CHAPTER 1

PHYSICAL QUANTITIES &

MEASUREMENTS
1.1 Physical
Quantities and
Units
1.2 Scalars and
Vectors
1.3 Measurement
and Errors
(Laboratory

1.1 Physical Quantities and Units

Physical Quantities
- Quantities that are measurable with
instruments in laboratory.
- consists of a precise numerical value & a
unit.

Categorized into 2:
1.Base Quantities
2.Derived
Quantities

Physical Unit
- are standards for measurement of physical
quantities that need clear definitions to be
useful.

SI Unit

- International System of Units

- has been agreed internationally.

Base Quantities & units

- fundamental quantity that can not be
derived in terms of other physics
quantities.
Base
Name of
Unit
SI unit
symbol
Quantity
Length , l
meter
m
Mass, m
kilogram
kg
Time, t
second
s
Electric current, I
ampere
A
Temperature, T
kelvin
K
Amount of substance, n

mole

mol

Luminous intensity

candela

cd

Derived Quantities & units

- is related to the base quantities through
a defining equation.
- It is the product or quotient or a
combination of products & quotients of
the base quantities.
Physical
Defining
SI unit
Special
Quantity
equation
name
Velocity
v=s/t
m s-1
-Density
=m/V
kg m-3
-Frequency
f=1/T
s-1
Hz (hertz)
Force
F = ma
kg m s-2 N (newton)
Pressure
P=F/A
kg m-1 s-2 Pa (pascal)
Work

W = Fs

kg m2 s-2

J (joule)

Charge

Q = It

As

- BUT!!! Some physical quantities have no

units.
- Example:
refractive index, strain

Prefixes

- can be added to SI base &

derived units to make
larger or smaller units
Multipl
e

Prefix ( &
abbreviatio
n)

1012

tera- (T)

109

giga- (G)

106

mega- (M)

103

kilo- (k)

102

hecto- (h)

10-1

deci- (d)

10-2

centi- (c)

10-3

milli- (m)

10-6

micro- ()

10-9

nano- (n)

10-12

pico- (p)

10-15

femto- (f)

For example:
Wavelength of an Xray
= 0.000 000 001
m
= 1 109 m

Unit Conversions

- SI unit system is predominant throughout the w

- another metric system that has been used:

(a) cgs system ( centimeter gram second )
(b) British Engineering system ( foot slug se
- Units in different
systems or even
different units in the
same system can
express the same
quantity.
- It is necessary to
change from one
set of units to
another.

- To change units, use conversion factors,

which are simple equivalent statements.
Length
1 in = 2.54 cm
1 ft = 0.3048 m
1 mi = 5280 ft = 1.609
km
1 yd = 0.914 m
1 angstrom () = 10 -10
m
Mass
1 slug = 14.59 kg
1 lb = 0.454 kg
- Conversion factor let us express a quantity in terms
of other units without changing its physical value of
size.

Example
----------------------------------------------------------------------The highest waterfall in the world is Angle
Falls in Venezuela, with a total drop of 979.0
m. Express this drop in feet (ft). Then compare
this with your own height!
Solution
Knowing that 1ft = 0.3048 m, thus

979.0 m
1 ft 3211.94 ft
Length =
0.3048 m

Example
----------------------------------------------------------------------Express the speed limit of 65 miles/hour in
terms of meters/second.
Solution
Knowing that
1 mi = 1.609 km = 1609 m
1 hour = 3600 s

1609 m
)
Speed =65 (
3600 s
29.05 m / s

Example of Conversion of Units in SI system

15 km h

1000 m
15
4.17 m s 1
60(60) s

5 mm 3 5 [10 3 m] 3 5 x10 9 m 3
7 g cm 3 7

10 3 kg
(10 2 m) 3

7000 kg m 3

30 C (30 273.15) K 303.15 K

Remember: Every answer for physics
problem solution must followed with unit
of that quantity otherwise mark will be
deducted.

Follow Up Exercise
---------------------------------------------------------------------1. The largest diamond ever found had a size
of 3106 carats. One carat is equivalent to a
mass of 0.200 g. Use the fact that 1 kg has a
weight of 2.205 lb under certain conditions
and determine the weight of this diamond in
pounds.
2. A hall bulletin board has an area of 2.5 m 2.
What is this area in square centimeters
( cm2 ) ?
3. A football field is 300 ft long and 160 ft
wide. What are the fields dimensions in
meters ?
4. The density of metal mercury is 13.6 g/cm3.
What is this density as expressed in kg/m3

Dimension
- used to describe a physical quantity in
terms of its base quantity regardless of the
system of units used.
- example:
100 cm, 1m, 2 mi and 3 light years all have
the dimension of length but are expressed
in different units.
- The symbol of dimension is written as
[ physical quantity ]
- Pure numerical factors/number like ,
have no dimensions can be ignored.

