GENERAL PHYSICS 1 REVIEWER - Assigning a standard to an unknown

This reviewer is dedicated to my batchmates and friends

quantity of a property
(e.g. Measuring the temperature of a
“Practice, practice and practice. For
boiling point of a substance,
that is the only true measurement of measuring dimensions of a shape)
knowledge.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Measurement System
CHAPTER 1: MEASUREMENT AND - Standard that includes set of rules/
INSTRUMENTS units
I. Concept of measurement
II. Scientific notation System Length Mass Time
III. Significant figures
IV. Conversion of units SI (Systeme meter Kg Second
V. Dimensional analysis International
D Unites)
VI. Precision and Accuracy
-internatonally
VII. Instruments accepted
VIII. Errors, Uncertainty, Deviation and -uses base 10
Difference measurements
-used in
CHAPTER 2: KINEMATICS scientific
notations
I. Vectors
FPS (US/ Foot Pound Second
I. CONCEPT OF British
Imperial
MEASUREMENT System)
- Only in US

CGS cm Gram second

A. Physical Property -Smaller than
- observable, inherent MKS
- Intensive (independent of amount)
- Density, Color MKS (Metric meter Kg Second
System)
-same with S.I
B. Physical Quantity
System
- Measurable
- Extensive (dependent on amount)
- numerical value + unit (e.g 100 kg) Measurement Standard
- Mass, Area, Shape - Objects used as standard for
measurements

Length (meter)- distance travelled by light in

a vacuum during a time of 1/299 792 458
Measurement second, October 1893
 Mass (kilogram)- mass of specific
platinum-iridium alloy cylinder, international dimensional space of Meter
bureau of weights and measurements an object A3
(serves, france), 1887 V

Time (seconds)- 9 192 631 770 times the Force- to accelerate [M][L][T]-2 Newton
period of vibration of radiation from the an object with a mass
cesium-133 atom. Atomic clock, 1967 of 1 kilogram 1 meter N
per second squared kg*m*s-2

Fundamental Units/ SI base units

- Basic units in measurement system Pressure- force [M][L]-1[T]-2 Pascal
exerted per area
kg*m-1*s2 P
Base Dimensional Symbol Base
quantity Unit Unit
Work - move 1 [M][L]2[T]-2 Joule
length [L] m meter newton to 1 meter (J)

mass [M] kg kilogra Energy- Capacity to

m do work

time [T] s second Speed - distance [L][T]-1 Meter

travelled in time, per
current [A] A Ampere without direction m/s second
(V, m/s)
temp. [0] K Kelvin Velocity- with
direction
Amnt of [N] mol Mole
substan Density- amount of [M][L]-3 Kilogra
ce mass in a volume m per
kg/m3 cubic
Luminos [I or J] cd Candela meter
ity (⍴)

Derived units Power- work per time [M][L]2[T]-3 Watt

(W)
- unit that results from a mathematical
Kg * m2 *
combination of SI base units s-3

Frequency- 1 cycle [T]-1 Hertz

Quantity Dimensio Unit
(Symbol per second (hz)
nal /
) s-1
derived
Unit Acceleration- velocity [L]*[T]-2 a
per time
Area- 2 dimensional [L]2 Square
Meter
size of a surface meter
m*s-2 per
A2
second
A
squared
Volume- 3 [L]3 Cubic
Momentum- mass [M]*[L]*[T]-1 p exa E 18
with motion
kg*m*s-1 Newton
“A Fun Person needs many more companions
second
despite being draining, he keeps Many Guys
Thrilled & Positive Everyday”

Prefixes II. Scientific Notation

- Modify units by 10 - by power of 10
- Used in SI and MKS - Coefficient + base + exponent

prefix symbol exponent

atto A -18

femto F -15

pico P -12

nano n -9

micro μ -6

milli m -3
- Large number (more than 10):
centi c -2 move decimal pt. #of places moved
deka da -1 to the left
- Small number (less than zero):
base 0 move decimal pt. #of places moved
to the right
deci d 1

