UNIT 1

Physical Quantities and Measurements

1
1.1 Quantities and units
1.1.1 Physical Quantity
Definition quantity which can be measured.

categorised into 2 components:

Basic Quantity

Derived Quantity
1.1.2 Unit
definition standard size of measurement of physical quantities.

Examples - 1 second, 1 kilogram, 1 meter and etc Explanation

The unit of basic quantity called base unit

- addition unit for base unit:

- the unit of plane angle - radian (rd)
Explanation
- the unit of solid angle- steradian (sr)
The common system of units used today are S.I unit (System
International/metric system) and cgs unit - UK.
The unit of derived quantity called derived unit
2
Basic Quantity
definition which cannot be derived from any physical
quantities.
The table below listing all the base quantities:

Quantity Symbol SI Unit Symbol

Length metre m
Mass m kilogram kg
Time t second s
Temperature T/ kelvin K
Electric current I ampere A
Amount of
substance N mole mol
Luminous Intensity candela cd
3
Derived Quantity
definition a physical quantity which can be expressed in
term of base quantity.
The table below shown examples of derived quantity.

Derived quantity Symbol Formulae Unit

Velocity v s/t m s-1
Volume V lxwxt m3
Acceleration a v/t m s-2

Density m/V kg m-3

Momentum P mxv kg m s-1

Force F mxa kg m s-2 @ N
Work W Fxs kg m2 s-2 @ J

4
Example 0
1s defined as the time required for 9,192,631,770 vibrations
of radiation emitted by a caesium-133 atom.
1 kg defined as the mass of a platinum-iridium cylinder kept at
International Bureau of Weights and Measures Paris.
1m defined as the length of the path travelled by light in
vacuum during a time interval of

1
s
299,792,458

5
Addition unit for base unit
radian (rad) unit conversion

rad 180o
180o
1 rad 57.296o

steradian (sr)

6
1.1.3 Unit Prefixes
used for presenting larger and smaller value.
The names of prefix are presented in table below.

Prefix Value Symbol

tera x 1012 T
giga x 109 G
mega x 106 M
kilo x 103 k
deci x 10-1 d
centi x 10-2 c
milli x 10-3 m
micro x 10-6
nano x 10-9 n
pico x 10-12 p
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 examples
58000 m 58 km

0.000009 s 9 x 10-6 s 9 s

1.1.4 Conversion of Units

Examples:

1 cm2 ? m2

(1 cm)2 = (10-2 m)2

1 cm2 = 10-4 m2
360 km/h ? m/s

360 x103 m

1h
360 x103 m 100 m/s

3600s

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1.2 Dimension
Definition: technique or method which the physical quantities can be
expressed in terms of a combination of basic quantities.
written as [physical quantity]
Dimension for basic quantities

Basic Quantity Symbol

[mass]@[m] M
[length]@[l] L
[time]@[t] T
[electric current]@[I] A@I
[temperature]@[T]
[amount of substance] N
@[N]

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1.2.1 Dimensional Analysis
Can be used :
To determine the units Example 1
To determine whether an equation is correct or not dimensionally
using the principle of homogeneity
Dimension on the L.H.S. = Dimension on the R.H.S

Example 2
To derive a physical equation
Example 3
Examples & solutions
Example 4

Example 5
Example6

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Example 1
Area Area = length x width
[Area] = [length] x [width]
= [l] x [l]
=LxL
[Area] = L2
The S.I.unit for Area m2
Force force = mass x acceleration
[force] = [mass] x [acceleration]
= (M) x (L T-2)
[force] = M L T-2
The S.I.unit for force kg m s-2 @ Newton(N)
Linear momentum P = mv
[P] = [m] [v]
= M L T-1
The S.I.unit for linear momentum kg m s-1

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Example 2
a. v2 = vo2 + 2as
Dimension on the left [v2] = (L T-1)2 = L2 T-2
Dimension on the right [vo2] = (L T-1)2 = L2 T-2
&
[2as] = [2] x [a] x [s]
= 1 x L T-2 x L
[2as] = L2 T-2
Dimension for dimensionless constant is 1,
e.g [2] = 1, [refractive index] = 1
Dimensions cannot be added or subtracted.
Dimension on the L.H.S. = Dimension on the R.H.S.
and therefore is homogeneous
The above equation is correct dimensionally.

