Introduction to Physics for

Engineers/Architects
(Calculus Based)
Units and Dimension
Fundamental and Derived Quantities

To define the state of rest or motion of bodies, we must specify the

physical characteristics of the bodies by certain measurable quantities.

These quantities can be classified into fundamental quantities and

derived quantities.
Fundamental quantities are those quantities based upon which all other
quantities are derived. Hence fundamental quantities are independent.

Derived quantities are those quantities that are derived from

fundamental quantities.
What are these fundamental quantities?
• In physics and mechanics, it has been found that three fundamental
quantities are sufficient to express every other quantity. They are
chosen to be Length (l), Mass (m), and Time (t).

• The first letter of these quantities (l, m, t)are used to expressed every
other quantity and their expressions are termed dimensions.

• For example, area is expressed as a product of two lengths. (

Units and System of Units
• Mks System of Units – in mks system of units, metre (m) is the unit
assigned to length, kilogram (kg) to mass and seconds (s) to time. It is
also represented as metre-kilograms-second.

• Cgs System of Units – in cgs systems of units, centimetre (cm) is the

unit assigned to length, gram (g) to mass and seconds (s) to time. It is
also represented as centimetre-grams-second. It is also called
Gaussian system of units.
• Fps System of Units – in fps system of units, foot (ft) is the unit
assigned to length, pound (lb) to force or mass and seconds (s) to
time.

• SI System of Units – As a different systems of units are used by different

countries of the world, it leads to confusion. Hence, a universal standard for units
was sought for the eleventh general conference of weights and measures held in
Paris in 1960. The system of units proposed during that time is called Système
Intertionale d’ Unitès, abbreviated as SI Units. In English, it is referred as an
Internation System of Units.
Derived Quantities
• Once fundamental quantities and their units and dimension are
chosen, we can define every other physical quantity in terms of these
quantities. For instance, area can be expresses as a product of
lengths.

• Similarly volume can be expressed as a product of three lengths

• Velocity is defined as rate of change of displacement. Mathematically
Velocity = displacement / time or

Hence its dimension and unit can be expressed in terms of fundamental quantities

• Acceleration is defined as rate of change of velocity. Mathematically

acceleration = velocity / time or

its dimension and unit can be expressed in terms of

Fundamental and derived quantities
Dimensional homogeneity
• While expressing physical quantities in terms of other quantities using
mathematical equations, the following rule must be checked. That is
the dimension of terms on both sides of the equation must be equal.
This is knows as dimensional homogeneity.

• For instance, the velocity of a body in rectilinear motion is given by the equation,

Is it dimensional homogeneous or not?

• Consider the following equation and evaluate whether it
is dimensional homogeneous or not.
Scalars and Vectors
• The physical quantities alone will not suffice to describe the state of rest or
motion of a body. In addition to these quantities, which describe only the
magnitude, the direction should also need to be specified. It is for this
reason that we need to introduce the concept of scalars and vectors.

• Scalars – are those quantities that have magnitude only ( specified by a

number and unit). Examples of this are mass, length, time, density, energy
etc.

• Vectors- are those quantities that have both magnitude and direction. The
examples are displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, etc.
Newton’s Law of Motion
• First Law- states that an object in motion tends to stay in motion
unless an external force acts upon it. Similarly, if the object is at rest,
it will remain at rest unless an unbalanced force acts upon it. It is also
knows as the Law of Inertia

• Second Law- states that when a force acts on an object, it will cause
the object to accelerate. The larger the mass of the object, the
greater the force will need to be to cause it to accelerate.
Mathematically it is written as ,
• Third Law- states that for every action, there is an equal and
opposite reaction.