Q1 General Physics 12 - Module 1
Q1 General Physics 12 - Module 1
General Physics 1
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Measurement
General Physics 1 – Grade 12
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Measurement
First Edition, 2020
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General Physics 1
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Measurement
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
Welcome to this Grade 12 General Physics 1 Self-Learning Module entitled,
“Measurement”!
This has been developed and reviewed to help you deliver the lessons to the
learner in this new normal mode of delivery – modular distance learning. As
this learning material was developed, the needs and context of the learners
were considered to make their learning experience relevant.
There are series of activities in this module, complete with content and
instructions on how our learners will do these tasks. Please be reminded to
tell the learners that they will use separate sheets for their answers in all
activities such as pre-test (Let Us Try), self-check exercises (Let Us Practice,
Let Us Practice More, Let Us Enhance, Let Us Reflect), and Post Test (Let Us
Assess).
This module has been developed to assist you in mastering the learning
competency/ competencies even outside the face-to-face instruction. This
module contains instructions on how you will use the module.
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Let Us Learn!
It is expected that by the end of this module, you will gain a concrete
understanding in the concept of Measurement. Be sure to coordinate closely
with your subject teacher in General Physics.
Let Us Try!
How far do you know the topic of Measurement?
Read the questions carefully and choose the letter of the best answer. Write
the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper. (5 Items Multiple Choice)
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3. How can we reduce random errors?
A. Calibrate periodically the scientific instruments.
B. Replace defective and inconsistent instruments.
C. Repeat the experiment until the true value is obtained.
D. Increase the number of trials of measurement and calculate the
average.
Lesson
Conversion of Units
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Let Us Study
Have you heard a famous scientist or even your science teacher saying
that “mathematics is the language of the universe”? How can this be true?
Math is everywhere! The first thing we need to learn in Physics is how to
quantify the things around us. But how can we do that? It is through
measurement.
Our life involves a lot of measurements that we do every day. This could
be the amount of sugar needed for a cup of coffee or the amount of internet
data needed to get you online. Do you still remember using a meter stick to
get the height of your classmate? You may tell him that he is 1.52 meters or
5 feet tall based on your measurement. How about using a graduated cylinder
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to get the volume of a certain liquid? The graduated cylinder may have given
you a reading of 7.5 milliliters (mL). Well, any of these scenarios show that
you are doing measurements.
Once you know how to measure, you are expressing the things around
you in mathematics. We can only describe, predict, and understand how the
universe works if it is expressed in numbers. Thus, expressing the universe
in figures means you are quantifying it through a measurement. It’s no
surprise that the secrets of understanding the universe lie in the way we
perform and express our measurements, and this is a reality that we must
embrace.
Measurement
The two most common unit systems of measurements are the English
system and the metric system. The English system uses units such as inches,
yards, and pounds, while the metric system uses centimeters, meters, and
kilograms. In the United States, English units are commonly used every day.
However, the most convenient system for scientific measurements is based on
the metric system. This is called the International System of Units or SI units.
It is a set of standard units agreed upon by scientists throughout the world.
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Combining two or more of these fundamental quantities forms a derived
quantity such as acceleration, area, density, energy, force, power, velocity,
volume, work, and many more.
The SI system employs prefix multipliers with the base units. These
multipliers change the value of the unit by powers of 10. For example, the
kilogram (kg) features the prefix kilo-, meaning 1000 or 103. Below are the SI
prefixes that you need to familiarize yourself with before starting to convert
from one unit to another.
The SI Prefixes
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micro μ 0.000001 10-6
nano n 0.000000001 10-9
pico p 0.000000000001 10-12
femto f 0.000000000000001 10-15
atto a 0.000000000000000001 10-18
zepto z 0.000000000000000000001 10-21
yocto y 0.000000000000000000000001 10-24
Conversion of Units
Examples:
1 ℎ𝑟 60 𝑚𝑖𝑛 1 𝑘𝑚 103 𝑚
= 1 𝑜𝑟 =1 , = 1 𝑜𝑟 =1
60 𝑚𝑖𝑛 1 ℎ𝑟 103 𝑚 1 𝑘𝑚
These are the following ways to convert units from one system to
another system.
