Quantity & Measurement

PHYSICS QUANTITY

A physics quantity is a property of an object, something we can

measure with instruments or even by using our senses.

Two simple examples of physics quantities are the mass of an object

or its temperature. We can measure both with instruments, but we
can also sense them using our hands by lifting the object or touching
it.
 SI UNIT

SI unit is an international system of measurements that are used

universally in technical and scientific research to avoid the confusion
with the units. One of the examples is that the SI unit of mass is
kilogram.
 BASE QUANTITY

Base quantity is a quantity Name of Base Quantity Symbol SI Unit

that stand on its own and is
not a product from the Length L m (meter)
combination of other
quantities. Mass m Kg (kilogram)

Time t s (second)

Temperature T K (Kelvin)

Electric Current I A (Ampere)

Amount of Substance n mol (mole)

Luminous Intensity I Cd (Candela)

 DERIVED QUANTITY
Name of
Derived quantity is a Derived Symbol Equation SI Unit
quantity that is a product Quantity
from the combination of Area A s×s
base quantity.
Volume V s×s×s

Velocity v s/t m/s

Acceleration a v/t m/

Force F m×a N (Newton) or kgm/

Density m/V kg/

Pressure P ×g×h Pa (Pascal) or N/

Work W F×s J (Joule) or Nm

Power P W/t W (watt) or J/s

 SCIENTIFIC NOTATION

Physics deals with some very large and very small numbers. To work
with such numbers, we use Scientific Notation. Scientific notation is
expressed as a number starting from 1 to less than 10 multiplied by
the power of 10.
A × where 1 ≤ |A| < 10 and n is an integer.

For example, convert this following numbers to scientific notation :

0.0050 5.0 x 10 -3

370000.0 3.7 x 105

 SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
ADDITION &
SUBTRACTION

To add or subtract quantities in scientific notation, numbers are

manipulated so that they contain similar bases and exponents. This
is done in order to ensure the corresponding integers in their
coefficients are in the same place value.

e.g 5.0 x 10 + 3.0 x 10 …

3 2

= 5.0 x 10 + 0.3 x 10
3 3
(change to the
same indicates)
= (5.0 + 0.3) x 10 3
(add the
number)
= 5.3 x 10 3
(answer in
scientific notation)
 SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
MULTIPLICATION

To multiply numbers in scientific notation, multiply the decimal

numbers. Then add the exponents of the powers of 10. Place the new
power of 10 with the decimal in scientific notation form.

e.g 5.0 x 103 3.0 x 103…

= (5.0 3.0) x 10 x 10
3 3
(group the number
together)
= 15.0 x 103 x 103 (multiply the decimal
number)
= 15.0 x 103+3 (add the exponents )
= 15.0 x 10 6

= 1.5 x 10 7
(answer in scientific
notation)
 SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
DIVISION

To divide numbers in scientific notation, first divide the decimal

numbers. Then subtract the exponents of your power of 10. Place the
new power of 10 with the decimal in scientific notation form.

e.g
= 4.0 x 10 4-2
(devide the decimal number & substract
the exponents )
= 4.0 x 10 2
(answer in scientific notation)
 PREFIXES

Prefixes are a group of letters or symbols that are added to the

beginning of a unit of measurement to represent a multiple or
fraction of the standard unit. Prefixes are based on powers of 10,
making it easier to work with very large or small numbers.

Example :
SI PREFIXES
 Name of Base Dimension
Dimensio Quantity
SI Unit
Symbol
nal Length m [L]
Analysis
Dimension is the Mass Kg [M]
way to compose
a quantity from Time s [T]
its base quantity
Temperature K [θ]

Electric Current A [I]

Amount of
Mol [N]
Substance

Luminous Intensity Cd [J]

 For Example:
Dimensio
Force : mass × acceleration
nal kg ×m / s
2

Analysis
All derived [ M ] ×[ L] /[ T ] 2

quantities can be [ M ] [ L] [T ] −2

stated by their
base quantities, Force
so that their Pressure :
Area
dimension can be 2
kg . m ¿ s
searched from m
2

the base quantity

[ M ] [ L][T ] −2

2
[ L]
[ M ] [ L] [T ]
−1 −2
Rounding

Number greater than 5 are rounded

up.
Example:
76.58 rounded up to
76.6

Number smaller than 5 are rounded

down.
Example:
76.54 rounded up to 76.5
 Rounding

If the Number is exactly 5, look at the previous

number.
1. if the previous number is odd, it is
rounded
Example:up.
76.35 rounded up to
76.4

2. if the previous number is even then it is rounded

down.
Example:
76.25 rounded up to 76.2
 Significant Figures
#Rules
All non-zero number are always significant figure.
Example: 12350 have 4 sig. fig. (12350)
1
Zeros between non-zero number are always significant
2 figure.
Example: 10267 have 5 sig. fig. (10267)
Leading zeros are never significant
3 figure.
Example: 0.003245 have 4 sig. fig.
Trailing zeros are only significant if the number contains a
(0.003245)
4 decimal point.
Example: 0.012300 have 5 sig. fig. (0.012300)
12300 have 3 sig. fig. (12300)
 Significant Figures
#Addition & Subtraction
Operation
The result uses the fewest
decimals
Example
40.234 cm + 21.36 cm = 61.59 cm
61.594 cm
( 3 decimals ) ( 2 decimals ) ( 2 decimals )