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Example 2
b. v = vo + 2as
[v] = L T-1
[vo] = L T-1 & [2as] = L2 T-2
[2as] [vo] = [v] therefore is not homogeneous and hence
equation (b) is dimensionally incorrect.
The validity of an equation cannot determined by dimensional analysis.
The validity an equation can only be determined by experiment

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Example 3
The period, T of a simple pendulum depends on its length,l,
acceleleration due to gravity, g and mass, m.
Suppose : T lx gy mz
Then T = k lx gy mz (1)
where k, x, y and z are dimensionless constants
[T] = [k] [l]x [g]y [m]z
T = (1) Lx (L T-2)y Mz
T = Lx+y T-2y Mz
L0 T1 M0 = Lx+y T-2y Mz
Equating the indices on the left and on the right,
x + y = 0 .(2) , -2y = 1 ,z=0
y = 1 .(3)
2 1
Substituting (3) in (2) hence x = 2

Continue.
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Example 3
Replace for x, y and z in (1),

T kl1 / 2 g 1 / 2 m 0
l
T k
g

k can be determined experimentally

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Example 4
Derive the unit of (eta) in term of basic unit for the equation below:
dv
F A
dx
where F is the force, A is the area, v is the velocity and x is the distance.

Solution
Fdx

Adv
F dx
Adv
( MLT 2 )( L)
2
( L )( LT 1 )
ML1T 1
the unit for is kg m-1 s-1

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Example 5
A sphere of radius r and density falls in a liquid of density d. It achieved
a terminal velocity v given by the following expression:
v kr2 d
where k is a constant. What is the dimension of k?
Solution
v
k 2
r d

k 2 v
r d
k LT -1
where [d] [ ]
L ML
2 -3

k L4 M -1
T -1
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Example 6-exercise
The escape velocity for a tomahawk missile which escape the gravitational
attraction of the earth is given by the following expression:

v kg r x y

where r is the radius of the earth, g is the acceleration due to gravity, k, x and
y dimensionless constants,respectively. Determine the values of x and y.
Ans : x = dan y =

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 1.3 Scalars and Vectors
Scalars quantities with magnitudes only
e.g. Mass, time, temperature

Mathematics - ordinary algebra

Vectors quantities with both magnitudes & directions

e.g. Displacement, velocity, acceleration

Mathematics - vector algebra

1.4 Vectors

Vector P length magnitude of vector P

Direction of arrow direction ofvector P

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 written form for vectors

displacement velocity acceleration

s v a
s v a
s(bold) v(bold) a(bold)
magnitude of vectors

v v

AA

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 2 vectors of the same magnitudes and directions.

A AB
B
If vector P is multiplied by a scalar quantity k

Then, vector P is kP

kP
P

P
if k = - ve, the vector is in the opposite direction of vector P.
if k = +ve, the vector is in the same direction as vector P.

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1.4.1 Direction of vectors
Can be represented by
Direction of compass, i.e east, west, north, south, north-east,
north- west, south-east and south-west
Angle with a reference line.
Cartesian coordinates Explanation
Polar coordinates
Denotes with + or signs
1.4.2 Addition of vectors
2 methods
Parallelogram Explanation
Triangle
If there are more than 2 vectors
Use vector polygon and associative rule. Explanation
Distributive
Rule
a. A B A B
Can be shown by
b. A A A using vector
, are real numbers diagram

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Example b: A student runs with a velocity 20 m s-1, 45o on the x-axis

y

v
45o
0 x

Example c:
2 Dimension

s ( x, y ) (3 km,4 km)
y/km

4

s

x/km
0 3

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 3-D

s ( x, y, z ) ( 2 ,3,4)km
y/km

s
z/km
4

x/km

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Example e :