hecto h 2

kilo k 3

mega M 6

giga G 9

terra T 12

peta P 15
Try this:
A. Turn to base notation
1. 3.5 x 10^4 Try this:
2. 6.78 x 10^(-3) 1. (5.6 x 10^3) * (2.0 x 10^2).
3. 2.45 x 10^7 2. (9.6 x 10^4) / (3.0 x 10^2).
4. 9.2 x 10^(-5)
3. (4.8 x 10^5) * (1.5 x 10^3).
B. Turn to scientific notation 4. (6.3 x 10^6) / (2.1 x 10^2).
1. 4,200,000
2. 0.00012345
3. 75,600,000,000 III. SIGNIFICANT
4. 0.00000789
FIGURES
Addition & subtraction of S.N: exponents Sigfigs- used for precision in numerical
must be the same, adjust exponent/d.point if value, more trailing zero = more precision,
needed no trailing zero= exact (e.g 50.000 is more
precise than 50.0, 50 has infinite sigfig, bc it
is exact.)
(7.2 x 10^4) + (1.3 x 10^4)
= (7.2 + 1.3) x 10^4 = 8.5 x 10^4 Rules:
A. Non-zero Digits: All non-zero digits
(5.6 x 10^3) - (2.8 x 10^3) are always considered significant.
= (5.6 - 2.8) x 10^3 = 2.8 x 10^3
Example: In the number 234.56,
Try This: there are five significant figures.
1. (6.2 x 10^5) + (3.5 x 10^4)
2. (8.9 x 10^3) - (2.1 x 10^3) B. Leading Zeros: Leading zeros, which
3. (1.6 x 10^2) + (2.4 x 10^2) are zeros that come before any
4. (7.5 x 10^4) - (4.2 x 10^4) non-zero digit, are not considered
significant.
Multiplication of S.N: multiply coefficient,
add exponents Example: In the number 0.00761,
Division of S.N: Divide coefficient, subtract there significant figures.
exponents
C. Captive Zeros: Captive zeros, zeros that
(2.5 x 10^3) * (3.2 x 10^2) are between non-zero digits, are always
= (2.5 * 3.2) x 10^(3 + 2) = 8.0 x 10^5 considered significant.

Example: In the number 10.203, there are

(6.4 x 10^4) / (2.0 x 10^2)
five significant figures.
= (6.4 / 2.0) x 10^(4 - 2) = 3.2 x
10^2
D. Trailing Decimal Zeros: Trailing zeros, Example: If you add 3.45 and 12.1,
zeros that come after all non-zero the result should be rounded to one
digits in a decimal number, are considered decimal place, giving you 15.6.
significant.
Try this:
Example: In the number 50.0, there
are three significant figures. Determine the number of significant
figures in the following measurements:
E. Trailing Whole Zeros: Trailing zeros in a a) 0.00560
whole number (with no decimal point) may b) 403,000
or may not be significant. They are c) 8.67
considered significant if they are explicitly d) 0.0200
indicated.
Perform the following calculations and
Example: In the number 450 report your answers with the correct
(without a decimal point), there are number of significant figures:
two significant figures. However, if a) 2.4 cm + 18.63 cm
it's written as 450. (with decimal b) 5.21 g / 3.0 mL
c) (4.53 m * 7.1 m)
point), there are three significant
d) 12.5 g - 3.42 g
figures.
Express the following measurements
F. Exact Numbers: Exact numbers have an
with the correct number of significant
infinite number of significant figures. They
figures:
are often obtained through counting or
a) 350.00 mL
defined relationships.
b) 0.00450 kg
c) 6.802 cm
Example: There are exactly 12 eggs
d) 5000 L
in a dozen, and this number is
considered to have an infinite
Calculate the result of the following
number of significant figures.
operations, being mindful of significant
figures:
G. Operations: When performing
a) (3.45 cm * 2.0 cm) / 1.2 cm
multiplication, division involving numbers
b) (8.21 g + 3.0 g) * 0.025 L
with different numbers of significant figures,
c) 1.2345 g / 0.0025 mL
the result should be rounded to match the
d) 7.0023 m - 4.56 m
least number of significant figures in the
Convert the following measurements to
original numbers. In addition, subtraction-
scientific notation:
use least decimal point
a) 0.0000876
- Exact values (same unit system
b) 900,000
conversion) does not affect SF
c) 0.00234
- Measured value (diff unit
conversiont) affects SF
- EXCPETION: inch to cm
IV. CONVERSION OF
UNITS

