PHYSICS(5054)

O1
 What is Physics ?
• Phyics Code :5054
• No of pappers:3
• P1:MCQs, p2: Structured Questions and P3: alternate to practical
• Syllabus:
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qualifications/cambridge-o-level-physics-5054/
Measurements
Physical Quantities
Units and basic quantities
• Before a measurement can be made, a standard or unit must be chosen.
The size of the quantity to be measured is then found with an instrument
having a scale marked in the unit.
• There are seven basic or base quantities we measure in physics. There units
are also known as base or baisc units. Units for other quantities are based
on them.
• The SI (Systeme International) system is a set of units that is mostly used
in many countries. It is a decimal system in which units are divided or
multiplied by 10 to give smaller or larger units.
• But there are some other sytem of units too.For example CGS(cm,s,
g)system
SI Units List
The SI units list of the base quantities and the symbols used to represent
them are mentioned in the below table.
 SI derived units
• Derived units are
expressed algebraically
in terms of base units.
The symbols for
derived units are
obtained by means of
the mathematical
operations of
multiplication and
division
Prefixes for SI units
To represent too big or too mall
physical quantity, we sue prefixes e.g.
in cm c ( centi) is a prefix that is fixed
with m (metre).
Powers of ten shorthand

The small figures 1, 2, 3, etc., are called powers of ten. This way of writing
numbers is called standard notation.
• 0.98m= …0.98x………mm

• 1m=1000mm
• 0.98m=0.98x1000mm
Significant figures
• The number of figures, called significant figures, given for a measurement
indicates how accurate we think it is and more figures should not be given than is
justified. For example, a value of 4.5 for a measurement has two significant figures;
0.0385 has three significant figures, 3 being the most significant.
• When doing a calculation your answer should have the same number of significant
figures as the measurements used in the calculation. For example, if your calculator
gave an answer of 3.4185062, this would be written as 3.4 if the measurements had
two significant figures.
Area
• The area of a square or rectangle is given by
• area = length × breadth
• The SI unit of area is the square metre (m2) which is the area of a square with sides
1 m long.
• To find the area of regular shaped object , there are certain formulae
• E.g……………..
Volume of regular
shaped objects
• There are certain
formulae to find
the volume of
regular shaped
object
 Volume of liquid
The volume of a liquid may be
obtained by pouring it into a
measuring cylinder, Figure 1.6a.
A known volume can be run off
accurately from a Burette.
Time
• The SIunit of time is the second (s) which used to be based on the length of a
day, this being the time for the Earth to revolve once on its axis.
• Time-measuring devices rely on some kind of constantly repeating motion (known
as oscillation ).
( In traditional clocks and watches a small wheel (the balance wheel)
oscillates to and fro; in digital clocks and watches the oscillations are produced by a
tiny quartz crystal. A swinging pendulum controls a pendulum clock.)
To measure an interval of time in an
experiment, first choose a timer that is
accurate enough for the task.
A stopwatch is adequate for finding the
period in seconds of a pendulum, but to
measure the speed of sound , a clock that
can time in milliseconds is needed.
To measure very short time intervals, a
digital clock that can be triggered to start
and stop by an electronic signal from a
microphone, photogate or mechanical
switch is useful. Tickertape timers or
dataloggers are often used to record short
time intervals in motion experiments
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Period of a simple
pendulum
• Time taken to complete one
vibration is known as Period of a
simple pendulum.
• In this investigation you have to
make time measurements using a
stopwatch or clock.
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v=T9G0orM9i48
Length
The SI unit of length is the metre (m) and is the distance travelled by light in a
vacuum during a specific time interval. At one time it was the Distance between
two marks on a certain metal bar. Submultiples are:
Instruments use to measure Length
• Meter Ruler
• Measuring tape
• Vernier callipers
• Micrometre screwgauge
Metre Rule
• It is used to measure length. It is 1 metre
(m) long ruler.
I m = 100 cm
Hence its range is 100cm or 1m.
• Its least count is 0.1 cm.
• While reading a scale, parallax error can be
found in the reading, if you do not place
your eye at right position.
• To remove parallax error in the reading, we
should place our eyes vertically above the
scale as shown in the figure.
Measuring Tape
• It is made up of a long flexible tape
and can measure objects or places up
to 10 – 50 m in length.
• It has markings similar to that of the
rigid rule. The smallest marking could
be as small as 0.1 cm .
• least count of tape is ± 0.1.
• It range is several metres(m).
• It s error is also parallax error.
Vernier
Callipers
Vernier Callipers:
• A vernier caliper consists of main scale, vernier scale and two jaws, made up of steel.
• The accuracy/least count of this instrument is 0.1mm or 0.01cm.
• The vernier caliper is used to measure the diameter of spherical objects, internal and
external diameter of tubes in cm or mm
• Range of …..12cm
How to read Vernier calipers
• Check the zero error of instrument. Its value must be added to or subtracted from
the final reading.
• Grip the object gently between jaws
Micrometer Screw gauge:
• A screw gauge consists of ratchet, thimble, sleeve, spindle and anvil.
• The accuracy/ LC of this instrument is 0.01 mm (or 0.001cm.)
• The screw gauge is used to measure diameter of ball bearings & wires, thickness of
coin& paper etc.
HOW TO READ SCREW GAUGE
Note:
A micrometer reading contains two parts:
• the first part is contributed by the main scale on the sleeve and
• the second part is contributed by the rotating vernier scale on the thimble.
Examples:
• Main scale
reading =
• Thimble scale
reading=
• Diameter of
the object=
• Check the zero error, by closing the spindle without any object. This value is

either added to or subtracted from the final reading.

• Grip the object between anvil and spindle.

(The rachet is used to tighten the object in the grip.)
• Read the main scale, by noting the last division seen on the sleeve
• For diagram above:
1-Main scale reading = mm
2-Read the thimble scale division, coinciding with the datum line.
• i.e. Thimble scale reading = × L.C= × 0.01 = mm

The final reading can be calculated as:

Final reading = main scale reading + thimble scale reading

Final reading = ……… or Final reading = ……….. mm

Calculate (MCQs,Past paper questions)
MCQs(Past paper questions)
Calculate the reading from the
Given diagrms.
MCQs(Past paper questions)

• A reel of copper wire is labelled ‘length 30 m’ and ‘diameter 2 mm’. A student

calculates the volume of the copper wire.
Which instruments does he use to measure accurately the length and the diameter
of the wire?
MCQs(Past paper questions)
A student determines the circumference of a golf ball.
Which instrument gives a reading that is the circumference of the golf ball?
A calipers
B micrometer
C rule
D tape
PRECAUTIONS OF USING CALIPERS AND
MICROMETER:
1. Check zero error and note its value.
2. Clean and wipe the instruments.
3. Avoid parallax error.
4. Grip the object in instruments gently.
5. Repeat the reading and take average value for more accuracy.
ERRORS IN MEASUREMENT
1. Parallax error:
This error is produced due to wrong positioning of eye level on the point of
reading. The eye sightmust be perpendicular to the point of reading to avoid this
error.
2. Zero error:
The zero error occurs when the vernier caliper or micrometer is fully closed
without any object and does not give zero reading . The zero error is either added
to or subtracted from the final reading.
Zero Error in Micrometer

Use the following formula:

Correct reading=Obtained reading–Zero errorCorrect reading=Obtained reading–
Zero error
• There are two type of zero errors
1 Positive zero errors
2 Negative zero errors
How to calculate zero error in
micrometer?

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Zero Error in Micrometer
Thank You