Chapter 1.

PHYSICAL QUANTITIES AND MEASUREMENTS

1.1 Physical Quantities and Units

Learning Outcomes.
a) State basic quantities and their respective SI
units: length (m), time (s), mass (kg),electric
current (A), temperature (K), amount of
substance (mol), and luminosity (cd).
b) State derived quantities and their respective
units and symbols: velocity (m s-1), acceleration
(m s-2), work (J), force (N), pressure (Pa), energy
(J), power (W) and frequency (Hz).
c) Convert units to common SI prefixes.

 Physical quantity is defined as a quantity which can be

measured.
It can be categorised into 2 types
Basic (base) quantity
Derived quantity

Basic quantity is defined as a quantity which cannot

be derived from any physical quantities.
Derived quantity is defined as a quantity which can be
expressed in term of base quantity.

Table 1.1 shows all the basic (base)

quantities
Quantity

Symbol

SI Unit

Symbol

Length

metre

Mass

kilogram

kg

Time

second

T/

kelvin

Electric current

ampere

Amount of substance

mole

mol

candela

cd

Temperature

Luminous Intensity

Table 1.2 shows some examples of

derived quantity.
Derived quantity

Symbol

Formulae

Unit

Velocity

s/t

m s-1

Volume

lwt

M3

Acceleration

v/t

m s-2

Density

m/V

kg m-3

Momentum

mv

kg m s-1

Force

ma

kg m s-2 @ N

Work

Fs

kg m2 s-2 @ J

Unit Prefixes

It is used for presenting larger and smaller values.

Table 1.3 shows all the unit prefixes.
Prefix

Value

Symbol

tera

1012

giga

109

mega

106

kilo

103

deci

10-1

centi

10-2

milli

10-3

micro

10-6

nano

10-9

pico

10-12

Examples:
Solve the following problems of unit conversion
a. 30 mm2 = ? m2
b. 865 m h-1 = ? m s-1
c. 300 g cm-3 = ? kg m-3
d. 2.4 x 10-5 cm3 = ? m3

Solution :
(a) 30 mm2 = ? m2

(1 mm)

= 10 m

1 mm 2 = 10 6 m 2

30 mm 2 = 30 10 6 m 2 or 3.0 10 5 m 2

(b) 865 m h-1 = ? m s-1

1st method

865
10
m

865 km h =

1
h

865

10
m
1

865 km h =

3600
s

865 km h 1 = 240 m s 1
2nd method

865 km 1000 m 1 h
865 km h =

1 h 1 km 3600 s
865 km 1000 m 1 h
1
865 km h =

1 h 1 km 3600 s
1

865 km h 1 = 240 m s 1

(c)

300 g cm-3 = ? kg m-3

-3
3

300
g
10
kg
1
cm

-3

300 g cm =

3
3
1 cm 1 g 10 -2 m 3

( )

300 g cm3 = 3.0 10 5 kg m -3

(d)

2.4 x 10-5 cm3 = ? m3

= 2 . 4 10

= 2 . 4 10

= 2 . 4 10

11

10
10
m

2
6

1.2 Scalars and Vectors

Learning Outcomes
a) Define scalar and vector quantities.
b) Perform vector addition and subtraction
operations graphically.
c) Resolve vector into two perpendicular
components (x and y axes).
d) Illustrate unit vectors ( i, j, k ) in Cartesian
coordinate.

e) State the physical meaning of dot (scalar)

product:
r
r
A B = A ( B cos ) = B ( A cos )
f) State the physical meaning of cross (vector)
product:

r r
A B = A ( B sin ) = B ( A sin )

Direction of cross product is determined by

corkscrew method or right hand rule.

 Scalar quantity is defined as a quantity with

magnitude only.
e.g. mass, time, temperature, pressure, electric
current, work, energy and etc.
Mathematics operational : ordinary algebra
Vector quantity is defined as a quantity with both
magnitude & direction.
e.g. displacement, velocity, acceleration, force,
momentum, electric field, magnetic field and etc.
Mathematics operational : vector algebra

Vectors
Vector A

Length of an arrow magnitude of vector A

Direction of arrow direction of vector A

Table 1.6 shows written form (notation) of vectors.

displacement

r
s
s
s (bold)

velocity

r
v
v

v (bold)
Table 1.6

Notation of magnitude of vectors.

