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CHAPTER 1 Unit & Measurement
CHAPTER 1 Unit & Measurement
CHAPTER 1 Unit & Measurement
INTRODUCTION
In Physics, measurement is important because it is the concrete ways in which we deal with
our world.
SI Quantities
1
Base Units Derived Units
Quantities Units
Derived Quantities -
1. Length Meter(m)
combination of the base
2. Mass Kilogram(kg)
quantities.
3. Time Second(s)
Eg : m/s
4.Electric current Ampere(A)
5. Temperatures Kelvin(K)
Dimensional Analysis is the procedure by which the dimensional consistency of any equation
may be checked.
Two side must be equal in dimension
Eg. 1.
Find axb=c ?
Ans: [L2]
Eg. 2.
Find a+b=c ?
Ans: 2 [L]
2
Usefulness / Major Advantages
a = acceleration
t = time
Dimensional Analysis will tell you if an equation is incorrect, but a dimensionally consistent
equation may not correctly expressed the real relationship of quantities.
a = acceleration
t = time
-Doing dimensional Analysis is fine but in practice it is more convenient to use the actual unit
abbreviations such as m, s, kg.
m = mass
V = volume
Ans: kgm-3
3
The number of significant figures (sf) in a quantity is the number of reliably known digits it
contains.
Eg : The quantity
o 15.2 m ⇒ 3 sf
o 0.052 m ⇒ 2 sf
o 3.0 m/s ⇒ 2 sf
Rules of Zero
1. Zero at the beginning of numbers are not significant. They merely located
the decimal point.
Eg: 0.0254 m (3 sf)
4. In the whole number without decimal point at the end in one or more zeros
Eg. 500 kg ( zero in this case can be significant or not significant – it depends on
estimated digit in your measurement)
In general:-
1. The final result of multiplication and /or division should have the same number of
significant figures as the quantity with the least of significant figures used in the
calculation.
2. The final result of an addition and/or subtraction should have the same number of decimal
places as the quantity with the least number of decimal places used in the calculation.
Rounding –off rules
2.136 2.14
2.132 2.13
3. 157 – 5.689 + 2 =
Ans: 22 m / s
1.5.2 Vector
is a physical quantity that requires the specification of both direction and magnitude.
eg. Force, velocity, displacement, acceleration
5
Trigonometry
The portion of mathematics that is based on the special properties of a right triangle is
called trigonometry.
TRIGONOMETRY ANALYTICAL METHOD OF VECTOR
ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
(COMPONENTS OF A VECTOR)
The three most basic trigonometric - Any vector can be completely described
functions:- by its components.
y
c
a
θ A
b A
y
θ
A
x
x
sin θ = side opposite to θ = a
hypotenuse c - Components vectors of A : Ax and Ay
Ay=A sin θ
The magnitude/RESULTANT ;
A=
2 2
Ax + A y
Equality of Two Vectors - Two vectors are equal if they have the same magnitude and
direction.
6
Resultant/vector sum – net/effect that occur after adding/subtracting the vectors.
Adding Vectors Using Analytical Method
1. Resolve the vectors to be added into their x and y components. Include directional
signs (plus or minus) in the components
2. Add algebraically, all the x component together and all the y components together
to get the x and y components of the resultant vector.
3. Express the resultant vector using:
a. the component form, e.g.,
A=A x̂ + A ŷ
x y
Ay
θ = tan-1
A (relative to x-axis)
x