1.

1 What is Physics
1 What is physics?
2 State some advantages of studying physics.
3 Give the meaning of scientific skills.
4 State several fields of study in physics.

1.2 Base Quantities and Derived Quantities

1. State five base physical quantities and their corresponding units.

2. What is meant by
(a) SI units?
(b) base quantities in SI units?

3. Write the following quantities in scientific notation.

(a) 0.000 000 000 521 m
(b) 0.024 13 J
(c) 036 000 000 000 km

4. Convert the following masses to kilogram (kg), giving your answers in scientific
notation.
(a) 0.041 Mg
(b) 512 000 000 g
(c) 643 mg

5. Express the following measurements in the units specified.

(a) 3.86 ms = ____________ ns
(6) 3.86 Ms =____________ ds
(c) 6.37 Gm=____________ m
(d) 6.37 km =____________ μm

6. Express each measurement in column I in the unit specified in column II.

I II
0.4 mm m
2.9 h s
10 g kg
240 mg kg
0.02 kg g
0.06 m mm
28 cm m
40 cm2 m2
4.2 mm2 m2
0.02 m2 mm2

19.01.2009 (9AM)
Answer (1.1)
1. Physics is an experimental science. It attempts to describe the fundamental nature of
the universe and how it works and strives for the simplest explanations in complex
situations.

2. We study physics because it is a basic science. Scientists from all other fields of study
make use of the concepts developed jri physics to conduct experiments to expand into
new fields of study. Physics also forms the basis of engineering and technology. Mankind
would not be able to invent useful apparatus and tools without an understanding of basic
physics.

3. Scientific skills enable a person to conduct experiments to investigate a phenomenon.

The application of scientific skills is based on the adoption of a systematic approach and
the use of controlled experiments. This procedure, defined by a sequence of steps, is
called the scientific investigation. The basic elements of the scientific investigation
include making observations and defining the problem, forming a hypothesis, using
experiments and observation to gather information, analyzing the data, forming a
conclusion, and communicating the results by mean of reports and publications.

Answer (1.2)
1.
Quantity Unit
Mass kilogram ,kg
Distance (length) metre, m
Time second, s
Temperature Kelvin, K
Eclectic current Ampere, A

2. (a) A standard unit of measurement that is fixed for a physical quantity.

(b) A physical quantity that is not defined in terms of other physical quantities.
3. (a) 5.21 x 10-10m
(b) 2.413 x 10-2 J
(c) 3.036 x 1012 km
4. (a) 4.1 x 10 kg
(b) 5.12 x 105 kg
(c) 6.43 x 10-4kg
5. (a) 3.86 x 106 ns
(b) 3.86 x 107 ds
(c) 6.37 x 109 m
(d) 6.37 x 109 μm
6. (a) 0.4 mm = 0.4 x 10-3 m
= 4 x 10-4 m
(b) 2.9 hours = 2.9 x 60 x 60 s
= 1.044 x 104 s
(c) 10 g = 10 x 10-3 kg
 = 0.01 kg
(d) 240 mg = 240 x 10-3 g
= 0.240 x 10-3 kg
= 2.4 x 10-4 kg
(e) 0.02 kg = 0.02 x 103g
= 20 g
(f) 0.06m = 0.06m x 103 mm
= 60 mm
(g) 28 cm = 28 x 10-2 m
= 0.28 m
(h) 40 cm2 = 40 x 10-4 m2
= 4 x 10-3 m2
(i) 4.2 mm2 = 4.2 x 10-6 mm2
(j) 0.02 m2 = 0.02 x 106 mm2
= 2 x 104 mm2