15

acceleration

r
a
a
a (bold)

r
v =v
r
a =a

 Two vectors equal if both magnitude and direction

are the same.

r
Q

r
P

r r
P=Q

If vector A is multiplied
r by a scalar quantity k

r
kA

Then, vector A is kA

r
A

r
A

if k = +ve
+ve, the vector is in the same direction as vector A.
if k = - ve,
ve the vector is in the opposite direction of vector A.
16

Addition of Vectors
There are two methods involved in addition of vectors
graphically i.e.
Parallelogram
Triangle
r r
For example :
A+ B

r
A

r
B

Parallelogram

Triangle

r
B
O
17

r r
A+ B

r r
A+ B

r
B
r
A

r
A

 Triangle of vectors method:

a) Use a suitable scale to draw vector A.
b) From the head of vector A draw a line to
represent the vector B.
c) Complete the triangle. Draw a line from the tail of
vector A to the head of vector B to represent the
vector A + B.
r

r
B

r r
B+ A

r r r r
A+ B = B + A
18

Commutative Rule

 If there are more than 2 vectors therefore

r r r
Use vector polygon and associative rule. E.g. P + Q + R

r
Q

r
P

r
R

r r r
P+Q + R

r r
P+Q

r
P

19

r
Q
r r r r r r
P+Q + R = P+ Q+ R

r
R

Associative Rule

 Distributive Rule :
r r
r
r
a. (A + B ) = A + B
r
r
r
b. ( + )A = A + A

, are real number

For example :
Proof of case a: let = 2
r r
r r
A+ B = 2 A+ B
r r
A+ B

) (

r
B
O

20

r
A

r r
2 A+ B

r
r
r
r
A + B = 2 A + 2 B

r
r
2 A + 2B

r
2A

r r
r
r
2 A + B = 2 A + 2B

21

r
2B

Proof ofrcase b: letr = r2 and = 1

( + )A = (2 + 1)A = 3 A
r
A

=
22

r
r
r
r r 3A
A + A = 2 A + 1 A
r
2A
r
3A
r
r r
(2 + 1)A = 2 A + 1A

r
A

1.2.4 Subtraction of Vectors

r r
F or example :C D
r
C

r
D

r
D

( )

r r r
r
CD=C+ D
Parallelogram

r
C

r
D

23

r r
CD

r
C
O

Triangle

r r
CD

r
D

 Vectors subtraction can be used

to determine the velocity of one object
relative to another object i.e. to determine
the relative velocity.
to determine the change in velocity of a
moving object.

24

Resolving a Vector

1st method :

r
Dy
0

r
D

r
Dx

r
Dy
x

Dx
= cos Dx = D cos
D
Dy
= sin Dy = D sin
D
25

2nd method :

r
D

r
Dx

Dx
= sin Dx = D sin
D
Dy
= cos Dy = D cos
D

 The magnitude of vector D :

r
D or D =

(Dx )2 + (D y )2

Direction of vector D :
tan =

Dy
Dx

or

Dy

= tan
Dx

Vector D in terms of unit vectors written as

r
D = Dx i + D y j
26

Example 1 :

r
F2 (30 N )
r
F1 (10 N )
45o
30o

20
O

r
F3 (40 N )
The figure above shows three forces F1, F2 and F3 acted on a particle
O. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant force on
particle O.
27

Solution :

r
F3 x

20
O

30o

r
Fr
r
Fr
r
Fx
r
Fy

=
=

F2 y

r
r
r
r
F = F1 + F 2 + F 3
r
r
Fx +
Fy
r
r
r
F1 x + F 2 x + F 3 x
r
r
r
F1 y + F 2 y + F 3 y

45o

r
F3 y
r

r
F3

r
F1

r
F1 y

r r
F1 x F2 x

r
F2

28

Solution :
Vector

x-component

F1 x = F1 cos 20o
o
F1 x = 10 cos 20
F1 x = 9.40 N
o
F2 x = 30 cos 45
F2 x = 21.2 N

r
F1
r
F2
r
F3
Vector
sum

y-component

F3 x = 40 cos 30
F3 x = 34.6 N

F1 y
F1 y
F1 y
F2 y
F2 y

= F1 sin 20o
= 10 sin 20o
= 3.42 N
= 30 sin 45o
= 21.2 N

F3 y = 40 sin 30o
F3 y = 20.0 N

= 9.40 + 21.2 + ( 34.6 ) Fy = 3.42 + ( 21.2 ) + ( 20.0)

= 4.00 N

= 37.8 N

29

Solution :
The magnitude of the resultant force is

( F ) + ( F )
2

Fr =

( 4.00)2 + ( 37.8)2

Fr =

Fr = 38.0 N

and its direction is

= tan

F
F

37.8
= tan

4.00
1

y
r
Fx

264o

O
84.0

r
Fy

r
Fr

= 84.0o or 264o from positive x - axis (anticlockw 30ise )

Introduction to three perpendicular components (3-D)

r
s = ( x , y , z ) = ( i , j , k ) = ( 4,
y/m

3,

2)

r
s
0

x/m

z/m
31

Multiplication of Vectors
Scalar (dot) product
The physical meaning ofrthe scalar
r product can be explained by
considering two vectors A and B as shown in figure 1.3a.

r
A

Figure 1.3a

32

r
B r
Figure 1.3b
the projection of vector B onto the direction of
r shows
r r
r
r
vector A.
A B = A(component of B parallel to A)
r
r
A
A
Figure 1.3b B cos

Figure 1.3c

r
r
B
r
Acos B
Figure 1.3c
the projection of vector A onto the direction of
r shows
r r
r
r
vector B.
A B = B component of A parallel to B

From the figure 1.3b, the scalar product can be defined as

r r
A B = A(B cos )

meanwhile from the figure 1.3c,

r r
B A = B( A cos )

where : angle between two vectors

The scalar product is a scalar quantity.
quantity
The angle ranges from 0 to 180 .
When o
scalar product is positive
0 < < 90 o

9 0 o < < 180 o

= 90 o

33

scalar product is negative

scalar product is zero

The scalar product obeys the commutative law of multiplication i.e.

r r r r
A B = B A

Example of scalar product is work done by a constant force where the

expression is givenrby

r
W = F s = F (s cos ) = s(F cos )

The scalar product of the unit vectors are shown below :

2
i i = i 2 cos 0 o = (1) (1) = 1
j j = j 2 cos 0 o = (1)2 (1) = 1
2
k k = k 2 cos 0 o = (1) (1) = 1

j
k

i i = j j = k k = 1

z
i j = (1)(1)cos 90 o = 0

j k = (1)(1)cos 90 o = 0
i k = (1)(1)cos 90 o = 0

34

i j = j k = i k = 0

Example 1r: r
Calculate the A B and the angle

r
r
between vectors A and B for the

following
r problems.
a) A = i + 2 j 3k

r
B = 2i j + 5k

35

Solution :
a)

r r
A B = (1)( 2)i i + (2)( 1) j j + ( 3)(5)k k
r r
A B = 2 2 15
r r
A B = 19
The magnitude of the vectors:

A=

(1) + (2) + ( 3) =
2
2
2
( 2) + ( 1) + (5) =
2

14

B=
30
r r
The angle ,
A B = AB cos
r r
19
1 A B
1
= cos

= cos

14 30
AB

= 158 o

36

Vector (cross) product

Consider two vectors :

r
A = xi + yj + zk
r
B = pi + qj + rk

In general, the vector product is defined as

r r r
and its magnitude is given byA B = C
r r
r
r r
A B = C = A B sin = AB sin

where : angle between two vectors

The angle ranges from 0 to 180 so the vector product always
positive value.
Vector product is a vector
quantity
r quantity.
The direction of vector C is determined by

RIGHT--HAND RULE
RIGHT
37

For example:
How to use right hand rule :
Point the 4 fingers to the direction of the 1st vector.
Swept the 4 fingers from the 1st vector towards the 2nd vector.
The thumb shows the direction of the vector product.

r
C

r
A

r r r
A B = C

r
A

r
B

r
C r r

r
B A = C

r r r r
A B B A

r r
r r
but A B = B A
r
Direction of the vector product r(C ) always
r perpendicular to the
plane containing the vectors

38

r
B

and

B.

The vector product of the unit vectors are shown below :

i j = j i = k
j k = k j = i

j
x

k i = i k = j

i i = i 2 sin 0 o = 0
z

i i = j j = k k = 0

j j = j 2 sin 0 o = 0
k k = k 2 sin 0 o = 0

Example of vector product is a magnetic force on the straight

conductor carrying current places in magnetic field where the
expression is given by r
r r

39

F = I l B
F = IlB sin

The vector product can also be expressed in determinant form as

i
r r
A B = x

j k
y z

p q

1st method :

r r
A B = ( yr zq )i ( xr zp ) j + ( xq yp )k

2nd method :

r r
A B = ( yr zq )i + ( zp xr ) j + ( xq yp )k

40

Note :
The angle between two vectors can only be determined by
using the scalar (dot) product.

r
2 j + 4k
=
5
i
Given two vectors : A
r
B = i + j + 5k
Determine
r r
a) A B and its magnitude
r r
b) A B
r
r
c) the angle between vectors A and B .

Example 2:

41

Solution :
a)

i j k
r r
A B = 5 2 4
1 1 5

r r
A B = (( 2 )(5) (4)(1))i ((5)(5) (4)(1)) j + ((5)(1) ( 2)(1))k
r r
A B = ( 10 4)i (25 4) j + (5 + 2)k
r r
A B = 14i 21 j + 7 k
r r
2
2
2
(
)
(
)
(
)
A

B
=

14
+

21
+
7
The magnitude,
r r
A B = 26.2
42

b)

)(

r r
A B = 5i 2 j + 4k i + j + 5k
r r
A B = (5)(1)i i + ( 2)(1) j j + (4)(5)k k
r r
Ar Br = 5 2 + 20
A B = 23

c) The magnitude of vectors,

A=
B=

(5)2 + ( 2)2 + (4)2

(1)2 + (1)2 + (5)2 =

= 45
27

Using the scalar (dot) product formula,

r r
A B = AB cos r

23
1 A B
1
= cos
= cos

AB
45 27

o
= 48.7
43