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1 - Physical Quantities and Units

This document discusses various physical quantities and units of measurement. It describes base quantities in the International System of Units (SI) like length, mass, and volume. Derived units are also discussed. Several methods for measuring different physical quantities are introduced, including rulers, vernier calipers, micrometer screws, clocks, stopwatches, and measuring cylinders. Concepts like significant figures, standard form, and zero error in measurement are also covered.

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82 views

1 - Physical Quantities and Units

This document discusses various physical quantities and units of measurement. It describes base quantities in the International System of Units (SI) like length, mass, and volume. Derived units are also discussed. Several methods for measuring different physical quantities are introduced, including rulers, vernier calipers, micrometer screws, clocks, stopwatches, and measuring cylinders. Concepts like significant figures, standard form, and zero error in measurement are also covered.

Uploaded by

Rafay
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PHYSICAL

QUANTITIES AND
UNITS
ABDUR RAHMAN BUTT
PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

These are quantities that can be measured and expressed with a value or a
quantified number having a related unit
SOME BASE QUANTITIES
(SI UNITS)
DERIVED UNITS
CONVERSION OF UNITS
The SI Unit of length is metre (m)
The SI Unit of mass is kilograms (kg)
The SI Unit of volume is cubic metres
(1cubic metre=1000L)
COMMON PREFIXES
STANDARD POWER NOTATION

• Measurements can be too large(with many significant figures) or too


small(with many decimal places).
• It is useful to express such numbers to the powers of 10 or through standard
form.
Example
12000m may be expressed as 1.200 x 104 m (to 4 sig. fig)
0.000002 m = 2 x 10-6 m (to 1 sig. fig)
PRACTICE QUESTION

1) What is 20000m in cm?

2) Express 20000m in standard form.

3) Express 0.0002m in standard form.


MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES
• A metre rule is the most commonly used instrument that can measure
• lengths upto 1 metre.
• Its accuracy is 1mm so it cannot accurately measure lengths smaller than 1mm.
• Useful to take quick measurements between 5cm to 95cm.
When taking observations:
1) Position eyes directly above the markings to avoid parallax error
2) Note several readings then take average
3) In case of wear and tear of ruler, if zero marking is not visible, measure from next visible
marking and subtract it from the final result.
VERNIER CALIPERS
The vernier calipers found in the laboratory incorporates a main scale and a sliding vernier
scale which allows readings to the nearest 0.01 cm. This instrument may be used to measure
outer dimensions of objects (using the main jaws), inside dimensions (using the smaller
jaws at the top), and depths (using the stem).
How to read a vernier caliper:
•Read the main scale before the zero marking for the 1st place of decimal. (2.1cm)
•For the 2nd place of decimal, look at the vernier scale. Find a marking on the vernier scale that is
in line with the main scale. (0.05cm)
•To get the correct reading, simply add up these two decimal numbers. (2.15cm)
WHAT IS THE READING HERE?
MICROMETER SCREW GAUGE
The micrometer screw gauge is used to measure even smaller dimensions than the vernier
callipers. The micrometer screw gauge also uses an auxiliary scale (measuring hundredths of a
millimetre) which is marked on a rotary thimble. Basically it is a screw with an accurately
constant pitch (the amount by which the thimble moves forward or backward for one complete
revolution. The rotating thimble is subdivided into 50 equal divisions.  The thimble passes
through a frame that carries a millimetre scale graduated to 0.5 mm. The jaws can be adjusted by
rotating the thimble using the small ratchet knob.  This includes a friction clutch which prevents
too much tension being applied.  The thimble must be rotated through two revolutions to open the
jaws by 1 mm.
How to read a micrometer:
•Thimble is turned until the object is gripped very gently
•Read the main scale on the sleeve for the 1st of decimal (4.50mm)
•For the 2nd place of decimal, look at the circular scale on the thimble. Find a marking on the
circular scale that is in line with the horizontal line of the main scale. (0.12mm)
•To get the correct reading, simply add up the two decimal numbers. (4.62mm)
WHAT IS THE READING HERE?
ZERO ERROR
•Zero
  error is defined as the condition where a measuring instrument registers a reading when
there should not be any reading. This can occur when main scale reading does not coincide with a
zero on vernier scale/thimble scale.
actual reading =

• Positive zero error refers to the case when the jaws of the vernier caliper are just closed and the
reading is a positive reading away from the actual reading of 0.00mm. If the reading is
0.10mm, the zero error is referred to as +0.10 mm. Thus error reading is subtracted from final
reading
• Negative zero error refers to the case when the jaws of the vernier caliper are just closed and
the reading is a negative reading away from the actual reading of 0.00mm. If the reading is
0.08mm, the zero error is referred to as -0.08mm. Thus error reading is added to final reading
MEASUREMENT OF TIME

• Clocks: can be used to measure time intervals in seconds, minutes and hours.
The least count is 1s.

• Stopwatches: can be used to measure time intervals to a precision of 0.1s and


0.01s.

• Pendulum: a simple pendulum uses regular swings (oscillations) of the bob to


measure time intervals.
MEASUREMENT OF VOLUME
• The amount of space
occupied
by a substance
• SI unit= cubic metre (m3)
• Measuring cylinder is most
commonly used to measure
volume
THANK YOU

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