Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics

1.1 Understanding Physics [……/10 x 100 = ………..]

 explain what physics is
 recognize the physics in everyday objects and natural phenomena

1. A phenomenon is an (1)……………… that can be perceived by our (2)…………….

2. In physics, we study (3)…………………. ……………………, such as the eruption of volcano,

rain fall, formation of rainbow and the (4)………………. of matter, such as length, temperature
and volume.

3. There are many fields of study in physics, including (5)…………….., (6)…………….., (7)
………………, (8)…………………..., (9)……………………, (10)…………………,
electromagnetism, electronics and nuclear physics.

1.2 Understanding Base Quantities and Derived Quantities [……/35x100=………..]

 explain what base quantities and derived quantities are
 list base quantities and their units
 list some derived quantities and their units.
 express quantities using prefixes.
 express quantities using scientific notation
 express derived quantities as well as their units in terms of base quantities and base units.
 solve problems involving conversion of units

1. A physical quantity is a (1)………………… ………………..that can be (2)………………

2. Base quantities are (3)……………. ………………. that cannot be defined in terms of other
(4)……………..

There are (5)……… base quantities: (6)………….., (7)…………., (8)…………., (9)

……………… and (10)…………………..

Physical Quantity Base S.I. Unit

Base Quantity Quantity Symbol S.I. Unit Unit symbol
Length (11) metre (12)

Mass (13) kilogram (14)

Time (15) second (16)

Electric Current (17) ampere (18)

Temperature (19) kelvin (20)

Table 1.2.1

3. Derived quantities are (21)…………. ……………. consisting of combinations

of (22) ………… ……………..., by multiplication, division or both operations.

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 4. Derived quantities as well as their units are expressed in terms of base quantities and S.I. units
as follows:

Given that l : length, m : mass, t : time, I : electric current, T : temperature.

Derived quantities Expressed in base quantities Derived units
(symbol)
Area (23) (24)
(A)

Volume (25) (26)

(V)

Density (27) (28)

(ρ)

Speed (29) (30)

(v)

Work or Energy W = F• s Unit W = kg m s −2 x m

(W or E) F = force = kg m 2 s −2
s = displacement =Nm
=J
(read as joule)
Power W E J
P= = Unit P =
(P) t t s
= J s −1
=W
(read as watt)
Velocity s m
v= Unit v =
(v) t s
= m s −1
(read as metre per second)
Acceleration v-u ms −1
a= Unit a =
(a) t s
u = initial velocity = m s −2
v = final velocity (read as metre per second per second)
t = time taken

Force F = ma Unit F = kg x m s −2
(F) m = mass = kg m s −2
a = acceleration =N
(read as newton)

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 Impulse Ft = change of momentum Unit Ft = kg x m s −1
(Ft) = mv – mu = kg m s −1
m = mass =Ns
u = initial velocity (read as newton second)
v = final velocity

Momentum p = mv Unit p = kg x ms −1
(p) m = mass = kg m s −1
v = velocity =Ns
(read as newton second)

Pressure F N
P= Unit P =
(P) A m2
F = force = N m −2
A = area = Pa
(read as pascal)
Specific heat Q J
c= Unit c = kg oC
capacity mθ
(c) Q = heat energy = J kg −1 0
C −1
m = mass J
θ = change in temperature = kgK
= J kg −1 K −1
(read as joule per kilogram per kelvin)
Frequency 1 1
f= Unit f =
(f) T s
T = period of swing; = s −1
Unit is second (s) = Hz
(read as hertz)
Electrical charges Q = It Unit Q = A s
(Q) I = electric current =C
t = time (read as coulomb)
Resistance V V
R= Unit R =
(R) I A
V = voltage; unit is volt (V) = V A −1
I = electric current = Ω
(read as ohm)
Table 1.2.2

5. Prefixes are used to express some physical quantities that are either very big or very small.
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 Prefix Symbol Value
Tera T 10 12
Giga G 10 9
Mega M 10 6
kilo k 10 3
deci d 10 −1
centi c 10 −2
mili m 10 −3
micro µ 10 −6
nano n 10 −9
pico p 10 −12

Table 1.2.3

6. Standard form or scientific notation:

A x 10n where 1≤ A < 10, n is an integer (integer positive or negative)
Physical Quantity Value Standard form or
Scientific notation
Mass of earth 6 020 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 kg (31)

Speed or light in the 299 792 458 m s-1 3.0 ×10 8

m s −1
vacuum
Radius of earth 6 370 000 m (32)

−5
Mass of hydrogen (33) 2.1×10 kg
atom

Time of a day 86 400 s 8.64 ×10 4

s

Temperature of the (34) 6.0 ×10 3 k K

centre of the earth

Size of a flu virus 0.000 000 2 m (35)

Table 1.2.4

1.3 Understanding Scalar and Vector Quantities [……./15 x 100 = ……..]

 define scalar and vector quantities

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 give examples of scalar and vector quantities.

1. Scalar quantities are quantities that have (1)………………. but no (2) ……………..

2. Vector quantities are quantities that have both (3)………………… and (4)………………….

Scalar Quantities Vector Quantities

Distance
(5) …………………
Speed
(6) ………………..
Work
(7) ………………..
Area
(8) ………………..
Length
(9) ………………
Energy
(10) ………………
Table 1.3.1

*Notes: In the SPM Physics syllabus, there are only six vector quantities, the rest are all scalar
quantities. Therefore, the pupils will just have to memorize these six.

3. Example :

Distance(s) Displacement(s)
• Total length of the path traveled • Distance between two points measured
along a specific direction
• Scalar quantity • Vector quantity

Table 1.3.2

Speed Velocity
• Rate of change of distance • Rate of change of displacement
dis tan ce displaceme nt
• Speed = time • Velocity = time
• Scalar quantity • Vector quantity

Table 1.3.3

Problem Solving:

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Annie the ant is traveling down the road to buy an umbrella for these rainy days. She walks from her
nest, A to B, B to C in 10 minutes’ time as shown in the picture below:
(11) What is the distance she traveled? (12) What is her displacement from A?
(13) What is her speed? (14) What is her velocity?
(15) What is her average velocity?

U Annie the ant

A

4m
C
B 3m
Solution:
(11) Distance traveled =

=
(12) Displacement of the object from A = 5 m towards the direction of AC

tan θ = =

∴θ = …………. o
∴The displacement of the ant is ………….. in the direction of ……………… from A
(13) Speed =

(14) Velocity =

=………………………… towards the direction of ………..

(15) Average speed =

1.4 Measuring Instruments [……/25 x100 = …..…..]

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 Measure physical quantities using appropriate instruments
 Explain accuracy and consistency
 Explain sensitivity
 Explain types of experimental error
 Use appropriate techniques to reduce errors

Accuracy, Consistency and Sensitivity in measurement & Errors

Definitions:
1. Consistency in measurements refers to how little (1)………….. there is among the measurements
made when a quantity is measured several times.
2. Accuracy of a measurement is how (2) ……….......the measurement made is to the actual value of the
quantity.
3. Sensitivity of an instrument is its (3) ………… to detect a (4) ………… change in the quantity to be
measured in a short period of time.
4. The diagram shows the result for four shooters A, B, C and D in a tournament. Every shooter shot five
times.

The table shows the conclusion:

Shooter Consistency Accuracy

A High Low
B (5) …….. High
C High (6) …….
D (7) ……. (8) …….
Diagram 1.4.1 Table 1.4.1

5. Error is (9) ……………..caused by measuring instrument or the observer or the physical factors of the
surroundings.
6. Two main types of errors: systematic error and random error.

Systematic Error Random Error

 Caused by:  Caused by:
i. Error in instruments i. Surroundings factors, such as
ii. Error in calibration temperature and wind
ii. Carelessness of the observer
 Example  Example
i. Zero error i. Parallax error
ii. Error in counting
 Cannot be reduced or overcome  Can be reduced
 Way of correction  Ways of correction
i. Take the error into account i. Take several readings and
calculate the average value.
Table 1.4.2

Parallax errors

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Definition:
A parallax error is an error in reading an instrument because the observer’s eyes and pointer are not

(10) …………………………………… to the plane of the scale.

Concept & Explanation:

1. Diagram 1.4.2, Diagram 1.4.3 and Diagram 1.4.4 show the correct positioning of the observer’s
eyes to avoid parallax errors.

2. How to avoid parallax error?

(a) position of eyes must be in line/ perpendicular / 90owith the scale of the reading to be taken.

(b) When taking reading from an ammeter, we must make sure that the eyes are exactly in front of
the pointer, so that the reflection of the pointer in the mirror is right behind the pointer. In
other words, the reflection of the pointer on the mirror could not be seen by the observer, then
it is free from parallax error.

Measuring Instruments & Accuracy

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 Measuring Instruments:
Physical Quantity Measuring Instrument
Length Metre-rule, vernier caliper, micrometer screw gauge
Current Ammeter
Mass Triple-beam-balance
Temperature Thermometer
Time Mechanical stopwatch, digital stopwatch
Voltage Voltmeter

Table 1.4.3 Ruler A Ruler B

(A) Instruments measuring length Sensitivity 0.1 cm 0.5 cm
1. Metre Rule Accuracy 0.1 cm 0.5 cm
Length of wire 4.8 cm 5.0 cm
Ruler A
0 1 2 3 4 5

wire
Table 1.4.4
0 1 2 3 4
Ruler B
5

Diagram 1.4.5
2. Vernier Calipers
The same wire is measured by a vernier caliper. The reading is as follows:

4 5 Sensitivity 0.01 cm
Accuracy 0.01 cm
Length of wire 4.78cm

0 5 10 Table 1.4.5

Diagram 1.4.6

3. Micrometer Screw Gauge

The diameter of the wire is measured by a micrometer screw gauge. The reading is as follows:

0 5 25
Sensitivity 0.01 mm
Accuracy 0.01 mm
20 Diameter of wire 6.5 +0.22
= 6.72 mm

Diagram 1.4.7 Table 1.4.6

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Vernier Calipers
1) How to read from a vernier caliper?

Figure 8 shows the use of a vernier caliper to

measure the size of the inner diameter of a
beaker.
Inner diameter
= main scale reading + vernier scale reading
= 3.2 + 0.04
= 3.24 cm

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 Write down the readings shown by the following diagrams:
No. Diagram Answer
11

Positive zero error Negative zero error

12

Diagram 1.4.10
Negative zero error = - ( 0.1 – 0.08 ) cm
= - 0.02 cm
All measurements taken with this vernier calipers
13 must be corrected by subtracting - 0.08 cm, which
is adding 0.08 cm to the readings
14
Diagram 1.4.9
Positive zero error = + 0.08 cm
All measurements taken with this vernier calipers
must be corrected by subtracting 0.08 cm from the
readings.

Eample Example
15 The following diagram shows the scale of a pair of vernier callipers when
the jaws are closed. State the zero error.

0 1

(i)0 Diagram 51.4.11 (ii) 10 (i) Diagram 1.4.12 (ii)

16 Zero
Theerror = + 0.04
following cm shows the scale of the same Zero
diagram error
vernier = -(0.1as– in
callipers 0.07) cm
Vernier caliper
Question No.reading = 0.4when
(15) above + 0.01
there are 40 pieces of cardboard= between
- 0.03 cm
= 0.41 cm Vernier
the jaws. Calculate the thickness of a piece of cardboard. caliper reading = 3.6 + 0.02
Corrected reading = 3.62 cm
= vernier caliper reading – zero error Corrected reading
= 0.41 – 0.04 = vernier caliper reading – zero error
= 0.37 cm = 3.62 – (-0.03)
= 3.62 + 0.03
= 3.65 cm
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Micrometer Screw Gauge
1. How to read from a micrometer screw gauge?

Diagram 1.4.13
Figure 13 shows the use of a micrometer screw gauge to measure the size of a spherical object.
Main scale reading = 5.5 mm
Thimble scale reading = 12 x 0.01
= 0.12 mm
Final reading = 5.5 + 0.12
= 5.62 mm

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 2. Positive zero error and negative zero error

Positive zero error Negative zero error

Diagram 1.4.14
Positive zero error = + 0.04 mm
All measurements taken with this micrometer
screw gauge must be corrected by subtracting
0.04 mm from the readings
Example
Diagram 1.4.15
Negative zero error = - 0.04 mm
All measurements taken with this micrometer
screw gauge must be corrected by subtracting -
0.04 mm, which is adding 0.04 mm from the
readings
Example

Diagram 1.4.17
Diagram 1.4.16 Zero error = - 0.03 mm
Zero error = + 0.01 mm micrometer screw gauge reading
micrometer screw gauge reading = 6.0 + 0.08
= 2.5 + 0.35 = 6.08 mm
= 2.85 mm Corrected reading
Corrected reading = micrometer screw gauge reading – zero error
= micrometer screw gauge reading – zero error = 6.08 – (-0.03)
= 2.85 – 0.01 = 6.08 + 0.03
= 2.84 mm = 6.11 mm

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Write down the readings shown by the following micrometer screw gauges.
(17) (18)
4
5 1
0 5 30 15 5
0

4
25 0

Answer: Answer:

(19) (20)

0 10 0 5 35

5 30

Answer: Answer:

Determine the readings of the following micrometer screw gauges.

0 0 5
0

45 0

(21) Zero error = (22) Zero error =

Determine the readings of the following micrometer screw gauges.

