School of Foundation of

Studies
Physics
I
FIS20
61

Physical
Measurements
At the end of the topic,
Students will have an understanding of the following:

Fundamental quantities / Base units /

SI Units
Derived quantities
Prefixes
Units conversion
Significant figures
Random and systematic errors
Vectors & Trigonometry
SI Units / Base Units

Standard physical quantity

For measurements

French:
le Systèm Internationale
d’Unités

English:
International System of Units
Fundamental Quantities
Light
Ti
Inten
me
Ma sity
ss Tempera
ture
Elect Mol
ric Len
e gth
Fundamental Quantities
No. Fundamental quantities SI / Base unit

1 Mass, kilogram kg

2 Length, metre m

3 Time, second s

4 Electric current, ampere A

5 Temperature, Kelvin K

6 Amount of substance, mole mol

7 Luminous (light) intensity, candela cd

Old Definitions
Quantity SI Unit Old Definition
Mass, kilogram, The kilogram is the unit of mass; it is equal
to the mass of the international prototype of
the kilogram.
Length, metre, The metre is the length of the path travelled
by light in vacuum during a time interval of
of a second.
Time, second, The second is the duration of 9 192 631 770
periods of the radiation corresponding to the
transition between the two hyperfine levels
of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
Electric current, ampere, The ampere is that constant current which,
if maintained in two straight parallel
conductors of infinite length, of negligible
circular cross-section, and placed 1 metre
apart in vacuum, would produce between
these conductors a force equal to newton
per metre of length.
Old Definitions
Quantity S.I. Unit Old Definition
Thermodynamic kelvin, The kelvin, unit of thermodynamic
temperature, temperature, is the fraction of the
thermodynamic temperature of the triple
point of water.
Amount of mole, The mole is the amount of substance of a
substance, system which contains as many elementary
entities as there are atoms in 0.012 kilogram
of carbon-12; its symbol is "mol".
Luminous (light) candela, The candela is the luminous intensity, in a
intensity, given direction, of a source that emits
monochromatic radiation of frequency and
that has a radiant intensity in that direction
of watt per steradian.
New Definitions

Image source:
https://www.bipm.org/en/si-download-a
New Definitions
the unperturbed ground state hyperfine transition frequency
of the caesium 133 atom  is 

the speed of light in vacuum  is 

the Planck constant  is 

the elementary charge  is 

the Boltzmann constant  is 

the Avogadro constant  is 

the luminous efficacy of monochromatic radiation of frequency

, , is 

; ; ; ; 
Fundamental Quantities (NEW)
TIME, 
SI unit: second ()
“…It is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of
the caesium frequency , the unperturbed ground-
state hyperfine transition frequency of the caesium
133 atom, to be  when expressed in the unit , which
is equal to .”

Image source:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.ed
Fundamental Quantities (NEW)
TIME, 
SI unit: second ()

Fundamental Quantities (NEW)
LENGTH, 
SI unit: metre ()
Scale
“…It is defined by taking the
fixed numerical value of the of the
speed of light in vacuum  to be 
when expressed in the unit ,
where the second is defined in
Univer
terms of .” se
http://htwins.net/scale2/
(Click this link)
Fundamental Quantities (NEW)
LENGTH, 
SI unit: metre ()


Fundamental Quantities (NEW)
MASS, 
SI unit: kilogram
()
“…It is defined by taking the fixed numerical
value of the Planck constant  to be  when
expressed in the unit , which is equal to ,
where the metre and the second are defined
in terms of  and .”
Fundamental Quantities (NEW)
MASS, 
SI unit: kilogram
()

Fundamental Quantities (NEW)

ELECTRIC CURRENT, 
SI unit: ampere ()

“…It is defined by taking the fixed numerical

value of the elementary charge  to be  when
expressed in the unit , which is equal to ,
where the second is defined in terms of .”
Fundamental Quantities (NEW)

ELECTRIC CURRENT, 
SI unit: ampere ()


Fundamental Quantities (NEW)

TEMPERATURE, 
SI unit: kelvin ()

“…It is defined by taking the fixed numerical

value of Boltzmann constant  to be  when
expressed in the unit , which is equal to ,
where the kilogram, metre and second are
defined in terms of ,  and .”
Fundamental Quantities (NEW)

TEMPERATURE, 
SI unit: kelvin ()

Fundamental Quantities (NEW)

AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE, 
SI unit: mole ()
“…One mole contains exactly  elementary entities.
This number is the fixed numerical value of the
Avogadro constant, , when expressed in the unit  and
is called the Avogadro number.”
The amount substances, symbol , of a system is a
measure of the number of specified elementary
entities. An elementary entity may be an atom, a
molecule, an ion, an electron, any other particle of
specified group of particles.
Fundamental Quantities (NEW)

AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE, 
SI unit: mole ()


