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Units Of Measurement
Introduction
Physics is an experimental science. Theories are
useful only if their predictions agree with the results of
experiments. So measurement plays an important
part in physics. Together with other scientists ,
physicists have agreed on a single system of units for
the measurement of physical quantities .
A physical quantity is clearly defined with a numerical
value and a unit. A physical quantity can be measured
using a standard size called the unit.
Units identify the quantity that has been measured.
The standard size used must
(i)
be easily reproduced
(ii)
not have its magnitude changed
(iii)
be internationally accepted
Prefixes
Prefix is a scientific notation word before the base
units and have certain value uses powers of 10.
Prefix
Giga
Mega
Kilo
Desi
Centi
Mili
Mikro
Nano
Factor
Standard Form
The radius of earth 6400000000 mm and the
diameter a metal wire is 0.00000045 km. What is the
best way to write these numbers ?
The best way is try to write the numbers in shorthand
form.
The shorthand form of writing numbers is called
standard form.
In general, the standard form number is
a x 10n
where 1 a<10
and n are positive integers or
negative integers.
Example 1
Symbol
G
M
k
d
c
m
of the
273.16
thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of
water
(b) 5300 g
(d)567.13 km
TUTORIAL 2
1
A 2.3 x 10 2 m
B 2.3 x 10 4 cm
C 2.3 x 10 6 mm
7 Which one of the following measurements is
smallest ?
A
C
E
B
D
1.52 x 10 3
0.152 x 10 -4
If A = 2 x 10 - 4 and B = 3 x 10 - 5
then the value of A + 5B is
A 1.7 x 10 - 5
1.5 x 10 2 kg
B 1.5 x 10 7 g
C 1.5 x 10 12 g
3.5 x 10
-5
C 1.7 x 10 - 4
-4
A 7 x 10 - 4 km , 7 x 10 2 cm , 7 x 10 4 mm
B 7 x 10 2 cm , 7 x 10 4 mm , 7 x 10 - 4 km
C 7 x 10 4 mm , 7 x 10 - 4 km , 7 x 10 2 cm
3.5 x 10
E 1.7 x 10 3
3
Giga,mega,kilo,centi
Mikro,mili,centi,kilo
Mega,giga,kilo,centi
Centi,giga,mikro,mili
10
5 x 10 - 4 seconds is equivalent to
0.05
B 0.5
C 50
0.00023 = 2.3 x 10 - 3
0.05 = 5 x 10 - 1
3450 = 3.450 x 10 4
46.531 =4.6531 x 10 4
E 5678.9 = 5.6789 x 10 3
microseconds
microseconds
microseconds
D 500
microseconds
E 5000 microseconds
6
1.056 x 10 8 Hz
1.056 x 10 6 Hz
1.056 x 10 4 Hz
1.056 x 10 - 4 Hz
1.056 x 10 - 8 Hz
B
D
0.02
2