Unit
- standard used to define a
physical quantity
Types of Conversion
Conversion Factor
- equal value relationship between
A. Straight Conversion:
two units
- Used to change from one unit to
- Convert a unit with a value of
another
1 between different units.
- Also called conversion factor
Table of conversion factors ● E.g Converting 1 meter to
kilometers, 1 kilometer =
1,000 meters:
​

B. Unit Conversion:

- Unit conversion refers to the

process of converting
measurements with any
value with the use of a
conversion factor,
● E.g Converting 2,000 meters
to kilometers, where 1
kilometer = 1,000 meters:

Value in kilometers = 2,000

meters / 1,000 meters per
kilometer = 2 kilometers.

​
​ C. Chain Conversion
- multiple unit conversions
sequentially, to transform a
value from one unit to
another.
- Used when direct conversion
factors aren't available.
 Example: Converting 2,000 yard to Perform the following temperature
meters using a chain conversion: conversions:

Convert feet to yards (1 yard = 3 a) Convert 32 degrees Fahrenheit to

feet): degrees Celsius.

Value in yards = 2,000 yard (3 feet / b) Convert 100 degrees Celsius to Kelvin.
1 yard ) ≈ 6000 feet.
c) Convert 25 degrees Celsius to degrees
Convert feet to meters (1 feet = 0.3048 Fahrenheit.
meters):
d) Convert 200 Kelvin to degrees Celsius.
Value in meters = 6000 feet× 0.3054
meters per feet ≈ 1828.8 meters.

Convert the following measurements to

the indicated units:
Try this:
a) 7.8 square feet to square meters
Convert the following measurements to
the indicated units: b) 500 square centimeters to square meters

a) 3.5 kilometers to meters c) 3.2 cubic inches to cubic centimeters

b) 450 milligrams to grams d) 0.15 cubic meters to liters

c) 2.5 hours to minutes Convert the following measurements to

the indicated units:
d) 15.6 pounds to kilograms
a) 30 miles per hour (mph) to meters per
second (m/s)

Convert the following measurements to b) 55 meters per second (m/s) to kilometers

the indicated units: per hour (km/h)

a) 800 millimeters to centimeters c) 20 kilometers per hour (km/h) to miles per

hour (mph)
b) 0.25 liters to milliliters
d) 15 meters per second (m/s) to feet per
c) 4.2 meters to millimeters second (ft/s)

d) 5.75 kilometers to centimeters

 Example: The dimensional equation for
V. DIMENSIONAL speed (v) can be expressed as [V] = [L]/[T]
ANALYSIS Principle of homogeneity- dimensional
Dimension- a physical representation of a equations should have the same
fundamental or derived unit dimension/unit on both sides

Example: Length (L), Mass (M), Time (T), Limits:

Velocity ([L][T]^-1), Acceleration ([L][T]^-2). 1. Constants cannot be analyzed
2. Does not tell if a quantity is scalar or
Dimensional analysis- used to verify vector
equation & find the unit of a dimension 3. Cannot include trigo,logarithmic, and
exponential function
Example: 4. Can only indicate upto 3 factors
F = ma
F = force, m = mass, and a = acceleration.
F= N = kg*m/s^2 Try this:
kg= Mass = [M]
m= Length = [L] A. Confirm if there is homogeneity in
s= Time= [T] the equation
a= m/s^2
F= N = kg*m/s^2 = [M][L][T]^-2
1. v = d/t, where v is velocity, d is
The dimensions on both sides of the distance (length), and t is time.
equation are [M][L][T]^-2, confirming its
validity.

F = ma,
2. F = G * (m1 * m2) / r^2, where F is
Given that F= kg*m/s^2 and m= mass, find
the dimension and unit of a the gravitational force, G is the
gravitational constant, m1 and
([M]*[L]/[T]^2) / [M] = a/ [M] m2 are masses, and r is the
a = ([M]*[L]/[T]^2)) / [M] distance between them.
= [L]/[T]^2
=m/s^2

Dimensional Unit- uses brackets, e.g the

3. W = F * d, where W is work, F is
dimensional unit for mass is [M]
force, and d is distance.
Example: The dimensional unit for time is
[T], and for velocity, it is [L][T]^-1.