61.652 cm - 16.4 cm = 45.252 45.2 cm

cm
( 3 decimals ) ( 1 decimals ) ( 1 decimals )
 Significant Figures
#Multiplication & Division
Operation
The result uses the fewest significant
figure

Example
34.231 kg x 0.25 = 8.55775 kg 8.6 kg
( 5 sig. fig.) ( 2 sig. fig.) ( 6 sig. fig.) ( 2 sig. fig. )

46.532 kg : 200 = 0.23266 kg 0.2 kg

( 5 sig. fig. ( 1 sig.fig. ) ( 5 sig. fig.) ( 1 sig. fig.)
)
 MEASUREMEN
T
Meter Ruler Triple Beam
Balance
Vernier Measuring
Calipers Cylinder
Micrometer Screw
Gauge
Meter Ruler

The length of a meter ruler is 1 meter and it is divided to 100

sections (100 cm). Each section is 1 cm long and it is further
divided into 10 sections (10 mm).

The shortest length that can be measured with a meter ruler is

1 mm or 0.1 cm.
 Vernier
Calipers
A vernier calliper has two scales –
consisting of a main scale and a
vernier scale (nonius scale). The
accuracy of the reading measured
with a vernier calliper is up to 0.1
mm or 0.01 cm.

Main scale contributes the main number(s) and one decimal place to
the reading
(E.g. 2.1 cm, whereby 2 is the main number and 0.1 is the one decimal
place number).

Vernier Scale contributes the second decimal place to the reading

(E.g. 0.03 cm).

https://www.stefanelli.eng.br/en/virtual-vernier-caliper-simulator-05-millimeter/
Vernier
Calipers Method to get the measurement:

To obtain the main scale reading: Look at the image,

1.2 cm is to the immediate left of the zero on the
nonius scale. Hence, the main scale reading is 1.2 cm

To obtain the vernier scale reading: Look at the

image and look closely for an alignment of the scale
lines of the main scale and vernier scale. In the
image, the aligned line correspond to 4. Hence, the
vernier scale reading is 0.04 cm.
Formula:
Obtained reading = Main scale reading + Vernier scale reading
= 1.2 + 4 *
(0.01)
= 1.2 + 0.04
= 1.24 cm
 Micrometer Screw
Gauge

A micrometer screw gauge consists of a main scale and a thimble scale. The main
scale is calibrated in milimeter (mm).

Main scale contributes the main number(s) and one decimal place to the reading
(E.g. 4.5 mm, whereby 4 is the main number and 0.5 is the one decimal place
number).

Thimble Scale (Nonius Scale)contributes the second decimal place to the

reading (E.g. 0.27 mm).

https://www.stefanelli.eng.br/en/simulator-virtual-micrometer-hundredths-millimeter/
 Micrometer Screw
Gauge
To obtain the main scale reading: Look at the
image! It can be seen that the thimble position has
crossed the number “6” at the top, and at the bottom
the horizontal line has crossed 1 strip (0.5 mm). This
means that in this section the measurement results
are 6 + 0.5 mm = 6.5 mm.
To obtain the thimble scale reading: Look at the
image! Seen the horizontal line on the main scale
coincides with the number 39 on the thimble scale.
That is, on the thimble scale obtained an additional
length of 0.39 mm
Formula:
Obtained reading = Main scale reading + Thimble scale reading
= 6.5 + 39 *
(0.01)
= 6.5 + 0.39
= 6.89 mm

https://www.stefanelli.eng.br/en/simulator-virtual-micrometer-hundredths-millimeter/
Triple Beam Balance
A triple beam balance is a common instrument used
in scientific laboratories to measure the mass of
objects. It consists of several key parts which enable
accurate and precise measurements.

1.Beams : Balance features three beams, each

serving a specific purpose in achieving a different
level of precision. Beams are marked with notches
at regular intervals to facilitate precise
measurement.

2. Riders :
Riders are slide pointers that are placed over the beam. They are used to indicate the
mass of the object being weighed.
3. pointer :
A scale pointer is a marker that shows the same point between the mass of an object on
the scale and the mass on the block.
4. Notched Beams :
The middle and rear beams of triple balance beams are notched at regular intervals. This
notch allows for precise measurement by inserting a counterweight (rider) in the
 Triple Beam Balance
1. Zero out the balance
2. Place the object in the center of the pan
3. Put the rear weights in the notches

There are three weights on the Triple Beam

Balance:
- the first sliding which measures how many
ten of grams (100...200...300...),
- the second sliding which measures how
many hundred of grams (10...20...30...),
- the third sliding which measures how
many single grams (1...2...3...)

4. Balance out the object using all three

Formula: weights

Obtained reading = hundred of grams+ ten of grams +

single of grams= 0 + 70 +
7.5
= 77.5 grams
https://www.thephysicsaviary.com/Physics/Programs/Games/ReadtheTripleBeam/
Measuring Cylinder

If an object has an irregular shape, its volume

can be measured by submerging it in a
measuring cylinder partly filled with water. The
increase in the level of the water indicates the
amount of water displaced, and therefore the
volume of the submerged object.

Formula:
Obtained reading = Final Volume – Initial
Volume = 26 - 18
=8