The Basics of Physics

& Measurement
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
• recall some mathematics concepts
• differentiate between fundamental and
derived quantities
• convert units between different systems of
measurements
• solve measurement problems
Can Physics exist
without math?
• Math is the tool in
understanding physics.

• Laws in physics were

formulated with the
help of mathematics.
 the arithmetic of symbols
Algebra that represents numbers

Multiplying like and

unlike signs

Dividing like and

unlike signs
Equations A statement of equality
Rules:
• Transposition by changing signs
if a + b = c, then a = c - b
eg. v1 + at = v2 , then v1 = v2 - at
• Transposition by division
if a = bc, then b = a/c
eg. F = ma, then m = F/a
• Cross - multiplication removes a fraction
Exponents shorthand way of expressing a
quantity to be multiplied by
a1 = a itself
a2 = a x a

=?
 Measurement
the process of determining the
actual size, quantity or degree of
something by using a standard
unit or system
Systems of Measurement
• Metric system
commonly used method
described as M-K-S and C-G-S
SI units

• English system
Replaced by Imperial system
used in UK
Inches, feet, yards, miles…
 Quantity
a part or portion of a thing that
can be measured

Dimension or
Property
 Fundamental vs Derived Quantities
Fundamental or Base Quantities
• can be determined directly by using a
correct measuring device.
 Fundamental vs Derived Quantities
Derived Quantities
• derived from combining two or more
fundamental and/or another derived
quantity.

A=LxL

F = ma
Factor Label Method
Unit Conversion
Given unit Desired unit
Conversion
Factor

ratio expressing a fraction

how many of one which equals
unit are equal to to 1
another unit
Metric to metric conversion

0 00 0 0
 Word Problems
1. Tessie measures her bathroom tiles to be 10
inches by 8 inches. What are the length and
width in centimeters?

2. From problem #1, what is the bathroom tiles’

area in meters?

3. How much wood do you need to form a

triangular garden frame if one side of the
frame has a length of 11 feet, and the other
two sides are 2 feet longer than the first side?
Express the answer in centimeters.
‫مرحبًا‬
 Physical Quantities
Classified as

Fundamental Derived

Can either be

Vector or Scalar
All physical quantities,
whether fundamental
or derived, can be
classi ed as SCALAR
or VECTOR.
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Vector or Scalar?
Quick check…
 SCALAR VECTOR
magnitude + direction
Direction can be
described using cardinal
magnitude only (N,E,S,W) or cartesian
(+x, +y, -x, -y)
*left, right, up, down are
relative direction
e.g distance, speed, e.g displacement, velocity,
mass, temperature,
acceleration, force
volume
 Vector Representation

magnitude/size
origin (body)
(tail)
direction
(arrowhead)
Represent the following vectors:

1.50 m 30 S
0 of E
2.140 m/s 85 N of E
0

3.450 N South
4.175 kph NE
 Vector Addition
• get the algebraic sum to get
the summation of a given C
vectors
B R
• a single or common result is
known as the RESULTANT
A
VECTOR.

• combination of all given

vectors either graphically
or mathematically derived.
Methods of Adding Vectors
• Graphical
A.Parallelogram

• limited up to two vectors

B.Polygon *Scaling in graphical method
is essential when plotting
• head-to-tail the given vectors

• two or more vectors

 Steps in Parallelogram Method
1. Draw a cartesian plane represented by X and Y axis.

2. Represent the given vectors in the cartesian plane. Do

not forget to make a scale.

3. Construct the sides parallel to the given vector by

getting it from the head of the other vectors.

4. Draw a straight line from the origin up to the point of

intersection of the two added lines and that line will be
the resultant vector.

5. Use the ruler to get the magnitude of the resultant

while a protractor will tell you its direction (start from
the positive x of the plane).
Steps in Polygon Method
1. Draw a cartesian plane.

2. Plot the rst vector on the original cartesian plane.

3. From the head of the rst vector plotted, connect

the tail of the second vector.

4. Draw a straight line from the original cartesian

plane point of origin up to the head of the last
vector plotted and that will be the resultant vector.

5. Use a ruler and protractor to get the magnitude

and direction of the resultant vector.
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 Quick check…
• Di erentiate between scalars
and vectors.

• How do we represent a vector?

• What are the methods of
adding vectors?
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 Vector Addition
• Analytical
Pythagorean Theorem
The sum of the areas of the two squares on the
legs (a and b) equals the area of the square on the
hypotenuse (c)
R x 2 y 2

Component Method
Pythagorean Method
• restricted to two given vectors
• for the resultant magnitude, use
R = √A2 + B2

• where: A and B are the given vectors while R is the resultant vector

• for the resultant direction, use the tangent formula

Example, You walk 40

R
B meters East, then 20
meters South. What is the
resultant magnitude?
A B
=
What is the resultant
A direction?
40 m E
East magnitude:
Ɵ
20 m S R = √Σx2 + Σy2
R
South = √(40)2 m + (20)2 m
R = 44.7 m
direction:
tan Ɵ = opposite / adjacent
Ɵ = Tan-1 I Σy/Σx I
Ɵ = Tan-1 I 20/40 I
Ɵ = Tan-1 I 0.5 I
Ɵ = 26.56
Ɵ = 260 S of E
Component Method
most concise, accurate and
precise method in vector addition
the components of every given
vector are mathematically or
analytically solved
applicable for two or more
vectors
In a 2D space,

Y
Vector component is a
projection of a given
vector along a speci c
Vy V
Ɵ
axis.
X
Vx
To find the component magnitudes, use trigonometric functions…
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Steps in Component Method
1. Represent the vectors graphically.

2. Resolve for the X and Y components of each given vector.

3. Get the algebraic sum of the vectors using the equation

ΣX and ΣY

4. Compute for the magnitude of the Resultant vector using

Pythagorean equation. R = √ (Σx)2 + (Σy)2
5. Find the angle of direction using the equation

Ɵ = Tan-1 I Σy/Σx I
 For convenience…
• If the angle Ɵ of a given vector originates from
the x-axis, x-component of the said angle is
computed as cosine multiplied by the angle.
The y-component therefore is sine multiplied by
the angle.

• If the angle Ɵ of a given vector originates from

y-axis, x-component of the said angle is
computed as sine multiplied by the given angle.
The y-component can be computed as cosine
multiplied by the given angle of the vector.
Ɵ Origin X-component Y-component

X-axis Cosine Sine

Y-axis Sine Cosine

Component Sign Convention
Find the resultant vector.

A. 50 kph 30 S
0 of E
B. 140 kph 85 N of E
0

C. 450 kph South

D. 175 kph NE
 Practice Problems
1. A car weighing 12000 N is parked on a driveway that
is at a 15⁰ with the horizontal. Find the components
of a car’s weight parallel and perpendicular to the
driveway.

2. Robert is pulling his wagon forward with a force of

230 N by holding the handle at a 60 angle. His twin
pushes the wagon with a force of 300 N. Find the
magnitude and direction of the resultant force on the
wagon.

3. Find the resultant vector of (A) = 20 km, Eastward,

(B) = 15 km, 350 North of West, and (C) = 40km S45E
using component method.
 अल दा
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