Physical quantities

1. A physical quantity is a quantity that can be measured, i.e. mass,

speed, length, etc.
2. A non-physical quantity is a quantity that cannot be measured, i.e.
beauty, loyalty, feelings...
3. A physical quantity consists of a numerical magnitude and a unit.
4. Physical quantities are classified into base quantities and derived
quantities.

Mass of a book = 2000 g


(physical quantity) (numerical magnitude) (unit)

Base quantity

Unit

Symbol

Length

Metre

M

Mass

Kilogram

kg

Time

Second

s

Temperature

Kelvin

K

Current

Ampere

A

Amount of
substance

Mole

mol

Luminosity

Candela

cd
Prefix Symbol Multiplication factor
Yotta Y 1 x 10
24

Zetta Z 1 x 10
21

Exa E 1 x 10
18

Peta P 1 x 10
15

Tera T 1 x 10
12

Giga G 1 x 10
9

Mega M 1 x 10
6

Kilo k 1 x 10
3

Hecto h 1 x 10
2

Deca da 1 x 10
1

Deci d 1 x 10
-1

Centi c 1 x 10
-2

Milli m 1 x 10
-3

Micro 1 x 10
-6

Nano n 1 x 10
-9

Pico p 1 x 10
-12

Femto f 1 x 10
-15

Atto a 1 x 10
-18

Zepto z 1 x 10
-21

Yocto y 1 x 10
-24


Young Zookeeper Explores Planet

That Giant Man kiss his daddy

david cute mouse must not pee

father and zombie yell


1. If the mass of a wooden block is m kg and its temperature is K, its
heat content in joules (J) is given by the formula, = . Where
c is the specific heat capacity. What is the unit of c?
Solution:
, =
=

Derived unit of c =

=
1

1


2. Gravitational force is given by =

2
where
1
dan
2
are the
masses of two objects whereas R is the separation between the two objects.
Find the derived units of G, the universal gravitational constant.
Solution:
, =

2
= G
1

2

=

2

Derived unit of G =

2

2

G =
3

1


1.4 Unit consistency & conversions
1) 0.03 m = _____ cm





2) 2 10
9
s = ________ ns





3) 7200
1
= ____________ m
1

n
4) 123
3
= ___________
3





5) 2.16
2
= ________
2


a) 22 has two significant figures
22.3 has three significant figures.

b) With zeroes, the situation is more complicated:
i) Zeroes placed before other figures are not significant; 0.046 has
two significant figures.
ii) Zeroes placed between other figures are always significant; 4009 kg
has four significant figures.
iii) Zeroes placed after other figures but behind a decimal point are
significant; 7.90 has three significant figures.



c) 8200 has how many significant figures?
Normally is 2.
But better if you can write as below:

(i)8.200 10
3
has four significant figures
(ii) 8.20 10
3
has three significant figures
(iii) 8.2 10
3
has two significant figures

1. How many significant figures does each of the following numbers
have?
a) 1230 b) 0.012 c) 0.0120 d) 12.30 e) 1.23 10
4

3
2
3
4
3