CHAPTER 1

PHYSICAL QUANTITIES &

MEASUREMENTS
1.1 Base Quantities and
SI Units
1.2 Dimensions of
Physicals Quantities
1.3 Scalars and Vectors
1.4 Uncertainties and
Measurements
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CHAPTER 1
PHYSICAL QUANTITIES & MEASUREMENTS
[ 6 Periods ]
1.1 Base
quantities and SI
units (1)

(a) list base quantities and their SI units:

mass (kg), length (m), time (s), current (A), temperature
(K) and quantity of matter (mol);
(b) deduce units for derived quantities;

1.2 Dimensions
of
physical
quantities (1)

(c) use dimensional analysis to determine the

dimensions of derived quantities;
(d) check the homogeneity of equations using
dimensional analysis;
(e) construct empirical equations using dimensional
analysis;

1.3 Scalars and

vectors (2)

(f) determine the sum, the scalar product and vector

product of coplanar vectors;
(g) resolve a vector to two perpendicular components;

1.4 Uncertainties
in

(h) calculate the uncertainty in a derived quantity

(a rigorous statistical treatment is not required);

1.1 Base Quantities and SI Units

Physical Quantities
- ex: metre (m)
second (s)
Kelvin (K)

SI Unit
- Systeme International d Unites (SI Unit)
- has been agreed internationally.

Base Quantities
- fundamental quantity __________________________
in terms of other physics quantities.
Base
Quantity

Name of SI Unit
unit
symbol

Length , l
Mass, m
Time, t
Electric current, I
Temperature, T
Amount of substance, n
Luminous intensity
4

Derived Quantities & Derived units

Derived Quantities
Derived Units
Physical
Quantity
Velocity
Density
Frequency
Force
Pressure

Defining
equation
v=s/t

Derived
unit
m s-1
kg m-3

Name
(Abbreviation)

--Hz (hertz)

f=1/T
F = ma
P=F/A

Work
Charge

Q = It

Quantity

Symbol

Derived Unit

Name
(Abbreviati
on)

Area

Volume

Speed of velocity

Acceleration

Density

Force

Newton (N)

Pressure

Pascal (Pa)

Frequency

Hertz (Hz)

Energy of work

E or W

Joule (J)

Power

Watt (W)

Electric Charge

Potential
Difference

As

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Coulomb (C)
6

Volt (V)

- Some physical quantities have

____________________
- Example:
refractive index, strain

Prefixes

- can be added to SI base &

derived units to make

Multipl
e
1012
109
106
103

Prefix ( &
abbreviatio
n)

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Multipl
e
1015
1012
109
106
103
102
10-1
10-2
10-3
10-6

Prefix ( &
abbreviatio
n)

10-9
10-12
10-15
For example:
Wavelength of an Xray
= 0.000 000 001
m
=
=

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1.2 Dimension of Physical Quantities

- Physical quantity are a ______________________ of the
basic quantities, raised to the appropriate powers,
which are used to define a physical quantity.
- example:
100 cm, 1m, 2 mi and 3 light years all have the
dimension of length but are expressed in different
units.
- The symbol of dimension is written as

- Pure numerical factors/number like , have no

dimensions ________________________________
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Base
Quantity

Dimension

Symbol of
Dimension

Length
Mass
Time
Electric
current
Temperature
Amount of
substance

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Example
Find the dimensions and units of each of the
following quantities:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

Area
Velocity
Force
Pressure
Frequency

Solution :
(a) Area =
[ Area ] = [ length ] [ width ]
=LL
= L2
SI units : m2
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(b) velocity, v =

(c) Force, F =
[F]=

[v]=
=
SI units :
(d) Pressure, P =
[P]=
=
SI units :

=
SI units :
(e) Frequency, f =
[f]=
=
SI units :

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Use of Dimensions
1. To check the homogeneity of physical
equations
2. To construct an physics equation with the
give quantities.
3. To deduce the correct SI unit of a derived
quantity or a constant of a physic equation.

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1. To check the homogeneity of

physical equations
- This involves

- If they are the ______________,

the equation as said to be
______________ or
_____________________________
- Given a kinematics equation:

1 2
s ut at
2
relates the distance s
travelled by an object in time
t, u is initial velocity and a is
acceleration.
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( * _____________________ )
All the terms have same dimension
equation is homogenous
- This however does not
guarantee that equation is
physically correct.
- There could be an incorrect
coefficient, a missing or extra
term or simply a wrong +ve /
-ve sign.
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- Example of equations that are homogenous

but physically incorrect.

- An equation can be verified experimentally.

- An equation in which the dimensions are
_____________________ is
definitely__________________.
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Example
A professor puts 2 equations on the board.
(a)

v vo a t

(b)

v
x
2a

where x is a distance, v and vo are velocities, a

is acceleration and t is time.
Are the equations dimensionally correct ?

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Solution

(a)

v vo a t

RHS :
LHS :

LHS
=RHS?

