Physics - Chapter 1 Physical Quantities, Units and Measurements

What are Physical Quantities

A physical quantity is a property or characteristic of a physical system that can be measured or quantified. It is typically expressed using a numerical value and a unit of measurement. Examples of physical quantities include length, mess, time, temperature, velocity, and electric current.

What are base quantities

Flashcard: Base quantities are fundamental physical quantities that cannot be defined in terms of other quantities. They include length, mass, time, electric current, temperature, amount of substance, and luminous intensity.

What is the symbol for nano and it’s standard form

The symbol for nano is "n" and its standard form is 10^-9.

What is the symbol for micro and it’s standard form

The symbol for micro is μ and its standard form is 10^-6.

What is the symbol for mili and it’s standard form

The symbol for milli is "m" and its standard form is 10^-3.

What is the symbol for Centi and it’s standard form

The symbol for centi is "c" and its standard form is 10^-2

What is the symbol for Deci and it’s standard form

The symbol for deci is "d" and its standard form is 10^-1

What is the symbol for Kilo and it’s standard form

The symbol for kilo is "k" and its standard form is 10^3.

What is the symbol for mega and it’s standard form

The symbol for mega is "M" and its standard form is 1,000,000/10^6

What is the symbol for giga and it’s standard form

The symbol for giga is "G" and its standard form is 10^9.

What are scalar quantities

Scalar quantities are physical quantities that have magnitude but no direction. They can be fully described by their numerical value and unit of measurement. Examples of scalar quantities include mass, temperature, time, speed, and energy. Scalars can be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided using ordinary arithmetic operations.

What are Vector Quantities

Vector quantities are physical quantities that have both magnitude and direction. They are represented by vectors, which are mathematical entities with magnitude (length) and direction. Examples of vector quantities include displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, and momentum. These quantities are typically represented using arrows, where the length of the arrow represents the magnitude and the direction of the arrow represents the direction.

What is the definition of length

The definition of length is the measurement of an object from one end to the other in one dimension. It is a fundamental physical quantity that can be measured using units such as meters, centimeters, or inches.

The SI unit for length is the meter (m). Some common laboratory instruments used to measure length include rulers, calipers, micrometers, and laser interferometers.

What are the precautions needed when measuring length

When measuring length, there are several precautions to consider:

1. Use a calibrated measuring instrument, such as a ruler or tape measure, to ensure accurate measurements.

2. Ensure that the measuring instrument is aligned properly with the object being measured to avoid parallax errors.

3. Take multiple measurements and calculate the average to minimize errors caused by variations in measurement technique.

4. Avoid applying excessive force or pressure while measuring, as it can distort the object being measured.

5. Keep the measuring instrument and the object being measured clean and free from any debris or obstructions.

6. Take measurements in a controlled environment to minimize the effects of temperature, humidity, and other external factors.

7. Record measurements promptly and accurately to avoid any loss or confusion.

By following these precautions, you can obtain more reliable and precise measurements of length.

What is a parallex error

A parallax error is an optical illusion that occurs when the position of an object is not perpendicular to the eye of the observer.

What are the differences between displacement and distance

Displacement is a vector quantity that measures the change in position of an object from its initial point to its final point, taking into account both magnitude and direction. Distance, on the other hand, is a scalar quantity that measures the total path length traveled by an object, without considering direction. Displacement can be positive, negative, or zero, depending on the direction of motion, while distance is always positive. Displacement is independent of the path taken, whereas distance depends on the actual path traveled.

What affects the period of a pendulum

The period of a pendulum is affected by its length and the acceleration due to gravity. The longer the length of the pendulum, the longer its period. Similarly, a higher acceleration due to gravity will result in a shorter period.

It is not affected by the mass of the pendulum bob or the amplitude of the swing.