0 5 0 5 20

0
15
(24) Reading shown =
(23) Zero error =

(25) Corrected
14 reading =
(B) Instrument Measuring Current :
Ammeter:

Ammeter ranged 0.0 A – 5.0 A

Sensitivity = 0.1 A
Accuracy = 0.1 A

Diagram 1.4.18

Doubled ranged ammeter:

Upper scale ranged 0.0 A – 5.0A;

Sensitivity = 0.1 A ; accuracy = 0.1 A
Lower scale ranged 0.00A – 1.00A;
Sensitivity = 0.02A ; accuracy = 0.02A
Reading = 0.30 A

Diagram 1.4.19

Miliammeter (0 mA – 50 mA):

Sensitivity = 1
mA
Accuracy = 1
mA
Reading = 15
mA

Diagram 1.4.20

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(C) Instrument Measuring Temperature
Thermometer

Diagram 1.4.21
Accuracy = 1
o
C

(D) Instrument Measuring Time

Mechanical Stopwatch
Accuracy = 0.2 s; Reading = 8.2 s

Diagram 1.4.22: Mechanical stopwatch

Digital Stopwatch
Accuracy = 0.01s
Reading = 3 minutes 55.62 s

Diagram 1.4.23: Digital stopwatch

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 1.5 Scientific Investigation […../12 x 100 = …….]
 Identify variables in a given situation
 Identify a queation suitable for scientific investigation
 Form a hypothesis
 Design and carry out a simple experiment to test the hypothesis
 Record and present data in a suitable form
 Interpret data to draw a conclusion
 Write a report of the investigation

Clone of SPM Trial Exam of the Perak State year 2003: Paper 3 / Section B/ Question 2
Notes: MV -manipulated variable; RV-responding variable; C- constant

Keywords to indicate RV
is time of making a Keywords to
complete swing indicate C is Keywords to indicate
mass MV is length

Two twin brothers, Micheal and Jackson, of the same size, are swinging happily on the swings at a
playground as shown in the figure above.

However, the ropes that is holding the swing where Micheal is sitting is longer than Jackson’s. And,
Micheal notices that his swing is swinging slower than his brother, Jackson.
Using this information;
(a) make a suitable inference, [1 mark]
(b) state one appropriate hypothesis that could be investigated, [1 mark]
(c) describe how you would design an experiment to test your hypothesis using a bob, strings and other
apparatus. experiment
In your description, state clearly the following: Pendulum
(i) aim of the experiment
hinting on the
apparatus and
(ii) variables in the experiment the must-use-
(iii) list of apparatus and materials Keywords to indicate

(iv) arrangement of the apparatus

17
 (v) the procedure of the experiment, which includes the method of controlling the manipulated
variable and the method of measuring the responding variable.
(vi) the way you would tabulate the data
(vii) the way you would analyze the data [10 marks]

Answer:
(1) …………………………………….. influences …………………………………….

(2) When the …………………………. increases, the ………………………….. increases.

(c) Skill: Plan an experiment

Marks
Aim:
1st mark
1
To investigate the relationship between ………………………. ……………………… and
/ ……………. of swing.

Manipulated Variable (MV): ………………………..

2nd mark
2
/ Responding Variable (RV): …………………………..

3rd mark
3 Constant: ……………………
/
List of apparatus & materials:
Measuring instruments: ……………………………….., ……………………………,
4th mark Others: bob, string, retort stand and clamp, split cork,
4
/ (The measuring instruments carry marks. If all apparatus are listed except metre-rule and
stopwatch, pupils will lose the 4th mark.)

5th mark
5 Arrangement of apparatus:
/

18
 Method to control MV

*Measure l = 10.0 cm by using a metre rule.

Vital Notes & Information for Teachers & Pupils:

• Active or passive sentences are acceptable.
• Most importantly, the pupils must state a value and measuring instrument for the
6th mark.
6th mark
6
• The steps stated as * are the most essential steps (though they are very short) to
/ entitled pupils for 6th & 7th marks in the exam.
• Teachers/ pupils could add in some other steps to make the procedure clearer for
PEKA Physics .
• However, the sentence “ The apparatus as shown in the diagram above is set
up.” will cause the pupils to lose all the marks from the 6th onwards if the
diagram drawn is incorrect / unfunctional.
Therefore, the pupils should avoid writing this sentence since it is understood
and does not carry any marks but could be very ‘disastrous’.

Method to control RV

*Measure time for 20 swings, t20 by using a stopwatch.

th
7 mark t
Calculate period of a swing, T as follows: T = 20
7 20
/ Vital Notes & Information for Teachers & Pupils:
• Active or passive sentences are acceptable.
• Most importantly, the pupils must state measuring instrument(s) for the 7th mark.

8th mark Repetition:

8
/ Repeat the experiment with …………………………………………… using the same bob.

19
 9 10
9th mark / : Tabulate data 10th mark / : Analyze data

20