PHYSICAL

Ch.1 PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS

MEASUREMENTS
 Unit prefixes

Named Symbol Factor

Nano
Micro
Milli
Centi
Hecto
Kilo
Mega
Giga

 Notes:
1. liter = =

2. Ton = kg

3. 1Year = 365 day day = 24 h hour = 60 minutes minute = 60 sec

Existed Prefix
 Unit conversion = Quantity ×
Required Prefix

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Ch.1 PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS

Vernier Caliper
Used in measuring small lengths with high accuracy

Length= . ( )
As is the reading on the fixed scale recoded before zero mark of vernier scale.
is the vernier reading determined by finding a mark on vernier scale that’s
lining up perfectly with fixed scale.

Note
Before recording your reading put a zero on the right of every number

Example
= & =
So, Length=14.50 mm

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 Basic Fundamentals

 The most important physical quantities and

their dimensional formulas
Physical quantity Law Dimensional formula Unit

Area ( ) × × =

Volume ( ) × × × × =

Density ( ) = =

Velocity ( ) = =

Acceleration
= =
( )
.
Force ( ) = × = =

.
Work ( ) = × = =

Pressure ( ) = =

Power ( ) = = =

Frequency = = =

.
Kinetic energy . = ( ) = =

Potential .
. = × × = =
energy

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Ch.1 PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS

 Important Notes
1- When adding or subtracting two physical quantities that must

be of the same type and have the same dimensional formula

EX. Can't add/subtract 2Kg with 20sec

2- The unit of measurement must be agreed upon to add or

subtract two quantities of the same type and one of them must

be converted

EX. 2Km+300m= 302 2000m+300m=2300m

3- The different physical quantities can be multiplied and divided

and we get a new physical quantity and unit of measurement.

= =

4- It is not possible to add or subtract the formulas of

dimensions/units of measurement
EX. We can't say that 5kg – 3kg = 2 and delete the unit of kg
but we write the result 2 kg

5- Numerical reward and trigonometric functions have no

dimensional formulas

− − − − −

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 Basic Fundamentals

 Units of measurement of physical quantities

French System British System Metric

CGS FPS MKS
Length Cm Foot Meter

Mass Gram Pound Kg

Time Sec Sec Sec

 Calculation of error in direct measurement

Absolute error (has a unit of measure) same as the original

quantities

△ =| − |
Relative error (has no unit of measure) as it’s a ratio between two

identical quantities

△ | − |
= =

Where is the real value and it is the measured value.

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Ch.1 PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS

 Calculation of error in indirect measurement

Operation Example How to calculate the error

Measuring the
Sum True Value = ±
volume of two
(+)
quantities of liquid Absolute error △ = +

Subtraction Decrease in a Relative error =

△

(−) chemical mass

Calculation of the
1. Total relative error
Multiplication
area of a geometric △ △
(×) = + = +
shape

Division Calculation of liquid 2. Absolute error

(÷) density = △ =