ST.

JOSEPH'S SCHOOL, ABU DHABI

PHYSICS
MOTION AND MEASURING DISTANCES

History of transport:
During the ancient times, when no mode of transport was available, people
had to walk from one place to another. Later on, human beings started using
animals such as horses, camels and elephants for transportation.
For transport along water routes, boats and rafts were used. The early boats
were simple and made by hollowing out tree trunks.
The invention of wheel brought in a great change in the modes of transport.
People employed carts and chariots to travel from one place to another. It
made transportation of good and people much easier.
The invention of steam engine introduced a new source of power. The
development of trains greatly reduced the time taken to travel from one place
another. Later on, petrol and diesel engines were invented which
revolutionized the modes of transportation.
Rest and Motion:
A body is said to be at rest when it does not change its position with respect to
its surrounding objects.
An object is in motion if it changes its position with the passage of time.
Types of motion:
Types of motion and their definition refer the text book.

Measurement: Measurement is the comparison of some unknown quantity
with a known fixed quantity. The known fixed quantity is called unit.
A measurement has two parts. The first part refers to a number and the
second part of the measurement is the name of the unit.
EXAMPLE: If the length of your classroom is 6 metre, then 6 is the number and
metre is the name of the unit of length.
A measurement is complete only if it shows the number and the unit,
otherwise it is incomplete or wrong measurement.
Need of standard units:
The conventional methods employed for the measurement of length are non-
satisfactory becuase lengths of arm, foot and handspan vary from person to
person. So, these cannot be used as a common unit of measurement. For
uniformity and convenience, a common unit is necessary for the measurement
of a physical quantity.
Standard unit
Scientists all over the world have accepted a basic set of units for the
measurement of physical quantities. This set of units is called international
system of units i.e. SI Units. According to this system, some units for basic
measurements are,
Length metre (m)
Mass kilogram (kg)
Time second (s)
Temperature kelvin (K)
Multiple and Sub-Multiple Units
Multiple and sub multiple units are used for the measurement of larger and
smaller quantities respectively.
Relation between some of them are given below:
100 centimetres = 1 metre
1000 metres = 1 kilometre

Measuring Length Accurately with a Metre Rod:
The zero mark on the scale is made to coincide with one end of the object to
be measured and the reading coinciding with the other end of the object is
taken. Since a metre scale has some thickness, we may make an error if the
eye is not correctly positioned. The correct position of the eye is vertically
above the end where the reading is to be taken.
Precautions while taking a measurement:
1. The scale must be placed along the length to be measured.
2. Eye must be in front of and in line where the measurement is to be
taken.
3. Ensure that ends of the scale are not worn-out.
To measure curved line, thread or divider can be used.