PHYSICS WITH SAFDAR

CLASS: IX PHYSICS NOTES FBISE

UNIT- 1
Physical Quantities and Measurement

Physics:
Physics is the branch of science that deals with matter, energy and their
relationship.
Physical Quantifies
All measurable quantities are called physical quantities such as length,
mass, time, temperature etc.
Types of Physical Quantities
Physical quantities are of two types.
(a) Base quantities
(b)) Derived quantities

(a) Base Quantities

There are seven physical quantities which form the foundation for
other physical quantities. These physical quantities are called base
quantities. These are length, mass, time, electric current. temperature.
intensity of light, amount of a substance.

(b) Derived Quantities

T h e physical quantities which are expressed in terms of base
quantities are called the derived quantities. These include area, volume
speed, force, work, energy, power, electric potential etc.
Base Units
The units that describe base quantities are called base units. Each base
quantity has its SI unit.

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Derived Units
The units used to measure derived quantities are called derived units.
Derived units are defined in terms of base units and are obtained by
multiplying or dividing one or more base units with each other.
Prefixes

The words or letters added before a unit and st a rt for the multiples
or sub-multiples of that unit' are known as prefixes. For example, kilo,
mega. milli, micro, etc.
Vernier Callipers

An instrument used to measure small lengths, diameter or depth of hollow

objects is called a Vernier Calliper.
Least count of Vernier Calliper

Least count = smallest reading on main scale/no. of division on Vernier scale

Least count = 1mm/ 10 div
Least count = 0.1mm OR 0.01cm

Zero Error
To find the zero error, close the jaws of Vernier calliper gently. if zero
line of the Vernier scale coincides with the zero of the main scale then zero
error will not exist. if zero line of the Vernier scale is on the right side of the
zero of main scale will be a positive zero error. if zero line of Vernier scale
is on the left side of the zero of main scale will be a negative zero error.

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Screw Gauge

A screw gauge is an instrument that is used to measure small lengths with

accuracy greater than a Vernier calliper.
Least count of screw gauge

Least count = pitch of the screw gauge / no. of division on circular scale
Least count = 1mm / 100
Least count= 0.01mm OR 0.001cm
Zero Error

To find the zero error close the gap between the spindle and the stud of the
screw gauge by rotating the ratchet in the clockwise direction.
If zero of circular scale coincides with the index line, then zero error will be
zero.
Zero error will be positive if zero of circular scale is behind the index line.
Zero error will be negative if zero of circular scale has crossed the index line.
Physical Balance

A physical balance is used in the laboratory to measure the mass of

various objects by comparison. It consists of a beam resting at the center
of a fulcrum.

The beam carries scale pans over the hooks on either side.
Unknown mass is placed on the left pan. find some suitable standard
masses that cause the pointer to remain at zero on raising the b e a m .

Lever balance

A lever balance consists of a system of levers when lever is lifted

placing the object in one pan and standard masses on the other pan, the
pointer of the lever system moves. The pointer is brought to zero by
varying standard masses.

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Electronic Balance
Electronic balances come in various ranges, milligram ranges,
gram ranges and kilogramme ranges, Before measuring the mass of a
body it is switched ON and its reading is set to zero. N e x t place the object
to be weighed, The reading on the balance gives you the mass of the body
placed over it.

StopWatch

A Stopwatch is used to measure the time interval of an event.

There are two types of stopwatch.
(i) Mechanical stopwatch
(ii) Digital stopwatch

Mechanical stopwatch
It can measure a time interval up to a minimum 0.1 second.
A mechanical stopwatch has a knob that is used to wind the spring
that powers the watch, it can also be used as a start-stop and rest button.
The watch starts when the knob is pressed once. When pressed second
time, it stops the watch while the third press brings the needle back to
zero position.

Digital Stopwatch
A digital stopwatch is commonly used in laboratories can measure an
interval as 0.01 second.
The digital stopwatch starts to indicate the time lapsed as the start/stop
button is pressed. As soon as start/stop button is pressed again it stops
and indicate the time interval recorded by it between start and stop of an
event. A rest button restores its initial zero setting.

