Csec Physics Chapter 1: Physical Quantities and Measuring

Physical Quantities We can use a vernier caliper to measure lengths

such as the diameter (internal/external) of any small
A physical quantity is the property of an object or cylindrical objects
phenomenon that can be measured with an
instrument For example, the diameter of a test tube

There are two types: There is a main scale and a vernier scale. When an
object is placed between outside jaws, the main scale
• Basic/Fundamental Quantities is read first. On the vernier scale, one of the
markings will line up with the main scale. This gives
• Derived Quantities
the fraction of the millimeter scale that must be
1.Basic/Fundamental Quantities: added to the main scale.

 Stands by itself
 Independent of other physical quantities,
defined by a physical standard.

Seven fundamental or base quantities from which all

other physical quantities can be derived are:

 Mass (m)
 kilogram (kg)
 Length (l)
 Metre (m)
 Time (t)
 Second (s)  Micrometer Screw Gauge
 Temperature (T)
 kelvin (K) The micrometer screw gauge is used to measure very
 Electric current (I) small lengths such as the diameter of a ball bearing
 Ampere (A) or the width of a piece of copper wire.
 Amount of substance (n)
 Mole (mol) It consists of a main scale on the shaft and a
fractional scale on a rotating barrel. The fractional
 Luminous intensity (lv)
scale has 50 divisions. One complete turn represents
 Candela (cd)
0.50mm.
Derived Quantities
Reading = main scale + rotating scale = 6.50 + 0.23
 A combination of fundamental quantities = 6.73 mm
 Units formed by means of multiplying or
dividing a combination of fundamental and/or
derived quantities.
 The corresponding unit is derived from the
relationship between the base units.

Force (F) = F=ma (kg m s-')

Work or Energy (E) = E= Fd (Nm)

Power(p) = P = W / T (J S-I)

Pressure (P) = P = F/A (N m-1)

Charge (Q) = Q=1/T (As)

Voltage (V) = V =E/Q (J C-1)  Measuring the volume of a liquid

Resistance (R) = R=V/l (VA-1) Look at it from a side view, the surface of a liquid
inside a vertical tube is not a straight line. A liquid
Frequency (F)= F= 1/F (s-1) surface curves at the edges where the liquid wets the
glass. The curved surface is called a meniscus
Measuring:
Correct readings are taken:
Measurements can be taken using:
 When the instrument is vertical or resting on a
 Ruler horizontal surface
 Vernier calipers:
 When the reading is taken at the bottom of the Finding the volume of regular shaped solids by
meniscus formula
 When your eye is level with the meniscus
Volume of a rectangular block = Length x breadth
x height

Volume of a cylinder of radius r = Height x area of

end
Finding the area of irregularly-shaped objects:
Volume of a sphere of radius r = v/ 4/3 pi r3
 To find the area of an irregular object, first
count the number of whole squares.
 For squares that are partly filled, match up
pairs which together make a full square. Using
smaller squares increases the accuracy of this
method

Density:

Density is defined as the mass of a unit volume of a

material substance.

Formula: Density = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠/ 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 Errors

ρ = 𝑚/v  Measurements are accurate if the systematic

errors are small.
 mass is measured in kilograms (kg) ,
 Measurements are precise if the random errors
 volume is measured in cubic metres (m3 ) are small.
and density is measured in kilogram per
cubic metre (kgm−3 ). Random Errors:

Worked Example: Random errors are those which have equal chance of
causing the results to be greater or less than the
The mass of the block is 360 mg. Find the true value
density in kgm−3
They may be caused by poor judgement or by
Volume = l x b x h slightly fluctuating conditions during the experiment
which cannot be controlled.
= 3cm x 5cm x 4cm
A typical example is parallax error: This occurs
= 0.03m x 0.05m x 0.04m
when the marking viewed on a scale is not
= 0.00006 m3 coincident in position with the point to which the
measurement should be made
= 6 x 10−5 m3
Reducing Parallax Error
Mass = 360 mg = 360 x 10−3 g
 Observations should be made with the line of
= 0.36 g (Multiply by the factor 10−3) sight perpendicular to the scale.
 The pointer should be as close as possible to the
= 0.36 ÷ 10-3 = 0.00036 kg scale when taking readings.
 If the scale is vertical, such as with a measuring
= 3.6 x 10−4 kg
cylinder, eye level readings should be taken.
(Divide by the factor 103)
Precautions:
Density = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 / 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
 The mean of several readings should be taken.
= 3.6 x 10−4 / 6 x 10−5 = 6 kgm−3  The line of the graph should have minimum
deviation from its points.
Measuring Area:
Systematic Errors:
Finding the area of a regular shape by formula
Systematic errors are those which makes the result
Rectangle: area = length x breadth base x height always too small or too large by the same amount
due to an inaccuracy in the system
The area of a disc = pi x radius squared = pi2
Examples:
The surface area of a sphere: 4 pi x r2
 Zero error of ammeters or voltmeters with
The area of a triangle = ½ b moving pointers (when no current flows, the
pointer may not be at the zero mark)
Measuring Volume
 Poorly calibrated scale
Precautions: a corner of one of the small squares of the graph
sheet.
 Read instruments correctly
 Use more than one technique to measure the Mark these points and use them to construct a large
same quantity right-angled triangle
 Check instruments by submitting other ones for
the same measurement • Determine the gradient, m (slope) from the
equation
 Check instruments by looking for zero error
M = y2- y1 / x2 – x1
Reading Systematic Errors:

 The value of the error must be discovered and

then added or subtracted from each reading.
 The instrument must be adjusted.

Experimental Data and Analysis:

 Independent Variable:

The variable that is being affected or investigated

 Dependant variables:

The variables that may be affected by a change in

the dependant variable

 Control Variable:

A Variable that is kept constant

Example:

In an investigation of how the factors mass (m) and

length (I) affect the period (Tl of a simple pendulum)

Expt 1

Independent: length of string

Dependant: Period

Control: Mass of bob period

Expt 2

Independent: Mass of bob

Dependant: Period

Controlled: length of string

 If a third variable is to be investigated, such

as the angular displacement of the string,
the length of the string as well as the mass
of the bob will have to be controlled as the
angle is varied.

Finding the Gradient (slope) of a straight-line

graph

Select two points on the line, (x1 y1,) and (x1,y1),

which are far apart. Each point should be exactly on
Practise Questions
 I Length Metre m
A Area Square Metre m2

Length, V Volume Cubic Metre m3

Mass,
Time
M Mass Kilogram Kg
d or p Density Kilogram per Kg m-3
metre cubed

T Time Second s
T Period Second s
f Frequency Hertz Hz

Symbol Quantity Unit of Symbol

For The The For The
Quantity Quantity Unit
F Force Newton N
Force and W Weight Newton N
Pressure
M Moment of Newton Nm
A Force Metre
p Pressure Pascal Pa

Quantities and Units and Symbols

Symbol Quantity Unit For The

of The Quantity
Quantit
y