UNITS & DIMENSIONS

Topics

Doing Physics

Realms of Physics

Measurement and Units

Dimensional Analysis
Significant digits

By N.Sridhar

Doing Physics
Physics is the study of the fundamental laws of nature.
These laws help us to understand the physical
universe.
Physics is also the study of the behavior and structure
of matter and how matter and energy are related to
each other.
The word physics has originated from the Greek
word physic which means nature.

By N.Sridhar

The scientific inquiry has been refined through the ages and the pattern developed
to find out the solutions is called the scientific method.

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Physics, Technology and Society

Physics is a basic, fundamental science. It is interconnected with all other natural
sciences such as chemistry, and biology. We may find that many technological
advances based on these sciences have roots in physical laws.

Shows the highly precise and convenient laser eye surgery which has repaired the eyesight of
millions around the world.

By N.Sridhar

Solar power and wind power promising the

clean fuel for future

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Realms of Physics
Studying everything is a bit of a challenge
Divide physics into different areas of study:

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Fundamental and Derived Quantities

We can conveniently classify physical quantities into two categories: fundamental and
derived quantities.
System of Units
A complete set of units, both fundamental and derived, for all kinds of quantities is called
a system of units.
(a)The FPS System. The FPS system uses foot as a unit of length, the pound as a unit of
mass and the second as a unit of time.
(b) The CGS System. The CGS system uses centimetre as a unit of length, the gram as a
unit of mass and the second as a unit of time.
(c) The MKS system. The MKS system is a system of units based on the metre, the
kilogram and the second as the units of length, mass and time respectively.
This system was adopted by the International Electrotechnical Commission and was put
into universal use on 1st January, 1940.

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The International System of Units; the SI Units

The SI is an extension and refinement of the various traditional forms of the metric
system. The name SI is an abbreviation for systme International d unites,
The SI has seven primary or fundamental units

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By N.Sridhar

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Length
Distance

Length (m)

Radius of Visible Universe

To Andromeda Galaxy
To nearest star
Earth to Sun
Radius of Earth

1 x 1026
2 x 1022
4 x 1016
1.5 x 1011
6.4 x 106

Sears Tower
Football Field
Tall person
Thickness of paper
Wavelength of blue light
Diameter of hydrogen atom
Diameter of proton

4.5 x 102
1.0 x 102
2 x 100
1 x 10-4
4 x 10-7
1 x 10-10
1 x 10-15
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Mass
Object

Mass (kg)

visible universe

~ 1052

Milky Way galaxy

7 x 1041

Sun

2 x 1030

Earth

6 x 1024

Boeing 747

4 x 105

Car

1 x 103

Student

7 x 101

Dust particle

1 x 10-9

Bacterium

1 x 10-15

Proton

2 x 10-27

Electron

9 x 10-31
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Time
Interval

Time (s)

Age of Universe

5 x 1017

Age of Grand Canyon

3 x 1014

Avg age of college student

6.3 x 108

One year

3.2 x 107

One hour

3.6 x 103

Light travel from Earth to Moon

1.3 x 100

One cycle of guitar A string

2 x 10-3

One cycle of FM radio wave

6 x 10-8

One cycle of visible light

1 x 10-15

Time for light to cross a proton

1 x 10-24

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The Multiples and Submultiples in SI

When the SI units are either too large or too small in reference to a particular physical
quantity, their multiples or submultiples in powers of ten are used. The table, given
below, gives standard names of the multiples and submultiples which can be prefixed
to the name of the unit concerned:

By N.Sridhar

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