Fundamental Quantities (NEW)

LIGHT INTENSITY, 
SI unit: candela ()
“The candela, symbol , is the SI unit luminous
intensity in a given direction. It is defined by taking
the fixed numerical value of the luminous efficacy of
monochromatic radiation of frequency , , to be 
when expressed in the unit , which is equal to , or ,
where the kilogram, metre and second are defined
in terms ,  and .”
Fundamental Quantities (NEW)

LIGHT INTENSITY, 
SI unit: candela ()

Derived Quantities
http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/units.html

Derived quantity Derived unit

Area square metre

Volume cubic metre

Speed metre per second

Acceleration metre per second squared

Density kilogram per cubic metre

Force newton

Energy joule
Scientific Notation

It is used to express
very large
or
very small
values.
Scientific Notation

Your height 
Mass of an apple 
Radius of hydrogen atom
Distance to moon 
Distance to sun vs. 
Scientific Notation

Example





SI Units Prefixes
yotta Y deci d

zetta Z centi c

exa E milli m

peta P micro

tera T nano n

giga G pico p

mega M femto f

kilo k atto a

hecto h zepto z

deka / deca da yocto y

Unit Conversion

We are more concerned on the

metric system.
Conversion will be mostly between
different prefixes.

HINT: convert to base unit first

Unit Conversion

Example

Unit Conversion
Example
Convert:
150  to 
Unit Conversion
Example
Convert:
 to 
Unit Conversion
Example
Convert:
 to 

Unit Conversion
Example
Convert:
 to 


 Image source:

Measurements http://www.technologystudent.com/
equip1/caliper1a.png

Vernier Calliper
https://www.miniphysics.com/how-to-read-a-vernier-caliper.html/2

Micrometre Screw Gauge

https://www.miniphysics.com/how-to-read-a-micrometer-screw-gauge.html/2

Image source:
http://www.technologystudent.com/i
Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

All measurements have

uncertainties
What is uncertainties???
How much of the value are you
uncertain from the measurement?

Let say you measure length of an

object to be 21.7 cm using a metre
ruler.(accuracy 0.1 cm)
Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

Instrument uncertainties
Usually the smallest value we can
read.
Metre ruler: 
Vernier calliper: 

Measurement uncertainties
Typically 
Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

Multiplication & Division

Rule of Thumb

In multiplying or dividing two or more

quantities, the number of significant figures in
the final product or quotient is the same as
the number of significant figures in the least
accurate of the factors being combined,
where least accurate means having the
smallest number of significant figures.
Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

Multiplication & Division

Let’s say you are calculating the area

of an object, the measured length and
width are:
length = 21.7 cm
width = 4.3 cm
Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

Addition & Subtraction

Rule of Thumb

When numbers are added or subtracted, the

number of decimal places in the result should
equal the smallest number of decimal
places of any term in the sum or difference.
Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

Addition & Subtraction

Let’s say 174.5 kg + 17.532 kg

Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

All come together!!! Don’t panic.

Rule of Thumb

The result shall base on the quantity with the

smallest significant figures given in the
questions.
Apply to:
Exercise / Tutorial / Assignment
Final examination
! Marks will be given for correct
significant figures !
Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

Example
Carpet installations

Calculate area of each room / hall.

Length (m) Width (m)
Calculate the total area of carpet required.
Banquet Hall 14.72 7.43

Dining Room 12.7 8

Meeting Room 4.827 5.2

Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

Example
Length (m) Width (m) Area ()

Banquet Hall 14.72 7.43 109 (3 s.f.)

Dining Room 12.7 8 100 (1 s.f.)

Meeting Room 4.827 5.2 25 (2 s.f.)

Total: 200 (1 s.f.)

Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

Example (Try this instead)

Carpet installations

Calculate area of each room / hall.

Length (m) Width (m)
Calculate the total area of carpet required.
Banquet Hall 14.72 7.43

Dining Room 12.7 8.0

Meeting Room 4.827 5.2

Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

Example
Length (m) Width (m) Area ()

Banquet Hall 14.72 7.43 109 (3 s.f.)

Dining Room 12.7 8.00 102 (3 s.f.)

Meeting Room 4.827 5.2 25 (2 s.f.)

Total: 236 (3 s.f.) 240 (2 s.f.)

Measurements: Uncertainties & Significant
Figures

Exception: Average
The average/mean cannot be more
accurate than the original
measurement.