This problem tells you to convert 18 feet into inches. Here, it is widely
known that there are 12 inches in 1 foot. Using this information, we can try
solving the problem using the solution below.
Solution:
12 in
18 ft ( ) = (18)(12 in)
1 ft
= 𝟐𝟏𝟔 𝐢𝐧 or 𝟐. 𝟐 𝐱 𝟏𝟎𝟐 𝐢𝐧
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Here, our final answer is 2.2 x 102 in where it is expressed in scientific
notation with two significant figures. In this case, our answer will have as
many significant figures as the given value with the least number of significant
figures.
This problem tells you to convert 35.8 yards into meters. We can try
solving the problem using the solution below. (note: 1m = 1.0936yd)
Solution:
1m 35.8 m
35.8 yd ( )=( )
1.0936 yd 1.0936
= 𝟑𝟐. 𝟕 𝐦
Here, our final answer is 𝟑𝟐. 𝟕 𝒎 where it has three significant figures.
Sometimes, you will also be asked to convert from the metric system to
the English system, but the process is just the same.
1 in 25 in
25 cm ( )=( )
2.54 cm 2.54
= 𝟗. 𝟖 𝐢𝐧
Solution:
10−3 s 1 ns (851)(10−3 )(1)ns
851 ms ( ) ( −9 ) =
1 ms 10 s (1)(10−9 )
8.51 x 10−1 ns
=
10−9
= 𝟖. 𝟓𝟏 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟖 ns
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Here, our final answer is 𝟖. 𝟓𝟏 𝐱 𝟏𝟎𝟖 ns where it is expressed in
scientific notation with three significant figures.
Sample Problem:
Solution:
25 𝑥 103 𝑚
=
3600 𝑠
𝒎
= 𝟔. 𝟗𝟒
𝒔
In this case, the unit kilometers (km) is converted first to meters (m)
followed by (hr) to second (s).
Let Us Practice
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Problem-Solving Rubrics in Physics
Scoring
Criteria 10 8 6 4 2 0
Mathematical All Correct Some parts The majority All There is no
Procedures mathematical mathematical of of mathematical attempt to
(Solutions) procedures procedures mathematical mathematical procedures give
are correct, are employed procedures procedures are wrong mathematical
clear, and with few are lacking are lacking and/or procedures.
complete. errors or and/or and/or include
erasures. include include errors.
errors. errors.
Answer The answer The answer The answer The answer The answer There is no
is correct is correct is correct has no unit. is incorrect. attempt to
with the with the with no unit. It doesn’t It doesn’t answer.
appropriate wrong unit. It It follows the follow the follow the
unit. It follows the rules of rules of rules of
follows the rules of significant significant significant
rules of significant figures and figures and figures and
significant figures and scientific scientific scientific
figures and scientific notation as notation as notation as
scientific notation as necessary. necessary. necessary.
notation as necessary.
necessary.
Okay! Let us have this activity to let you apply your knowledge in
another situation.
Let’s do this!
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Lesson
Uncertainty and Error
2 Analysis
Let Us Study
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Here, precision is how close the dots are to each other while accuracy
is how close the dots are to the target.
Variance
Aside from calculating the mean of repeated readings, another method
of estimating the errors from a set of measurements of a physical quantity is
to determine the variance. The variance measures the squared deviation of
each reading in the set from the mean. Below is the step-by-step procedure
in calculating the variance of a set of measurements.
Σ𝑥
1. Calculate the mean (average) of the set of measurements, 𝑥̅ = 𝑁 .
2. Solve for the deviation of each measurement from the mean (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ ).
3. Get the square of each deviation, (𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 .
4. Get the sum of the squares of each deviation, Σ(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2 .
5. Calculate the variance by dividing the sum of the squares by the
number of measurements (N) in the set.
