Topic 1.

1 :Units & Measurements

 Main
Sections
Whatof
are physical quantities?
Topic What
1.2 are fundamental quantities?
What are derived quantities?
What are prefixes?
How to derive units of derived quantities?
Difference between Scalar & Vector quantities.
How to measure length?
What is parallax error?
How to measure volume ?
Contents

Sr. Learning Outcome Rating

1 Describe physical quantities

2 Understand prefixes.
3 Describe scalars and vectors
4 Use and describe the use of rules and measuring cylinders to find a length or a volume
5 Understand that a micrometer screw gauge is used to measure very small distances
6 Use and describe the use of clocks and devices, both analogue and digital, for measuring an
interval of time
7 Obtain an average value for a small distance and for a short interval of time by measuring
multiples (including the period of a pendulum)

Rate yourself out of 5 at we have finished learning this topic to check your understanding.
 What Standard We Will Use?

• We will follow the International System of Units – also

known as the SI standard

• That means we’ll need to convert other measures to our

standard
 What are Physical Quantities?

There are two types of Physical Quantities

• Fundamental
• Derived Quantities
What are Fundamental Physical Quantities?
 What are Fundamental Physical Quantities?

• 7 SI base units: those from which all others are derived

Physical Quantity Unit Abreviation

Length Meter m

Mass Kilogram Kg

Time Seconds S

Temperature Kelvin K

Current Ampere A

Amount of substance Mole Mol

 What are Derived Physical Quantities?

•SI derived unit”: derived from base units

•Except the 7 Fundamental Units, the others are called

Derived units.

•Unlimited number of derived units!

•Some examples?
 What are Derived Physical Quantities?

Some examples
•Area
•Volume
•Speed
•Force
•Frequency
•Time period
 What are Derived Physical Quantities?

Some examples
•Area (m2)
•Volume (m3)
•Speed (m/s)
•Force (kg·m / s2)
•Frequency (s-1)
•Time period (s)
 Examples of Derived Physical Quantities

• Physical Quantity: Velocity=Speed/Time

Unit: m/s, m s-1

• Physical Quantity : Force: mass X acceleration

• Unit: 1N=1kg∙m ∙s-2
Examples of Derived Physical Quantities
Examples of Derived Physical Quantities
 Conversion of Units

• The SI Unit of length is metre (m)

• The SI Unit of weight is kilograms (kg)
• The SI Unit of volume is cubic metres (1cubic
metre=1000L)
 What are Prefixes?

• Prefixes are useful for expressing units of physical quantities that are either
very big or very small.

• Some of the Greek prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal sub-
multiples and multiples of the SI units are:
Other Common prefixes
SI units and their prefixes

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SI units and their prefixes

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Vectors and scalars

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Displacement and velocity
A runner completes one lap of
an athletics track.
What distance has she run?
400 m
What is her final displacement?
If she ends up exactly where she
started, her displacement from
her starting position is zero.
What is her average velocity for
the lap, and how does it
compare to her average speed?

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Vector equations
An equation is a statement of complete equality. The left
hand side must match the right hand side in both quantity and
units. In a vector equation, the vectors on both sides of the
equation must have equal magnitudes and directions.
Take Newton’s second law, for example:

force = mass × acceleration

Force and acceleration are both vectors, so their directions

will be equal. Mass is a scalar: it scales the right-hand side
of the equation so that both quantities are equal.
Force is measured in newtons (N), mass in kilograms (kg),
and acceleration in ms-2. The units on both sides must be
equal, so 1 N = 1 kgms-2.

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Scalar or vector?

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 Scientific Notation
• Numbers written using base 10
a x 10b a is between 1 and 9

• Has one significant digit before decimal place

• The remaining significant digits are right of decimal place
• Significant digits add more accuracy
 Scientific Notation
• Numbers written using base 10
a x 10b a is between 1 and 9

• Has one significant digit before decimal place

• The remaining significant digits are right of decimal place
• Significant digits add more accuracy
• Examples:
12000 = 1.2×10 4

0.0001203 =1.203 ×10 -4

 Practice question
1) What is 20000m in cm?

2) Express 20000m in standard form.

3) Express 0.0002m in standard form.

 Measuring Length
• SI Units for Length is meters.
• Length is fundamental Quantity
 Measuring Length
Length and distance can be measuring using following instruments:
• Meter rule
• Meter Tape
• Vernier Caliper
• Micrometer
 What is Least Count?

The smallest value that can be measured by the

measuring instrument is called its least count.
Measuring Length
 Using Meter Rule to Measure Length
• A metre rule is the most commonly used instrument that can measure
lengths upto 1 metre.
• Its accuracy is 1mm so it cannot accurately measure lengths smaller than
1mm.
• Useful to take quick measurements between 5cm to 95cm.

