Chapter 1

Physical Quantity
• Physical quantity is a quantity that can be measured.
• It consists of a numerical magnitude and a unit
• Examples
Distance = 100 m
Force = 20 N
SI Unit
• SI unit is standard international unit for base quantities
Scalar and Vector quantities
• Scalar quantity – has magnitude only
• Example: Distance, volume, speed, time, work, pressure,energy etc

• Vector quantity- has both magnitude and direction

• Example: Displacement, velocity, acceleration, force (and weight),
moment, momentum, gravitational field strength and electric field
strength.
Length
• Methods used to measure length: Measuring tape, Metre ruler

Type of errors when taking measurements

1. Parallax error
False reading due to improper eye position
2. Zero error
False reading given by a measuring system when the true value of a measured
quantity is zero
3. Reaction time error
Error due to delay in starting and stopping a stopwatch
Taking measurement correctly
Volume
• For regular objects, volume can be measured by using water
displacement method or can be calculated using equation for
volume
• For irregular objects, volumes can be measured by using
water displacement method only. (use measuring cylinder)
• For objects that float, use displacement method. (use a
sinker so that the floating object fully immersed)
Density
PYQ
PYQ
PYQ
PYQ
Pressure