Unit 1 – Measurements

1. What is Physics?

2. What is a vector and scalar?

 Vector: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 Scalar: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

3. State whether the following quantities are vectors or scalars.

 (a) distance (b)speed (c)velocity (d) acceleration (e)force (f) momentum (g) pressure
(h)stress (i) impulse (j) plane angle (k) angular velocity (l) angular acceleration (m) angular
momentum (n)moment of torque (o)gravitational field intensity (p) electric field intensity
(q)magnetic field intensity (r) work (s) energy (t) power (u)electric current (v)torque (moment
of a force) (w) electric flux (x)electric potential (y) density (z) temperature

 Vector:
 Scalar :

5. Convert the below numerical data into the International System of Units (SI units) and write in scientific
notation.

A) 0.12 nm (nano meter) B) 12.7562 Mm (Mega meters)

C) 1.5 μm (micrometer) D) 0.84 fm (femto meters)

Make a guess at each numerical value by matching the most suitable phrase from the box below.
 i) Diameter of the proton [ ___ ] ii) Diameter of the hydrogen atom [ ___ ]

iii) Diameter of the earth [ ___ ] iv) Diameter of the spherical bacteria cell [ ___ ]

6. There are some derived physical quantities below with their equations to define them.
Following guidelines in writing rules of dimensions, find the dimensions for each derivation.
(First one is done for you)

(i) Area =𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ × 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ (v) Impulse = Force × Time

[Area] = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ × [𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ] (vi) Momentum = Mass × Velocity
=𝐿 ×𝐿 (vii) Angular velocity =
Angle
Time
= L2 Change in velocity
(viii) Velocity gradient =
Velocity Depth
(ii) Acceleration =
Time Work
Work
(ix) Electric potential = Charge
(iii) Power =
Time
Electric potential
Force (x) Electric resistance = Electric Current
(iv) Pressure =
Area

7. Using the dimensions shows that the following equation is correct.

1 2
s = 𝑢𝑡 + a𝑡
2

8. The velocity of transverse waves v in stretched string is given by the equation v = Fa.mb, where F is
tension in the string (a force), m = mass per unit length of the string. With the help of dimensional
consistency find the values of a and b.

9. The drag force F on a sphere of radius a moving at a speed v through a fluid of viscosity η in
expressed by the equation,
F = 6𝜋η av
Find the base units of η
10. The centripetal force F acting on a particle revolving in a circular orbit depends on the mass
(m), radius (r) and the speed (v) of the particle. Derive the formula for the centripetal force F on
the basis of dimensional analysis

11. A given vector is geometrically represented by a line segment of length proportional to its
magnitude. The angular change represents the direction of the vector.
(i) Geometrically represent a 10 N force directed towards the East
(ii) Represent geometrically a 800 km h-1 velocity acting towards the North at an inclination of 300 to
the East.

12. The accuracy of an instrument is a measure of how close the output reading of the instrument is to
the correct value. Measurement is not perfectly accurate due to different reasons.
What are the two types of errors can be identified in general?
i) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are the 3 different ways of expressing an error in error analysis?
ii) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consider and study following examples of error analyzing.

Eg: When measuring of mass of a cupboard, the fractional error occurred is 0.01 kg and
when measuring the length of its side, the fractional error occurred is 0.001m. Find the
fractional error occurred when determining the density of the cupboard.?
𝛥𝑀 𝛥𝐿
= 0.01 𝑘𝑔 = 0.001 𝑚
𝑀 𝐿

𝑀 𝑀
Density of the cupboard = 𝑉
= 𝐿3

𝛥𝑑 𝛥𝑀 𝛥𝐿
= =3×
𝑑 𝑀 𝐿
= 0.01+ 3× 0.001
= 0.01+ 0.003 = 0.013
You can get above example as support and do the error analysis next.
13. Length of rectangular glass plate is 2.0 cm and breadth is 1.5 cm. Calculate maximum possible
error in the calculation of area of the plate.
14. Resolve the following vectors to two perpendicular components.
(a)
(i) horizontal component in respect to θ
(ii) vertical component in respect to θ
(iii) horizontal component in respect to α
(iv) vertical component in respect to α

(b)

(i)
15.

16. Resultant of two vectors whose directions are not parallel and inclined to each other, can be
determined by a graphical method. Two methods could be followed for that. What are these 2 methods?
17. Name a method you can use directly to find a resultant of vector of a vector system?

18. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant. Sketch a diagram in proper way to show
vectors.
i) 7.0 m/s, 0 deg and 2.0 m/s, 90 deg.
ii) 5.0 m/s, 45 deg and 2.0 m/s, 180 deg

19.
Two forces 12 N and 20 N acting at 60o with each other are applied to an object.
i) What is the single force which would replace the two forces?
ii) Find the single force that would balance these two forces.
Sketch suitable diagram and solve using the theories you learnt.

20.

1. Which object(s) is(are) maintaining a state of motion (i.e., maintaining a constant velocity)?
2. Which object(s) is(are) accelerating? .
3. Which object(s) is(are) not moving?
4. Which object(s) change(s) its direction?
5. On average, which object is traveling fastest?
6. On average, which moving object is traveling slowest?
7. Which object has the greatest acceleration?