND MEASURING DEVICES

What we are going to do

today?
We are going to read and use the following
instruments in measuring certain quantities:
Ruler
measure
Vernier Callipers
length

Micrometer Screw Gauge

RULER
Ruler: A ruler is used to measure lengths from a few
cm up to 1 m. A
meter rule has an accuracy of 0.1 cm (1 mm).
Precautions to be taken when using a ruler
(a) Ensure that the object is in contact
with the ruler to avoid inaccurate
readings.
(b) Avoid parallax errors.
(c) Avoid zero and end errors.
The ends of a ruler, which may be worn out,
are a source of errors in measurement.
Thus it is advisable to use the division
mark `1' of the scale as the zero point
when taking a measurement.

How to read from a ruler

Length of the block, l =3.2cm-1.0cm = 2.2 cm

RULER technique
Diagram below shows the correct
technique to use the meter ruler:

VERNIER CALLIPERS
Vernier caliper is more accurate than a ruler, since it has the
smaller scale of 0.1 mm.
Measure lengths of less than 10 cm.
Can be used to measure outer dimensions of objects (using the main
jaws), inside
dimensions (using the smaller jaws at the inside dimensions, and
How to Use a Vernier
Parts(using
of Vernier
Callipers
depths
the stem).
Callipers?
The accuracy is up to0.1 mm (0.01 cm).
1) To measure outer/inner
dimensions
of an object, the object is
placed
between the jaws, which are
then
moved together until they
secure the
object.
2) The screw clamp may then be
tightened to ensure that the
reading

VERNIER CALLIPERS - technique

Correct technique to use the vernier calipers:

1. Ambil bacaaan 0 , 0 berada antara 7.0mm dan 8.0mm

2. Ambil baca yang selari

antara bacaaan main scale
dengan Vernier scale, 0.5mm
3. Bacaaan = 7.5mm

MICROMETER SCREW GAUGE

A micrometer screw gauge is more accurate than a ruler and vernier calliper becaus
has the smallest scale of 0.01 mm.
The range of a micrometer is0-25 mm.
The accuracy of a micrometer is up to0.01 mm.
How to Use a Micrometer?
Parts of Micrometer Screw Gauge
1) Turn the thimble until the
object is gripped gently
between the anvil and
spindle.
2) Turn the ratchet knob until a
"click" sound is heard. This is
to prevent exerting too much
pressure on the object
measured.
3)Take the reading.

MICROMETER SCREW GAUGE - technique

MICROMETER SCREW GAUGE - exercise

Determine the reading of the micrometer screw
gauge below: