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STPM Physics CHP 1 Note PDF
STPM Physics CHP 1 Note PDF
2012
STPM
About Author:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/josh.lrt
Email: rtcoolman@live.com [Mr. Josh]
Contact No: +6018-397 6808 [Mr. Josh]
Chapter 1 Physical Quantities and Units By : Josh, LRT
The SI is founded on seven SI base units for seven base quantities assumed to be mutually
independent, as given in the table below:
Base Quantity
No Name Symbol for dimension Description
1. length L The one dimensional extent of an object.
2. mass M The amount of matter in an object.
3. time T The duration of an event.
4. electric current I Rate of flow of electrical charge.
thermodynamic Average energy per degree of freedom of a
5.
temperature system.
Number of particles compared to the
6. amount of substance N
number of atoms in 0.012 kg of 12C.
Amount of energy emitted by a light
7. luminous intensity J
source in a particular direction.
Examples:
Find the dimension of Speed / Velocity.
, - 0 1
Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional analysis is a method of using the known units in a problem to help deduce the process
of arriving at a solution. Besides, it can be also used in checking the correctness of an equation
which you have derived after some algebraic manipulation. These tips will help you apply
dimensional analysis to a problem.
* This required using the Base Quantity to start an analysis from derived quantities.
Examples:
, - 0 1
, - 0 1
0 1
0 1
[ ]
[ ]
Dimensional Homogeneity
It is the quality of an equation having quantities of same units on both sides. A valid equation in
physics must be homogeneous, since equality cannot apply between quantities of different nature.
This can be used to spot errors in formula or calculations.
Examples:
Analyze the equation below and determine whether it is dimensionally consistence or
dimensional inconsistence.
QUESTION 1,
Equation:
, - , -
, - , -
, -
, - ( )( )
0 1 ( )( )( )
, - , - 0 1
It is a dimensionally consistence.
QUESTION 2,
Equation:
, - , -
, - , -
, -
, -
, - ( )( )( )
*, - , -+ , -
It is a dimensionally inconsistence.
Example:
We want to know how the speed of waves, v; on a string depends its mass, m; length, l; and tension,
Q? We can solve this problem using dimensional analysis method.1
( )( )( )( )
Form T,
Substitute the value of a, b and c into
the equation we made:
Form M,
0
1 1 1
0
Form L,
b
b
b
In this chapter, we are going to focus only on vectors and the direction that changing during a
calculation in an equation.
Vectors
A geometric way of representing quantities that have direction as well as magnitude. When vectors
are written, they are represented by a single letter in bold type or with an arrow above the letter,
such as .
1. Sum of vectors
Sum of vectors is by taking the value on the and and calculate the resultant vector
[ + ] which here are 2 methods to do it:
a. Parallelograms of vectors
[ + ]
b. Triangle of vectors
[ + ]
2. Polygon of vectors
To find the sum of three or more vectors, a polygon is drawn. The parallelogram rule of addition
is partial case of general Polygon Rule used for adding several vectors [ + ].
[ ]
3. Subtraction of vectors
Subtracting of vectors * + and * + is vector difference
The vector difference is determined by Triangle Method of subtraction.
The vector is normal to plane in which the vectors and lie (plane x-y) directed in
accordance with Right-Hand Rule.
When right palm is half-bent from to its thumb shows the direction of vector .
Example:
So, at this stage, a very similar denition t o the scalar product, except now the sine of appears in
the formula. However, this quantity is not a vector. To obtain a vector we need to specify a
direction.
Conclusion:
The direction of is opposite to that of .
The vector product is not commutative.
An equation for the opposite direction vector can be written as: .
Resolving a vector
A vector is only can be solved using the TRIANGLE THEOREM. Which is the basic unit of an
equilibrium acts on different angle 0 .
EXAMPLE QUESTION:
Given an object is moving with a constant acceleration. While moving, all the supply forces is not
proportional to the axis, but this made the object to move in a straight direction by having a 3
dimensional orientation forces which is F1, F2 and F3.
Find the angle of resultant force ( ) and its force (N).
Steps of solving:
X-component
*( 00 ) ( 000 )+ ,( 00 0 )-
*( 0 ) ( 0)+ , -
Y-component
,( 00 )- ( 000 ) , ( 00 0 )-
,( 0)- ( ) ( )
After we solved the x and y component, we will get the forces like below:
Resultant Force = R
TO solve R,
( ) ( )
TO solve ,
. /
Type of errors
1. Random Errors
Random errors in experimental measurements are caused by unknown and unpredictable
changes in the experiment. These changes may occur in the measuring instruments or in the
environmental conditions.
The precision of a measurement is how close a number of measurements of the same quantity
agree with each other. The precision is limited by the random errors. It may usually be
determined by repeating the measurements.
2. Systematic Errors
Systematic errors in experimental observations usually come from the measuring instruments.
They may occur because:
There is something wrong with the instrument or its data handling system, or
Because the instrument is wrongly used by the experimenter.
Two types of systematic error can occur with instruments having a linear response:
1. Offset or zero setting error in which the instrument does not read zero when the quantity to
be measured is zero.
2. Multiplier or scale factor error in which the instrument consistently reads changes in the
quantity to be measured greater or less than the actual changes.
The accuracy of a measurement is how close the measurement is to the true value of the
quantity being measured. The accuracy of measurements is often reduced by systematic errors,
which are difficult to detect even for experienced research workers.
Making measurement is a practical activity and there is no measuring instrument that can
provide a perfectly precise answer. Practical measurements have uncertainties, which we also
call 'errors'.
It is essential that we take account of these practical uncertainties when we reach conclusions
from practical investigations.
This tells on that we have confidence that the measurement lies between 3.12 and 3.16, but we
cannot be confident of greater precision. Therefore, 0.02 is our uncertainty or error.
SIMPLE question:
How thick is the pile of coins?
We only know the result to the nearest 0.1cm.
We cannot claim that we know the result to the nearest
0.01cm.
We can write the answer with two digits.
Only two figures are significant.
We know that the result is equal to or greater than 1.35
cm and is less than 1.45 cm.
00
00
00
0
ANSWER: The third digit counts hundredths of centimeters and we cannot know the thickness of
pile of coins with such precision.
00
00
0
00
Plenary:
Since error bars show the likely limits of our uncertainty in any measurement, the line of the graph
should lie within the ranges defined by the error bars of all points. Decisions on what is and what is
not a valid line to draw must be based on this.
EXAMPLE QUESTION:
The following measurements were made to determine the density of a metal cylinder.
Diameter of cylinder, ( 00 )
Length of cylinder, ( 0 )
Mass of cylinder, ( 0 0)
Percentage error:
. / 00
( )
. / 00
b) Calculate the density of the metal cylinder to correct number of significant figure.
Uncertainty:
0
( )
( )( )
0
0
( 0 0 )