Σ(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2
𝜎2 =
𝑁
Variance is denoted as (𝜎 2 ) in the equation. Technically, a variance of
zero indicates that all measurements are identical. However, a small variance
suggests that the values are close to one another, which means they are
precise.
Moreover, standard deviation is the square root of the variance. It is the
measure of how diverse or spread out the set of measurements from their
average or mean. Usually, a small standard deviation can be interpreted that
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most of the measurements are close to their average. However, a large
standard deviation implies that the measurements are very diverse.
The measurement x of a physical quantity in a set of measurements is
usually reported as 𝑥 = 𝑥̅ ± 𝜎. This is patterned from our previous equation
of expressing uncertainty in our measurements.
The sample problem below will show us how to calculate the mean,
variance, standard deviation, and measured value of a certain physical
quantity.
Sample Problem:
A physics teacher asked a group of five students to measure the mass
of a certain rock. Determine the (a) mean, (b) variance, (c) standard deviation,
and (d) measured mass of the rock. The students came up with the following
measurements.
Student 1 Student 2 Student 3 Student 4 Student 5
1.2 kg 1.5 kg 1.1 kg 1.3 kg 1.4 kg
Solutions:
a. Solving for the Mean
Σ𝑥 1.2 𝑘𝑔+1.5 𝑘𝑔+1.1 𝑘𝑔+1.3 𝑘𝑔+1.4 𝑘𝑔
𝑥̅ = = = 𝟏. 𝟑 𝒌𝒈
𝑁 5
(1.2 𝑘𝑔−1.3 𝑘𝑔)2 +(1.5 𝑘𝑔−1.3 𝑘𝑔)2+(1.1 𝑘𝑔−1.3 𝑘𝑔)2+(1.3 𝑘𝑔−1.3 𝑘𝑔)2 +(1.4 𝑘𝑔−1.3 𝑘𝑔)2
= 5
= 0. 𝟎𝟐 𝒌𝒈𝟐
Σ(𝑥−𝑥̅ )2
𝜎= √ 𝑁
(1.2 𝑘𝑔−1.3 𝑘𝑔)2 +(1.5 𝑘𝑔−1.3 𝑘𝑔)2 +(1.1 𝑘𝑔−1.3 𝑘𝑔)2+(1.3 𝑘𝑔−1.3 𝑘𝑔)2+(1.4 𝑘𝑔−1.3 𝑘𝑔)2
=√ 5
= 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒 𝒌𝒈 ≈ 𝟎. 𝟏 𝒌𝒈
d. The measured mass of the rock is (1.3 ± 0.1) kg.
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Guide Questions:
1. How do you interpret the variance and standard deviation of this
problem?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Was the set of measurements of the students for the mass of a certain
rock accurate? Why or why not?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. How can this group of students improve their measurements based on
their data and your calculations?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
How do you find the process of solving the problem? Was it simple and
easy? Great! Let’s try new problems.
Let Us Practice
Solve the following problems and follow what we did in the previous
examples to determine the (a) mean, (b) variance, (c) standard deviation, and
(d) measured value of a physical quantity.
Exercise 1: During an experiment, a group of seven students was asked to
measure the length of a tube. Their measurements were as follows:
5.18 cm, 5.20 cm, 5.14 cm, 5.19 cm, 5.22 cm, 5.23cm and 5.17
cm.
Now that you have understood the basic concepts, let us practice what
you have learned by applying that in another situation.
Exercise 2: Six students were asked to determine the mass of a copper wire.
The results are as follows: 2.02 g, 1.96 g, 1.98 g, 2.00 g, 1.97 g,
and 1.96 g. Again, determine the (a) mean, (b) variance, (c)
standard deviation, and (d) measured value of a physical quantity.
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Let Us Remember
After going through the activities in the previous parts of this module,
you should have learned the following key takeaway points.
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Let Us Assess
Now, let us find out how much you have learned from the discussions
and activities presented in this module. There are 15 questions that would
help you express your understanding of concepts. Choose the letter of your
choice. Use a separate sheet for your answers.
Direction: Read each question carefully and choose the best answer.
