MESUREMENT

Objective
 show understanding that all physical quantities consist of a numerical
magnitude and a unit
 recall the following base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m),
time (s), current (A), temperature (K), amount of substance (mol)
 use the following prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal sub-
multiples and multiples of the SI units: nano (n), micro (μ), milli (m), centi
(c), deci (d), kilo (k), mega (M)
 show an understanding of the orders of magnitude of the sizes of common
objects ranging from a typical atom to the Earth
 state what is meant by scalar and vector quantities and give common
examples of each
 add two vectors to determine a resultant by a graphical method
 describe how to measure a variety of lengths with appropriate accuracy by
means of tapes, rules, micrometers and calipers, using a vernier scale as
necessary
 describe how to measure a short interval of time including the period of a
simple pendulum with appropriate accuracy using stopwatches or
appropriate instruments

Physical Quantity

A physical quantity consists of a numerical magnitude and a unit.

Eg.
The height of the building is 20 m (metres)
(magnitude) (unit)

Base quantity

Base quantities
Derived quantities

Prefixes

What is the distance from the Earth to the sun?

 Distance from the Earth to the sun = 150 000 000 000 m
= 1.5 x 1011 m
= 150 Gm

What is the diameter of an atom?

 Diameter of an atom = 0.0000000001 m
= 1 x 10-10
= 0.1 x 10-9
= 0.1 nm
Scalar quantity and vector quantity

Scalar Vector
Definition Has magnitude only Has both magnitude and direction
Example Distance, speed, Displacement, velocity,
mass, time, volume, acceleration, weight, force
density

Adding 2 vectors

Maximum and minimum resultant force

Diagram Resultant force
Maximum Resultant force
=4N+2N
=6N

Minimum Resultant force

=4N–2N
=2N

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Adding vectors using triangle method (Tip to tail method)
Step 1 Draw down the vectors involved.

Step 2 Join the vectors from tip to tail.

Step 3 Draw the resultant force

Step 4 Measure and write down the magnitude and direction of

the resultant force.

Adding vectors using parallelogram method

Step 1 Draw the vectors involved.

Step 2 Draw, using a compass, parallel lines to the vectors.

Step 3 Draw the resultant force.

Step 4 Measure and write down the magnitude and direction of

the resultant force.
Measurement of length

Types of errors

Measurement of length
Using vernier callipers
Diagram Remarks

No zero error

Zero error = + 0.02 cm

Zero error = -0.04 cm

Actual reading = Recorded reading – zero error

Using micrometer screw gauge
Diagram Remarks

Reading = 7.38 mm

Reading = 7.72 mm
Measurement of time

Time
 Measured in seconds
 Other units : hour, min, days
 Measured by digital stopwatch or analogue stopwatch

Simple pendulum
 The oscillation of a simple pendulum is an example of a regular repeating
motion.
 The period of pendulum is the time taken to complete one oscillation.
 The period of a pendulum is only affected by the length of the pendulum.
 There is error due to human reaction time when using a digital stopwatch.

Ticker-tape timer

 Ticker-tape timer is an electrical device used to mark a short

duration of time.
 Frequency : 50 Hz
 Time period between each dot : 0.02 s

 The ticker tape above shows a motion of uniform speed because the
distance travelled per interval is the same.
 The further the dots, the faster the tape is pulled through. (and vice-versa)
 If dots are getting further apart with time, it means there is an acceleration
and vice-versa.