Physics 601 – Physics for Engineers

Module 1: Introduction, Units and Measurements, Vectors and the Scalar Quantities

Lesson 1: Introduction to Physics

Learning Outcomes:
1. Define physics.
2. Explain the important contribution of physics.
3. Identify the different field of physics.

What is physics?
Physics is defined as the branch of science that deals with the interaction of matter and
the energy, and it is the very foundation of matter and energy. Physics study the very
fundamental properties, materials, and forces in the universe. It is also considered a major
science that deals with the fundamental constituents of the universe. For instance, the universe
are composed of galaxies, the galaxy are composed of planets, the planet like earth are composed
of matter, and this matter are composed of atoms in which the atom are composed of
fundamental particles like neutron, electron, proton- that are made up of quarks. Physics is
concerned both in the macroscopic and microscopic aspects in the nature.
Why physics considered fundamentals in all sciences?
Physics is considered fundamental of all the sciences it’s because in other natural
sciences like chemistry, astronomy, and other are dealing with a system that obeys the laws of
physics. Physics is a foundation of other physical sciences. For instance, in the chemical
reactions, the very fundamental why chemical reaction exists and take place could be answered
in nuclear physics and in thermodynamics. In biological sciences, it helps to describe the
properties of cell and cell membranes on the microscopic levels.
What are the different fields of physics?
The main division of Physics is the classical mechanics (Newtonian Mechanics), and the
modern physics. The classical or Newtonian mechanics is further divided into more specific field
that includes mechanics, thermodynamics, sound, light, and optics. The modern physics is
subdivided into more specific fields that includes atomic, nuclear, and particle physics.
The mechanics is considered the oldest field of physics that is concerned with the description of
motion and the causes of the motion.
More specialized field of physics includes:
 Acoustics
 Astrophysics
 Atmospheric and space physics
 Atomic and molecular physics
 Condensed matter physics
 Cryogenics
 Electrodynamics
 Fluid mechanics and Aerodynamics
 General relativity
 Geophysics
 Optics and quantum optics
 High energy physics
 Plasma physics
 Quantum field theory
 Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics
 Lesson 2: Measurements, and the Conversion of Physical units
Learning Outcomes:
1. Define Measurements.
2. Identify the physical units of measurement.
3. Convert one unit to another unit.

Measurements
Measurement is the process of associating numbers with physical quantities and
phenomena. In engineering, the measurement is considered fundamental in various fields like
sciences; to engineering, construction, and other technical fields; and to almost all everyday
activities. In a simple case, the measurement simply means the process of comparing the physics
of everything into the known established standards. For instance, the standard 1-meter length is
equivalent to 1,650,763.73 wavelength of the Krypton 86 atom. Meaning when measure a certain
length of the object and it measure 2.5 meters with the used of the meter stick prototype, its mean
that the length is 2.5 times of the standard meter.

System of measurements
System of measurement is any of the system used in the measurement process. This
includes metric, and the English system. There are several units in describing physical quantities,
for instance unit of length, mass, time, and other physical quantities such the volume, force,
energy, momentum, current, flow, etc. Metric system, the basic unit are meters for the length,
kilogram for the mass, and second for time. Table below presents the different units in describing
physical quantities as well as their equivalent.
Conversion of physical unit
In practical settings, physical quantities are described in terms of metric system
and or in English system of unit measurements. For instance, the power of an electric motor is
commonly express in terms of a horsepower unit (English unit of power), some countries using
metric, and some are using English system. In engineering, it is expected to encounter several
units of physical quantities both in metric and or English system. With this scenario, it is
important for having a basic skill on how to convert one physical unit to another physical unit.
 In the conversion of units, it is important to familiarize the basic unit used in describing
the physical quantities and their equivalent. Basic knowledge in algebra like fraction,
cancellation of units, etc. is considered important. Though lot of recent technologies like
calculator, can be used to calculate directly the desired equivalent of physical quantity unit, but it
is still important to have basic knowledge in the basic procedures for unit conversion.

Example 1
Convert 10, 000 ft2 to hectare
Solution:
First rewrite the quantity and the unit, then think if there is an equivalent that directly convert
square foot to hectare. If none, then basic conversion process will be applied. Considering that no
direct equivalent, then

10 , 000 ft =0.09 ha . Ans.

2

Example 2
The approximate distance from Digos City to Davao City is 46 kilometers, what is this distance
in terms of miles?
Solution:

Example 3
What is the equivalent of 1 kw in terms of hp?
Solution:
Example 4.
Convert 100 J energy to foot.pound(ft.Ib)
Solution:
Note: 1 Joule = 1 N.m, 1 N = 0.2248 Ib

Application:
Instruction. Read and answer the questions or solve the problems below. Write your
answer or solution on the space below the item number. Used another sheet of clean paper when
necessary.
1. Convert 10 miles to feet

2. Convert 100 km/h to mi/s

3. Find the equivalent of 20 pounds water in terms of newton

4. Find the volume of water in a cylindrical tank in terms of liters whose dimension is 1.5
meter in diameter, and 2 meters high.

5. The area of the farm is 20 acres, what is this area in terms of square yard?

6. What is the equivalent of 100 Joules in terms of BTU?

7. What is the equivalent of 200 Joules per second in terms of horsepower?

8. The speed of the car is 80 km/h, what is this speed in terms of miles per second?

9. The pressure in the lateral pipe of an irrigation system was 29 psi, what is this pressure
in term of Pascal?

10. What is the equivalent length of the 5000 meters farm perimeter in terms of yards?