Base
Quantity
Length
Mass
Time
Electric
current
Temperature

Dimension
[l]
[m]
[t]
[I]

Symbol of
Dimensio
n
L
M
T
A

[T]

Amount of
substance

[n]

Example
---------------------------------------------------------------------Find the dimensions and units of each of the
following quantities:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

Area
Velocity
Force
Pressure
Frequency

Solution
(a) Area = length width
[ Area ] = [ length ]
[ width ]
=LL
= L2
SI units : m2

s
(b) velocity, v =
t
[s] L

[v]=
[t]
T
= LT-1
SI units : m s-1

F
(d) Pressure, P =
A
[F]
MLT -2

[P]=
[A]
L2
= ML-1T-2
SI units : kg m-1 s-2

m
(c) Force, F =

a
v
t

[ F ] =[m][a ] [m][ ]

LT 1
M(
)
T
= MLT-2
SI units : kg m s-2

1
(e) Frequency, f =
Period
[1]
[f]=
[Period]
= T-1
SI units : s-1 or Hz

- Dimensional analysis makes use of the fact

that dimensions can be treated as algebraic
quantities.
Keep In mind
(1) a = b + c - d
[a] = [b] = [c] = [d]

b
(3)
(4) a kcan
b be
a & Subtraction
Addition
c
where k is
[ a ] [b] [c ] done only with quantities
[b
] samedimensionless
that [have
the
dimension
a]
constant /
ex:
[c ]
pure number
v = u + at
a ] -1 [1] [b]
[v] = [u] = [at] =[LT

(2) a b c

Use of Dimensions
1. To check the homogeneity of
physical equations

- This involves checking dimensions on

the left hand & right hand side of the
- equation.
If they are the same, the
equation as said to be
homogenous or dimensionally
consistent.
[LHS
] [RHS] Equation is Homogenous
- Given a kinematics equation:

1 2
s ut at
2
relates the distance s
travelled by an object in time
t, u is initial velocity and a is

[s] L
[u t ] [u][t]
L
T
T
L

1 2
[ at ] [a][t 2 ]
2
LT 2 T 2
L
( * has no dimension )

All the terms have same dimension

equation is homogenous
- This however does not
guarantee that equation is
physically correct.
- There could be an incorrect
coefficient, a missing or extra
term or simply a wrong +ve /
-ve sign.

- Example of equations that are homogenous

but physically incorrect.

- An equation can be verified experimentally.

- An equation in which the dimensions are
not homogenous is definitely wrong.

Example
---------------------------------------------------------------------A professor puts 2 equations on the board.
(a)

v vo a t

(b)

v
x
2a

where x is a distance, v and vo are velocities, a

is acceleration and t is time.
Are the equations dimensionally correct ?

Solution
(a)

v vo a t
[v] LT 1
[vo ] LT 1
[a t ] LT 2 (T ) LT 1

[v] [vo ] [a t ]
Equation homogenous Yes

(b)

v
x
2a
[ x] L
1

v
LT
[ ]
T
2
2a
LT
v
[ x] [ ]
2a
Equation is Not dimensionally conssistent

Check your understanding

(a) What is meant by homogeneity of an equatio

(b) Check using dimensional analysis,
whether the following expression for the
force of buoyancy exerted on a metal
cube immersed in a fluid can be correct.

F gA
where

is the density of a fluid,

g is acceleration and
A is surface area.

2.

To construct an physics equation

with the given quantities.

From experimental
observations, a physical
quantity may be found to
be dependent on a number
of other physical
quantities.
Using the dimensional method, a
physics equation that relates all this
quantities can be derived.

Example
Establish an expression for the period T of
a simple pendulum which shows how T is
related to the mass m, length, l of the
string & the acceleration due to gravity, g

Solution

T m xl y g z
Suppose that:
Write in mathematic form:
T k m xl y g z

where x, y, z power factors to be determine

k dimensionless constant
The dimensions on both sides of an
equation must be the same.

