Physical Quantities Unit and Physics

Measurement O-Level

1.1 Physical Quantities

Base quantity (symbol) Base Unit (symbol)
1. A physical quantity is a quantity that can be
Length (𝑙) metre (m)
measured.
Mass (m) kilogram (kg)
2. A physical quantity is made up of a numerical
magnitude and a unit. Time (t) second (s)
3. Examples of physical quantities Temperature (T) kelvin (K)
Electric current (𝐼) ampere (A)
Physical Numerical
Example Unit Amount of substance (𝑛) mole (mol)
Quantity magnitude
Luminous intensity (𝐼 v) candela (cd)
Length 10 m 10 m
Mass 5 kg 5 kg 4. The units for the other physical quantities can be
derived using the relationship between the physical
Time 30 s 30 s quantities and the base quantities.
4. The unit of a physical quantity is a standard
Physical quantity Derived unit
magnitude of the physical quantity which is used to
compare other magnitudes of the same physical
Area = length x width m2 (from m x m)
quantity.
5. ‘The length of a room is 10 m’ means that the length Volume = length x width m3 (from m x m x m)
of the room is 10 times the length of a standard x height
metre rule.  kg 
mass kg m-3  from 3 
Density =
volume  m 
Self Evaluation 1.1 distance  m
Speed = m s -1  from 
time  s
1. Group the following into physical quantity and
non-physical quantity. change of velocity  m s-1 
Mass, love, fear, length, beauty, weight Acceleration =
time
m s-2  from 
 s 

kg m s-2
Force = mass x acceleration
 m s-1 
1.2 SI Units  from kg x 
 s 
1. The International System of Units (abbreviated as SI) Work = force x displacement J = kg m2 s-2
is the system of units that was established in 1968 (from N x m = kg m s -2 x m)
and is used by most countries.
2. The advantages of a single and internationally W = kg m2 m-3
accepted system of units are work done
Power =  J kg m2 s -2 
 that it facilitates international trade and time taken  from = 
 s s 
communications and
 that it encourages the transfer and exchange of Pa = kg m-1 s-2
scientific findings and information. force
Pressure =  N kg m s-2 
area  from 2 = 
3. In the SI system seven physical quantities are chosen  m m2 
as base quantities.

Note: There must be a space between two different

units.

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 Physical Quantities Unit and Physics
Measurement O-Level

One of the advantages of the SI system of units is that

Self Evaluation 1.2 only one unit is used for a physical quantity. When the
numeric part of the quantity is very big or very small,
1. Write down the unit for each of the prefixes which are multiples of ten or decimals are used.
quantities defined below in terms of m, s,
kg, K, and A.
Note : There should not be any space between
(a)
mass (e) current x time the prefix and the unit.
time
mass Example
(b) (f) density x volume
area Ms = millisecond
-3
volume change in speed = 10 s and not m s
(c) (g)
time time Ms = metre second

(d)
cange in temperature
mass
Example
2. In a remote settlement in the Amazon
jungle, sugarcane cultivators use the “hand” The dimensions of a box are 20 cm x 25 cm x 5 cm.
3 3
to measure the length of the sugar cane that Calculate the volume of the box in (a) cm , (b) mm and
3
they sell (see poster below). (c) m .

Solution
(a) Volume of the box = (20 cm)(25 cm)(5 cm)
3
= 2500 cm
(b) Volume of the box = (200 mm)(250 mm)(50 mm)
3
= 2 500 000 mm
(c) Volume of the box = (0.20 m)(0.25 m)(0.05 m)
(a) What is meant by a unit of a physical 3
= 0.0025 m
quantity?
(b) Explain whether the "hand" is suitable Example
as a unit for length. -3
The density of water is 1.0 g cm . What is its density in
-3
kg m ?

Solution
1.3 Prefixes 1 kg = 10 g
3

PREFIXES FOR SI UNITS: 1g=

1 kg = 10-3 kg
103
2
Prefix (symbol) Factor Example 1 m = 10 cm
Tera (T) 1012
12
Tm = 10 m 1 cm =
1 m = 10-2 m
9
Giga (G) 109 Gm = 10 m 102
6
Mega (M) 106 Mm = 10 m 3
1 cm =  1  m3 = 1 m3
3 3
kilo (k) 103 km = 10 m
2 6
deci (d) 10-1
-1
dm = 10 m  10  10
-2
centi (c) 10-2 cm = 10 m 1.0 g
milli (m) 10-3 mm = 10 m
-3 1.0 g cm-3 =
-6 cm3
micro (μ) 10-6 μm = 10 m
nano (n)
-9
nm = 10 m 1.0 x 10-3 kg
10-9 =
pico (p) 10-12
-12
pm = 10 m 10-6 m3
= 1.0 x 103 kg m-3

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 Physical Quantities Unit and Physics
Measurement O-Level

-3 Approximate values of the size of some common

Note : To convert the units of density from g cm to
-3 3 objects
kg m , one need to multiply by 10
-3 3 -3 -10
1.0 g cm = 1.0 x 10 kg m Diameter of a hydrogen atom 10 m
-3 3 -3
2.0 g cm = 2.0 x 1.0 kg m Size of a cell of a living organism 10 m
-5

Height of a room 3m
6
Radius of the Earth 6 x 10 m
Standard Form
8
Distance from the Earth to the Moon 4 x 10 m
For very large or very small numbers, it is 11
convenient to write them in the standard form. Distance from the Earth to the Sun 2 x 10 m
n
The standard form is denoted by a x 10 , where
1 < a < 10 and n is an integer. Approximate values of the mass of some common
objects
Examples
-31
(a) 1 100 000 = 1.1 x 10
6 Mass of the electron 9 x 10 kg
-6
(b) 0.000 0090 = 9.0 x 10 Mass of a hydrogen atom 2 x 10
-27
kg
Mass of a man 50 kg
3
Example Mass of a car 2 x 10 kg
24
Express the following quantities in their base units. Give Mass of the Earth 6 x 10 kg
your answers in standard form up to 3 significant figures. Mass of the Sun 2 x 10 kg
30
-3
(a) Density = 200 mg cm
-1
(b) Speed = 45 μm ns Example
(c) Work done = 700 kN x 28 Mm
The number of particles in a mole of a substance is known
23
as Avogadro’s number NA. The value of NA is 6.02 x 10
Solution per mole. The mass of a mole of copper is 64 g. How
(a) Density = 200 mg cm-3 many copper atoms are there in 8.0 g of copper?
200 x 10 -3 g
= 1mg = 10 g  -3
Solution
10 m
-2 3

In 1 mole (64 g) of copper, the number

200 x 10 10 -3 -3
kg 
=
10-6 m3
1 cm = 10 -2
m of copper atoms = NA
Therefore in 8.0 g of copper, the number
= 200 kg m-3  1 g = 10 -3
kg 
 8.0 
= 2.00 x 102 kg m-3 of copper atoms =    NA 
 64 
(b) Speed = 45 μm ns -1
 8.0 
  6.02 x 10 
23
=
45 x 10-6 m  64 
= ( 1 m = 10-6 m;
10-9 s = 7.53 x 1022
= 4.50 x 104 m s -1 1 ns = 10-9 s)
(c) Work done
Self Evaluation 1.3
= 700 kN x 28 Mm ( 1 kN = 103 N;
=  700 x 103 N28 x 106 m 1 Mm = 106 m) 1. Calculate the volume of a slab of copper
3
measuring 20 cm x 25 cm x 8.0 mm in (a) mm ,
= 19 600 x 10 N m 9
1 J = 1 N m  3 3
(b) cm and (c) m .
13
= 1.96 x 10 J Give your answer in standard form.

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 Physical Quantities Unit and Physics
Measurement O-Level

2. An astronomical unit (AU) is defined as the

average distance between the Earth and the
11
Sun, that is 1.50 x 10 m. One light-year is
the distance travelled by the light in a year.
8 -1
(a) If the speed of light is 3.00 x 10 m s
what is the distance of a light-year in
metre?
(b) How many AU are there in one light- (c) The addition of two vectors whose directions are
year? not parallel to each other can be determined by
graphical methods, i.e. either by
(i) drawing a triangle or
(ii) drawing a parallelogram.

1.4 Scalars and Vectors (I) Triangle method

1. A scalar is a physical quantity that has only Example

magnitude. Mass, time, length, energy and density
are scalar quantities. A plane flies a distance of 500 km east from point O, it
then turns counterclockwise by 60° and flies 600 km
2. A vector is a physical quantity that has both
further. Determine the resultant displacement from O.
magnitude and direction. Displacement, velocity,
force and momentum are examples of vector
quantities.
Solution
3. The sum of two vectors is also a vector known as the Step 1. Draw a line OA 2.5 cm long to represent the
resultant. displacement S1 = 500 km east.
(a) Addition of two vectors in the same direction. STEP1  A
O

S1 = 500 km


Note : All lengths and angles must be measured

The resultant of the two forces F1 = 2 N and
accurately to scale.
F2 = 5 N acting in the same direction is F, a force
that acts in the direction of F1 and F2.
Step 2. From point A draw a line AB 3.0 cm long at an
angle of 60° in the counterclockwise direction to
the original direction to represent the
displacement S2 = 600 km.

(b) Addition of two vectors in the opposite

directions.

The resultant of the two forces F1 = 12 N and

F2 = 4 N which act in the opposite directions is F,
a force that acts in the direction of the greater
force among F1 and F2.

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 Physical Quantities Unit and Physics
Measurement O-Level

Step 3. Complete the triangle OAB

Problem Solving Technique

Do not mix up triangle method and

parallelogram method

Triangle method

The resultant displacement S is represented both in

magnitude and direction by the line OB. Measure the
length of OB and the angle BOA: Resultant displacement S
is 950 km in a direction 34° to the original displacement. The arrows of S1 and S2 point in the same
direction round the triangle and the arrow for
(II) Parallelogram method S points in the opposite direction.

Example Parallelogram method

All the vectors S1, S2, and S start from the same
Two forces F1 = 40 N and F2 = 30 N act on a point O at an point O.
angle of 60° to each other. Determine the resultant force.

Solution
Step 1. Draw the line OA = 4.0 cm to represent the force
F1 = 40N.
Self Evaluation 1.4
Step 2. Draw the line OB = 3.0 cm at an angle of 60° to F1
to represent the force F2 = 30 N.
1. Forces of 4.0 N and 3.0 N act at right angle
on a point. By means of a scale diagram,
find the resultant force.
2. In still water, the velocity of a boat crossing
-1
the river is 1.2 m s . Draw a scale diagram
to find the resultant velocity of the boat
when there is a current flowing down the
-1
river at a speed of 0.9 m s .
3. Two forces of 8 N and 6 N act a body. What
is
Step 3. Complete the parallelogram OACB by drawing (i)
the line BC parallel to OA and (ii) the line AC (a) the maximum resultant force;
parallel to OB. (b) the minimum resultant force?
Step 4. Draw the diagonal OC, which represents the
magnitude and direction of the resultant force.
Measure the length of OC and the angle AOC.
The resultant force is 60 N at an angle of 24° to
F1.

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 Physical Quantities Unit and Physics
Measurement O-Level

1.5 Measurement of Length and Time (a) 10 divisions on the vernier scale = 0.9 cm. Hence
1 division on the vernier scale is 0.09cm.
1. The base SI unit for length is the metre (m). (b) To read the vernier calipers.
2. Other units for the length: (i) Note the reading on the main scale just
cm = 10 m
-2 before the zero mark on the vernier scale,
-3 i.e. 1.1 cm
mm= 10 m
-6 (ii) The second decimal place is given by the
μm = 10 m
reading on the vernier scale that is exactly in
-9
nm = 10 m line with the main scale, i.e. 3.
3
km= 10 m (iii) Hence the reading given by the vernier
3. Avoid end error and parallax error when using the calipers is 1.13 cm.
metre rule. (c) The vernier calipers gives readings up to the
second decimal place of a centimetre.
1. Parallax error - error in the reading due to
6. To check for zero error (or end error), close the jaws
incorrect position of the eye.
of the calipers.
2. To avoid parallax error, your line of vision (a) No zero error if the ‘0’ on both the main scale
should be perpendicular to the scale. and vernier scale are exactly in line.

