1.

4 PHYSICAL QUANTITIES &

THEIR UNITS

What we measure in an
experiment is called a physical
quantity. Thus, it is important
to use the same units for
measurements so that
comparison can be made easily
Prepared by Ms Sue Soh Ya Lee

1.4 PHYSICAL QUANTITIES &

THEIR UNITS

Five frequently used

physical quantities are :* Mass *
* Length *
* Time *
* Temperature *
* Electric current *
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1.4 PHYSICAL QUANTITIES &

THEIR UNITS
Physical
quantity

SI Unit

Unit symbol

Mass
Leng/h
Time
Temperat7re
Elect*ic cur*ent

kilog*am
met*e
second
Kelvin
Ampere

kg
m
s
K
A

Prepared by Ms Sue Soh Ya Lee

PREFIXES & SYMBOLS FOR UNITS

Measurement may involves

values which are too large or too
small. When such sit7ation
occurs, prexes are added to
the SI Units.
Prepared by Ms Sue Soh Ya Lee

PREFIXES & SYMBOLS FOR UNITS

Prex

SyHbol

Value

Standard forH

Tet*a

1 000 000 000 000

1 x 10

Giga

1 000 000 000

1 x 109

Mega

1 000 000

1 x 106

Kilo

1 000

1 x 103

Deci

0.1

1 x 10-1

Centi

0.01

1 x 10-2

Milli

0.001

1 x 10-3

Micro

0.000 001

1 x 10-6

Nano

0.000 000 001

1 x 10-9

Pico

0.000 000 000 001

1 x 10-12

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PREFIXES & SYMBOLS FOR UNITS

An SI Unit of a value can be converted into
a larger or smaller value using different
prefixes.

30mg = ______ g
1g = 1000mg

300km = _______m
1km = 1000m

Prepared by Ms Sue Soh Ya Lee

PREFIXES & SYMBOLS FOR UNITS

Solve the problems below.

0.03A = _____ mA
1 A = 1000mA

30cm = _______ m

Prepared by Ms Sue Soh Ya Lee

PREFIXES & SYMBOLS FOR UNITS

Solve the problems below.

30s = _______ ms
1s = 1000ms

696 000 000m = ___km

1000m = 1km

Prepared by Ms Sue Soh Ya Lee

PREFIXES & SYMBOLS FOR UNITS

Solve the problems below.

28mm = ____ m

0.2 A = _____ mA
1A = 1000mA

Prepared by Ms Sue Soh Ya Lee