Addition rule
(least decimal
places)
Measurements Errors

Sources of errors
i.

i. Instrument
ii. Physical conditions of the surroundings
iii. Physical limitations of the observer
Measurements Errors
Random error
Magnitude of error is not constant (random).
Error can be sometimes positive or negative,
from the actual / mean value.
Eliminate by finding average measurement.
Examples:
Parallax error
Change of conditions in the surroundings
(temperature, pressure)
Non-uniform shape of an object
Human reaction time
Measurements: Errors

Systematic error
Magnitude of the error is constant.
Error is always positive.
OR
Error is always negative.
Cannot be eliminated or reduced but can
be compensated.
Measurements: Errors
Systematic error
Examples:
Zero error of a measuring instrument
Incorrect calibration scale of a measuring
instrument
Repeated similar errors such as human reaction in
the measurement of time using a stopwatch
Wrong assumption (ie.  instead of )
Heat lost to the surroundings in heat-related
experiment
Background count rate in radioactive experiment
Measurements: Accuracy & Precision

Accuracy
Closeness from the actual value

Precision
How consistent are the values
obtained relative to one another.



Measurements: Accuracy & Precision
 Trigonometry 
(Revision)


Hypote
nuse 

𝜃
O
p Adjacen
Vector

Scalar quantity Time

Temperatu
Speed
Energy
re
Magnitude ONLY Power
Mass Resistanc
Positive, negative, or zero Distance e

Vector quantity
Displaceme
Magnitude & direction nt
Positive (right, up) Velocity
Acceleratio
Negative (left, down) n
Force
Weight
Vector
How to express “Direction”?
Vector
How to express “Direction”?

Vector  is  above the

horizontal () [ in
quadrant 1 ].

Key points:
Angle
Above / Below the
horizontal
Quadrant (optional)
Vector
How to express “Direction”?

Vector  is  above the

horizontal () [ in
quadrant 2 ].
Vector
How to express “Direction”?

Vector  is  below the

horizontal () [ in
quadrant 3 ].
Vector
How to express “Direction”?

Vector  is  below the

horizontal () [ in
quadrant 4 ].
Vector Components
Three-
𝒚
dimensional

𝒛
“Don’t worry.We
are not going to do
3-dimensional at
foundation level.”

𝒙
Vector Components

→ →
𝑦
𝑨
𝑨
→

𝑨
→

𝑦
𝑨
𝜃
𝜃
→
𝑥
→
𝑨
𝑥
𝑨
Vector Components
x-
componen

 t
→
𝑨
→
𝑦
𝑨
y-
𝜃
compone

→

nt
𝑥
𝑨
 Vector Components
Importan
t

𝐴
𝒚
in Physics
𝐵
𝛽
𝛼
𝒙
Find the resultant
vector.
 Vector Components



𝐴
𝒚


𝐵

𝛽
𝛼

𝒙

Vector Components
Example
Calculate the magnitude and
direction of the resultant vector.
Vector Components
Example
Calculate the magnitude and direction of
the resultant vector.
= 25.0cos45.0° + (−30.0sin70.0°)
𝑥
𝑅
= − 10.5131
𝑥
𝑅
= 25.0sin45.0° + (−30.0cos70.0°)
𝑦
𝑅
= 7.4171
𝑦
𝑅
(−10.5131) + (7.4171)
2
𝑹
𝟏
𝟐
𝟗
2
=
𝑅
= 12.8662
𝑅
= .

( Quadrant II )
7.4171 above horizontal
= tan−1 −10.5131 = . °
𝜃
𝟑
𝟓
𝟐
Products

Scalar Product or “dot product”

Result is scalar quantity


𝒂
∙ = ∙
𝜃
𝒂
𝒃
𝒃
𝒂
𝒃
Products

Vector Product or “cross

product”
Result is vector quantity


× ≠ ×
𝒂
𝒃
𝒃
𝒂
× =−( × )
𝒂
𝒃
𝒃
𝒂
Problem-Solving Strategy
1. Read problem

2. Draw diagram

3. Label physical quantities

4. Identify principle(s); list data

5. Choose equation(s)

6. Solve equation(s)

7. Substitute known values

8. Check answer
 Lecture Exercises

1. A rectangular airstrip measures

32.30 m by 210 m, with the width
measure more accurately than the
length. Find the area, taking into
account significant figures.
Hint / Reminder:
Take the full significant figures given in
the question.
 has three significant figures.

Answer: 
 Lecture Exercises

1. The speed of light is now defined to

be .Express the speed of light in(a)
three significant figures(b) five
significant figures(c) seven
significant figures
Answer: 

Answer: 

Answer: 
 Lecture Exercises

1.

(a) Sum of , , , 
(b)
Answer: 
(c) Product of  and 
(d)

Answer: 
(e) Product of 

Answer: 
 Lecture Exercises

1. Convert  into  (kilometre per hour

squared)

Answer: 
 Lecture Exercises

1. The edges of a shoebox are

measure to be 11.4 cm, 17.8 cm,
and 29 cm. Determine the volume
of the box retaining the proper
number of significant figures in
your answer.

Answer: 
 Lecture Exercises

1. Calculate the resultant vector.






Answer: