PowerPoint Slides for

Cambridge IGCSETM Physics

Student’s Book

CHAPTER 1

MEASUREMENT
OF PHYSICAL
QUANTITIES

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd The following content has not been through the Cambridge Assessment International Education endorsement process. 1
 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

• What do you understand by

the term average?

• Other than head

circumference, what are
two other important
measurements taken to
monitor a baby’s growth
pattern?

• What are some other

physical quantities that are
commonly used as
measurements in daily life?

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 2

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

1.1 Physical Quantities

In this section, you will learn

the following:

• Describe the use of rulers and

measuring cylinders to find a length or
a volume.

• Describe how to measure a variety of

time intervals using clocks and digital
timers.

• Determine an average value for a

small distance and for a short interval
of time by measuring multiples.

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 3

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

What are physical quantities?

• Quantities that can be measured

• Quantities that consist of a numerical

magnitude and a unit

The sign warns drivers on the clearance limit to pass underneath the
bridge. Height is a physical quantity — ‘3.8’ is the numerical magnitude
and ‘m’ is the unit. (Figure 1.1 of SB (Student’s Book))

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 4

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

Some physical quantities and their commonly used units

Some physical quantities and their commonly used units (Table 1.1 of SB)

Some common physical quantities that are derived from other physical quantities (Table 1.2 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 5

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

Prefixes and standard form

Some common prefixes and their symbols (Table 1.3 of SB)

• Prefixes: Useful and convenient for
expressing physical quantities that are
either very big or very small

• Standard form: Useful and convenient

way of writing numbers, in which one
integer (1 to 9) is multiplied by an
appropriate power of 10

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 6

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

How do we measure length?

• Length: Important quantity that is often used in physics

• Measured using : Kilometre (km), metre (m),

centimetre (cm) and millimetre (mm)

• Instruments commonly used to measure length:

metre rule and measuring tape

A metre rule and a retractable steel

measuring tape are used to measure
lengths. (Figure 1.3 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 7

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

How do we avoid errors in measurement?

Parallax error Zero error

• Your eyes should be positioned such that your • When the zero-mark end of a rule is worn, it is
line of sight is perpendicular to the rule. better to measure from another point and subtract
it from the final reading.
• If this is not done, a parallax error will be
introduced into the measurement. • If this is not done, a zero error may be introduced
into the reading.

Taking several
readings and
calculating the
average also
minimises errors and
uncertainties.
How to take accurate readings by avoiding parallax error and zero error (Figure 1.6 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 8

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

How do we measure volume? – Regular solids

Measured using: cubic metre (m3) and cubic centimetre (cm3)

Volume of regular solids

• A metre rule can be used to measure the dimensions of a solid.
• The volume of the solid can then be determined by using the appropriate formula.

Formulae to find volume of some regular solids

Regular solid Formula

Rectangular block
where = length, = breadth and = height

Cylinder
where = diameter and = height
3
Sphere
where = diameter

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 9

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book
How do we measure volume? – Irregular solids
Type of irregular
Description Set-up
solid

Volume of a small object, V = V2 – V1

Finding the volume
of a small object
Small object that sinks where
that sinks (Figure
V1 = volume of water before putting in the object
1.7 of SB)
V2 = volume reading after putting in the object

Small object that floats Volume of a small object, V = V4 – V3

Finding the volume of a
A sinker is used to ensure where small object that floats
that the small object is V3 = volume of water before putting in the object (Figure 1.8 of SB)
totally immersed in the V4 = volume reading after putting in the object
water.

Finding the volume

For large objects (such as a stone) that sink, we of a large object
Large object that sinks use a displacement can and a measuring that sinks (Figure
cylinder to find the volume. 1.9 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 10

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

How do we measure volume? – Liquids

• Pour the liquid into a measuring cylinder.

• Read the volume V directly.

• Ensure that the measuring cylinder is resting on a

flat horizontal surface.

• Ensure and that any bubbles in the liquid are

removed.

(Figure 1.10 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

How do we measure time?

• Events that repeat at regular intervals or periods can be used to tell time.

• Measured using: hour (h), minute (min) and second (s).

What type of events (both natural and man

made) can be used to tell time? Give
examples.
Can scientific work rely on the observation of
natural events? Explain Why.

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 12

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

How do we use a simple pendulum to measure time?

• Period of a simple pendulum = Time taken for one complete oscillation

• One complete oscillation → complete to-and-fro motion

• The period of a pendulum depends on its length. Pendulum clocks are calibrated by adjusting the length of the pendulum.

When the bob moves from R to S and back to R, the pendulum completes one oscillation. (Figure 1.11 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 13

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

What instruments are used to measure time?

Pendulum clock - keeps time Wall clock Digital stopwatch Analogue stopwatch
using a pendulum’s periodic
swing.

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 14

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

Objective
To calibrate a simple pendulum to measure time in seconds

(Table 1.5 of SB)

Experimental set-up to calibrate a

simple pendulum (Figure 1.14 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 15

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

(continued)

Results and discussion

1. How does this

experiment allow us to
use a pendulum to
measure time in
seconds?

Plot of Period (T) against Length () Plot of T2 against Length () (Figure 2. What can we observe
(Figure 1.15 of SB) 1.16 of SB)
about the graph of T
The period increases with The square of the period is directly against l ?
length, but not linearly. proportional to the length
3. What does the plot of
T 2 against l tell us?

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 16

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

Worked Example 1A
A student checks the accuracy of an antique clock. He uses a digital stopwatch to
find the period of the clock’s pendulum.

(a) If X and Y are the two extreme positions of each oscillation, state the path of
one complete oscillation.

(b) The student’s timings for two separate measurements of 20 oscillations are
35.70 s and 34.98 s. Calculate the average period of the clock’s pendulum.

Solution
(a) X to Y and back to X or Y to X and back to Y.
(b) Average time for 20 oscillations
= = 35.34 s
Average period of the clock’s pendulum = = 1.767 s Antique clock (Figure 1.17 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 17

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

(Question numbers as in SB)

2. A measuring cylinder is used to measure the volume of

a liquid (Figure 1.18).
(a) What type of error can be introduced when reading
the measurement?
(b) What should you do to read the measurement
correctly?
(Figure 1.18 of SB)
4. Figure 1.19 shows a voltmeter scale with a strip of
mirror mounted under the needle. Suggest how this may
help reduce errors when readings are taken.

(Figure 1.19 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 18

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

1.2 Scalars and

Vectors
In this section, you will learn the
following:
• Understand the terms scalar
quantity and vector quantity.

• Know some examples of scalar

and vector quantities.

• Determine, by calculation or
graphically, the resultant of two
vectors at right angles.

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 19

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

What are scalars and vectors?

Two types of physical quantity:

Scalar quantity: Physical quantity that has magnitude only
Vector quantity: Physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction

Common scalars and vectors (Table 1.5 in SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 20

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

How are vector quantities

represented?
We use vector diagrams.
• Arrow: represents the vector quantity
• Length of the arrow: proportional to the
magnitude of the vector
• Direction of the arrow: indicates the direction
of the vector

Can we add vectors?

Vector diagram of a force of 20 N in the direction 45°
north of east (Figure 1.21 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 21

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

How do we add two parallel vectors?

Type of Parallel
Description Addition of Vectors
Vectors

The resultant force is 8 N

Acting in the same (i.e. 3 N + 5 N = 8 N)
direction and is directed towards
the right.
Addition of vectors acting in the same direction (Figure 1.22 of SB)

The resultant force is 2 N

Acting in the opposite (i.e. 5 N + (–3 N) = 2 N)
direction and is directed towards
the right.
Addition of vectors acting in the opposite direction (Figure 1.23 of
SB)

Equal in magnitude,
The resultant force is 0 N
acting in the opposite
(i.e. 3 N + (–3 N) = 0 N).
direction Addition of vectors that are equal in magnitude but act in opposite
directions (Figure 1.24 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 22

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

How do we add two non-parallel vectors?

Parallelogram method Calculation method

• We can obtain the resultant force R graphically by Using Pythagoras’ Theorem,
drawing a parallelogram.

• The resultant force R is the diagonal of the

parallelogram.

• By measuring the angle θ and the length the diagonal,

we obtain the resultant force R = 5 N at an angle
θ ≈ 37° to the horizontal. Hence, the resultant force R has a magnitude of
R = 5 N, making an angle of θ = 36.9 ° with the horizontal.

Adding vectors using the

parallelogram method
(Scale 1 cm: 1 N)
(Figure 1.26 of SB)
Addition of non-parallel vectors (Figure 1.25 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 23

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

Let’s Practise 1.2

1. Distinguish between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity. Give one example of each.

2. Figure 1.27 shows the forces acting on a box. What is the resultant force?

(Figure 1.27 of SB)

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 24

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

What
have you
learnt?

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 25

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

What
have you
learnt?

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 26

 PowerPoint Slides for
Cambridge IGCSETM Physics
Student’s Book

Acknowledgements

• Slide 1: baby © rafaelbenari | 123rf.com

• Slide 2: baby © rafaelbenari | 123rf.com
• Slide 4: height limit sign © Emil Ivanov | 123rf.com
• Slide 7: ruler – ID 15538563 © Ksena2009 | Dreamstime.com, tape © OLEKSANDR MARYNCHENKO | 123rf.com
• Slide 15: hydrogen maser © SkywalkerPL | Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
ESA_Galileo_Passive_Hydrogen_Maser.jpg) | CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en), old
wall clock © cocozero003 | 123rf.com, analogue wall clock – ID 165133531 © Szefei | Dreamstime.com, electric stopwatch
– ID 53387685 © Vadimgozhda | Dreamstime.com, analogue stopwatch – ID 15556434 © Alex Kalmbach |
Dreamstime.com

© 2021 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd 27