F 100 N ,135O

F
135o

Example f : sign convention

+

- +

- 25
Vector Addition

Example :P Q
Q
P

Parallelogram

P PQ

O
Q

Triangular Q

P PQ

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 Triangle of vectors
a. Use a suitable scale to draw vector P
b. From the head of vector P draw a line to represent the vector Q
c. Complete the triangle. The line from the tail of vector P to the head of
vector Q represent the vector P + Q

PQ Q P Commutative Rule

PQ

Q
O

P

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Vector polygon

E.g : A B C

A B C

B


A C
A B

A B C



A B C A B C - Associativ e Rule

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1.4.3 Subtraction of vectors
E.g : A B

A B

B


A B A B
B

A B
A
O be used
Vector subtraction can
To determine the velocity of one body relative to another,
i.e to find the relative velocity
To determine the change in velocity.

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1.4.4 Resolving a Vector

Method a

Rx
cos Rx R cos
R R
Ry Ry
sin R y R sin
R
0
Method b Rx
Rx
= sin R x = R sin
R R
Ry Ry
= cos R y = R cos
R
0
Rx

30

Magnitude R Rx Ry
2 2

Ry Ry
direction tan = = tan -1
Rx Rx

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 Example 7
A yacht sails with a velocity of 30 m s-1 in a direction 30o east of north. Find the
component of the velocity
a. due north b. due east
Solution

N
a. vU=v sin 60o =30 sin 60o = 25.98 m/s
v
or
30o
vU vU=v cos 30o =30 cos 30o= 25.98 m/s
60o
W E
vT
b. vT=v cos 60o =30 cos 60o = 15 m/s
or
S vT=v sin 30o =30 sin 30o= 15 m/s

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Example 8

F 10 N
150o
x
P
A particle P experienced a force of 10 N as shown above. Find the x-
component and the y-component of the force.
Solution y

Fx= -F cos 30o =-10 cos 30o = -8.66 N

or
F Fy
Fx= F cos 150o =10 cos 150o = -8.66 N
30o 150o
x
Fx P
Fy= F sin 30o =10 sin 30o = 5 N
or
Fy= F sin 150o =10 sin 150o = 5 N

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 Example 9
The diagram below shows three forces F1, F2 and F3 acted on a particle O.
Find the resultant force on particle O.

F1 (2 N )
20o x
30o O
40o

F3 (6 N )
F2 (3 N )

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Solution y

F1 y F1
20o
x
F3 x 30o O 40o F1 x F2 x

F3 y
F3
F2 y
F2
Fp F F1 F2 F3

Fp Fx Fy

Fx F1x F2 x F3 x
Fy F1 y F2 y F3 y
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 Solution
Vector x-component y-component
F1cos 20o =2 cos 20o F1sin 20o=2sin 20o
F1
=1.88 N =0.68 N
F2 cos 40o=3 cos 40o -F2sin 40o=-3sin 40o
F2
=2.30 N =-1.93 N
-F3cos 30o=-6cos 30o -F3sin 30o=-6sin 30o
F3
=-5.20 N =-3.00 N
Fx=1.88+2.30 -5.20 Fy=0.68-1.93-3.00
Sum
=-1.02 N =-4.25 N
y
Fp Fx Fy F
2 2
x
x

Fp 1.02 4.25
2 2
76.5o

Fp 4.37 N direction; = tan 1 F y

Fy
F x

4.25

= tan 1
FP
1.02
36
= 76.5 o or 256.5 o in the + ve dir of x - axis
1.4.5 Unit Vectors
notations a , b, c
E.g, unit vector x a vector with a magnitude 1 unit in the direction of x.

dimensionless.

a 1 a A 1 A
A
a
For 3 dimensions
x - axis i @ i (bold )
y - axis j @ j (bold ) i j k 1
z - axis k @ k (bold )
y

j
i
z
k
x
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 Vector can be written in term of unit vectors as :

a axi a y j az k



Example, s 2i 3 j 4k m
Magnitude of vector, a

a x 2
a y 2
a z 2

y/m
Unit vector in 3D

example , s 2i 3 j 4k m

3 j

s
z/m
2i 4k

38
x/m
 Example 10 & 11
10. A three dimensional vector is given by a cartesian coordinates as
s = (2,3,4) m
Calculate the magnitude of this vector.
Solution
s
2
2 3 4
2 2
5.39 m

