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Here you can find Physics Course for CIE O-Level Section 1: General Physics, Enjoy learning our Physics Courses

1.1 Scalar and Vectors

Examiner's Expectation: Students should be able to
(a) define the terms scalar and vector.
(b) determine the resultant of two vectors by a graphical method.
(c) list the vectors and scalars from distance, displacement, length, speed, velocity, time, acceleration, mass
and force.

The terms Scalar & Vector are used to differentiate Physical Quantities. What are Physical Quantities?

Physical Quantity: Any thing that can be measured is called a Physical Quantity For example

Speed, Momentum, Moment, Velocity, Acceleration, mass, volume, area, distance, speed, density, pressure, Energy, work done,
temperature, heat, Weight, Displacement,light and all forms of energies, current, voltage Force and all types of forces ie Friction,
Upthrust, Drag etc.

Defination of Scalar Quantity: Such a Physical Quantity that can be specified by magnitude or value (number) only. For example,
when you ask someone for time, mass, volume or distance they would only tell a number(magnitude) say its 120 clock, I am 65 kg, 2
liters of petrol and you understand exactly what is means. So you can understand some Physical quantities by their numbers only.

Note: The term magnitude means number or value of something for example 5 kg is the value of mass of something or 100 km/h is
the magnitude of speed.

Definition of Vector Quantity: Such a Physical Quantity that need magnitude and direction for their specification. For example,
when you are applying force you must mention: how much force you are applying and in which direction. Similarly, acceleration,
velocity etc requires magnitude and direction for their complete specifiation.

Pilots while flying air-craft requires speed and the direction in which they are moving. If direction is not specified to them they would
disappear somewhere else.

Representation of Vector: So vectors require number & direction for their specification. That is why vectors are represented by arrow
or graphically. The size of arrow is the magnitude of the vector.
Operations on Vector Quantities:

The mathemataical operations (+, -, x & /) on vector quantities are different than normal operations on numbers. Vector Algebra is
different-- don't be afraid we will deal with abnormally easy vectors addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. In Vector's
addition 2 + 2 does not necessarily means 4 or 4-2 does not necessarily means 2. Therefore, vector quantities are treated bit
different.

Why vector's addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is bit different than normal numbers? This is because they have
directions. If one vector is acting in different direction than another, therefore, their addition and subtraction can not yeild same
results. For example, the velocity of one plane is north side and other is south side so directions are opposite, therefore, results
would be different than if they were moving in same direction.

Also, vectors can be positive (+) and negative (-) while scalars can only be of positive values.

The only difference between +ve and -ve vectors is that of only direction. -ve vector would have opposite direction to that of +ve
vector.

Vector Addition & Subtraction:

 As mentioned earlier, vector addition & subtraction is not as same as Year-6 or graduation level addition & subtraction of numbers.
It's a totally different ball game.

Is there any condition in which vector addition & subtraction can be normal?

Yes, when vectors are acting in same direction (angle). In such condition 2 + 2 = 4 and 10 - 8 = 2. The chart given below can further
clearify your idea.

Vector Addition & Subtraction in same direction:

o If forces are acting in same direction they would add.

o If forces are acting in opposite direction they would subtract.

The force which is the result of two or more forces is called resultant force. In first example, 10 N is the resultant force of 5 N and 5
N acting in same direction.

Similarly, 0 N is the resultant force of two forces acting in opposite direction 5 N and -5 N.

In last example, 10 N is acting upwards and -5 N acting in opposite direction the resultant force would be 5 N upwards.

Note: Addition of force is a simple mathematical operation, you just need to see in which direction forces are acting and associated
signs--all you then need to do is to some do grade 2 maths.

Vector Addition & Subraction in different direction:

Vector Multiplication:
Multiplication of two vectors is not a part of the course. However, multiplication of vectors by numbers is in syllabus.

Multiplication of vectors with numbers:

Vectors' Division:
Vector Quantities: momentum, moment, force and all types of forces ie friction, upthrust, drag etc, velocity, acceleration, weight,
displacement.