Dimensional Equation- shows equality in

the dimension.unit of two variables
B. Find the dimensions of the specified Accuracy- how close/far a measurement
unit of Area is from the accepted value

Precision- how close/far the

1. A = l × w, where A is area, l is
measurements are from each other.
length, and w is width. Find the
dimensional unit of Area

2. T = 2π√(L/g), where T is the

period, L is the length, and g is
the acceleration due to gravity.
Factors affecting measurement:
Find the dimensional unit of g.
a. Equipment
b. People
c. Process
d. Sample
3. Pfluid= ⍴gh, where Pfluid= fluid e. Environment
pressure, ⍴= density, g= f. Management
acceleration due to gravity, and
h= height. Find the dimensions of Qualty assurance of instruments:
Pfluid A. Calibration
- Measures accuracy
- Comparing to a standard
VI. INSTRUMENTS
B. Validation
Instrument - Correct Operation according to a
- device used to measure specification

Measured quantity C. Verification

- quantity resulting from an instrument - Satisfy function/intention of
- Between increment= less significant system
- Directly on increment= more
significant Application

Situation: you have a digital thermometer

that you use to measure the temperature of
various substances

Calibration: You compare its readings to a

reference thermometer that is known to be
highly accurate. You immerse both
thermometers in a substance with a known
temperature, like ice water (0°C or 32°F) or b. Variation- precision
boiling water (100°C or 212°F). If your 1. Repeatability
thermometer's reading matches the known - Single experiment, same
temperature, it is considered well-calibrated. equipment
2. Reproducibility
Validation: ensuring your thermometer - Different experimenter, same
operates correctly for a specific application, equipment
such as cooking.

Verification: confirming that your Application

thermometer satisfies its intended function
or purpose, which is to measure for different Situation: You have a coin, and
temperature tasks. you want to measure its weight
using a digital scale.
Importance of Quality Assurance:
1. Safety- tested and has precaution Accuracy/Bias:
2. Reliability- accurate and calibrated how closely the weight displayed on the
3. Compliance- follows international/ digital scale matches the true weight of the
local systems coin.
4. Confidence- user believes that the
measurement is correct Trueness:
5. Efficiency- takes least amount of Trueness would be achieved if, on average,
time needed the scale consistently displays the true
weight of the coin
Factors in instrument calibration
a. Location - measured value vs true Stability:
value If you place the same coin on the scale for
1. Accuracy different periods of time, and the displayed
- Closeness of a single weight remains consistent with each
measurement to a true value measurement.
2. Trueness
- closeness of average Reliability:
measurement to true value consistent performance of the scale over
3. Stability time. If the scale reliably provides accurate
- Consistency of a single measured and consistent weight measurements for
value over time multiple coins.
4. reliability/ linearity
- Consistency of multiple measured Reproducibility:
values over time If different individuals consistently obtains
5. traceability the same weight measurement for the coin
- Ability to validate that the final using the same scale.
measurement is the same with
the original measurement Repeatability:
If the scale consistently displays the true Uncertainty
weight for the same coin over multiple - estimate/range of POSSIBLE
experimentors but the same device values
- Based on reliability of
Standard- shows the representation of the device
unit of an instrument with a known measure
Difference
A. International Standard - comparson/variation of two data points
- global scale agreement, ASTM
(American Society for Testing and Deviation- Variation of a data with its
Measurement), ISO (International mean
Organization for Standardization) - average deviation and individual
, IEO (International deviation
Electrotechnical Commission)
Measure of Variability/ Dispersion
- Descriptive statistic, represent
B. National Standard dispersion
- specific to a particular country - How far data points are from center
- ANSI standards in the United States
and BS standards in the United - Range: difference between largest
Kingdom and smallest value
- Spread of data
C. Local Standard - Quick estimate
- Used at the local or regional level.
- address unique conditions or - Variance: average squared
requirements within a specific deviation from mean
locality
- Standard deviation: square root of
D. Working Standard variance
- Reference standards that are used - More detailed
in the laboratory to calibrate
analytical instruments Types of error
1. Gross Error
VII. Errors, - most common human error
- clear and easily identifiable
Uncertainty, Deviation mistake