When taking observations:

1) Position eyes directly above the markings to avoid parallax error
2) Note several readings then take average
3) In case of wear and tear of ruler, if zero marking is not visible, measure from
next visible marking and subtract it from the final result.
Exam Style Question
Exam Style Question
 What is Parallax Error?
• A parallax error is the perceived shift in an object's position as it is viewed
from different angles. The error is most easily noticed by looking at a nearby
object with one eye closed, then looking at it through the other eye.

• The apparent motion of the object is the parallax shift, and it is responsible for
a small, but noticeable, error common to optical equipment.
What is Parallax Error?
 How to avoid Parallax Error?

• Parallax error can be avoided by keeping line of sight

perpendicular to the scale.
Exam Style Question
Micrometer Screw Gauge
 Micrometer Screw Gauge
• Equipment: It is made up of a main scale and a thimble scale and can
measure objects up to 5 cm in length. The smallest marking is usually 1 mm
on the main scale (sleeve) and 0.01 mm on the thimble scale (thimble). The
thimble has a total of 50 markings representing 0.50 mm.
It has:
• an anvil and a spindle to hold the object
• a ratchet on the thimble for accurate tightening (prevent over-tightening)

• Accuracy: ± 0.01 mm
How to use Micrometer
How to read a micrometer:
• Thimble is turned until the object is gripped very gently
• Read the main scale on the sleeve for the 1st of decimal (4.5mm)
• For the 2nd place of decimal, look at the circular scale on the thimble. Find a
marking on the circular scale that is in line with the horizontal line of the
main scale. (0.12mm)
• To get the correct reading, simply add up the two decimal numbers.
(4.62mm
What is the reading here?
Exam Style Question
Zero Error
Zero Error
 Positive Zero Error
• If the zero marking on the thimble is below the datum line, the
micrometer has a positive zero error. Whatever reading we take on
this micrometer we would have to subtract the zero correction from
the readings.
How to read with Postive Zero Error
• The reading on the bottom is the measurement obtained
and the reading at the top is the zero error.

• Find the actual measurement. (Meaning: get rid of the zero

error in the measurement or take into account the zero
error)

• Measurement with zero error: 1.76 mm

• Zero error: + 0.01 mm (positive because the zero marking

on the thimble is below the datum line)

• Measurement without zero error: 1.76–

(+0.01)=1.751.76–(+0.01)=1.75 mm
 Negative Zero Error
• If the zero marking on the thimble is above the datum line, the
micrometer has a negative zero error. Whatever readings we take on
this micrometer we would have to add the zero correction from the
readings.
 Measurement of Volume
• Volume : The amount of space occupied by a substance

• Symbol : V
• SI Unit: cubic metre (m3)
• Measuring Device : Measuring Cylinder is usually used to
measuring volume.
• Conversion: 1cm3=1ml therefore 1000cm3=1000 ml
1L=1000cm3=1000 ml
1m3 =1000000cm3

•
Exam Style Question
 What is a Meniscus?

• A meniscus occurs because of surface tension

in the liquid and must be read at eye level.

• For a concave meniscus, the

correct volume will be read at the bottom of the
curve.

• For a convex meniscus, the opposite is true and

the correct reading will be at the top of the curve.
How to read Meniscus in Lab Measurements?

• For a concave meniscus, the

correct volume will be read at
the bottom of the curve.

• For a convex meniscus, the

opposite is true and the correct
reading will be at the top of the
curve.
Exam Style Question
Exam Style Question
How to read volume of Irregular Shaped Objects?
How to read volume of Irregular Shaped Objects?
Exam Style Question
Exam Style Question
 Measurement of Time
• Clocks: can be used to measure time intervals in seconds,
minutes and hours. The least count is 1s.

• Stopwatches: can be used to measure time intervals to a

precision of 0.1s and 0.01s.

• Pendulum: a simple pendulum uses regular swings (oscillations)

of the bob to measure time intervals.
Exam Style Question
Exam Style Question
 Simple Pendulum
• A simple pendulum makes use of the regular swings(oscillations) of
the for measuring time..

• Oscillation: Journey from one extreme position to other and then

back to first.

• Period (T): Time takes for one complete oscillation is time period.
 Simple Pendulum
• How to measure time period accurately?

Note time taken for 20 oscillations by using stop watch and divide it
by 20.

• What factors affect pendulum Time Period?

How length affects time periods?

 Simple Pendulum Experiment

• Design an experiment to investigate the relationship

between Length of Pendulum vs Period of Pendulum
Exam Style Question
Exam Style Question- Solution
 Scalars and Vectors
In physics, there are two types of quantities:

• Scalars (e.g. distance, mass, temperature).

