YEAR 10

WEEK 2
TOPIC: FUNDAMENTAL AND
DERIVED QUANTITIES
WALT
1. Explore the concept of units, fundamental quantities
and derived units.
2. Describe scalar and vector quantities.
3. Solve vector problems using graphical methods and
Pythagoras theorem.
WILF
1. I can describe the fundamental and derived
quantities and their units.
2. I can distinguish between scalars and vectors
quantities.
3. I can solve vector problems using graphical
methods and Pythagoras theorem.
 Fundamental Quantities
• Fundamental units are the accepted standard units or measures in
which measurement is made.
• Examples are
Length Magnetic Flux
Mass
Time
Temperature
Current
Luminous Intensity
 Fundamental units frequently used in
physics are:
(i)Metre as the unit of length
(ii)Kilogramme as unit of mass
(iii)Second as unit of time
(iv)Ampere as unit of current
(v)Kelvin as unit of temperature
(vi)Candela as unit of luminous intensity
(vii)Weber as a unit of magnetic flux
 Derived Quantities
• Derived units are new units or non-fundamental units derived from
fundamental units. They are derived from the combination of
fundamental units.
• The unit of acceleration is metre per second square (m/s²), velocity is
metre per second (m/s), volume is metre cube (m³), etc.
Velocity
• Examples of derived quantities are: Power
Acceleration Pressure
Force Density
Momentum Area
Work Volume
Physical Formula Symbols Units
Quantities
Area LxB A M2
Volume Ax h V M3
Speed Distance/Time S m/s
Velocity Displacement/ V m/s
Time
Linear Velocity/Time a m/s2
Acceleration
Force Mass x F N
Acceleration
Density Mass/Velocity P Kgm-3
Work Force x Distance W J
Moment Force x Distance -
Pressure Force/Area P N/m2
Impulse Force x Time -
Momentum Mass x Velocity -
Difference between fundamental and
derived
Fundamentalunits.
Quantities Derived Quantities
They are standard measurement They are not standard
measurement

They are generally accepted all Not all are generally accepted all
over the world over the world
They form basis of measurement They are not form basis of
measurement
They are accepted by international Though accepted internationally,
organisations they are formulated by individuals.
They are known as S.I. units i.e
system international or
 DIMENSIONS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITY

• Dimensions of physical quantity simply meant the way it is related,

connected or to fundamental quantities.
• The method of dimensions can be used in the relationship between
quantities when mathematics is too difficult. It has been
extensively used in hydro-dynamics, to show that the formula is
correct or homogeneous.
• For example, mass (M), length (L), time (T) Temperature (K),
electric current (A), luminous intensity (II)
• Speed = Distance/Time = L/T

• Speed= [LT-1]

• .. Speed =LT-1
• Velocity = displacement/time = L/T = LT-1
• Linear Acceleration = Velocity/Time

• Linear acceleration = LT-1/T

• Linear acceleration = [LT-2]

• Force = mass x acceleration

• = [M] x [LT-2]
• Force = [M LT-2]
• Work = Force x Distance
• = M LT-2 x [L]
• Work = [ML2T-2]
• Work = ML2T-2

• Power = workdone/time = ML2T-2/T

• = ML2T
Questions: Which of the following dimensions
represents impulse? a. MLT2 b. MLT-1 c. MLT d. ML
Solution,
Impulse = Force x Time.
But Force = Mass x Acceleration; Acceleration = ;
Velocity = . Recall that distance = length,
Therefore, force = mass x

Impulse = mass x x time.

Impulse = mass x =
• Dimension of mass = M; Dimension of Length = L,
Dimension of time = T.
• Dimension of Impulse =
• Dimension of Impulse = MLT-1
 Question
1. State the dimensions of a. Impulse b. Acceleration c. Work [2016/1].
2. The dimensions of momentum are a. MLT b. ML-1T-1 c. ML-1T d. ML-1T
[2016/1].
3. The velocity v of a wave in a stretched string depends on the tension, T, in
the spring and the mass per unit length µ of the spring. Obtain an expression
for v of T and µ, using the method of dimensions. [2020/4].
4. The effective potential energy, E, of a lunar satellites of mass m, m 1, moving
in an elliptical orbit around the moon of mass, m 2,
is given by E = - , where r is the distance of the satellite from the moon and
G is the universal gravitational constant of dimensions, M -1L3T-2. Determine the
dimension of the angular momentum, K, of the satellite using dimensional
analysis. [2022/3].
Explanation to question 3
Expression for v
c = kTaUb, k is dimensionless
[v] = k[T]a[μ]b
LT−1 = kMa÷bLa+bT−2a
For T, -1 = 2a
a=

For M,
0=a+b
b = -a

v = KT1/2 μ−1/2
OR
v=K
 Explanation to Question 4

Dimensions of the angular momentum, K =

=
k2ML2=
K = (M2L4T−2)½
∴ k = ML2T−1
CONCEPT OF SCALAR AND VECTOR
QUANTITY

• A quantity that has only a magnitude but no direction

is called a scalar quantity. Examples: length, area,
volume, mass of a body, energy, speed, etc.
• Vector quantity is that quantity which has both a
magnitude and a direction. Examples are:
displacement, force, momentum, acceleration,
velocity, etc.
Distinction between scalar and vector quantities
Scalar Quantities
1 They have magnitude but no
direction.
2 They involve size of magnitude
alone.
3 They are obtained mere
addition.
4 They introduce something.
Vector Quantities
They have both magnitude and direction.
They involve size of magnitude alone.
magnitude as well as direction.
They are obtained by the application of
some laws such as Pythagoras.
parallelogram and polygon’s law.
They give clear thing explanation.
• Examples of Addition of scalar Quantities:
• V₁+V₂ = 10 cm³ +30 cm³ = 40 cm³
• T1+T₂ = 273K+ 100K = 373K
• A1+ A₂ = 200 m2 + 250 m² = 450 m²
Representation of Vector:

• A vector is always represented by a straight line with an arrow at the one end pointing in a
particular direction. The length of the line represents the magnitude of the vector e.g.
• Example 1:

• Given that 40 N force F1, travels from west to east and 25 N force F2, travels in
the opposite direction to that of 40 N force. Find the resultant of the two
vectors.
• Resultant Vector R = vector F₁+(-vector F₂)

• Resultant vector R = vector F1-vector F2

• Resultant vector R = 40N - 25N= 15 N

• 90 N force travelled from east to west. If 35 N travelled in a direction that is opposite to that of 90 N, what is the
force?

Solution:

• Let 90 N be F1, and 35 N be F2

• East to West is a negative direction of travel, therefore F 1 = -90N,

• 35N travelled in the opposite direction to 90 N,

• therefore F₂ = +35 N

• Resultant vector R = - vector F₁ + vector F₂

• Resultant vector R = -90N+ 35N = -55N

• Example 3:

• Two vectors of equal magnitude that are pointing in oppos sum to zero
• R=0
• Example 4:

• In the vector diagram below, find the resultant of the two vectors.
• Solution:

• When two vectors are inclined at 90° (perpendicular) to each other,

their resultant is obtained using the Pythagoras theorem.

• =30.8o

• Using Pythagoras,
The resultant can also be
• R2 = 102 + 122
found by scale drawing. The
• R2 = 100+144 resultant vector is a single
• R2=244 vector which would have the
• R = √244
same effect in magnitude and
• = 15.6N
direction as the original
• (ii) The direction is given by
vectors acting together.