2.

01 SI Units and Homogeneity

Notes

SI Units: The Système Internationale (S.I.) has been adopted as a

consistent and well-defined system of measurement of physical
quantities. It is based on a set of seven base units from which all other
physical quantities can be defined.

Quantity Base unit Unit symbol

length metre m
mass kilogram kg
time second s
electric current ampere A
temperature kelvin K
amount of substance mole mol
luminous intensity candela cd

Derived Units: Not all quantities we need to find in physics will be one of these SI units
alone, for example speed is a combination of time and length. The units used for these are
called derived units.

Quantity Unit

acceleration ms-2

density kgm-3

force N (kgms-2 in SI units)

charge C (As in SI units)

energy J (kgm2s-2 in SI units)

potential difference V (kgm2s-3A-1in SI units)

power W (kgm2s-3 in SI units)

Homogeneity of quantities: Homogenous equations have the same units on both sides,
showing that the equation works. You can test this by multiplying or dividing the units of
quantities on both sides of the equation.

2.01 SI Units and Homogeneity

Examples
 I Do You Do

Determine the base unit for energy. Determine the base unit for power.

I Do You Do

Use base units to show P=IV is homogenous. Use base units to show GPE = mgh is homogenous.

2.01 SI Units and Homogeneity

Practice
1 Work out the missing units, unit symbols and names, equations, and quantities in this table.
Derived unit
Physical quantity Equation used Unit symbol and
name

frequency a Hz hertz

volume length3 b –
electrical resistance c V A–1 d
momentum mass  velocity e –
impulse force  time f –

g h Pa pascal

2 Use base units to show the equation Q = I t for electric charge passing a point in time t,
when the electric current is I, is homogeneous.

3 The Earth’s gravitational field strength, g = 9.81 N kg–1, is also sometimes given as the
acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.81 m s–2. Show that these units are equivalent.

4 The resistivity (ρ) of a material is defined by the equation

.
a Rearrange the equation so that ρ is the subject.
b Find the units of resistivity. Show all your working.
c Find the units of resistivity in terms of the base units. Show all your working.

5 The force of gravitational attraction between two masses, m1 and m2, separated by a
distance, r, can be determined by the equation , where G is a constant
known as the gravitational constant.
a Rearrange the equation so that G is the subject.
b Find the units of G in terms of base units.

2.01 SI Units and Homogeneity Stretch

Questions
1 Determine the base units for these derived quantities. You must show your
working.
a Potential difference (energy per unit charge) (1 mark)
b Resistance (ohm) (1 mark)

2 The resistivity (ρ) of a material is defined by the equation

.
a Rearrange the equation so that ρ is the subject. (1 mark)
b Find the units of resistivity. Show all your working. (1 mark)
c Find the units of resistivity in terms of the base units. Show all your
working. (1 mark)

3 The force of gravitational attraction between two masses, m1 and m2,

separated by a distance, r, can be determined by the equation ,
where G is a constant known as the gravitational constant.
a Rearrange the equation so that G is the subject. (1 mark)
b Find the units of G in terms of base units. (1 mark)

4 Confirm whether the following equations have homogeneous units. You

must show your working in each case.
a For changes in gravitational potential energy: ΔEP = mgΔh (2
marks)
b For kinetic energy: (2 marks)
c In electrical circuits: (2 marks)
d The time period, T, for a mass, m, oscillating on a spring with a spring
constant k: (2 marks)

2.01 SI Units and Homogeneity Exam

Questions
H156/01 2020
H156/01 2019
H156/01 2017

H556/01 2020

H556/01 2019