Measurements with size but no direction.
Only need to give a magnitude and units.

• Vectors (e.g. force, velocity, acceleration)

Must have magnitude, units and direction. (MUD)
Vectors and scalars
Working with Vectors
Vectors can be worked with
Algebraically – calculations
Or
Vector Diagrams – scale diagram

The first step when solving any vector problems

is to draw a simple sketch.

Force is a Vector
Think of Vectors as Arrows
Direction is very important so we put an arrowhead in
the direction that the vector is going.
This is sometimes called the Tip of a vector.
The other end is usually called the Tail.

X
Tail Tip

Length of the line represents magnitude

And the arrow represents direction.
 Think of Vectors as Arrows
Up, North
Up, Right, North and Bearing 00
East and can be +
taken as positive
directions. Left, West - Right, East
Bearing + Bearing
2700 900
-
Down,
South
Bearing
1800
+2 N -1 N -3 N
Equal vectors have same Direction & Magnitude

All these Vectors are identical

Same Magnitude
Same Line of Action

This allows us to
move them around
to add together.
Forces are Vectors
SP Notes p 8

To add two vectors, place the tail of the second vector at the head of
the first.
The sum of the vectors is called Resultant vector or Net Vector.
The Resultant vector always has the direction of where we start our
vector diagram to where we finish.

The Resultant is the sum of two or more

Forces.
Vectors must be Added Tip to Tail R = a
+b
a
+ =
b
R=a+b
Vectors must be Added Tip to Tail R=a+b

+ =
F1 = +10 N F2 = +50 N FR = F1 + F2 = +60 N

=
+
F1 = +10 N F2 = -30 N FR = F1 + F2 = -20 N
Adding Forces – 2 Dimensions
•
Adding Vectors
Vector
Sum
Vectors must be Added Tip to Tail R=A
+B

The result is the

Resultant Vector FR
Or Net Vector FN
Or Sum of Vectors
Find Resultant Force
In IGCSE only need same line of action vectors
See SP Notes p 11
2 D Vectors
F3 = 12
F1 = 8 N N

F2 = 2 N

Resultant
Force
Subtracting Vectors
When subtracting Vectors must add the
Negative.
Cannot subtract vectors.
a - b
=
a
+
-b

R = a – b = a + (- = R=a-b
b)
Subtracting Vectors
When subtracting Vectors must add the
Negative.
Cannot subtract vectors.
Constructing Resultant Forces
 Equilibrium
Net Force is Zero

If there is no resultant force on a body it either remains

at rest or continues at constant speed in a straight
line.
Exam Style Question
Exam Style Question- Solution
Exam Style Question
Exam Style Question- Solution
Exam Style Question
 Free-body diagrams
FREE-BODY DIAGRAM: Shows all of the forces acting ON
an object.
1. Weight acting vertically down from the centre of mass
2. All forces where it is contact with other objects

Vectors should have lengths approximately proportional to

their magnitudes.

Applied
Force

Frictional
Force

Free body diagrams only include the forces that act on one
object. This makes it easy to work out whether the forces on it
are balanced or not, and whether the object will accelerate.
 see Equilibrium ppt
Equilibrium
means Forces are Balanced
Net Force is Zero

Balanced forces.
If Resultant force = 0
=> Acceleration = 0
=> Velocity remains
constant
=> Equilibrium

Resultant Force = 0
NIf there is no resultant force on a body it either remains
at rest or continues at constant speed in a straight
line.
Problem

• A street lamp is fixed

to a wall by a metal rod
and a cable.
• Which vector triangle
represents the forces
acting at point P?
 Problem – Vertical Equilibrium

• A weight of 7.0 N hangs

vertically by two strings AB
and AC, as shown

• For the weight to be in

equilibrium, the tension in
string AB is T1 and in string
AC it is T2.

T1=5.4N; T2=4.0N
 Vertical Forces Question
A student sets up the apparatus shown in the diagram below
in order to find the resultant of the two tensions T1 and T2
acting at P.
When the tensions T1, T2 and T3 are balanced, the angles
between T1 and the vertical and T2 and the vertical are as
marked on the diagram.

Draw a scale diagram of the forces T1 and T2.

Use the diagram to find the resultant of the two forces.
 River
bank

Velocity Vectors

1. ) A boat is capable of moving at 4 ms-1 through

River
bank still
water. It heads towards the opposite bank of a river which
flows at 3 ms-1
a) What is the resultant velocity of the boat relative to the
bank?
5 ms-1 at 530

b) If the river is 60 m wide, how long does it take to cross

the river?

15s

c) How far downstream does the boat move?

45m