HolisticTuition

Home
Form 4

Physics
Next >

The study of matter

Chapter 1:
1 End
Introduction to Physics
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Physics: Chapter 1
Home

Objectives:
(what you will learn)

1) understand Physics
< Back

Next > 2) base quantities & derived quantities

3) scalar quantities & vector quantities

4) measurements, using instruments

5) processes in scientific investigations

2 End
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Home
Physics
Understanding Physics:
1. “Physics” derives from Latin, “physica” - the
science of natural things; until 19th century, it
was called “natural philosophy”. Through its
< Back subfield of astronomy, it may be the oldest
Next > academic discipline.

2. Physics is a branch of Science for study of

natural phenomena,
which involves force, matter & energy;
based on experimental observations &
3 End
quantitative measurements.
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Physical Quantities
Home

Base Quantities
Quantities that cannot be defined in any
other physical quantity.
< Back

Next > Base Quantity Symbol SI Unit Symbol

Length l meter m
Mass m kilogram kg
Time t second s
Temperature T Kelvin K
4 End
Current I Ampere A
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Physical Quantities
Home

Derived Quantities
Quantities derived from base quantities
(through mathematical combinations).
< Back
Volume = Length x Breath x Height = m3
Next >
Density = Mass ÷ Volume = kg m-3

Velocity = Displacement ÷ Time = m s-1

Acceleration = Velocity ÷ Time = m s-2

5 End
Force = Mass x Acceleration = kg m s-2
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Physical Quantities
Home

Scalar Quantity
Physical quantity which has magnitude only,
such as distance and mass.
< Back (Compare them to base quantities.)
Next >

Vector Quantity
Physical quantity which has both magnitude
and direction,
such as force and pressure.
6 End
(Compare them to derived quantities.)
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Physical Quantities
Home

Prefixes
Simplifies description of physical quantities that are
either very big or very small without losing data.

< Back prefix symbol value prefix symbol value

Next > pico p 10-12 kilo k 103
nana n 10-9 mega M 106
micro µ 10-6 giga G 109
milli m 10-3 tera T 1012
centi c 10-2

7 End
Small quantities 1 Big quantities
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Physical Quantities
Home

Scientific Notation
The standard form for numerical magnitude.

< Back Q x 10n

Next >
where 1 ≤ Q < 10 and n is an integer

Examples:

0.000000696 m = 6.96 x 10-7 m

8 End
911 000 000 kg = 9.11 x 108 kg
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Measurements
Home

Accuracy measures how close a hit is to the target. If it

is too far from the target, it is not accurate.

Consistency measures how close together a group of hits

is to the average value. If they are far apart from each
< Back other, they are not consistent.
Next >
We want results that are both accurate & consistent.

Consistent, Accurate, less Not accurate, Accurate &

9 End less accurate consistent not consistent consistent
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Home
Measuring Instruments
Sensitivity = how small a change in reading that can be
measured by an instrument
Ruler
Low, 1 mm

< Back
Vernier caliper
Next >
Medium, 0.1 mm

Micrometer scre
w gauge
10 End High, 0.01 mm
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Home
Measurement Errors
Systematic Error
Occurs in one direction only.

Always too or too Always

negative low high positive
< Back

Next > May arise from various causes.

• Incorrect calibration of instruments
• Zero error – pointer of instrument does not return to
zero when not in use, such as a ruler worn out at one
end
• Repeated error in reaction time
11 End
• Wrong assumption
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Home
Measurement Errors
Random Error
Size of error not constant & unpredictable.
The reading is sometimes positive & sometimes negative
from actual value.
< Back May arise from various causes.
Next > • Parallax error – due to incorrect positioning of the
eye when taking measurement
• Changes in the surroundings; i.e. temperature, air
circulation, lighting, magnetic field, etc.

Can be reduced in several ways.

• Repeated measurements – taking mean value
12 End
• Using mirror beneath pointer of instrument
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Home
Scientific Investigation
Start The processes involved

Observation Making use of all human senses

< Back Inference Initial explanation or conclusion

Next >
Hypothesis Making smart guesses

Experiment Testing in controlled situation

Conclusion Documentation of results in report

13 End
End
CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Home
Scientific Experiment
Steps involved in carrying out Experiment

Suggest suitable questions Aim

Manipulated, responding, & fixed Variables

< Back

Next >
List apparatus/materials, arrangement Apparatus

Carry out experiment in proper order Procedures

Documenting data obtained Tabulation

14 End Analyze data through graphs, etc. Analysis

CashPlants
HolisticTuition

Summary
Home

What you have learned:

< Back 1. Understanding Physics

2. Physical Quantities
3. Measurements & Instruments
4. Scientific Investigations & Experiments

15 End Thank You

CashPlants