and Difference 2. Systematic Error/ Bias

- cannot be eliminated,
- flaws of process,
Error instrument, system of
- difference between actual and measurement
measured value - Affects accuracy
● Reading/ Parralax/ Accidental instrument to measure a
- Incorrect positioning of physical quantity
eyes when measuring
- Eg. a students measuring the
● Calibration length of a coin using a single
- Defective sensor ruler for 5 consecutive times
- Difference of true value
from measured value ● Reproducibility/ Inter operator
- Sensor drift, noise, variation/ between operator
interference variation
- Variation when different
● Latent/ Hidden error students use different
- not immediately noticeable instrument measure same
- Dormant at first, but shows object under same condition
over time
Relationship of precision & accuracy,
● Least Count error and random & statistical error
- Limits of measuring
instrument’s
resolution/preision
- Smallest change

● Environmental/ External Factor

error Average
- External condtion = Σ(𝑥¡)/n
- Temperature, noise, humidity,
pressure, light, altitude Uncertainty:
● Absolute uncertainty/ δA
3. Random/Statistical error = I Max value- min value I
- Can be reduced by using
many trials ● Relative Uncertainty
- Affects reliability/precision = δA/ x̄
- Flaws/difference in = δA/ measured value
measurements
● Percentage Uncertainty
● Repeatability Errror/ Instrument = R.U x 100%
Repeatability, Short term
precision Error- describes accuracy or precision
- Same operator, same object, ● Absolute Error
same conditions = I True Value - Measured Value I
- Tells the degree of random
variation when the same ● Relative Error
operator uses the same = A.E/ True Value
 ● Percentage Error Try this:
= R.E x 100%
You have a bag of apples, and you want
Difference- comparison of two to determine its weight accurately. The
experimental values actual weight of the bag of apples is 500
grams (g)
● Absolute Difference
= I Value 1 - Value 2 I
Manual Scale Digital Scale

● Relative Difference 498.3 g 499.6 g

= A.D / Mean Value
498 g 499.9 g
● Percentage Difference
498.1 g 500.1 g
= R.D x 100%
498.2 g 498.9 g
Deviation- variation from mean/ expected
value 498.1 g 500.2 g

● Individual deviation/ d¡ I. Calculate average for each set, then

= I Measured Value - Mean I compare the two resulting values
II. Identify the uncertainty for each set
● Average deviation III. Calculate percentage error for each
= Σ(d¡)/n) measurement
A measurement is precise of IV. Calculate average deviation for each
Average deviation is close to 0 set
V. Calculate percentage deviation and
● Absolute Deviation difference for first and last
= I Mean - Measured Value I measurement of each set
VI. Which set is the more accurate?
● Relative Deviation More precise? why?
= A.Dev / Mean

● Percentage Deviation
= R.Dev x 100%
CHAPTER 2: KINEMATICS

I. VECTORS
“One must have direction before moving
his distance; a million steps can result in
no change if half of it were taken
backwards. “
Start at first direction (North) then count
30 degrees towards second direction
Pythagorean Theorem: (east)
= north 30 degrees east
Formula: a² + b² = c², where c is the = 30 degrees east of north
hypotenuse, and a and b are the other
sides' lengths. Cardinal Directions:

Example: In a right triangle with legs of 3 North (N): 0°

and 4 units, the hypotenuse is 5 units East (E): 90°
long. South (S): 180°
Example: West (W): 270°

Oblique Triangle Trigonometry

Cos = adj/hyp -> arccos (8/13) = 52 deg

adj=8, hyp=13

Cardinal Directions and Their Angles:

Laws of vector addition

1. Commutative Law
- The order in which vectors are
added does not affect the result.
= A + B = B +A

Resultant Vector:
single vector that represents the total effect
of adding two or more vectors together.

Unit Vector:
2. Associative Law vector with a magnitude of 1 and is often
- Grouping of vectors when adding used to indicate direction.
them does not affect the result
x, y, and z directions in Cartesian
coordinates are represented as i, j, and k,
respectively.