Scalar Quantities: mass, volume, area, distance, speed, density, pressure, Energy, work done, temperature, heat, light and all
forms of energies, current, voltage, etc.

appreciate the vector nature of a force

Since force is a vector quantity and all vectors are represented by arrows. Therefore, force is represented by arrows.

If in one direction, force is positive than in other direction it would be negative. As shown below for 1 N
For example, weight is always shown with direction downwards(to the center of Earth). Friction with direction opposite to the
direction of motion. Push direction inwards to an object and pull direction is outwards.

In above two examples, forces are shown with arrows and that is the only way to represent these forces. In first diagram, the person
is pushing an object with a force Fawhile the weight of the object is Fg and FN Which is the normal reaction from the ground.

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Contact

everything should be made as simple

as possible not simpler.
Albert Einstein

Home
Maths
Physics
Biology

Section 1:
General Physics
o Past Paper & Mark Scheme
 Section 2:
Newtonian Mechanics
o Past Paper & Mark Scheme
Section 3:
Energy & Thermal Physics
o Past Paper & Mark Scheme

Section 4:
Waves
o Past Paper & Mark Scheme
Section 5:
Electricity & Magnetism
o Past Paper & Mark Scheme
Section 6:
Atomic Physics

o Past Paper & Mark Scheme

Complete:
Past Paper & Mark Scheme

Search

Page 2 of 2
Physics Courses:

Here you can find Physics Course for CIE O-Level Section 1: General Physics. you will learn here on 1.2 Measurement
techniques Enjoy learning our Physics Courses

1.2 Measurement techniques

Examiner's Expectation: Students should be able to
(d) describe how to measure a variety of lengths with appropriate accuracy using tapes, rules, micrometers,
and calipers using a vernier as necessary.

Tapes, Rules, Micrometer Screw gauages and Vernier Calipers are used to measure lengths (length, Width, Breath and Depth).
They have different level of accuracy (minimum measurement they can measure accurately.)

Instrument Accuracy Uses

Tape To measure big objects like size of rooms, buildings,
1 1 cm
furnitures and cloth piece etc
Ruler Usually in our labs we use meter rule which can measure
2 0.1 cm objects of 100 cm length. In labs we use meter rule as the
more common instrument.
Vernier Caliper Use to measure objects up to the size of 15 cm. They are used
3 0.01 cm
instead of meter rule to bring more accuracy in results
4 Micrometer 0.001 cm Use to measure objects up to the size 2.5 cm. They are also
Screwgauge used to obtain a very accuracy result.

Measuring Tape: It is a flexible form of ruler.

Ruler:

Vernier Caliper:

for vernier caliper use following website and youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUNoWWw6V10&;feature=related

Micrometer Screw Gauge:

for micrometer use following website and youtube video

http://www.cyberphysics.co.uk/practical/skills/micrometer.htm

following website will guide you how to use Vernier Caliper and Micrometer Screw gauge.

http://www.phy.uct.ac.za/courses/c1lab/vernier1.html

There is a very common error with all of the above measuring scales-- Parallax Errror.
When you are not reading scale with the exact eye level then the object would appear at different place. It could be a part of any
instrument. This is called Parallax error--solution is look reading at eye level.
Parallax error effects the accuracy of the measurement.

Also, always check carefully for a zero error before using the any instrument!

(e) describe how to measure a variety of time intervals using clocks and stopwatches.

Now days digital stopwatches are being used rather than analogue because analogue stopwatches are prone to parallax error.
However, starting and stopping of stopwatch manually for time interval measurement results in error due to reaction time.

Light gates are used for correct time interval measurement between two points. Light gates automatically takes time by computer.

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Share1

March 2013
A-Level Chemistry
We have uploaded Edexcel A-Level Chemistry Past Paper and Marks Scheme, please follow the link to download

March 2013
Practical
Edexcel Practicals Pdfs for A-Level Physics are uploaded, please follow the link to download

Feb 2013

Topic Based Questions

Edexcel Topic Based Questions for A-Level Physics are done please follow the link to download Pdfs

Name Email

Subject / Topic

Enter the code

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Copyright Edexcel-CIE 2012