Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement

These flashcards cover basic concepts of physical quantities, unit measurements, and differences between scalar and vector quantities based on lecture notes.

What are the requirements for final answers in physics?

Final answers must be in 2 or 3 significant figures and include units.

What is the S.I. unit for mass?

Kilogram, symbol: kg.

Which unit is used to measure length and what is its symbol?

Metre, symbol: m.

What S.I. unit represents time?

Seconds, symbol: s.

What is the S.I. unit for electric current?

Ampere, symbol: A.

How is the temperature measured in the S.I. system?

Using the Kelvin scale, symbol: K.

What is the S.I. unit for the amount of substance?

Mole, symbol: mol.

8.4 km is equal to __ in meters.

8400 meters.

What does the precision of a measuring tape commonly measure?

The smallest unit that the instrument can measure, often 0.1 or 1 mm.

What is the precision of a metre rule?

0.1 cm (or 1 mm).

What is the function of a digital caliper?

To measure internal and external diameters of objects.

What is the main utility of a digital micrometer?

To measure diameters of thin objects.

What is the formula for calculating the period of a pendulum?

Period T = total time / number of oscillations.

Differentiating between scalar and vector quantities, what defines a scalar quantity?

Scalar quantities only have magnitude.

Give two examples of scalar quantities.

Distance and mass.

What defines a vector quantity?

Vector quantities have both direction and magnitude.

Provide an example of a vector quantity.

Velocity or force.