PHY130

CHAPTER 1
SYSTEM OF UNITS

1.0

INTRODUCTION

The words physics comes from the Greek word which means nature. Physics was
conceived as a study of the natural phenomena around us.

Each theory in physics involves:

a. A few concept or physical quantities.
b. Assumptions in order to obtain a mathematical model
c. Procedures to relate mathematical models to actual measurement from experiments
d. Relationship between various physical concepts
e. Experimental proofs to devise explanations to natural phenomena

1.1

PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

Physics is based on quantities known as physical quantities. A physical quantity is a

quantity that can be measured.
Examples:
length
volume
mass
time
speed
weigth
temperature
area
electric current

We deal with physical quantities in our daily life, whether we realize it or not. In fact,
we use physical quantities in our observation and measurement.
For example, when we say, The boy took about 10 minutes to walk to the shop. 10
minutes is the measurement of time.
Thus, time is a physical quantity since we can measure it.
One more example, when we say, The length of the stick is 2 meters. Here, length is
the physical quantity and its measurement is 2 meter.
There are two types of physical quantity:
a) Basic quantities
b) Derived quantities

a) Basic quantity:
Quantities that are independent, that is cannot be defined in terms of any other physical
quantities.

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Table 1: Base quantities and their SI base units

Basic Quantity
Length

Base Unit

Symbol

Meter

Mass

Kilogram

Kg

Time

Second

Electric current

Ampere

Thermodynamic Temperature

Kelvin

Quantity of matter

Mole

mol

b)

Derived
quantities:
Quantities that are independent, that is can be defined in terms of any other physical
quantities via mathematical process of multiplication and division.

Table 2: Derived quantities and their units

Quantity

Unit

Abbreviation

In terms of base units

Newton

kg.ms-2

Energy & Work

Joule

kg.m2s-2

Power

Watt

kg.m2s-3

Pressure

Pascal

Pa

kg/(m.s2)

Force

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Do you know what the SI unit means?

1.1.1

PREFIXES

SI unit is an International System of Units that is accepted by the

Eleventh Conference of Weights and Measures in 1960. It is used
in science and technology all over the world.

Prefixes are used

to denote very big or small quantities.
Large values in SI units are shortening by using prefixes.
Prefixes for the various powers of ten and their abbreviation are listed in the Table 3
below:
Table 3: Prefixes
Factor

Prefix

Symbol

10-1

Deci

10-2

Centi

10-3

Mili

10-6

Micro

10-9

Nano

10-12

Pico

10-15

Femto

10-18

Ato

101

Deka

da

102

Hecto

103

Kilo

106

Mega

109

Giga

1012

Tera

1015

Peta

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Example 1:
Express the following values without their SI prefixes:
(a) 6.8 n s
(b) 20000 M W
Solution:
(a) 6.8 ns = 6.8 x 10-9 s
(b) 20000 M W = 20000 x 106 W

1.1.2

CONVERSION OF UNITS
Sometimes, it is necessary to convert one system of units to another or one prefix to
another.
Conversion Factor:
Numerical factor used to multiply or divide a quantity, expressed in one set of units.

Table 4: List of Conversion Factors

Quantity
Length

Conversion Factor
1 km = 1000 m = 103m
1 m = 100 cm
1 ft = 0.3048 m = 30.48
cm
1 in = 2.54 cm = 25.4
mm
1 m = 39.37 in = 3.281 ft

Mass

Time

1 kg = 1000g
1 metric ton = 103 kg
1 slug = 14.59 kg
1 h = 60 min
1 min = 60 s
1 h = 3600 s

Force

1 N = 105 dyne

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Example 2:
What is the height in centimeters of a woman who is 5 feet and 6 inches tall?
Solution:
1ft = 30.48cm
5ft = 5 x 30.48cm
= 152.4cm
1in = 2.54cm
6in = 6 x 2.54cm
= 15.24cm
Height in centimeters of a woman is:
= 152.4cm + 15.24cm
= 167.64cm
=168cm

1.2

DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

Dimension shows how physical quantities are related to their basic quantities.
Dimensions tell us about the nature of the physical quantity but not give any idea
about the magnitude.
For example, the basic quantity of displacement is length. The basic quantity of
period is time.

1.2.1

Method to write the dimension of physical quantity

Method 1:
We can use the square bracket [ ], and put the symbol of physical quantity inside
the square bracket [ ]. For example, we can denote the dimension of
displacement as [s] and the dimension of time as [t].
Method 2:
We can use the dimensional form of any physical quantity in capital letter:
(i)
Dimension of length, [l] = L
(ii)
Dimension of mass, [m] = M

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1.2.2

(iii)
Dimension of time, [t[ = T
where L, M and T are the symbol of dimension for its physical quantity.
Application of dimension analysis
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

To determine the SI unit of any physical quantity.

To check the homogeneity/ consistency/ of an equation and to prove the
validity of an equation.
To construct an equation.

Example 3:
Find the SI unit of density.
Solution:
m
Write the formula of density as: v

where m is the mass and V is the volume.

The dimensional form of this equation is:

m M3
V L

M L3

kg m3
Therefore the SI unit of the density is kg m3.

Example 4:
Show that the equation of v = u + at is dimensionally consistent.
Solution:
We can write the dimensional form of the equation as: [v] = LT-1.
Then, consider each term at the right hand side (RHS) of the equation.
[u] = LT-1
[a][t] = LT-2(T) = LT-1
Compare dimension LHS with RHS.

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We see that each term in this formula has the same dimensions. Thus, this
equation is dimensionally consistent and it is homogen.
Example 5:
If acceleration is related to speed and radius by the following expression, a = krx vy, find
the values of x and y that makes this expression dimensionally consistent.
Solution:
Firstly, write the given expression as: a = krx vy
The dimensional form of this equation is:
[a] = [k][rx][vy]
LT-2 = Lx (LT-1)y = LxLyT-y = Lx+y T-y
Compare the power of each dimension on both sides:
L:

1=x+y

..(1)

T:

-2 = -y

..(2)

From (2): y = 2, substitute this value in (1)

1=x+2
x = -1
Substitute the numerical values of x and y into the expression of a as shown below:
a = krx vy
= kr-1 v2
= k

v2
r