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(b)

v
x
2a

RHS :
LHS :

LHS
=RHS?

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2.

To construct an physics equation

with the given quantities.
From experimental observations, a
physical quantity may be found to
be dependent on a number of
other physical quantities.
Using the dimensional method, a

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Example

Establish an expression for the

period T of a simple pendulum
which shows how T is related to the
mass m, length, l of the string &
the acceleration due to gravity, g
Relation :
Directly proportional @
inversely proportional
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Solution
Suppose that:T m x l y g z
Write in mathematic form:T k m x l y g z
where x, y, z power factors to be determined
k dimensionless constant
The dimensions on both sides of an
equation must be the same.

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l
Tkg

Equating indices of M:
x0

Equating indices of L:
yz 0

Equating indices of T:

y -z

1 2 z
1
z
2

1
y
2

Hence T k m 0 l 1 / 2 g 1 / 2

The value of constant k can be

determined experimentally
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Example
Obtain an expression which shows how
critical velocity v of liquid which flows
through a narrow tube depends on coeffi cient
of viscosity, of liquid, radius r of the tube
and density of liquid.
( unit of is kg m-1 s-1 )
Solution
Suppose that:
Write in mathematic form:
The dimensions on both sides of an
equation must be the same.

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Equating indices of T:

Equating indices of L:

Equating indices of M:

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Hence

Follow Up Exercise

E
vkd

Factor influencing the speed v of

sound in a medium may be
density d, wavelength and
Youngs Modulus E. On the basis
of dimensional analysis, obtain an
expression for v.
( Take : [E] = ML-1T-2 )
Answer :

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1.3 Scalars and Vectors

If you know only the library is 5 m from you, it

could be lie anywhere on a circle of radius 5.0 m. If,
instead, you are told the library is 0.5 m northwest,
you knows it precise location.

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Scalar Quantity
- Quantity which has only _______________.
- Example: mass, distance, speed, work.

Vector Quantity
- Quantity which has both _________________________.
- Example: displacement, velocity, force,
momentum
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Representing vectors
- Symbols for vectorsare ___________________or use an
arrow over a letter, A

- A vector A can be represented by arrow where its

length indicates the magnitude & direction of the

arrow represents direction of the vector.
|A| = A

- Magnitude of the vector A is written as |A| (modulus)

- 2 vectors are EQUAL if:

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Equality of two vectors

A &

- 2 vectors
are equal if they have the
____________________and ___________________________

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Negative of a vector

B
- The vector
____________
as
B

is a vector with the

but
_________________________________

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SUM OF VECTORS

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GRAPHICAL METHOD - TRIANGLE

Step 1 :

Use a
suitable
scale, draw
the vector P

Step 2 :

From the
________of vector
P, draw the vector
Q

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Step 3 :

Complete the triangle. The line from the

___________ of P to the __________ of Q
represents the magnitude and direction of
the resultant

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SUBTRACTION OF VECTORS

Step 1 :

Use a
suitable
scale, draw
the vector P

Step 2 :

From the tail of

vector P, draw
the line to
represent vector
Q

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Step 3 :

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SUBTRACTION OF VECTORS

Step 1 :

Use a
suitable
scale, draw
the vector P

Step 2 :

From the head of

vector P, draw the
line to represent
vector - Q

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Step 3 :

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 Vector no NEGATIVE magnitude

Sign = direction

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SCALAR PRODUCT OF TWO COPLANAR

VECTORS
Scalar product OR dot product
read as

b
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CROSS PRODUCT OF TWO COPLANAR

VECTORS
Vector product OR cross product
read as

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RIGHT HAND

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olving vector into 2 perpendicular components

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with the aid of trigonometry:

Ax

cos
A
Ay
sin
A
Magnitude of vector A :

Direction of vector A :

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Example
A force of 800 N is exerted on a bolt A as
shown in Fig. below. Determine the horizontal
and vertical components of the force.

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Solution
with the aid of trigonometry:

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Adding vectors using components

1. Resolve each vector into its x and y
components.
Pay careful attention to signs:
any component that points along the
negative x or y axis get a sign.
2. Add all the x components together to
get the x component of resultant.
Ditto for y:

* do not add x components to y

components
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3. The magnitude of the resultant vector, R is

given by:

Direction of the resultant vector :

vector diagram drawn help to obtain the

correct position of the angle

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Example
The magnitudes of the 3 displacement vectors
shown in drawing. Determine the magnitude &
directional angle for the resultant that occurs
when these vectors are added together.

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Solution

Component x Component y

Resultant vector along x axis:

Resultant vector along y axis:

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Magnitude of resultant vector

Direction of resultant vector

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Follow Up Exercise
Four forces act on bolt A shown. Determine
the resultant of the forces on the bolt .

