Physical Quantities &
Measurement Techniques
Learning Outcomes
Define and Physical quantities into fundamental and derived types, and recall their
Classify corresponding SI units.
Scalar and vector quantities, and explain the importance of standard units of
Differentiate
measurement.
Explain The importance of standard units of measurement.
Use Appropriate tools to accurately measure length, volume, and time.
The precision and accuracy of measurements, and identify potential sources of
Analyze error.
Simple experiments to measure physical quantities, ensuring reliability and
Design minimizing errors.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Why is Measurement Important?
Measurements continue to play an important role throughout everybody's life, for example, during a
sports competition, when building a house, when controlling temperature in appliances etc.
Contents What are physical quantities?
Measurable aspects of the physical world.
Classified into fundamental and derived quantities.
Examples: Length, mass, time, temperature.
Ruler Weighing Scale Clock Thermometer
Measuring Length Measuring Mass Measuring Time Measuring Temperature
Contents SI units
The SI is a globally accepted system used for scientific measurements.
Includes seven fundamental units for base quantities.
Length meter (m)
Mass kilogram (kg)
BASE Time second (s) FUNDAMENTAL
QUANTITIES UNITS
Electric Current ampere (A)
Temperature kelvin (K)
Amount of substance mole (mol)
Luminous Intensity candela (cd)
Powers of Ten Shorthand
Simplifies the representation of very large or very small numbers.
Larger number Smaller number
Example: 4000 = 4 × 10³ Example: 0.4 = 4 × 10⁻¹
Example: 4 = 4 × 10⁰ Example: 0.004 = 4 × 10⁻³
This way of writing numbers is called Standard Notation.
Significant Figures
Significant figures are the digits in a number that are meaningful in expressing its precision.
All non-zero digits (1-9) are Zeros between non-zero digits
significant. are significant.
Example: 32.32 has four Example: 5005 has four
significant figures. significant figures.
Zeros at the end of a number are Zeros that appear before the
significant only if the no. first non-zero digit are not
contains a decimal point. significant.
Example: 200.0 has four significant Example: 0.0345 has three
figures. significant figures.
Errors
ZERO ERROR
Occurs when the instrument doesn’t read zero when closed.
Positive zero error: Scale reads above zero.
Negative zero error: Scale reads below zero.
Adjust by subtracting or adding the error value from the
measurement.
Errors
PARALLAX ERROR
Caused by incorrect eye alignment with the scale.
Leads to shifted readings.
Avoid by aligning eye directly with markings.
1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement
Measurement Techniques
of Physical Quantities
Length
\RULER
Can be used to measure:
Length of a flat object
o Hold the ruler against the object.
o Align the start of the edge of the object.
with the 0cm marking on the ruler.
o Read off the ruler to see how long is the
object.
1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement
Measurement Techniques
of Physical Quantities
Length
\MICROMETER SCREW GAUGE
• Precise measurements upto 0.001 cm.
To read micrometer screw gauge:
• Read the main scale.
• Read the rotating scale.
• Add both reading to obtain the total
measurement.
1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement
Measurement Techniques
of Physical Quantities
Length
\ VERNIER CALLIPERS
• Precision measure of 0.01 cm
To read vernier calliper:
• Read the main scale.
• Read the vernier scale.
• Multiply by the least count.
• Add both reading to obtain the total
measurement.
Note: The least count of a vernier calliper is the smallest measurement it can accurately read. It is
calculated as the difference between one main scale division and one vernier scale division.
Contents Area Formulas
AREA
It is the measure of
the space inside a
two-dimensional
shape, such as a
rectangle, triangle, or
circle.
The SI unit of volume
is square meters (m2).
1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement
Measurement Techniques
of Physical Quantities
Volume
\ MEASURING CYLINDER
- Volume of regular shapes:
o Using the formula: height x length x width
- Volume of an irregular shaped object.
o Fill the measuring cylinder with the fluid
o Read off the marking that aligns with the lower
meniscus of the fluid.
Contents Volume Formulas
VOLUME
It quantifies the
capacity of a container
or the space within a
boundary.
The SI unit of volume
is cubic meters (m3).
1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement
Measurement Techniques
of Physical Quantities
Time
\
CLOCK
Measure the length of a time interval:
o Measure the time at the start of the interval (i.e.
when t = 0).
o Measure the time at the end of the interval.
o Find the difference.
1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement
Measurement Techniques
of Physical Quantities
Time
\ STOPWATCH
Measure the length of a time interval:
o Start the stopwatch at the beginning of the time
interval.
o Stop the stopwatch at the end of the time interval.
o Directly read off the time that has lapsed over the
course of the interval.
