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Physics Notes

This physics document discusses various methods of measuring physical quantities like length, volume, and density. It provides instructions on how to measure the length of objects using rulers and tape measures as well as the length of curved or bent wires. Methods for improving measurement accuracy like taking multiple readings and averaging them are also outlined. The document also covers units of measurement, defining physical quantities, classifying them as scalars and vectors, and calculating densities of objects and liquids.

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Ayaan Mohammadu
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43 views3 pages

Physics Notes

This physics document discusses various methods of measuring physical quantities like length, volume, and density. It provides instructions on how to measure the length of objects using rulers and tape measures as well as the length of curved or bent wires. Methods for improving measurement accuracy like taking multiple readings and averaging them are also outlined. The document also covers units of measurement, defining physical quantities, classifying them as scalars and vectors, and calculating densities of objects and liquids.

Uploaded by

Ayaan Mohammadu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physics Notes

Topic 1: Physical quantities and measurement

 What can be used to measure the length of an object?


- Ruler: for measuring a small distance of few centimetres.
- Tape measure: for measuring larger distance of a few metres.
 Why do we have different instruments for measuring length?
- because each instrument is designed for specific measurement needs and accuracy requirements.
 Describe the method to measure the length of a wire.
- take a ruler and align the ruler near it - Lay the wire closely alongside the rule.
- see where the wire ends and mark it. OR - Line one end of the wire up against the
zero of the scale.
- record your recordings. - Look at the other end of the wire and
read the scale.
 Which are the possible ways of errors in your measurement?
- Wire may be bent.
- The ends of the wire may be ragged.
- The markings on the rule may not be evenly spaced.
 How can you improve the accuracy of your measurement?
- The line-of-sight must be perpendicular to the ruler.
- Take several readings and use the average of these readings.
 How can we measure the length of a curved wire?
- we can measure the length of curved wire by wrapping a thread around it.
 Methods for measuring the length of a curved line.
- Lay a thread along the curved line.
- Mark the thread at either end of the line.
- Lay the thread against the ruler to find the length.
 How can we measure the thickness of a sheet of paper?
- Measure the thickness of many sheets (500)
- Divide by the number of sheets

 Units of Length: Example


- The SI unit of length is metre (m).
- SI stands for The International System of Units.
 What is an oscillation?
- The to and fro motion of a particle about a mean position.

 How could you measure the length of a pendulum?


- Measure the length of the string to the top of the pendulum bob.
- Measure the length of the string to the bottom of the pendulum bob.
- Find the average length (add the lengths up and divide by 2).

 Period is the time taken for one full swing of the pendulum.
 Volume formulas for different shapes:
- Rectangle: volume = length × width × height
- Cylinder: 𝜋𝑟 2 × height
- sphere: 4/3 × 𝜋𝑟 3
- Cone: 1/3 × 𝜋 × 𝑟 2 × height
- Cube: a³
 Volume of a liquid:
-Measuring cylinders can be used to measure the volume
of a liquid.
- The space between the liquid is called the meniscus.
- always measure from the bottom of the meniscus.
- make sure that the sight is perpendicular to the the bottom
of the meniscus.
 The SI Unit of volume is cubic metre (m³).
 What does physical quantity mean?
- a physical property that can be measured.
 Physical quantity can be classified as:
- Scalar and Vector
 Scalar: A physical quantity that has only magnitude.
 Vector: a physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
- can be represented using arrows.
- Length of the arrow indicates the magnitude (size).
- The arrowhead indicates direction.
 Magnitude is the fancy way of saying size or amount – basically a number.
 Examples of Scalars:
- Distance, temperature, energy, mass, time & volume
 Examples of Vectors:
- Displacement, force & weight.
Calculating Vectors
 Resultant vector: adding or subtracting vectors.
Note:
 Use a ruler to find out the magnitude if the vector.
- when the object is given a force on
 Measure the angle using a protractor.
opposite sides, subtract.
- when the object is given a force on
same sides, add.

Topic 2: Density
 Density: is the amount of mass per unit volume.
- It tells us how tightly mass is packed together.
 How to make an object denser?
- Increase mass and decrease volume.
 Equation of density:
density = mass/volume
rho =
 Density is also related to how easily something can float.
Objects that have less density will than water will float and the objects that have more density than
the water will sink.
 Density of liquids:
- Fill a measuring cylinder with the liquid and measure the volume of the liquid.
- Use a mass balance to measure the mass of the liquid.
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
- Use density = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 to calculate the density.

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