Answer :
R = 199.6 N at 4.1 above positive x axis.
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1.4 Uncertainties in Measurements

Uncertainties =
Sources of error :

___________________________
Physical condition of the ___________________
Physical limitations of the _____________________

2 types of error :
1. ____________________ errors
2. __________________________ errors

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Systematic Error :
Characteristics of _________________________

Magnitude of the error is _____________________

The error is always _________________ measurement
is __________________ than the actual value.
The error is always __________________- measurement
is ___________ than the actual value.

Example : Zero error of a micrometer screw gauge

CANNOT be reduced or eliminated by
- taking several readings using the same method,
or instrument or by the same observer.

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Systematic error can be eliminated by :

Taking precaution such as noting the end error.

Using different instruments, ex: using another
stopwatch to check the time measured.

Random Error :
Characteristics of __________________
Magnitude of the error is ________________________
Error can be ______________________________
The measurement may be _________________________
the actual value.
Example :
Read wrongly the scale of an instrument
Wrong count the number of oscillations of a simple
pendulum.
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Systematic error can be eliminated by :

Taking precaution such as ________________________

Using different instruments, ex: using another
stopwatch to check the time measured.

Random Error :
Characteristics of _____________________
Magnitude of the error is _________________________
Error can be positive and negative.
The measurement may be ________________________
the actual value.
Example :
____________________________
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Instrument

Smallest scale
deviation

Uncertainty

Metre rule
Vernier calliper
M. Screw Gauge
Analog
stopwatch
Thermometer
Measuring
cylinder
Voltmeter
Ammeter
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Example
The single reading from am metre rule used to
measure the length l of a rod is written as

Example

: Length of rod,

Absolute uncertainty,

Fractional uncertainty l is ,
Percentage uncertainty l is ,

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Uncertainty in derived quantity

Addition or subtraction

Example

:
if the two readings are

Product

Example :

and / or division

Fractional uncertainty

Percentage uncertainty
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SIGNIFICANT FIGURE
The accuracy of a measurement is indicated by the
number of significant figures.
Absolute uncertainty
Significant Digits in Addition and Subtraction
When quantities are being added or subtracted, the
number of decimal places (not significant digits) in the
answer should be the same as the least number of
decimal places in any of the numbers being added or
subtracted.
Example:
5.67 J - (2 DP)
1.1 J
- (1DP)
+ 0.9378 J - (4DP)
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SIGNIFICANT FIGURE
Significant Digits in Multiplication, Division, Trig.
functions
In a calculation involving multiplication, division,
trigonometric functions, etc., the number of
significant digits in an answer should equal the least
number of significant figures in any one of the
numbers being multiplied, divided etc.
Example :
Evaluating sin(kx),
where k = 0.097 m-1 (2SF) , x = 4.73 m (3SF)
sin (0.097 X 4.73) = 0.00800766
=
62

SIGNIFICANT FIGURE
Non-zero digits are always significant.
22 22.3 With zeroes, the situation is more complicated:
1. Zeroes placed before other digits are not
significant;
0.046
2. Zeroes placed between other digits are always
significant; 4009 kg 3. Zeroes placed after other digits but behind a
decimal point are significant;
7.90 63

SIGNIFICANT FIGURE
4. Zeroes at the end of a number are significant only
if they are behind a decimal point as in (3).
Otherwise, it is impossible to tell if they are
significant.
8200, it is not clear if the zeroes are significant
or not. The number of significant digits in 8200
is _________, but _______________________To
avoid
uncertainty, use scientific notation to place
significant zeroes behind a decimal point:
8.200 X 103
8.20 X 103
8.2 X103
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SIGNIFICANT FIGURE
Rules for Working with Significant Figures:
1. ____________________are never significant.
_______________________ are always significant.
_________________________ are significant only if
the decimal point is specified.
Hint: Change the number to scientific notation.
It is easier to see.
2. ____________________________:
The last digit retained is set by the first
doubtful digit.
3. _______________________________:
The answer contains no more significant figures
than the least accurately known number.
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SIGNIFICANT FIGURE
Example Number of

Scientific

Significant

Notation

Figures
0.00682

Leading zeros are not

significant.

1.072

Imbedded zeros are

always significant.

300

Trailing zeros are

significant only if the
decimal point is
specified.

300.
300.0

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SIGNIFICANT FIGURE
Notes on Rounding
1. When rounding off numbers to a certain number of
significant figures, do so to the nearest value.
Example: Round to 3 SF 2.3467 x 104 =
Example: Round to 2 SF 1.612 x 103 =
What happens if there is a 5? There is an arbitrary
rule:
If the number before the _______________________
If the number before the _______________________
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SIGNIFICANT FIGURE
1. Example: Round to 2 SF 2.35 x 102
(Answer: ________________________)
2. Example: Round to 2 SF: 2.45 x 102
(Answer: ________________________)

3. Of course, if we round to 2 2SF 2.451 x 102,

the answer is definitely ___________________
since 2.451 x 102 is closer to 2.5 x 102 than
2.4 x 102.

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