Physics for Engineers (Natsci 103a)

Lesson 1: Introductory Concepts: Physics and System of Units

1.1 Physics:
 It is the study of interaction between matter and energy and the force in nature.
 It is the physical changes of matter.
A. Two Types of Physics:
1. Pure Physics: It involves the gathering of Physics – related information that adds to the body of
human knowledge. Not primarily concerned with the practical use and application of the information.
2. Applied Physics: (also known as Technology): It is the practical – related information.
B. The Great Physicist who contributed the developments of Physics:
1. Galilei Galileo (1564 – 1642) – An Italian Physicist and astronomer. He discovered the laws
governing falling bodies and projectiles.
2. Sir Isaac Newton (1642 – 1727) – A mathematician and physicist. He is one of the foremost scientific
intellects of all time. He developed the laws of motion, at the age of 23 in 1665.
3. Albert Einstein (1879 – 1995) – Mr. 20th century (Time Magazine’s Man of the 20th century). He
became famous because of four theories:
a. Theory of Relativity, c. Brownian movement,
b. The Quantum Theory of Light (where he won the 1921 Nobel Prize); d. Famous Equation, E = mc2
C. 2 Classes of Physics:
1. Classical Physics: It includes the theories, concepts, laws, and experiments in classical mechanics,
thermodynamics, optics, and electromagnetism developed before 1900. Newton provided (Important
contributions to Classical Physics).
2. Modern Physics: It is a major revolution in physics. Two most important development were the
theories of relativity and quantum mechanics, (It was developed by Einstein) and also completely
revolutionized the traditional concepts of space, time, and energy.
1.2 System of Units:
A. Unit: It is a standard quantity with which of the same kind is compared for purpose of measurement and in
terms of which their magnitude is stated.
Examples: Unit
A. 1 meter (1m): It is the standard unit of length (distance). C. 1 second (1 sec): It is the standard unit
of time.
B. 1 kilogram (1kg): It is the standard unit of mass.
B. Two System of Units: 1. Absolute System 2. Gravitational System
1. Two Types of Absolute System:
a. British / English System (FPS) – originated in England.
b. Metric System (SI) – originated in France. France: “Le Systeme Internationale De Unites”
S1: (“Ess Eye”)
English: SI – International System of Units (modernized system of units)
ISO: International organization for standardization – It is the organization accepted SI as the legal
measurement standard in 1966.
b.1 Two Classes of Metric System (S.I): 1. CGS (cm – gm – sec) 2. MKS (m – kg – sec)
2. Gravitational System: The fundamental unit force is defined in terms of weight of an arbitrary
chosen body.
Where: g = acceleration due to gravity = gravitational constant value
g = 32.2 ft. / sec2 = 980.66 cm / sec2 = 9.81 m / sec2
A. Absolute System:
System Length Time Force Mass Used by
FPS ft sec lb slug Engineers in English – speaking
countries
Cgs cm sec dyne gm Physicists rarely
Mks m sec Newton kg Physicists generally
B. Gravitational System:
System Length Time Force Mass Used by
FPS ft sec lb – force slug Engineers in English – speaking
countries
Cgs cm sec gm – force gm Physicists rarely
Mks m sec kg – force kg Engineers Elsewhere

Where:
1 slug (English) = lb / ft / sec2 = lb – sec2 / ft Note: Review Tables
2
1 slug (Metric) = kg / m / sec = kg – sec2 / m 1. Conversion Equivalents
2
1 dyne = 1 gm – cm / sec 2. Dimensional Analysis
1 Newton (N) = 1 kg – m / sec2 3. Densities of Various Substances
4. Prefixes for Powers of Ten
1.3 Three Classification of Metric System (SI):
A. Base Units: It is a well-defined measurement units:
1. Length (L) – meter (m) 5. Thermodynamics Temperature (T) – Kelvin (k)
2. Mass (M) – kilogram (kg) 6. Luminous Intensity – candela (cd)
3. Time (t) – second (sec) 7. Amount of Substance – mole (mol)
4. Electric Current (I) – Ampere (A)

B. Supplementary Units: They are used to measure Angles

1. Plane Angle: Unit Measure – Radian (Rad) 2. Solid Angle: Unit Measure – steradian (st)

C. Derived Units: Combinations of base and supplementary units:

Examples: J_ N.m
4. Power = Watt = =
1. Velocity / Speed = m/sec2 w = F.s sec sec
s_ P=
V= t t
t
2. Acceleration = m/sec 2 5. Momentum = kg . m/s or slug . ft/sec
s_ p = mv
a= 2
t 6. Pressure / Stress = Pascal (Pa)
3. Work & Energy / A Quantity of Heat P = F = N_2
= Joule (J) = N – m A m
W = F.S = P.E = K.E = Q 7. Frequency = Hertz (Hz)
1 cycle
f= = rad = = Hz
t sec sec

Sample Problem (Exercises) : Conversion of Units

I. Convert the following Units.
lb-ft
1. 40,000 Min2 to Newton (N)

slug-in
2. 5,700 century to Watt (W)

II. Solve the following Units.

1. The world largest diamond is the “first star” of Africa. Its volume is 1.84 cu-in.
What isMiiiinn
the volume expressed in:
a. cc nn
b. cu. m
c. WhatMiiiinnn
is the density of the star diamond if its mass is 55kg?
n
2. Sir Fabro has a mass of 60 kg.
a. What is the weight of Sir Fabro at sea level?
b. What would Sir Fabro weight on the moon if the acceleration due to
gravity on the surface of the moon is 1.60 m/s2?