Chapter 1 & 2 Review: Physical Quantities, Measurements, Scalars/Vectors, and Pendulum Motion

ThirtyQuestion and Answer flashcards covering base SI units, prefixes, measurement tools and errors, scalar vs vector concepts, distance vs displacement, speed vs velocity, vector addition, pendulum motion, and precision/reaction time.

Name the common base SI quantities and their units as listed.

Mass (kg); Length (m); Time (s); Electric current (A); Temperature (K); Amount of Substance (mol).

What is the SI prefix for 10^12 and its symbol?

Tera, symbol T.

What is the SI prefix for 10^9 and its symbol?

Giga, symbol G.

What is the SI prefix for 10^6 and its symbol?

Mega, symbol M.

What is the SI prefix for 10^3 and its symbol?

Kilo, symbol k.

What is the SI prefix for 10^-3 and its symbol?

Milli, symbol m.

What is the SI prefix for 10^-6 and its symbol?

Micro, symbol µ.

What is the SI prefix for 10^-9 and its symbol?

Nano, symbol n.

What can digital calipers measure and with what precision?

External and internal diameters or width with precision 0.1 mm.

What does a micrometer screw gauge measure and to what precision?

Thickness or diameter with precision up to 0.01 mm.

What is parallax error and how can it be minimized?

Parallax error arises from wrong eye positioning; minimize by reading perpendicular to the reading line.

What is a systematic error?

A consistent inaccuracy, such as a faulty scale.

What is a random error?

Fluctuations in measurement due to limitations of the device.

What is zero error and how is it corrected?

Zero error is when an instrument reads when it should not; subtract the extra reading from the final result.

How do scalars differ from vectors?

Scalars have magnitude only; vectors have both magnitude and direction.

Give examples of scalar quantities.

Distance, speed, mass.

Give examples of vector quantities.

Displacement, velocity, force.

How is distance defined in motion?

Distance is the total path length traveled, regardless of direction.

How is displacement defined in motion?

Displacement is the shortest straight-line distance from start to end, with direction.

In the given example, what is the total distance when a person walks 10 m forward and 10 m back?

20 meters.

In the same example, what is the displacement?

Zero meters, since the person ends at the starting point.

What is speed and how is it calculated?

Speed is distance divided by time; speed = distance / time.

What is velocity and how is it calculated?

Velocity is displacement divided by time; velocity = displacement / time.

How do you combine parallel vectors or forces in the same direction?

Add magnitudes directly (e.g., 5 N + 3 N = 8 N).

How do you combine parallel vectors in opposite directions?

Subtract magnitudes (e.g., 5 N and 3 N opposite directions give 2 N).

How do you find the resultant of non-parallel vectors?

Use the parallelogram method or the tip-to-tail method.

What is the period of a pendulum?

The time taken for one complete oscillation.

Which factors affect the period of a pendulum?

The length affects the period; mass of the bob and amplitude do not.

What does precision mean in measurement?

The smallest measurement an instrument can record.

What is the typical human reaction time error in manual timing?

About 0.3 to 0.5 seconds.