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Physics Notes

Physical measurement involves determining the values of physical quantities using scientific instruments. Physical quantities have a magnitude and unit, and can be categorized as either base or derived quantities. There are 7 base SI units for fundamental physical quantities like length, mass, and time. Derived quantities such as force and energy can be calculated from the base quantities. Units are important for measurement as they allow quantities to be clearly communicated and enable international trade and scientific collaboration using standardized units.

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54 views

Physics Notes

Physical measurement involves determining the values of physical quantities using scientific instruments. Physical quantities have a magnitude and unit, and can be categorized as either base or derived quantities. There are 7 base SI units for fundamental physical quantities like length, mass, and time. Derived quantities such as force and energy can be calculated from the base quantities. Units are important for measurement as they allow quantities to be clearly communicated and enable international trade and scientific collaboration using standardized units.

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redz45
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MEASUREMENT : Physical Quantities and Units

 Measurement in physics involve the determinaion of values of certain


physical quantities with the aid of specific scientific instruments.

 Physical quantity is one that can be measured which consists of magnitude


and a unit.

 Physical quantities can be categorized into:

1. base quantities : 7 altogether such as length, mass, time, electric current,


temperature, amount of substances and luminous intensity.

2. derived quantities. All other quantities such as force, volume, energy can be
derived from base quantities.

*** Why do units are very important?

 History – Ancient measurement of length was based on the human body. Eg.
Foot, palm (4finger), breath of thumb, fingertips, cubit (elbow ot fingertips)

In 1960, a conference of scientists n engineers recommended an


international system of units (SI units). This helped in develop international
trade and communication.

SI base unit

Base Quantity SI unit Symbol


Length Metre m
Mass Kilogram Kg
Time Second s
Current Ampere A
Temperature Kelvin K
Amount of substance Mole mol
Luminous intensity candela cd

SI units for derived quantities

Derived quantity Relation with base Symbol Name


quantites
Area
Volume
Density
Speed
Pressure
power
**** In physics, we measure quantities which are very big or very small. Thus we
uses prefixes.

Prefixes
 Used to denote the multiple of unit.

eg a) 1 kilometre (1km) = 1000metre (1000m)


= 103 m

b) 1 milimetre (1mm) = 1/1000metre (0.001m)


= 10-3 m
 Each prefix has it own abbreviation and value.

or

 Standard form: N x 10n (scientific notation)

eg. Diameter of an atom = 0.000 000 000 1 m


= 1 x 10-10 m

Test yourself.

Express using the scientific notation and round it up to 2 dp


a) 1248 km = __________m
b) 25788 ug = ___________kg
c) 2.88 x 1010 um = ____________m
d) 1cm3 = ______________m3

REFER TO TEXTBOOK PHYSICS INSIGHTS O LEVEL Pg 7

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