1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement
Measurement Techniques
of Physical Quantities
Time
\ SIMPLE PENDULUM
• In case of a simple pendulum, the time period T is the
time taken for one oscillation.
• The frequency f is the number of complete
oscillations per second which is given by 1/T.
• If the length of the pendulum is L, then the time
period is calculated using the formula 2𝞹 x √L/g,
where g is acceleration due to gravity and its value is
9.8 m/s2.
Scalars
1.1 Physical Quantities and Vectors
& Measurement Techniques
Scalars
\
Quantities that have magnitude only and no
direction in space.
Examples: Speed, volume, temperature, time
Running Man Dice Thermometer Clock
Speed Volume Temperature Time
Scalars
1.1 Physical Quantities and Vectors
& Measurement Techniques
Vectors
\
Quantities that have both magnitude and direction.
Examples: Force, magnetic field, weight, velocity
Pushing the cart Magnet Weighing machine Moving car
Force Magnetic Field Weight Velocity
Scalars and Vectors
Vectors
Some more examples of vector quantities.
Electric Field Gravitational field
Representation of Vectors
1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques
Example: Representation of forces
\
Contents Calculation of Vectors
Vectors
● To calculate the resultant
(overall) force on a point acted
on by two forces, F1 and F2 you
can draw a scale diagram.
Calculation
1.1 Physical Quantities of Vectors
& Measurement Techniques
Example: Calculation of force
\● To calculate the resultant (overall) force on a point acted on by two forces, F1 and F2 you can
calculate either by the Pythagoras theorem or by trigonometry.
● By using the Pythagorean Theorem :
Calculation
1.1 Physical Quantities of Vectors
& Measurement Techniques
Example: Calculation of force
\
● By trigonometry
(SOHCAHTOA)
= 1.97 m/s
Calculation of Vectors
Example: Calculation of force
● Calculating the resultant (overall) force on a point acted on by two forces
The resultant force R can be found using the
pythagoras theorem :
The direction of R can be found using
SOHCAHTOA :
Calculation of Vectors
Example: Calculation of force
● Calculating the resultant (overall) force
on a point acted on by two forces
The resultant force R can be found using the
Pythagoras theorem :
R=
R = 11.66
The direction of R can be found using
SOHCAHTOA :
Summary
• A ruler is used to measure the length of an
object between 1mm and 1m.
• A micrometer screw gauge is used to measure
very small distances that a ruler cannot measure.
• Analog and digital clocks are used to measure time
intervals.
• An average value for a small distance and for a
short time interval can be found by measuring
multiples (including the period of a pendulum).
Summary
• A vector has a magnitude and a direction.
• A scalar has only magnitude and no direction.
Scalars Vectors
Distance Displacement
Speed Velocity
Time Acceleration
• Vectors can be represented by arrows.
214 N 150 N
• To determine the resultant of two vectors
graphically, they must be placed head to tail; the
line between the start and the finish is the
resultant.
100 N
Contents Past Paper Questions
0625/22
Q1 The diagram shows a measuring device.
Winter_2022_Q1
For which measurement is this device suitable?
A Diameter of a cylinder of aluminium of about 20 cm
B Distance between two molecules of zinc
C Length of a rod of iron of about 1 m
D Thickness of a sheet of copper of about 1.5 mm
Contents Past Paper Questions
0625/22
Q2 A pendulum is set in motion and timed. The time measured for 20
Winter_2012_Q5
complete swings is 30 s. What is the time for one complete swing of the
pendulum?
A 0.67 s
B 0.73 s
C 1.5 s
D 3.0 s
Contents Past Paper Questions
0625/22
Q3 A student is taking some measurements.
Winter_2021_Q1
Which measurement is taken directly using a micrometer screw gauge?
A 0.52 g/mm2
B 0.52 g/mm3
C 0.52 mm
D 0.52 mm2
Contents Past Paper Questions
A student measures the dimensions of a cylindrical glass beaker. For 0625/22
Q4
which measurement should she use a micrometer screw gauge? Winter_2019_Q1
A Circumference of the beaker
B Diameter of the beaker
C Height of the beaker
D Thickness of the glass wall of the beaker
Contents Past Paper Questions
0625/22
Q5 A student measures the average speed of a cyclist in a race. Which
Winter_2023_Q2
quantities must she measure?
A The total time taken to complete the race and the time taken for the cyclist to reach her
highest speed.
B The total time taken to complete the race and the total distance travelled by the cyclist at
her highest speed.
C The total time taken to complete the race and the total distance travelled by the cyclist.
D The time taken reach her highest speed and the total distance travelled by the cyclist.
Contents Past Paper Questions
0625/22
Q6 Which quantity is a scalar quantity?
Winter_2023_Q1
A acceleration
B force
C. time
D velocity