[T ] [k ] [m] x [l ] y [ g ] z
T (M) x (L) y (LT -2 ) z
T M x L y Lz T -2z

T M x L y z T -2z

Equating indices of L:

Equating indices of M:

yz 0

x0

y -z
1
y
2

Equating indices of T:

1 2 z
1
z
2
Hence T k m 0 l 1 / 2 g 1 / 2

T k

l
g

The value of constant k can be

determined experimentally

Example
Obtain an expression which shows how
critical velocity v of liquid which flows
through a narrow tube depends on coefficient
of viscosity, of liquid, radius r of the tube
and density of liquid.
( unit of is kg m-1 s-1 )
Solution

v x r y z
Suppose that:
Write in mathematic form:
v k xr y z
The dimensions on both sides of an
equation must be the same.

[v] [k ] [ ] x [r ] y [ ] z

LT -1 (ML-1 T -1 ) x (L) y (ML3 ) z

LT -1 M x L-x T -x Ly M z L3z
LT -1 M x z L-x y -3z T -x
Equating indices of T:

x 1
x 1
Equating indices of M:

0 xz
z x
z 1

Equating indices of L:

1 x y 3z
1 1 y 3(1)
y 1

Hence v k 1 r 1 1

vk
r
Follow Up Exercise
Factor influencing the speed v of
sound in a medium may be
density d, wavelength and
Youngs Modulus E. On the basis
of dimensional analysis, obtain an
expression for v.
( Take : [E] = ML-1T-2 )
Answer :

E
vk
d

3. To deduce the correct SI unit of a derived

quantity or a constant of a physic equation.
Example :
Determine the SI unit for kinetic energy
using dimension analysis
Solution :
from :
KE = mv2
[ KE ] = [ ] [m] [v]2
= M( L T-1 ) 2
= M L2 T -2
SI unit for energy : kg m2 s-2

Example
Newtons law of Universal Gravitation is
given as:
GMm
F
r2
where F is the force of gravity, M and m are
masses and r is a length. What are the
dimensions and SI unit of constant G in the
equation above ?
Solution

GMm
F
r2

F r2
G
Mm

[ F ] [r ] 2
[G ]
[ M ] [ m]
[G ]

(MLT -2 )L2
M2

L3 T -2

M
[G ] M 1 L3 T 2
From dimensions we can
deduce the SI unit for
constant G:
SI unit for G kg 1 m 3 s 2

1.2 Scalars and Vectors

If you know only the library is 5 m from you, it could be

lie anywhere on a circle of radius 5.0 m. If, instead, you
are told the library is 0.5 m northwest, you knows it
precise location.

Scalar Quantity
- Quantity which has only magnitude.
- Example: mass, distance, speed, work.

Vector Quantity
- Quantity which has both magnitude and
- direction.
Example: displacement, velocity, force,
momentum

Representing vectors
- Symbols
for vectors are printed bold or use

A
an arrow
over a letter,

A
- A vector

can be represented by arrow

where its length indicates the magnitude &
direction of the arrow represents direction of
the vector.

A
- Magnitude of the vector

is written as |A|

Equality of two vectors

A
- 2 vectors

B&

are equal if they have

the same magnitude and point in the same
direction.

Negative of a vector

B
- The vector
is a vector with the
same magnitude
as
but points in
B

opposite direction.

Multiplying a vector by a scalar

When a vector
A
is multiplied by a
scalar k, the product
is a vector
of
kA
kA
magnitude
.
kA
A
The direction of the vector
is
same as that of
if k is positive, and
opposite if k is negative.

Unit vectors
A unit vector is a dimensionless vector having
a magnitude of exactly 1 and points in a
particular direction.
Are use to specify a given direction in space.
&k
is used to
represent unit vectors
pointing in the positive x,
y & z directions.
i ,j

| i | =j |
1

|k = |

|=

Vector Addition & Subtraction

Addition

A
- The addition
of
2
vector,

result in a third
vector
R

Band

will
called resultant

vector.
- Resultant vector is a single vector which
produces the same effect ( in both
magnitude and direction ) as the vector sum
of 2 or more vectors.
- 2 methods of vector addition:
(1) Drawing / Graphical method - tail to
head & Parallelogram
(2) Mathematic Calculation unit vector &
trigonometry

Recall
Addition of vectors in the same directions

Addition of vectors in the opposite directions

The direction of
resultant vector S
is in the direction
of the bigger
vector

For two or more coplanar vectors point in

different directions can be added by using
the tail to head method or parallelogram
method.
(a) Tail to head graphical method

(b) Parallelogram method

Resultant vector,
: diagonal of a
R

parallelogram
formed
with
&
A
B
of its 4 sides.

as two

Vector Addition Rules

1. Commutative law of Addition
When 2 vectors are added, the sum is
independent of the order of addition.

A B B A

2. Associative law of Addition

When 3 or more vectors are added, their
sum is independent of the way in which the
individual vectors are grouped together.

