STEM 107 – General Physics

Systems of Measurement
Metric System vs English System
Physical Quantities
Fundamental Quantities
Derived Quantities
Accuracy vs Precision
Scientific Notation and Significant Figures
Sine and Cosine Law
Systems of Measurement
Measurement – a process of comparing a
quantity based on a standard

English
Systems of (commonly used in Western countries)

Measurement
Metric System
(widely used system of measurement)
Systems of Measurement
English
(commonly used in Western countries)
- sometimes known as the fps system
(foot-pound-seconds)
Systems of
Measurement Metric System
(widely used system of measurement)
- can be in the form of mks or cgs variation
(meter, kilogram and second) or
(centimeter, gram and second)
Accuracy refers to the closeness of a
measured value to a standard or known value

Precision refers to the closeness of two or

more measurements to each other.
Significant Figures
1. Non-zero digits are always significant.
2. Any zeros between two significant digits are
significant.
3. A final zero or trailing zeros in the decimal
portion ONLY are significant.
 TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS
• Given the right triangle ABC. Label the
sides of the triangle.
A

c
b

C B
a
 SOH CAH TOA
• The following equations and functions are
applicable to a right triangle.
 Trigonometric Functions
Sine
Cosine
Tangent
Cotangent
Secant
Cosecant
SOH CAH TOA
 Trigonometric Functions can only be used
for solving a right triangle.

What will you use if you are asked to solve

oblique triangles?
Oblique Triangle:

MATHEMATICS: not right-angled: not being

or containing a right angle or a multiple of
a right angle

(Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008

Microsoft Corporation. All rights
reserved.)
OBLIQUE TRIANGLE
 LAW OF COSINES
• If three sides are given
• If two sides and their included
angle of a triangle are given.
 LAW OF SINES
• If two sides and an angle opposite one of
them are given.
• If two angles and a side opposite one of
them are given.
Limitation of Sine Law