Homework Chap 1.

1. Express the dimensions in (M,L,T) combinations.

(a) Density
kg M
Density SI Unit: = or ML−3
m3 L3

(b) Pressure
N kg M
Pressure SI Unit: Pa = or = or ML−1 T −2
m2 m∙s2 L1 T2

(c) Heat transfer rate

J N∙m kg ∙ m2 ML2
Heat Transfer Rate SI Unit: W = or = = or ML2 T −3
s s s3 T3

2. Compare the accuracy and precision of the measurements.

-Assuming the true value is 100.0 for both cases.

-Accuracy is defined as the closeness of the measured values to true value.
-Precision is defined as the closeness of the measured values to each other.

Figure 1 : Plot of Measurement (a) & (b)

(a) 99.1 99.3 99.4 99.5 99.6 99.8

- Based on Figure 1, the measurement (a) has a short range which implies that the
value measured has a high precision. On the other hand, the measurement has low
accuracy since the true value is not within the range of the measured value.
 (b) 99.1 99.4 99.7 99.8 100.0 100.5
- From Figure 1, the measurement (b) has low precision since the range of the
measured value is quite high. In terms of accuracy, the measured value can be
interpreted as accurate due to the true value is within the range of the measured
value.

3. We usually use 3.14 for π, but students in Sweden use 3.0. Compare the
relative errors for both cases.

(a) Relative error for 3.14

3.14
𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑙 = |1 − 𝜋
| = 5.0696e − 04 (4 significant figures)

(b) Relative error for 3.0

3.0
𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑙 = |1 − 𝜋
| = 0.04507 (4 significant figures)

- Based on the calculation shown, the relative error for using 3.14 is much less
compare to using the value of 3.0. The lesser the error, the more accurate and
precise is the value that is being calculated or measured

4. Express the sensitivity of a load cell which gives 0-5V output for 0-10kN input
ranges.

The sensitivity of the load cell can be expressed by using the following formula:

Output 5V
Sensitivity = = = 0.5 [V/kN]
Input 10 [kN]
This indicates that the load cell is sensitive for every 1 kN input and will give 0.5V
output as a result.
5. Calculate considering significant figures

(a) 1.2 + 505 + 0.05 – 300

1.2 1.2
+505 + 505
+ 0.05 + 0.1
-300 - 300
206.3 206 (final answer)

b) 3.141592*1.502/1.2x10-2

3.141592×1.502 3.141592×2.25 3.142×2.25

= 589.125 589.13
1.2×10-2 0.012 0.012

6. Calculate solid angles of your smartphone, computer monitor, TV screen and

movie theatre.

- Solid angle can be defined as a 3 dimensional angle subtended by any part of a

spherical surface of unit radius at its centre. It is a dimensionless quantity as it
is a ratio of area and the square of distance.
- Its SI unit is Steradian [sr] and usually denoted by Ω or ω.

Area of part of spherical surface A

Solid Angle Formula: =
(Radius)2 r2
- For this case, A = the device screen surface area; and r = ideal distance usage
of the device.

Area, A Radius, r
Device
[m2] [m]
Solid Angle, Ω [sr]
Smartphone 0.1143
[6.1 inch screen]
0.1143 0.25 = 0.4572
0.252
Computer Monitor 0.2011
0.2011 0.8164 = 0.3017
[27 inch screen: 0.5979 m×0.3363 m] 0.81642
TV Screen 0.8761
0.8761 2.8042 = 0.1114
[55 inch screen: 48.5”×28”] 2.80422
Movie theatre
354
[Standard IMAX screen (16:9): 354 23 = 0.6692
232
22 m ×16.1 m]
7. Summarize and understand how the definition of kg been changed at the last
meeting of CGPM, 2018.

- Initially, the definition of a kilogram is defined as the absolute weight of a

volume of pure water equal to the cube of the tenth part of the metre.
Basically, this is equal to one litre or one decimetre. However, the French
scientist who discovered this definition find that this definition is sloppy since
the weight of the water changes depending on things like purity atmospheric
pressure.
- Therefore, the definition is then replaced by the International Prototype
Kilogram (“Le Grand K”) and the it is made from platinum iridium. Since 1889,
the prototype has been kept under lock and key in a vault on the outskirts of
Paris.
- Currently, the redefinition of a kilogram is based on a constant of nature. The
kilogram is now tied to the smallest action that can be made by a photon,
which essentially the smallest possible action that exist. This term is called
Planck’s Constant (h = 6.62607015×10-34 Js) and in order to tie mass to it, a
Kibble Balance has been invented.
- The Kibble Balance works likes an old-fashioned balance beam but instead
weighing one mass against the other, it weights one mass against an
electromagnetic force. This force can be measured with extreme precision
using Planck’s Constant and this will be the new definition of the kilogram.
- There are two reason for the changes of the definition of the kilogram. The
first reason is accuracy. The problem with using a physical standard to define
the kilogram is that physical objects change. Over the past decade, the
Prototype Kilogram itself has lost mass. The loss of mass is not much, which
is around 50 micrograms or the weight of human eyelash. Due to this,
technically, every kilogram in the world ends up shifting by one eyelash
weight.
- The second reason is ideology. The term ideology here means that scientist
wants the definition of kilogram to be accessible to everyone. Therefore, by
using Planck’s Constant, everybody can access to it since the Planck’s
Constant is freely available in the fabric of universe.