(b) Zero error = +0.02 cm

1. To avoid end error, start from the
10.0 cm mark.
2. To avoid parallax error, place pencil in
contact with the scale.

4. All readings from the metre rule must be taken up to

the first decimal place of a centimeter for example,
one should take the reading of 1 0.0 cm and not
10 cm. (c) Zero error = -0.02 cm
5. Vernier calipers

Correct reading = scale reading - zero error

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 Physical Quantities Unit and Physics
Measurement O-Level

Examples (c) Zero error = 0.01 mm

(a) If zero error = +0.0 I cm
Correct reading = (1.23 − 0.01) cm
= 1.22 cm
(b) If zero error = −0.02 cm
Correct reading = (1.23 − (−0.02)) cm
= 1.25 cm

7. Micrometer screw gauge

9. To read the micrometer scale.

(a) For a complete turn of the thimble, the spindle (a) Read the main scale: 3.5 mm
moves through 0.5 mm and the circular scale
(b) Read the circular scale: 0.23 mm
moves through 50 divisions.
(c) Micrometer reading = (3.5 + 0.23) mm
(b) 50 divisions on the circular scale = 0.5 mm
= 3.73 mm
1 division = 0.5 mm
50 10. Measurement of time.
= 0.01 mm (a) A stopwatch is used to measure an interval of
(c) The micrometer screw gauge gives readings up time.
to the second decimal place of a millimetre. (b) Simple Pendulum

8. Zero error.
(a) Zero error = 0.00 mm

To measure the period T of a simple pendulum.

(i) Measure time for 20 oscillations t20,
t20
(ii) Calculate the period using T 
(b) Zero error = 0.01 mm 20
(c) The period T of a simple pendulum is
independent of
(i) the amplitude of oscillation,
(ii) the mass of the bob.
(d) The period T depends due the length 𝑙 of the
pendulum.

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 Physical Quantities Unit and Physics
Measurement O-Level

1 (f) The frequency f of the simple pendulum is the

T  2 number of complete oscillations it makes in one
g
second. Hence frequency f  1 where T is the
Where g is the acceleration due to grativity. T
(e) The table below shows the results obtained in an period of oscillation.
experiment (g) When the length of the pendulum increases, the
Time for 20 oscillations t20 (s) period increases and the frequency decreases.
𝒍 (cm) T (s) l (cm1/2 )
t1 (s) t2 (s) Average (s)

10.0 12.8 12.7 12.8 0.640 3.16

Self Evaluation 1.5
20.0 17.9 17.9 17.9 0.895 4.47
30.0 22.5 22.3 22.4 1.12 5.48 1. In an experiment, a student is required to
40.0 25.2 25.1 25.2 1.26 6.32 measure the length, width and thickness of
a piece of aluminium of about 20 cm long, 2
50.0 28.2 28.2 28.0 1.40 7.07
cm wide and 2 mm thick.
60.0 31.3 31.5 31.4 1.57 7.75
(a) Name the measuring instruments that
the student should use.
Note : (b) Give a sample reading for each
(i) The length which is measured using a mm measurement, indicating the degree of
scale is recorded to the first decimal place of accuracy of the instrument.
a centimetre i.e. 0.1 cm. 2. What are the readings of the vernier scales
(ii) The time for 20 oscillations t20 which is shown below?
measured using a stopwatch is recorded to
the first decimal place of a second.
(iii) For each value of 𝑙, two readings for t20 are
taken and the average values are calculated
to the first decimal of a second. Repeated
readings are taken to eliminate random
error, such as mistake made when the watch
is read.
(iv) The value of the period T and l are
calculated to 3 significant figures because
the values of t20 and 𝑙 are recorded to 3
significant figures.
3.
Since the period is given by the expression
l , a graph of T against l is
T  2
g
plotted to obtain a straight line graph (see
below).

The figure shows a micrometer screw

gauge.
(a) Each division on the circular scale
represents ________ mm.
(b) The reading of the micrometer screw
gauge is ________ mm.

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 Physical Quantities Unit and Physics
Measurement O-Level

4. The figure shows a simple pendulum.

The points X, Y, and Z are at the top, centre

and bottom of the pendulum bob.
(a) The length of the pendulum is the
distance from the point P to _______
A: X
B: Y
C: Z
(b) The period of the simple pendulum is
the time taken by the bob to move
________
A: from Q to O
B: from Q to R
C: from Q to R and back
(c) If the length of the pendulum is
shortened, the frequency of the
pendulum _______
A: increases
B: decreases
C: remains the same