O’Levels PHYSICS (5054)
Chapter 1: Physical Quantities Units and Measurements
Physical Quantities: Something that’s measured in an experiment that helps us to realize or understand some
physical phenomena. For example; Mass and length help us to realize the size of an object. Time period helps us to
identify the duration of an event.
Units: Words or compound words that help us to identify and describe physical quantities. They help us to unify
the amount of a physical quantity. They set a standard. E.g. 1 meter is the length of a metallic rod that has been
made as a standard and length of every other thing is compared with it.
SI units: Stands for system international. And it is a set of units that have been standardized and are used world-
wide to avoid confusion. For examples: see table below.
Base Quantities: Those physical quantities which are basic and are combined to form other physical quantities.
There are 7 base quantities according to System international. All base quantities have units called base units. For
examples: see table below.
Sr. Physical SI Unit Symbol Other popular Units
no. Quantity
1. Mass Kilogram Kg Grams, tons
2. Length Meter m Centimeters, millimeter, kilometers
3. Time Seconds s Minutes, hours, days, years
0
4. Temperature Kelvins K C or 0F
5. Light intensity Candela Cd
6. Current Ampere A Milli-Ampere, micro-Ampere
7. Amount of matter Mole mol
All units have different applications for example small distances are measured in centimeter but large
distances are measured in Kilo-meters.
Important Prefixes:
Prefix Pico Nano Micro Milli Centi Kilo Mega Giga Tera
Symbol p n µ m c K M G T
value 10−12 10−9 10−6 10−3 10−2 103 106 109 1012
Scalar Quantities: [1]
• Definition: Those physical quantities which only have magnitude (amount) and a unit.
• They are described by a number only e.g. 35kg or 120K etc.
• Examples: mass, length, time, temperature, speed, distance, work, pressure, power, energy, potential
difference etc.
Vector Quantities: [1] Sample Question:
• Definition: Those physical quantities
which have magnitude (amount), a
unit and a direction as well.
• They are described by an arrow of a
specific length.
• Examples: displacement, velocity,
acceleration, force, torque, etc.
1
O’Levels PHYSICS (5054)
Addition of vector quantities: SKIP THIS PAGE FOR NOW
• Vector quantities cannot be added like we simply add two numbers. This is because they have a
direction as well.
• There are several methods of vector addition; Parallelogram method, Head to tail method, etc.
• Vectors are represented by arrows of specific length and direction. If length and direction does not
change, arrows can be lifted and redrawn anywhere we like.
Example: Solution:
Add these two vectors.
A Resultant.
B B A B A
All these angles are Step 1: Redraw one vector, so Step 2: Join the head of the
equal. And need to be that the head of one vector first vector with the tail of the
measured by a meets the tail of the other other vector. This is the
protractor. vector. Direction should not resultant. Its angle needs to
change. be measured with the
Note: horizontal line.
• Sometimes you might need to use scales like 1cm to represent a
vector quantity of 10. This means that if a vector quantity is 60, then the length of its vector on the
diagram will be 6cm.
• The length of the double lined arrow is the magnitude of resultant and the double lined angle is the
direction of this resultant.
Sample Question:
2
O’Levels PHYSICS (5054)
Measurement of physical quantities:
• Length is measured by various instruments. All have their own accuracy and application.
Sr. Instrument Range Least Usage.
no. Count
1. Measuring 5-10 1mm or It’s flexible so used to measure
tape meters 0.1cm curved lengths, e.g length of a snake.
2. Meter ruler 100cm 1mm or Straight and rigid so measures
0.1cm straight line distances.
3. Vernier calipers 10-20cm 0.1mm or Internal and external diameters and
0.01cm depth of glasses, balls, cups etc.
4. Micrometer 5-7cm 0.01mm or Thickness of sheets of paper or
screw gauge 0.001cm metal, or copper wires etc.
Sample Question:
• Mass of an object is measured by using, pan balance, triple beam balance, spring balance or
electronic balance.
• Time interval is measured by using a stop watch (mechanical, or electronic stop watch)
• Volume is measured by using a measuring cylinder.
(Displacement method: putting water into it up to a certain value. Noting it down and lowering
the object whose volume needs to be measured. Noting down the new volume and subtracting
it from the original value.)