1. What is the value of 15.33 kg per liter in grams per milliliter?
A. 1.593 x 101 g/mL C. 1.543 x 101 g/mL
B. 1.533 x 101 g/mL D. 1.523 x 101 g/mL
3. The average lifespan of a Filipino is 69.3 years. How many minutes are
there in this lifespan?
A. 3.35 x 107mins C. 3.51 x 107 mins
B. 3.47 x 107mins D. 3.63 x 107 mins
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9. What does it mean when theirs is a small variance in your set of
measurements?
A. It indicates that the values are close to one another, which means
they are precise.
B. It indicates that the values are close to the true value, which
means they are accurate.
C. It indicates that the values are close to one another, which means
they are accurate.
D. It indicates that the values are close to the true value, which
means they are precise.
11. What is the mean temperature for these values (30.1ºC, 30.6 ºC, 30.2
ºC, 31.0 ºC, 30.4 ºC) obtained in measuring the temperature of a
physics laboratory?
A. 30.3 ºC C. 30.5 ºC
B. 30.4 ºC D. 30.6 ºC
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Let Us Enhance
Let us apply what you have learned to real-life situations for you to
appreciate the concepts of our lessons.
Let us try another problem that is very familiar but with a bit of a twist.
You are still going to find what you are being asked. Are you ready? Here we
go!
Charles owns a plant nursery, and one of his biggest sellers is durian
seedling. He sells the seedlings to his customers when they are at least 18
inches tall. Charles wants to know how long it will take for each of his durian
seedlings to grow tall enough to be sold. To get an estimate of this time, he
selects ten plants at random and records the number of days each one takes
to grow from a seed into a 20-inch-tall plant. Below is the time each plant is
required to grow to 20 inches tall.
Plant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Number
Days 103 95 87 100 96 88 105 101 93 90
Let Us Reflect
After going through all the activities, reflect on the key concepts
discussed in this module by completing this another task. Use another sheet
for your answers.
Instruction: Search and read the article entitled “Missing What Didn't Add
Up, NASA Subtracted an Orbiter” written by Andrew Pollack for The New York
Times. This reports how NASA (National Aeronautics and Space
Administration) lost a $125 million Mars orbiter in 1999 due to a mistake in
measurement conversions. The details of the article can be found in the
Reference section of this module. In at least 300-500 words, how would you
react to the situation if you were one of the project engineers in the said
mission? How will you relate the significance of this incidence to our current
lessons?
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Let Us Assess
1. B
2. D
3. D
4. C
5. C
6. B
7. B
8. C
9. A
10.B
11.C
12.B
13.C
14.
15.A
Let Us Enhance
a. Mean = 95.8 days
b. Variance = 40 days
c. Standard Deviation = 6.3 days
d. The measured value = (95.8 ± 6.3) days
LESSON 2 Let Us Try
1. ) B
Let Us Practice 2. ) B
Exercise 1 3. ) D
a. Mean = 5.19 cm 4. ) A
b. Variance = 0.00093 cm2 or 9.3x10-4 cm2 5. ) C
c. Standard Deviation = 0.03 cm
d. The measured value = (5.19 ± 0.03) cm
LESSON 1
Let Us Practice More
Exercise 2 Let Us Practice
a. Mean = 1.98 g 1.) 7.01 x 105 cm3
b. Variance = 0.000577 g 2 2.) 2.986 x 107 mg
c. Standard Deviation = 0.02 g 3.) 88 ft/s
d. The measured value = (1.98 ± 0.02) g
Let Us Practice More
1.) 1.9 x 102 cm
2.) 3.2 x 104 MB
Answer Key
References
Cutnell, John D., Kenneth W. Johnson, David Young, and Shane Stadler.
Introduction to Physics: International Student Version. Hoboken, NJ:
John Wiley & Sons, 2015.
Serway, Raymond A., and Chris Vuille. College Physics. Stamford, CT:
Cengage Learning, 2015.
Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, A. Lewis Ford, Francis Weston Sears,
and Hugh D. Young. Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with
Modern Physics. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2013.
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