TOPIC 1: PHYSICAL QUANTITIES AND MEASUREMENT

At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

1.1 Dimension of physical quantities

(a) Define dimension
(b) Determine the dimension of derived quantities
(c) Verify the homogeneity of equations using dimensional analysis.

1.2 Scalar and vectors

(a) Define scalar and vector quantities.
(b) Resolve vector into two perpendicular components (x and y axes).

(c) Illustrate unit vectors

( iˆ, ˆj, kˆ )
in Cartesian coordinate.
(d) State the physical meaning of dot (scalar) product;
r r
A �B = A (Bcosθ) = B (Acosθ)
(e) State the physical meaning of cross (vector) product;
r r
A �B = = A (B sin θ) = B (A sin θ).
Direction of cross product is determined by corkscrew method or right-hand rule.

1.3 Significant figures and uncertainties analysis

(a) State the significant figures of a given number
(b) Use the rules for stating the significant figures at the end of a calculation
(addition, subtraction, multiplication or division).
(c) Determine the uncertainty for average value and derived quantities.
(d) Calculate basic combination (propagation) of uncertainties.
(e) State the sources of uncertainty in the results of an experiment.
(f) Draw a linear graph and determine its gradient, y – intercept and its respective
uncertainties.
(g) Measure and determine the uncertainty of physical quantities.
(h) Write the laboratory report
 TUTORIAL 1
LO 1.1
1 2
1. It is suggested that a quantity k is given by the expression k = ρ v where ρ is the
2
density and v is the velocity. What is the base unit for k ? ANS: DIY

LO 1.1
2. The pressure of a liquid is given by P=ρgh . Calculate the pressure (in SI unit) if the
density of water, ρ is 1 g c m−3 , the acceleration due to gravity, g is 10 m s−2 , and
the height of water, h is 50 cm . ANS: 5 ×103 N m−2∨5 ×10 3 Pa∨5 ×10 3 kg m−1 s−2

LO 1.1
3. The gravitational force F between two bodies, m1 and m2 separated by a distance, r
is given by
G m1 m2
F=
r2

Where g=6.67 × 10
−11 −1 3 −2
kg m s . If m1=8000 mg , m2=40 μg and
r=5.0 × 107 mm , calculate the gravitational force, F in SI unit. ANS: 8.54 ×10−30 N

4. Copy and complete TABLE 1 with correct answer.

Quantity Dimension SI unit

Length
Temperature
Velocity
Force
Impulse
TABLE 1

ANS: DIY
LO 1.1
5. A professor puts four equations on the board. Are the equations dimensionally correct?
(a) v =v 0 +at
v
(b) x= where x is a distance, v , v 0 are velocities, a is
2a
acceleration and t is time
2 2
(c) v =u −2>¿ where t, u, v and g represent the time, initial velocity, final
velocity and the gravitational acceleration respectively

(d) f=
1
2π √ l
g
where f, l and g represent the frequency of a simple pendulum ,

length of the simple pendulum and the gravitational acceleration respectively.

ANS: DIY

LO 1.1
6. Determine the SI unit for each formula by using dimension analysis

1 2
E= mv
(a) SI Unit For E from equation , 2 where E is Energy, m is mass and v is
velocity
GMm
F=
(b) SI unit for G from equation r 2 where F is the force of gravity, M and m
are masses and r is a distance.
ANS: DIY

LO 1.1
7. (a) What is meant by the homogeneity of a physical equation?
(b) The orbital radius, r of a satellite revolving around the Earth is given by
2
T
3
r =GM
2π ( )
−11 −1 3 −2
Where g=6.67 × 10 k g m s , T is period and M is the mass of the Earth.
Determine the homogeneity of the equation. ANS: DIY
LO 1.1
8. Determine the unit of k in term of basic unit by using the equation below:
P=kA(T 41 −T 40 )

where P is power radiated by a hot object, A is surface area, T1 and T0 are temperatures.

ANS: kg s−3 K−4

LO 1.1
9. Bernoulli’s equation relating pressure P and velocity v of a fluid moving in a horizontal
plane is given as
1 2
P+ rv = k
2

where ρ is the density of the fluid and k is a constant. Determine the dimension of the
constant k and its unit in terms of basic units. ANS: −1
ML T
−2 −1 −2
; kg m s

LO 1.1
10. If a triangle has a side a, b and c. A circle with radius r can be drawn inside the triangle.
(a) If r is given by

r=
√ ( s−a ) ( s−b )( s−c )
s
Where
( a+ b+c )
s=
2
Determine the homogeneity of the expression r.
1
(b) If r is multiplied by , will the homogeneity change? Explain your answer.
2
ANS: DIY
LO 1.1
11. In a free fall experiment, the distance travelled by an object, s depends on acceleration
due to the gravity, g and time, t. By using dimensional analysis, obtain an expression s.
ANS: kg t 2

LO 1.2
12. Find the x- and y-components of the following vectors in the xy plane.
(a) (b) (c)

y y

P = 10 N
a = 5 ms-2
200

300
x x

ANS: DIY

LO 1.2
13.

FIGURE 1

Refer to FIGURE 1, by using TABLE 2 below, determine the resultant acceleration.

ANS: DIY
LO 1.2
14.

350
45°

FIGURE 2

There forces acting are acting on a wooden block shown in the FIGURE 1. Calculate the
magnitude and resultant forces acting on the wooden block.
ANS: 20.36 N ,39.76 ° below+ x axis

LO 1.2
15. Fighter jet starting from airbase A flies 300 km east, then 350 km at 30° west of north and
then 150 km north to arrive finally at airbase B.
(a) The next day, another fighter jet flies directly from A to B in a straight line. In
what direction should the pilot travel in this direct flight?
(b) How far will the pilot travel in this direct flight?
Ans: ( a ) 74.6 ° North of East , ( b ) 470.04 km
LO 1.2
16. Identify the physical quantities in the TABLE 3 below that make use of either dot product
or cross product.
PHYSICAL QUANTITY DOT PRODUCT OR CROSS PRODUCT
Torque
Magnetic force acting on a mowing
charge
Work

ANS: DIY