1.

1 Understanding Physics
Attempt the following questions on your own.
Physics is the study of the natural world around us-from the very large, such
What is as the universe, to the very small, such as the atom. Physics is the science
Physics? that deals with the ideas of _____________ and _______________.

1. _________________
3. _________________ 2. _________________
Studies the influence of
Investigate the action of Explains the different
heat on different types of
force and motion phenomena due to light
matter

Fields of study in 4. _________________

Study of nuclear structure
Physics
and their application

6. _________________
Understand the properties
5. _________________
of different types of waves
Investigates the
and their uses
interactions of electric and
magnetic fields

Phenomena & occurrence around us Field of study in physics

1. Car racing
2. Cooking in the kitchen
3. Rainbow in the sky
4. Shadow on the ground
5. Nuclear reactor and nuclear bomb
6. Light bulbs light up during night
7. Communication using mobile phone
8. Memory chip in computer

1.2 Base quantities and derived quantities

In learning Physics, we need to carry out investigations. We gather information through

observations and taking measurements. We measure many types of physical quantities.
A physical quantity is a quantity that can be _________. All physical quantities consist of a
numerical __________ and a ______. Physical quantities can be classified in to two groups:
1. _______________________________ 2. ____________________________

What are Base quantities are quantities that cannot be __________________ in terms
base of other base quantities.
quantities?

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IGCSE Physics Worksheet by gdsuta
There are seven base quantities. Fill in the blank in table below for the seven base quantities.

Base quantities Name of base unit Symbol for unit

Length metre m
Mass
Time
Electric current
Temperature
Luminous intensity
Amount of substance mole mol

What are Derived quantity is one which obtained by ___________ base quantities by
derived multiplication, division or both of these operations. Its unit is derived from
quantities? similar combination of the base units.

Determine the derived unit for the following derived quantities.

Derived quantity Formula (mathematical relationship with other Derived unit

quantities)
area area = length × width m2
volume volume = length × width × height
density density = mass/volume
speed speed = distance/time taken
velocity velocity = displacement/time taken
momentum momentum = mass × velocity
acceleration acceleration = change in velocity/time
force force = mass × acceleration
pressure pressure = force/area
weight weight = mass × gravitational acceleration
work work = force × displacement
power power = work/time
kinetic energy kinetic energy = ½ × mass × (velocity)2
gravitational gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational
potential energy acceleration × height
charge charge = electric current × time
voltage voltage = work/charge
resistance resistance = voltage/current
Note that the physical quantities such as width, thickness, height, distance, displacement,
perimeter, radius and diameter are equivalent to length.

Exercise 1
The extension of an elastic spring is directly proportional to the stretching force acting on it. It
can be shown by the following formula.
𝐹 = 𝑘𝑥where F = the elastic spring force (unit N); k = spring constant and 𝑥 = the extension
(unit m). Determine the unit of the spring constant.

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IGCSE Physics Worksheet by gdsuta
 Express The values of measurements which is either very large or very small are
quantities written in standard form so as to be neater, brief and easier to read.
using standard
form Standard form: A × 10n, 1 < A < 10 and n = integer

Exercise2
Write the following quantities in standard form:
a) Radius of the Earth = 6,370,000 m = ___________
b) Mass of electron = 0.000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 911 kg = ___________
c) Speed of light in vacuum = 300,000,000 m/s = ______________

Express Prefix is used to simplify the expression of very big or very small
quantities
numerical values of physical quantities.
using prefixes

Fill in the blank of the table list of prefixes below:

Prefix Value Standard form
Tera 1,000,000,000,000
Giga 1,000,000,000
Mega 1,000,000
Kilo 1,000
Hecto 100
Deca 10
Deci 0.1
Mili 0.01
Micro 0.001
Nano 0.000 000 001
Pico 0.000 000 000 001
Exercise3
Convert the following to standard form:
a) 93 nm = _________ m c) 0.8 mg = ___________ kg
b) 120 MJ = _________ J d) 59µs = _________s

Exercise4
Convert the measurement into SI unit and in standard form:
a) Radio Caringin Frequency of radio wave is 101.4 MHz = ____________
b) Distance between the moon and the Earth is 383,000 km = ___________
c) Mass of the Earth is 60 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 g = _____________
d) The wavelength of a visible light is 0.00042 mm = ____________

Exercise5
The Body Mass Index (BMI) of a person is measured by taking the mass of the person divided
by the square of his/her height. Use the information provided to work out the derived SI unit
for BMI.

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IGCSE Physics Worksheet by gdsuta
Attempt the following questions on your 10. The volume of a metal sphere is 12 cm3.
own. The volume in unit of m3 is …
1. Which of the following physical A. 1.2 × 10-2 C. 1.2 × 10-5
quantities is not a base quantity? B. 1.2 × 10-3 D. 1.2 × 10-7
A. Weight C. Temperature 11. The velocity of a car is 108 kmh-1. What
B. Time D. Electric current is the velocity in unit of ms-1?
2. Which physical quantity has the correct A. 20 C. 40
S.I. unit? B. 30 D. 50
Physical quantity S.I. unit 12. The acceleration of a trolley is 2000
A Temperature celcius cms-2. This acceleration in S.I. unit is?
B Time minute A. 0.002 C. 2
C Weight kilogram B. 0.02 D. 20
D Length metre 13. A car moves with an average speed of
3. A 30 milliseconds is equivalent to … 75 kmh-1 from town P to town Q in 2
A. 3 × 10-6 seconds hours. By using this information, you
B. 3 × 10-5 seconds may calculate the distance between
C. 3 × 10-3 seconds two towns.
D. 3 × 10-2 seconds (a) Based on the statements given,
4. Which of the following frequencies is state two basic quantities and their
the same as 106.8 MHz? respective S.I. units?
A. 1.068 × 10-4 Hz _____________________________
B. 1.068 × 102 Hz _____________________________
C. 1.068 × 106 Hz (b) State a derived quantity and its S.I.
D. 1.068 × 108 Hz unit.
5. The product of 2.4 × 10-2 and 5.0 × 10-4 _____________________________
is … (c) Convert the value 75 kmh-1 to S.I.
A. 1.2 × 106 C. 1.2 × 10-6 unit
B. 1.2 × 105 D. 1.2 × 10-5 _____________________________
6. What is 0.0455 kg expressed in 14. Given the diameter of the Earth is about
standard form? 1 × 107 m, how many Earth-sized
A. 0.455 × 10-1 kg planets can you place next to each
B. 4.55 × 10-2 kg other to fill the space between the
C. 45.5 × 10-3 kg Earth and the Sun which is 150 million
D. 455 × 10-4 kg km away?
7. The prefixes according to their value in ________________________________
ascending order are … ________________________________
A. Giga, mega, kilo, centi ________________________________
B. Micro, mili, centi, kilo ________________________________
C. Mega, giga, kilo, centi ________________________________
D. Centi, giga, micro, mili
8. Which of the following measurements
is different?
A. 2.3 ×102m C. 2.3 ×106mm
B. 2.3 × 10 cm D. 2.3 ×10-1 km
4

9. Which one of the following

measurements is the smallest?
A. 1.5 ×102 kg C. 1.5 ×1012µg
B. 1.5 × 107 g D. 2.3 ×109 mg

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IGCSE Physics Worksheet by gdsuta
1.3 Scalar and vector quantities
Define scalar & Scalar quantities are quantities that have magnitude but no direction.
vector Vector quantities are quantities that have magnitude and direction.
quantities

Studythe following description of events carefully and decide which events require magnitude,
direction or both to specify them.
Description of events Magnitude Direction
1. Walk 500 m and you will find the shop
2. Walk 500 m left from the junction and you will find
the shop
3. The room temperature is 300 C
4. The location of Sampoerna Academy is 17 km to the
north of Ciawi
5. The power of light bulb is 25 W
6. A plane is travelling at 1200 km/hr from Jakarta to
Bali

1.4 Measurements
The knowledge of Physics we have today is the result of the work of many scientists
over centuries. These scientists built and tested their ideas on matter and energy, and verified
their ideas or theories by doing experiments.
When we do experiments, it is important to obtain reliable results. In order to obtain
reliable results, accurate measurements must be made. This is why when we learn Physics we
should understand some methods that we use to make accurate measurements.
When we measure a physical quantity, we need to consider its magnitude and then
choose a suitable instrument. The magnitude of the quantity should not exceed the maximum
capacity of the instrument, and the instrument must be sensitive enough to detect and give
meaningful measurement of the quantity.
Activity 1
Measure these quantities in the table below, then record your observation in the table.
Physical quantities Instrument Readings
The length of laboratory table
The length of the book
The diameter of beaker
The diameter of a copper wire
The thickness of a paper
The mass of a pencil
The time for 10 pulses of your heartbeat
1. What criteria do you consider when you choose an instrument to measure a quantity?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. Suggest a suitable instrument when measuring the following quantities.
(a) The mass of a wooden block = ______________________________________________
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IGCSE Physics Worksheet by gdsuta
 (b) The current that flows in a circuit = __________________________________________
(c) The voltage of a battery = __________________________________________________
Consistency is the degree of uniformity of the measurements. Another
Explain word, consistency is the degree of a measuring instrument to record
accuracy & consistent reading for each measurement by the same way. When we
consistency
say the measurements are consistent, we mean that all the values of the
measurements are close together.
Accuracy is the degree of closeness of the measurements to the actual or accepted value.
When we say the measurements are accurate, we are actually saying that the values of the
measurements are close to the true or accepted value.
Activity2
The diagram shows the result for four shooters A, B, C, and D in a tournament. Every shooter
shot five times. The table below shows the conclusion. Write either high or low in the blank
cell.
A B C D
Shooter Consistency Accuracy
A
B
C
D

Explain Sensitivity of an instrument is the ability to detect a small change in the

sensitivity quantity to be measured.

