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1/1 Science 21101

Physical Quantities
and Units
 A Physical quantity is a quantity that can
be measured. It can be measured with an i
nstrument such a metre rule.

Examples: Length, mass, time,

temperature, electric current.
Physical quantities are measured in SI

units or Systeme International

A prefix is added to a unit to change the value of a unit.
Prefixes are used in the SI unit to state a very small or a very
big value.
 Convert to standard form:
A) 1500 cm
B) 53 000 kg
C) 0.42 km
D) 56.7 s
 Length is the distance between two points.
Relationships:
1cm = 10 mm
1 m = 100 cm = 1000 mm
1 km = 1000 m
How to convert to prefixed form:
Example: a) 5300 m to km
b) 450 g to kg
c) 0.0035 s to ms (millisecond)
 Measuring length of straight objects:
 Measuring length of curved objects:
 Measuring Area of regular shapes:
Area is the extent of a surface. (in
square units)

Area = Length X Width

6 m.

Area = 6 X 3
= 18 m2
3 m.
 Area of irregular shapes: (by
estimation)
Concept of Mass
The weight of an object is the pull of the Earth
on the object.

The weight of an object is measured using a

spring balance or compression balance.
The SI unit for weight is Newton (N).
 The mass of an object is the quantity of matter
contained in the object. It is constant everywher
e.
Mass is measured using a lever balance, a beam
balance or electronic balance.
 Measuring Volume:
Volume is the amount of space

occupied by a
matter. ( in cubic units)
Liquids can be measured by a
graduated
cylinder or beaker.
 Volume of Irregular shaped objects:
 Or by using the Eureka tin:
 For objects lighter than water: