WELCOME TO THE

WORLD OF
PHYSICS
 TOPICS

1.1 What is physics

1.2 Counting , Accuracy and Precision
1.3 Dimensions and Units of Measurement
1.4 Calculating with Units and Converting
between Systems of Units
1.5 Significant Digits in Calculation
1.6 Physics Principles as Mathematical Equations
1.7 Vector and Scalar Quantities
1.8 Vector Addition
1.9 Vector Subtraction
1.10 Rectangular Components of Vectors
1.11 Trigonometric Addition of Vectors
1.12 Subtraction of Vector Quantities
AS YOU STUDY THIS CHAPTER, YOU SHOULD
BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING
LEARNING OBJECTIVES/STUDY TARGETS:

Define physics;
Differentiate accuracy from precision;
Explain the importance of dimensional analysis;
Convert units of measurement;
Calculate with correct number of significant
digits.
Relate physics principles to mathematical
equations.
Differentiate scalar from vector quantities; and
Calculate vector quantities.
Z
Uncertainty or Error- indicates the maximum
difference between the measured value and the
true value, that is,

Error = true value – measured value

Percent error or fractional error – ratio of the

error to the true value

% Error = |measured value - true value| x 100

true value
Accuracy – refers to how close a measured value to the
“true” value.
- usually expressed in percentage error
Example:
most acceptable value = 9.8 m/s2
measured value (suppose) = 5.8 m/s2
% error = 41%

Precision – is a measure of how closely individual

experiments agree with one another.

Example:
a.) 6.6 m/s2 ; 6.7 m/s2 ; 6.9 m/s2
b.) 3.8 m/s2 ; 5.7 m/s2 ; 9.7 m/s2
 MEASUREMENT

 is a process or method of quantifying a property

like length, mass, time, distance, weight,
height, etc.
 plays a crucial role in physics and in other
sciences

Every measurement always has uncertainty.

 Two Major Systems of Standard Units

1.) English System – uses standard units that were

originally based on human body parts.
Examples:
foot – length of a foot
yard – distance from tip of nose to the end
of the fingers on an arm held straight out

Today, one foot equals the length of the ruler.

2.) International System (SI) – a modern
version of the metric system where the units are
based on agreed standards
SI units-stands for the French phrase “Le
Systềme International d’ Unitếs.”

Example:
1 meter = the distance light travels in
vacuum during 1/299792458 second
SI Quantities and Base Units

Quantity Unit Unit Abbreviation

Length meter m
Time second s
Mass kilogram kg
Electric Current ampere A
Temperature kelvin K
Amount of substance mole mol
Luminous intensity candela cd

Examples of Derived Units

Newton(N) = kg.m/s2 ; Joule(J)= N.m
Prefixes Used with SI Units
Prefix Abbreviation Power of Ten
femto- f 1 x 10-15
pico- p 1 x 10-12
nano- n 1 x 10-9
micro- µ 1 x 10-6
milli- m 1 x 10-3
centi- c 1 x 10-2
kilo- k 1 x 103
mega- M 1 x106
giga- G 1 x109
tera- T 1 x 1012
Examples:
1 femtometer = 1 fm = 1 x 10-15 m 1 kilopascal = 1 kPa = 1 x 103 Pa
1 picosecond = 1 ps = 1x 10-12 s 1 megawatt = 1 MW = 1 x 106 W
1 nanocoulomb = 1 nC = 1 x 10-9 C 1 gigahertz = 1GHz = 1 x 109 Hz
 Exercise
O Express the following in terms of
a.) words
b.) prefix symbols
c.) power of ten notation

a.) In words b.) In symbols c.) In power of ten

1 20 micrometer ? ?

2 ? ? 20 x 106 C
3 ? 5.7 nm ?
4 ? 8.2 Ms ?
 QUANTITIES DIMENSION
MASS M
LENGTH L
AREA L2
VOLUME L3
TIME T
SPEED L/T

The concept of dimensionality is important

in understanding physics and in solving physics
problems.
 The addition or subtraction of quantities
with different dimensions makes nonsense ,i.e.

2 kg + 8 s is meaningless.

Thus, physical equations must be dimensionally

consistent.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE EQUATION OF A FREE FALLING BODY:

x = v◦t+1/2 g t 2
Where:
x = position (length),
v◦ = initial speed (length/time),
g = the acceleration due to gravity(length/time2),and
t = time .

If we analyze the equation dimensionally, we have:

L= L / T × T+ L / T2 × T2 = L+L (Dimensional analysis)

Note that every term of this equation has the dimension

of length L.
 DRILL
Use dimensional analysis to show that the expression
v = v◦ + at is dimensionally correct, where v and v◦ represent
velocities, a is acceleration, and t is a time interval.

 Solution: Since L / T is the dimension of v and v◦, and the

dimension of a is L / T2, then when we analyze the
equation v=v◦+at dimensionally, we have:
L / T = L / T + L / T2 × T (Dimensional analysis)
=L/T+L/T×T×T

and finally we get:

L/T=L/T+L/T (Dimensional analysis)

Thus, the expression v = v◦ + at is dimensionally correct.

Calculating with Units and
Converting between
Systems of units
 Conversion of Units

O Each algebraic symbol denotes both a number

and a unit.
O An equation must always be dimensionally
consistent.
O Two terms may be added or equated only if
they have the same unit. You cannot add 5 m
and 10 ft directly.
 Conversion factor
O is a fraction whose numerator and denominator are the same
quantity expressed in different units.

O Example: 2.54 cm = 1 in.

The conversion factors are

2.54 cm and 1 in
1in 2.54 cm

O To arrive with the desired unit, just use the appropriate conversion
factor, that is,
Given unit x desired unit = desired unit
Given unit
Body Mass Index (BMI) – takes into account
your mass in kilograms (kg) and your height in
meters (m) and is defined as
Mass in kg
BMI 
(Height in m) 2

BMI (kg/m2) Evaluation

The BMI can
Below 18.5 Underweight
be used to assess
approximately 18.5 – 24.9 Normal

whether your weight 25.0 – 29.9 Overweight

is normal for your 30.0 – 39.9 Obese
height. 40 and above Morbidly Obese
Exercises on Conversion
1.) Manny “Pacman” Paquiao has a mass of 145
lbs. What is his mass in kilograms?
(1 kg = 2.2 lbs.)

2.) The highest point in the Philippines is the

peak of Mount Apo. It has an elevation of
2954 m. Express this elevation in feet.
(1 m = 3.28 ft.)

3.) Your physics instructor stands five feet and

eight inches tall. Express his height in meters.
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES

 refer to the number of digits reported to the

value of a measured or calculated quantity.
 are the meaningful digit in a measured or
calculated quantity
 GUIDELINES FOR USING
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES

1. All nonzero digits are significant.

Examples:
6.544 cm
9172 cm (all contain 4 significant figures)
18.65 cm
 2. ALL ZEROS BETWEEN TWO NONZERO
DIGITS ARE SIGNIFICANT.

 Examples:

 9007 cm
 9.007 cm (all contain 4 significant figures)
 90.08 cm
3. ALL ZEROS TO THE RIGHT OF A DECIMAL
POINT AND FOLLOWING A NONZERO DIGIT
ARE SIGNIFICANT.

Examples:
64.00
5.000
345.0 (all contain 4 significant figures)
ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION

When adding or subtracting measured

quantities, we should give the same number
of decimal places in the answer as there are
in the measurement with the least number of
decimal places.

 Examples:
 89.332 + 1.1 = 90.432 ≈ 90.4
 2.091 – 0.12 = 1.971 ≈ 1.97
MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION

The answer should be rounded off to

contain the same number of digits as
found in the LEAST accurate of the
values.
EXAMPLES

1.) 5.282 m x 3.42 m = 18.06444 m

Rounded-off to 18.1 m

2.) 309.5 kg/ 54 kg = 5.73148 kg ≈ 5.7 kg

EXAMPLES
The law of acceleration

 Acceleration is directly proportional of force and

inversely proportional to its mass.
In equation: a = F / m

Conservation of Linear
Momentum
If the external force on a system of objects is zero, then
the vector sum of the momenta of the objects will remain
constant.
In equation: m1vf1 + m2vf2 = m1vo1+m2v02
10 m + 15 m = 25 m

10 m, East + 15 m, North = ?
Scalar and Vector Quantities

 Scalars are quantities which are fully described

by a magnitude (numerical value + unit) alone.
 Examples: distance, speed, time, etc..

 10 m; 5 m/s; 3 s

 Vectors are quantities which are fully described

by both a magnitude and a direction.
 Examples: displacement, velocity, acceleration,
etc..

 10 m, East; 10 m, +x-axis; + 10 m
Which of the following are scalars
and which are vectors?

1. Displacement Vector
2. Mass Scalar
3. Volume Scalar
4. Temperature Scalar
5. Force Vector
Categorize each quantity as being a
vector or a scalar.

1. -10m Vector
2. 43 s Scalar
3. 40 m, +y axis Vector
4. 5 mi scalar
5. -30 ºC scalar
HOW ARE VECTORS REPRESENTED?
Vectors are usually represented as either
with:
1. Arrows
>line - magnitude
>arrowhead - direction
2. Letters
Examples:    
A; B; F; M

Its magnitude is denoted as either a letter with no

arrow or the vector letter with bars on both sides.

Magnitude of A | A |
 Components of Vectors
In a Cartesian plane, the components are the
projections(shadows) along the x and y axes,
respectively.
Vector Components –
vector parts of the vector
 
A x and A y
Scalar Components –
the magnitude of the
vector components
A x and A y

Ax  Ax  direction

Ay  Ay  direction
 Components of Vectors

O As seen, vector
A is
equal to the sum of its
vector components.
  
A  Ax  Ay

O However, the expression

is INCORRECT!

| A | A  A x
2
 Ay
2

 Example
Vector Components:
Horizontal component:4 km, E N
Vertical components: 3 km, N
Ᾱ y=3 km, N

4 km, East plus 3 km, North 370

is equivalent to 5 km, 370 .
Ᾱ x = 4 km
E

Scalar Components:
4 km + 3 km = 7 km. This is not equivalent to 5 km.

Adding the vector components result to the vector while

adding the scalar components does not result to the
magnitude of the vector(in general).
To find the magnitude and direction of the
vector in terms of its components:

Magnitude

| A | A  A x
2
 Ay
2


Direction
 Ay 
  tan  
-1

 x 
A
 PROJECTILE MOTION- A MOTION THAT
HAS TWO COMPONENTS

-1
 vy 
v  v v
2
x
2
y (magnitude)   tan   (direction)
 vx 
The signs of the components Ax and Ay
depend on the angle  and they can be
positive or negative.
 Vector Addition
Vector addition is the addition of two or more
vectors. Unlike the addition of scalar numbers, its
direction must be taken into account.
Vector sum or resultant vector is the
result when two or more vectors are added.

N
The resultant vector
B
is a vector and
therefore must be
expressed with both
magnitude and direction! A
E
 HOW DO YOU ADD VECTORS?
There are two ways to add vectors (for this course):

1.) Graphical Methods (use scale drawings)

 “tip-to-tail” method (applicable to two or more
vectors)

2.) Analytical Methods (calculations)

a. Trigonometric method
b. Component Method
 1.) Tip-to-tail Method (Polygon Method)
Steps:
1. Choose a scale.
Example: 10 Km = 1 cm
2. Draw the first vector starting from the
origin.
3. Connect the tail of the second vector to
the head of the first vector.
4. The vector sum or the resultant vector
is the arrow drawn from the tail of the
first vector to the head of the last vector.
5. Use the scale to compute the actual
magnitude.

The length of the resultant vector represents its magnitude

while its angle relative the horizontal is its direction.
 Tip-to-tail Method (Graphical)

• When there are more

than two vectors, just
continue the process
until all are included.
• The resultant vector is
still drawn from the tail
of the first vector to the
head of the last vector.
VECTOR SUBTRACTION – A SPECIAL CASE OF
VECTOR ADDITION

 If A – B, then use A+(-B).

 Continue with standard
vector addition
procedure.
TRIGONOMETRIC ADDITION OF VECTORS

The three trigonometric functions:

 sine
 cosine
 tangent of the angle 𝜃 (Greek theta),
abbreviated as:
 sin 𝜃
 cos 𝜃
 tan 𝜃
 Definition of sin 𝜃, cos 𝜃, and tan 𝜃

sin 𝜃 = h0_
h h= hypotenuse ho = length
cos 𝜃 = ha_ opposite of
h 𝜃 900
the angle 𝜃
Tan 𝜃 = h0_ ha = length of the side
ha adjacent to the angle 𝜃

h = length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle

ho = length of the side opposite the angle 𝜃
ha= length of the side adjacent to the angle 𝜃
EXAMPLE: USING TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS

On a sunny day, a tall building casts a shadow that is

67.2 m long. The angle between the sun’s rays and the
ground is 𝜃 = 50.0°. Determine the height of the
building.
Solution: We use the tangent function in the following way,
with 𝜃 = 50.0 and ha = 67.2 m:
Tan 𝜃 = h0_
ha
ho = ha tan 𝜃
= (62 m)(tan 50.0 0)
= (67.2 m)( 1.19)
= 80.0 m
EXAMPLE
10 m, East + 15 m, North = ?

C=?
b = 15m, N

a = 10m, E
By using the Pythagorean theorem:
c2= a2 + b2
c2 = (15 m)2 + (10 m)2
c2 = 225 m2 + 100 m2
c = 18.03m
 Examples
1. The x-component of the net force acting on
the object is 45 N, West while the y-
component is 25 N, South. What is the
magnitude and direction of the net force?

2. At the highest point of a projectile, its

vertical velocity is zero. Suppose the
horizontal component of its velocity is 30 m/s,
what is the magnitude and direction of the
velocity at that point?
 Analytical Method or Component Method

Magnitude of the
Resultant Vector:

R  R R 2
x
2
y

Direction of
the Resultant
Vector:

 A x  Bx
 Ry 
Components of the R x   tan 
-1

Resultant Vector:
R y  A y  By  Rx 
Guide Format for Component Method

Vectors X-Component Y-Component

A Ax Ay
B Bx By
R Rx = Ax + Bx Ry = Ay + By
Magnitude of the Direction of the
Resultant Vector: Resultant Vector:

 Ry 
R  R R2
x
2
y
  tan 
-1

 Rx


 EXAMPLES
Given:
A: 10 m, 30° from North of East.
B: 25 m, 45° from North of West.

B
By
A
45° 30° Ay

Bx Ax

Ax = A cos 30° Bx = B cos 45°

Ax = 10 m (0.866)= 8.66 m Bx = 25 m (0.707) = -17.68 m
Ay = A sin 30° By = B sin 45°

Ay = 10 m (0.5) = 5 m By = 25 m (0.707) = 17.68

 x - components y- components
A Ax = 8.66 m Ax = 5 m
B Bx = -17.68 m Bx = 17.68 m
TOTAL
- 9.02 m2 22.68 m2

Magnitude: Direction:
 Ry 
R  R 2
x R 2
y
  tan 
 R
-1


 x 
= 9 02 𝑚 2
+ 22 68 𝑚 2
 22.68m
(− . ) ( . )   tan -1

= (81.36 𝑚2 ) + (514.382)2  -9.02 
  tan
-1
-2.51
= 595.742 𝑚2
= 24.41 m 𝜽 68.28°
EXAMPLE

 To further understand the vector subtraction,

consider the difference A – D, where
A: 10 m, 30° North of East, and
B: 20 m, 30 ° North of West.

D
A
30° 30°

-D
SUBTRACTION OF VECTOR QUANTITIES

A 30°
-D
30°

The resultant R of A –D by Polygon method

 QUIZ

INSTRUCTION: Write your answer

in a whole sheet of paper. Show
your solution.
 QUIZ

I. Calculate the following. In all calculations, the answer

must be governed by the least significant figure employed.

1. 23.4 m x 142 m =
2. 0.0945 kg x 1.47 kg =
3. 0.005 yd. – 0.0007 yd.=

II. Convert the following. Write your answer in three

significant figures.

4. 0.98 kg = ______cg

5. 21.55 m = _____nm
 QUIZ

III. Calculate using the component method.

1. A jogger runs 145 m in a direction 20.0º east of north

(displacement vector A) and then 105 m in a direction
35.0º south of east (displacement vector B).Using
components, determine the magnitude and direction of
the resultant vector C for these two displacements.
 Prepared by:

MARISOL O. FORTUNA
MST-GS I