( A B) C A ( B C )

3. Distributive Law of Addition

m( A B ) mA mB

where m - scalar quantity

Vectors Subtraction

The subtraction of 2 vectors

(
A
B

) can be
A of
(two
B ) vectors (
written as the addition

Resolving vector into 2 perpendicular compomen

Any type of vector may be
expressed in terms of its
component.

with the aid of trigonometry:

Ax
cos
A
Ay
sin
A

Ax A cos

Ay A sin

Magnitude of vector A :

| A |

Ax Ay
2

Direction of vector A :

Ay
tan
Ax

* is always
measured from x
axis.


consider a vector
A

The vector
A

lying in the xy plane ( 2D vec

can be written as:

A Ax i Ay j

Unit vector form

Example
A force of 800 N is exerted on a bolt A as
shown in Fig. below. Determine the horizontal
and vertical components of the force.

Solution

with the aid of trigonometry

Fx F cos
800 cos 35
Fx 655 N
Fy F sin
800 sin 35
Fy 459 N

We may writeF
in the unit vector form

F (655 N ) i (459 N ) j

Resolving vector into 3 perpendicular components

In 3D space, vector
A
be written as :

can

A Ax i Ay j Az k

Magnitude of vector A :

| A | Ax Ay Az
2

Example :
A 2i 5 j 8k
Given vector

| A | (2) 2 (5) 2 (8) 2 9.64


vectorA
can be resolved into 3 components
: A x, A y & A z

Ax A cos x

Ay A cos y

Az A cos z

where x, y and z are the angles that vector

A forms
with x, y & z axes
respectively

Addition of vectors by means of component

Suppose we have 2 vectors A and B
and we want to find their
resultant, R. The components of a
vector provide the most
convenient & accurate way of
adding (or subtracting) any
number of vectors.

Adding vectors using components

1. Resolve each vector into its x
and y components.
Pay careful attention to signs:
any component that points along
the negative x or y axis get a
sign.

2. Add all the x components

together to get the x
component
Rx Ax of
Bx resultant.
any other Ditto
for y:

Ry Ay By any other

* do not add x components to y

components

3. The magnitude of the

resultant vector, R is given by:

| R | Rx 2 Ry 2
Direction of the resultant
vector :
Ry

tan

Rx

vector diagram drawn help to

obtain the correct position of the
angle
*

Example
The magnitudes of the 3 displacement vectors
shown in drawing. Determine the magnitude &
directional angle for the resultant that occurs
when these vectors are added together.

Solution
Component
x cos
Ax=+10
45 cos
B =5

Component
y sin
Ay =+10
45sin 30
B =+5

C30
x=0

C y= 8

Resultant vector along x axis:

Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx

= +7.07 + ( 4.33 )+0

= + 2.74 m
Resultant vector along y axis
Ry = A y + B y + C y
= +7.07 + 2.50+ (8)
= + 1.57 m

Magnitude of resultant vector

R Rx 2 Ry 2

(2.74) 2 (1.57) 2
3.16 m
Direction of resultant vector

Ry 1.57

0.573
tan
Rx 2.74
29.81 above x
Resultant of the displacement write in unit vector

R (2.74 m) i (1.57 m) j

Follow Up Exercise
Four forces act on bolt A shown. Determine
the resultant of the forces on the bolt .

Answer :
R = (199.1N )i + (14.3N)j
or R = 199.6 N at 4.1 above positive x axis.