The smallest scale division on the measuring instruments shows the sensitivity of the
instruments. Thus, the more sensitive a measuring instrument, the smaller the scale divisions it
has. For instance, a vernier calipers is more sensitive than a ruler. A sensitive instrument is not
always an accurate instrument.
Activity 3
1. Check the smallest division of the following measuring instrument for length, and then
decide its sensitivity (low or moderate or high).
Sensitivity
Measuring instrument Smallest division (cm)
(low-moderate-high)
Ruler
Vernier caliper
Micrometer screw gauge
2. The sensitivity of different types of ammeter.

Double-scale ammeter Milliammeter Double-scale ammeter

Range: 0-1 A/0-5 A Range: 0-50 mA Sensitivity of upper scale: _____
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IGCSE Physics Worksheet by gdsuta
What is the sensitivity (smallest What is the sensitivity (smallest Sensitivity of lower scale: _____
division)? __________________ division)? __________________
Which is more sensitive: ___________________________________ Reading: ___________________

Measuring time Measuring temperature

Sensitivity: ___________________ Sensitivity: __________________

Reading: _____________________
Exercise6
Group A and group Bdo an experiment to Group A Group B
measure the period of a simple pendulum five Reading 1 = 14.01 s Reading 1 = 14.37 s
times and the results are shown in the table. Reading 2 = 13.15 s Reading 2 = 14.15 s
Reading 3 = 14.36 s Reading 3 = 14.36 s
State which group’s mesurements are more
Reading 4 = 12.99 s Reading 4 = 14.29 s
consistent and explain why. Reading 5 = 15.34 s Reading 5 = 14.34 s

Explain types of experimental error and use appropriate techniques to reduce errors

Any measurement of a physical quantity has errors or uncertainty.There are two types of
errors.(a) Systematic errors (b) Random errors
Systematic errors (ii) Personalerror of the observer
Systematic errors are errors in Physical constraints or limitations of
themeasurement of a physical quantity due theobserver can cause systematic errors.An
toinstruments, the effects of example is the reaction time
surroundingconditions and physical Systematic errors can be eliminated
constraints of theobserver. orreduced by improving the procedure of
Sources of systematic errors are: takingthe measurements, using a
(i) Zero errors or end errors differentinstrument or getting somebody
Zero errors occur when the instrumentgives else tomakethe measurements.
a non- zero reading when in fact theactual
reading is zero.It can be corrected by
adjusting the zeroadjuster on the
instrument or bysubtracting zero error from
any readingtaken from the instrument.

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IGCSE Physics Worksheet by gdsuta
Random errors
The main source of random error is due tothe carelessness of the observer whenmaking a
measurement.
Examples of random errors are:
(i) Parallax errors – occur when the positionof the eye is not perpendicular to thescale.
(ii) Different pressures are applied whenclosing the gap of the micrometer screwgauge when it
is used to measure thediameter of a wire.
(iii) Changes in the temperature during anexperiment.
(iv) Recording the wrong reading.
(v) Mistake in counting
To eliminate or reduce random errors,repeated readings are taken.To avoid parallax
errors:The position of the eye must beperpendicular to the plane of the scale (Fig. 1.4.1 (a) &
(b)).To overcome parallax errors ininstruments with a scale and pointer, e.g.avoltmeter often
have a mirror behindthe pointer (Fig. 1.4.2). The correct reading isobtained by making sure that
the eye isexactly in front of the pointer, so that the reflection of the pointer in the mirror
isbehind it.

Figure 1.4.1 (a) No parallax errors Figure 1.4.1 (b) Inaccurate measurement Figure 1.4.2Voltmeter scale
due to parallax errors withmirror mounted under the needle

Significant figures
Every measurement of a quantity is an attempt to find its true value and is subject to error
arising from limitations of the apparatus and the experimenter. The number of figures, called
significant figures, given for a measurement indicates how accurate we think it is and more
figures should not be given than is justified.
For example, a value of 4.5 for a measurement has two significant figures; 0.0385 has three
significant figures, 3 being the most significant and 5 the least, i.e.it is the one we are least sure
about since it might be 4 or it might be 6. Perhaps it had to be estimated by the experimenter
because the reading was between two marks on a scale.
When doing a calculation your answer should have the same number of significant figures
as the measurements used in the calculation. For example, if your calculator gave an answer of
3.4185062, this would be written as 3.4 if the measurements had two significant figures. It
would be written as 3.42 if the measurement had three significant figures. Note that in
deciding the least significant figure you look at the next figure. If it is less than 5 you leave the
least significant figure as it is (hence 3.418 becomes 3.4 for two significant figures) but if it
equals or greater than 5 you increase the least significant figure by 1 (hence 3.418 becomes
3.42 for three significant figures). If a number is expressed in standard notation, the number of
significant figures is the number of digits before the power of ten. For example, 2.74 × 103 has
three significant figures.
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IGCSE Physics Worksheet by gdsuta