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01physical World and Meaurement
01physical World and Meaurement
#)Physics is that branch of science which deals with yhe atudy of nature
phenomena. The study of physics has been divided broadly into
optics,Mechanics,heat, sound, properties of
matter,electricity,magnetism,atomic physics,nuclear physics,electronics etc.
#)The magnitudes of quantities , we deal with in Physics ,vary from very small
(micro ) to very large ( macro ). To express such small/large magnitudes , we
use some metric prefixes.
The most commonly used metric prefixes are deci ( 10-1), centi (10-2 ) ,milli ( 10-
3
), micro (10-6 ), kilo (103) and mega (106).
#) The symbol of unit combined with prefix is considered as the new symbol of
the unit, which can be raised to any power(positive and negative ) without any
bracket. For example,km2 means (103 m)2 =106 m2.
#)Some of the Non SI units in common use are
a) For length/distance
5. Nanometer. = 1 nm = 10-9 m
b) For mass
3. Quintal. = 1 q = 100 kg
C) For time
#) The time intervals of events vary from time taken by light to cross a distance
of nuclear size (10-22 sec) to age of universe (1017 sec).
#) Any phenomenon that repeats itself serves as a clock. Some of the clocks
developed are electric oscillators, electronics oscillators, solar clock, quartz
crystal clock ; atomic clock. Decay of elementary particles using photographic
emulsions have led to measurement of time intervals ranging from 10-16 s to 10-
24
s.
Radioactive during technique has been used for measuring long time intervals
of the order of 1017 sec.
#) Note that constants e.g., 1/2 ,e,trigonometrical functions like sin cot ,cos cot
etc. Have no units and no dimensions.
c) derivation of formulae.
#)Note that mere dimensional correctness of a relation does not ensure its
physical correctness. For example, work and torque have the same dimensions,
but the two are not physically same.
#)Significant Figures
In the measured value of a physical quantity, the digits about the correctness of
which we are sure plus the last digit which is doubtful, are called the significant
figures.
#) Problems with accuracy are due to errors. The precision describes the
limitations of the measuring instrument.