Example

Let : a 2i 5 j

b 5i 3 j

Find : (a)a b

(b)2a 3b

(c) | 2a |

Solution

(a) a b (2i 5 j ) (5i 3 j )
7i 2 j


(b) 2a 3b 2(2i 5 j ) 3(5i 3 j )
4i 10 j 15i 9 j
11i 19 j

(c) To find the magnitude of| 2a |

have to calculate
2a

2a 2(2i 5 j ) 4i 10 j )

| 2a | 4 2 10 2

10.77

, 1st we

Check your understanding

1. Find the sum of two vectors A and B lying
in the xy plane and given by

A (2.0i 2.0 j ) m and

B (2.0i 4.0 j ) m
2. A particle undergoes
three consecutive

d 1 (15i 30 j 12k) cm
displacements:

d 2 (23i 14 j 5k) cm and d 3 (13i 15 j ) cm

Find the components of the resultant
displacement and its magnitude.

ans : (1) R (4.0i 2.0 j ) m or R is 4.5 m at an angle 27 from - x

(2) Rx 25 cm; Ry 31 cm ; Rz 7.0 cm; R 40 cm

Multiplying a vector by a vector

Scalar product
( dot product
A B
Vector product
( cross product
A B

Dot ProductA
(B
)

A B | A | | B | cos

where |A| : magnitude of vector

A
|B|: magnitude of
vector
B
: angle between
A
B&
0 180


Physical Meaning of A B

of A
A B is the magnitude

multiplied by theBcomponent of
A
to

parallel

or

B
A B is the magnitude
of

multiplied by theA componentBof

parallel to

B cos

A cos


A B = zero when = 90

A B = maximum value when = 0
Commutative law applied to dot product :

A B B A

Example of physical quantity
W F : s
Dot product Calculation

A B ( Axi Ayj Azk ) ( Bxi Byj Bzk )
All 3 vectors are perpendicular to each
other i i j j k k (1)(1) cos 0 1

i j i k j k (1)(1) cos 90 0

A B AxBx AyBy AzBz

y

A B | A || B | cos
3(6) cos 090

B 6 j

18
0

A 3i

B 6i

Example
Given 2 vectors :

A (3i 2 j 4k )

B (5i 8 j 2k )

Calculate

B
(a) the valueAof
(b) the angle between 2 vectors
Solution

(a) A B (3i 2 j 4k ) ( 5i 8 j 2k )

(3)(5) (2)(8) (4)(2)

A B 9 Dot product is a scalar quantity

(b)

from :

A B A B cos

| A | (3) (2) (4) 5.39

2

| B | (5) 2 (8) 2 (2) 2 9.64

A B
9

cos
(5.39)(9.64)
| A || B |

80.03


A ( B
Cross Product

- create a new vector

- The magnitude of the cross product
is given
by:

| A B || A | | B | sin

0 180

| A B | is equals the magnitude

A of
multiplied by the componentBof
perpendicular toA
.

B sin

A sin

Alternatively:

| A B | is equals the magnitude

B of
multiplied by the
A component of
B
perpendicular to

-- if A & B
is parallel @ anti parallel

( =0
A B@
0180 )

-- if A & B is 90 | A B | max

Example of physical quantity :

Force acting on a charge moving in magnetic

field

Fm q v B

Moment or Torque,
rF


- the direction ofnew vector
) is
A B (
normal to the plane
A Bthat contain vector
given by Right Hand Rule

A B ( B A)

&

Cross product Calculation

i

A B Ax

j
Ay

k
Az

Bx

By

Bz

Ay
By

Az Ax
i
Bz
Bx

Az Ax
j
Bz
Bx

Ay
k
By

[ AyBz ByAz ] i [ AxBz BxAz ] j [ AxBy BxAy ] k

Keep In mind (RHR) :
i i j j k k 0
i j k
j k i

j i k
k j i

k i j

i k j

Fig. (a)

Fig. (b)

Example
Given 2 vector :

A (3i 2 j 4k )

B (5i 8 j 0k )

Calculate :
A(a)
B
(b)| A B |
Solution

(a) A B ( 3i 2 j 4k ) ( 5i 8 j 0k )

A B 3

2 4

5 8

[2(0) 8(4)] i [3(0) (5)(4)] j

[3(8) (5)(2)] k

A B 32i 20 j 34k

cross product is a vector quantity

(b)

| A B | 32 2 20 2 34 2

50.79

Follow Up Exercise

1. A force F (i 5 j )

is acting on
an
object. The displacement of the object
x (10is
i j)
given by
Find
(a) the work done by this force
(b) the angle between the force & the
displacement.
2. Given 2
vector as below
:

A 3i 3 j

B 5i 2 j

Find the cross product of the two
A B
vector State its magnitude &
draw the vector diagram to

shows A
the
B direction of the new
vector (
).