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C1: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

1.1 Understanding Physics

What in the world is physics?

Don’t worry as we won’t be giving you the

definition, you can google it yourself. We will
explain it briefly with examples.

Physics is a study of mechanics and mostly how

things work and move around. For example, how an
object stays stationary on Earth OR how a car
overcomes friction and accelerates OR even how
energy is converted to one form and another.

A very core principle that we must study in physics

is laws set by famous scientists (physicians) in the
past, whereby also known as theories. Theories
CAN BE proven wrong if another theory has
supported evidence to prove it wrong, so what are
you waiting for? Keep scrolling and you might prove
Einstein wrong!

1.2 Base and Derived Quantities

Base quantity is the physical quantity that cannot be

defined in terms of other physical quantities.

There are a total of 7 base quantities in the world

but today we will be learning just 5 base quantities
(SPM Syllabus) which are mass, electric current,
length, time and temperature.

SPM TIPS! 💡 SI UNIT

Mass Kg
Electric Current A
Length M
Time s
Temperature K

MELTT

Derived quantity is the physical quantity that can be

derived from the combination of various base
quantities using multiplication, division or both.

What do we mean by that? Well, derived quantity is

basically quantities from base quantities. Here’s an
example:

Derived Quantity Formed from

Force Mass, Length, Time
Density Mass, Length
Speed Length, Time
Energy Mass, Length, Time
...and many more!
1.3 Scalar and Vector Quantities

SCALAR QUANTITY VECTOR QUANTITY

is a physical quantity is a physical quantity
that has magnitude only that has magnitude and
direction
E.g.: speed, mass, E.g.: velocity, weight,
distance displacement

Diagram 1

1.4 Measurements

What are the common measuring instruments?

Metre rule Accuracy up to 0.1cm
Vernier Calipers Accuracy up to 0.01cm
Micrometer Screw Accuracy up to 0.01mm
Gauge

Precision is the ability of an instrument to measure a

quantity and give a consistent reading.

Accuracy is the approximation of a measurement to

the actual value.

Sensitivity is the ability of an instrument to detect a

small change in quantity quickly.

Systematic Error Random Error

Errors that produce a A mistake made by an
result that differs from observer when taking
the actual value by a the measurement
fixed amount
Mainly caused by Mainly caused by the
instrument observer
E.g. Zero error E.g. Parallax error
SPM TIPS! 💡
*Remember SCCISORS (SysZer) and RAPAT
(RaPa)

1.5 Scientific Investigation

Graph 1
 Graph 2

Graph 1 is directly proportional and Graph 2 is

inversely proportional.

Example of an experiment report:

TITLE OF EXPERIMENT

Inference:
Hypothesis:
Purpose:
Variables:
Manipulated:
Responding:
Fixed:
Apparatus:
Materials:
Procedure:
Results:
Data analyzing
Conclusion:
Discussion:

**Please refer to your school teacher for experiment

format, this is just the general guide, some teachers
may have different requirements.

END OF CHAPTER 1