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Measuring Cylinder

A measuring cylinder is a glass or transparent plastic cylinder. It has a

scale along its length that indicates the volume in milliliter (ml).
Measuring cylinders have different capacities from 100 ml to 2500 ml. They
are used to measure the volume of a liquid or powdered substance. It is also
used to find the volume of an irregular shaped solid insoluble in a liquid by
displacement method.

Significant figures:
All the accurately known digits and the first doubtful digit in a measurement
are called significant figures.
Rules to find the Significant digits in a measurement:

i) Digits other than zero are always significant.

Example: 27 has two significant digits.
275 has three significant digits.
ii) Zeros between significant digits are also significant.
Example: 2705 has four significant digits.
iii) Final zero or zeros after decimal are significant.
Example: 275.00 has five significant digits.
iv) Zeros used for spacing the decimal point are not significant. Here zeros
are place holders only.
Example: 0.03 has one significant digits.
0.027 has two significant digits.

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Rounding the numbers:

i) If the last digit is less than 5 it is simply dropped. This decreases the
number of significant digits in the figure.
Example: 1.943 is rounded to 1.94(three significant digits)
275 has three significant digits.
ii) If the last digit is greater than 5, then the digit on its left is increased by
one. This also decreases the significant digits.
Example: 1.47 is rounded to 1.5(two significant digits)
iii) If the last digit is 5, then it is rounded to get nearest even number.
Example: 1.35 is rounded to 1.4 and
1.45 is also rounded to 1.4.

UNIT-1
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1.2 What is the difference between base quantities and derived

quantities? Give three examples in each case.

A: BASE QUANTITIES:
The quantities on the basis of which other quantities are expressed are
known as base quantities. Examples Length, time, mass

DERIVED QUANTITIES:
Physical quantities which can be described in terms o f b a s e quantities
are known as derived quantities. Examples Force, speed, acceleration

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Q1.3Pick out the base units in the following:

Joule, Newton, kilogram, hertz, mole, ampere, meter,
Kelvin, coulomb and watt.
A: Base units
Kilogram (unit of mass) Mole (unit of quantity of substance)
Ampere (unit of electric current) Metre (unit of length)
Kelvin (unit of temperature)

Q1.4 Find the base quantities involved in each of the following

derived quantities:
(a) Speed (b) volume (c) force (d) work
A:
(a) Speed = distance / time
In speed base quantities are distance(length) and time.

(b) Volume = length x width x height

In volume base quantities are length, width (length) and height(length)

(c) Force= mass x acceleration

The SI unit of force is Newton. 1 Newton = kg m /s2
In force base quantities are mass (unit kilogram), distance (unit metre) and
time (unit second).

(d) Work = force x displacement

The SI unit of force is joule. 1 joule = kg m2/s2
In work base quantities are mass (unit kilogram), distance (unit metre) and
time (unit second).

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Q1.5 Estimate your age in seconds.

A: Let present age = 15 years = 15 x 365 days = 5475 days
= 5475 x 24 hours
= 13 1 400 hours
= 131400 x 3600 second
= 473040000 second

Q1.6 What role SI units have played in the development of science?

A:SI units have played very important role in the development of

science particularly this system is very useful to exchange the scientific
and technical information.

Q1.7 What is meant by Vernier constant?

A: The difference between one main scale division and one Vernier division is
called Vernier constant.

Q1.8What do you understand by the zero error of a measuring

instrument?
A: It is a defect in measuring device (Vernier calliper & screw gauge) and
zero error is caused by an incorrect position of the zero point.

Q1.9 Why is use of zero error necessary in a measuring instrument?

A: In order to get the correct measurement, the use of zero error is necessary

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Q1.10 What is a stopwatch? What is the least count of a mechanical

stopwatch you have used in the laboratories?
A: A Stopwatch is used to measure the time interval of an event. The least
count of mechanical stopwatch is 0.1 second.

Q1.11Why do we need to measure extremely small interval of

times?
A:We need to measure extremely small interval of times to get accurate
and error free results of experiments or better resolution of
measurement is possible.
Q1.12 What is meant by significant figures of a measurements?
A: All the accurately known digits and the first doubtful digit in a
measurement are called significant figures.
Q1.13 How is precision related to the significant figures in a measured
quantity?
A: The greater the number of significant figures, the greater the precision. An
improvement in the quality of measurement by using better instrument
increases the significant figures in the measured result.

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