X and Y Components:
projections of that vector onto the x-axis and
y-axis, respectively.
3. Negative of a vector
- The negative of a vector has the X component = Rcos theta
same magnitude but opposite Y component= Rsin theta
direction
R= magnitude of resultant vector
theta= angle

A + (-A) = 0

4. Vector subtraction 3D Vectors:

- Subtracting a vector is equal to three-dimensional space that has three
adding the negative of that vector components, typically along x, y, and z
axes.
A-B = A + (-B) Laws in graphing and solving vectors
 - Resultant vector is the closing line
between origin and final vector’s
head

Parallelogram Method- the resultant vector

of two vectors is the diagonal of two
adjacent sides of a parallelogram that is
represented by the two vectors Practice problems (goodluck c: )

Vector Addition Using polygon and

Parallelogram Methods:

● Vector A has a magnitude of 5 units

at an angle of 30 degrees above the
positive x-axis. Vector B has a
magnitude of 3 units at an angle of
60 degrees below the positive
x-axis. Find the resultant vector
using the parallelogram method.

● Given vectors P = 4i + 2j and Q = -2i

+ 3j, find the resultant vector R = P +
Q using the triangle method.

● You have two forces acting on an

- Used when vectors do not act along object: F1 = 10 N to the east and F2
same line, e.g force on an object = 8 N to the north. Find the resultant
- Place both tail of vectors at origin force using the parallelogram
point then complete parallelogram, method.
the resulting diagonal is the resultant
vector ● Vector C has a magnitude of 6 units,
- Use cosine law/sine law to measure and Vector D has a magnitude of 8
side/angle/ resultant vector units. If the angle between them is
- Requires 2 pairs of parallel vectors 45 degrees, find the resultant vector
using the triangle method.
Polygon method/ tip to tail method- used
when there is more than two vectors being Vector Addition Using Polygon Method:
added
- Same concept with triangle and ● You have three velocity vectors: V1
parallelogram = 5 m/s at 30 degrees north of east,
- Requires at least 2 individual vectors
 V2 = 4 m/s at 60 degrees west of Find the car's total displacement
north, and V3 = 6 m/s at 45 degrees using vector addition.
east of south. Find the resultant
velocity using the polygon method. ● Two displacement vectors A and B
have magnitudes of 8 m and 15 m,
● Given vectors A = 3i - 2j, B = i + 4j, respectively. If the angle between
and C = -2i + 2j, find the resultant them is 120 degrees, find the
vector R = A + B + C using the resultant displacement.
polygon method.
● A hiker walks 4 km north, then 3 km
east, and finally 2 km south. What is
Vector Components and Angles: the total displacement of the hiker?

● A force of 12 N acts at an angle of ● A force of 20 N acts at an angle of

60 degrees with the horizontal 30 degrees with the horizontal.
direction. Find the horizontal and Calculate the force's horizontal and
vertical components of the force. vertical components.

● A velocity vector V has components ● A cyclist rides at a velocity of 12 m/s

Vx = 4 m/s and Vy = -3 m/s. Find the north, and the wind blows at a
magnitude and direction of the velocity of 4 m/s from the west. Find
velocity vector V. the resultant velocity of the cyclist.

● A displacement vector D has ● A displacement vector D1 has

components Dx = 8 m and Dy = -6 components Dx1 = 5 m and Dy1 = -3
m. Find the magnitude and direction m, while another displacement
of the displacement vector. vector D2 has components Dx2 = -2
m and Dy2 = 4 m. Find the resultant
● A force of 15 N is applied at an displacement vector D = D1 + D2.
angle of 45 degrees to the
horizontal. Find the component of ● Given vectors P = 3i - j and Q = 2i +
the force along the horizontal 4j, find the angle between vectors P
direction. and Q.
● A boat travels 5 km downstream in a
● A boat travels at a velocity of 10 m/s river with a velocity of 4 m/s. If it
north, and the river flows at a then returns to its starting point by
velocity of 5 m/s east. Find the traveling 5 km upstream, find the
boat's resultant velocity. boat's average velocity.

Mixed Problems: ● A car moves 30 km north, then 40

km east, and finally 50 km at an
● A car travels 100 km north, then 60 angle of 45 degrees north of east.
km east, and finally 80 km south. Find the total distance traveled by
the car.