Chapter One: Physical Quantities & Measurments

Introduction to Physics
(came from)

The word Physics

Greek word Physikos (knowledge of nature)

(divided by two categories)

- Classical Physics Mechanic Heat Light Sound Electricity and magnetism

- Modern Physics Nuclear Physics Particle Physics Relativity Astrophysics Atomic, molecular and electron Physics

Physical Quantities and Units

Basic quantities: A physical quantity is a property that can be measured by a measuring instrument. Physical quantity is described by a numerical value and a unit. Example: A height of a person is 1.70 m
numerical value unit

Unit is a standard size used to compare different sizes of a physical quantity. If a unit is officially accepted, it is called standard units.

In the International Systems of Units (SI), seven (7) physical quantities are chosen as base quantities.

Length Mass Time Temperature

Current Luminous intensity Amount of subtance

Length: Length is the base quantity to measure distances or dimensions in space. (Distance between two points) Basic unit: metre (m), SI unit (A metre = 100 cm / 39.37 in) The SI unit, metre (m) was originally defined as 1/10 000 000 of the distance from the North Pole to the equator along a meridian running through Paris. A portion of this meridian between Dunkrik and Barcelona, was surveyed to establish the standard length. The word metre (m), came from a Greek word metron which means a measure. Now, one metre is defined as 1/299 792 458 second of the time taken for the light to travel.

Mass: Mass is the base quantity to describe amounts of matter. (The more massive the object, the more matter it contains.) Basic unit: kilogram (kg), SI unit. The SI unit, kilogram was originally defined as in terms of a specific volume of water that it 0.001 m3 (0.1 m 0.1 m 0.1 m). Therefore the mass of 0.001 m3 of water is 1 kg.

0.1 m

H2O (Water)

0.1 m 0.1 m

Now, mass can be referenced to the mass of a platinumiridium (90% platinum and 10% iridium) cylinder (0.039 m in diametre and height) kept by the International Buereau of Weights and Measures at Serves, France.