11. 2 vectors are given as:
a 4i 3 j k m


b i j 4k m
What is the vector
a. a + b? b. a b?
a b 4 1 5i



Solution
a b x a x bx 4 1 3i a b x x x
a.
a b a b 3 1 2 j

y y y
b.
a b a b 3 1 4 j

y y y

a b a b 1 4 5k
a b a b 1 4 3k

z z z

a b 5i 4 j 3k
z z z

a b 3i 2 j 5k
a b 3 2 5
2 2 2
a b 5 4 3
2 2 2

6.16 m 7.07 m
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 1.4.6 Multiplication of vectors.
Dot Products
A B = A B cos = AB cos , e.g, w = F s
where : the angle between the 2 vectors

i i = i 2 cos 0 o = (1)2 (1) = 1

j j = j 2 cos 0 o = (1)2 (1) = 1 i i j j k k 1
A
k k = k 2 cos 0 o = (1)2 (1) = 1
B cos
i j = (1)(1) cos 90 o = 0

B j k = (1)(1) cos 90 o = 0 i j j k i k 0
A cos i k = (1)(1) cos 90 o = 0

B A = BA cos = AB cos

B A A B

40
Example 12
Calculate ab and the angle, between a and b:

i.
a 5i 4 j 6k ii. a 4i 3 j k
Exercise
Solution b 2i 2 j 3k b 2 j 3k
Ans:-3,99.39o
i.

a b 5 2i i 42 j j 63k k

a b 10 8 18

a b 20

a 52 42 62 8.77
b 22 22 32 4.12

a b abkos
Angle ,
1 a b 1 20
kos
kos 8.77 4.12 123.61o

ab
41
 Cross products of 2 vectors

A xi yj zk

B pi qj rk
In general

A B C A B sin AB sin
The direction of vector C is determined by
RIGHT-HAND RULE
Example

C A B

A B C C B A C

B

A
A B B A
42
43
 But

A B B A


i j j i k
j k k j i
k i i k j
i i j j k k 0

example : r F
where : Torque
For vector A dan B (in 1.4.7) :

i j k

A B x y z
p q r
44
method 1

A B yr zq i xr zp j xq yp k
or
method 2

A B yr zq i zp xr j xq yp k

45
Example 13
Given that vectors A 2i 3 j k

and B 3i 2 j 2k
find
Exercise

a. A B and A B b. A B Ans:-2
Solution
a. i j k

A B 2 3 1
3 2 2

A B 3x2 1x 2 i 2 x2 1x3 j
2 x 2 3x3k

A B 6 2 i (4 3) j (4 9)k

A B 4i 7 j 13k

A B 4 7 13 15.30
2 2 2

46
Exercises and ans.
1. If vector a = 3i + 5 j and vector b = 2i + 4 j
find

i.

a b ii.

a b iii.


a b b

ans:2k ans:26 ans:46

47

2. 3 vectors are given as follows: a 3i 3 j 2k

b i 4 j 2k

c 2i 2 j k
Find

a.


a b c b.

a b c c.


a b c
Ans : -21 Ans: -9 Ans:5i -11j - 9k

3. If vector A = 3i + 2j k and vector B = -2i + 4j + 3k, find

i. AXB ans: 10i 7j + 16k
ii. The angle between A and B. ans : 92.84o

48
Example 12
Calculate ab and the angle, between a and b:

i. a 5i 4 j 6k ii. a 4i 3 j k
Exercise
b 2i 2 j 3k b 2 j 3k
Solution Ans:-3,99.39o
i.

a b 5 2i i 42 j j 63k k

a b 10 8 18

a b 20

a 52 42 62 8.77
b 22 22 32 4.12
Angle ,

a b abkos

1 a b 1 20
kos
kos 8.77 4.12 123.61o

ab
49