What is physics?

A simple definition of physics is “the science of measurement”.

SI units are those of the Systeme International d’unites adopted in

1960.
The SI system of units provides a worldwide standard of
measurement.

Importance of units

1. Standardization
2. Gives meaning to a numerical value
3. Means of comparing quantities

Physical quantity

 Any measurable quantity is called a physical quantity.

 Physical quantity is of two types

o fundamental/base quantity
o derived quantity

Measurement = number x unit

Fundamental Quantities
It is a physical quantity that does not depend on other physical
quantities
There are seven base units

Derived Quantities
It is a physical quantity which depend upon other physical quantities
Here are a few examples of derived units
Sometimes SI prefixes are used in conjunction with SI units
to reduce the use of zeros in very small numbers or very large
numbers

SI Prefixes (Metric Prefixes)

Converting units
In chain- link conversion, we multiply the original measurement by one
or more conversion factors.

A conversion factor is defined as a ratio of units that is equal to 1.

For example, because 1 mile and 1.61 kilometers are identical distance,
we have:
Guided example

Convert 5 weeks to days.

We know that there are 7 days in 1 week:

7 days = 1 week

We first convert the equation to conversion factors:

Guided example km/h ----> m/s

Standard form
Measuring devices use scales to indicate the amount of the quantity
measured.
A scale can either be analogue or digital . An analogue scale generally
has equally spaced lines to indicate the size of the quantity measured.
A digital scale gives the reading with numbers.

An analogue device is one which has an output signal that varies

continuously with the input and the pointer or indicator moves
continuously over the calibrated scale.

When using an analogue scale.

1. ensure that you use the scale accurately.

2. use the correct multiplication factor.
3. Take care when estimating reading which falls between
adjacent marks.

Calibration is the process of setting or checking the scale of a

measuring instrument by comparing it with a standard or some
universally accepted reference called a patron.
Perform the following calculations and express the answers to the
correct number of significant figures.
1. Multiply 3.4 by 7.954.
2. Add 99.3 and 98.7.
3. Subtract 98.7 from 99.3.
4. Evaluate the cos(3°) 3sf.
5. If five railroad track segments have an average length of
2.134 meters, what is the total length of these five rails
when they lie end to end?
A variety of instruments can be used
to measure physical quantities.
 A screw gauge is a precision instrument that is used to measure
small lengths with accuracy greater than a Vernier Caliper.
 It is used for measuring diameter of circular objects mostly
wires, with accuracy of 0.001cm.
 It is also called a micrometer screw gauge.
  The volume of a regular object such as a cylinder can be found
from measurements of lengths and diameter- then using the
appropriate formula.
 For irregular objects (e.g. A stone) the volume is found by a
displacement method.
 Volume measurements for liquids are made using measuring
cylinder burettes or pipettes.

Finding the volume by Correct way to read a volume

displacement using a
measuring cylinder and a
displacement vessel

A burette is graduated from the top A pipette contains the volume marked on
downwards and measures the volume the bulb when it i s filled to the mark on
of liquid run out from it the stem
The figure below illustrates a method for finding the volume of a piece
of cork.
What is the volume of the cork?

Triple Beam Balances

 We measure mass using a triple beam balance.
 Unit is grams.
 Beams have grooves for riders to sit in at each labeled mass.
 Rider should never sit between grooves!
Steps to use a Triple Beam Balance

1. Move all riders to far left groove.

2. Pointer should be at “Zero.” If not, turn the adjustment knob.
3. Place object on tray.
4. Start with the largest rider. Slide rider to the right into each
groove until pointer hits bottom of the marker, then slide the
rider back one groove.
5. Do the same for the next largest rider, then finally the smallest
until pointer points to “zero.”
6. Add the mass shown on each beam to get the total mass of the
object
Accuracy - means how close the experimental value is to the
true value. Accuracy is improved if errors due to measuring
instruments and experimental procedures are identified and
their effect reduced.

Precision- refers to how small an uncertainty the measuring

instrument will give. For example a thermometer marked at
every degree will give a more precise reading than the other
marked at every five degrees.
Sensitivity- measures the response of an instrument to the smallest
change in input.

Range- is the size of the interval between the maximum and minimum
quantities that the measuring instruments can measure.

One should select measuring instruments for particular experiments

only after carefully considering their accuracy, precision, sensitivity
and range