Physical

quantities are quantities that can be measured. A physical quantities can be represented by : symbol of the quantity a numerical value for the magnitude of the quantity the unit of measurement

For example,

Height of the girl, l = 1.55 m

Unit of the Symbol of Numerical physical the physical value for the quantity magnitude of quantity
the physical quantity

Base quantities are physical quantities that cannot be defined in terms of other base quantities Base quantity Length Mass Time
Temperature

Symbol l m t T I

SI unit metre kilogram second Kelvin ampere

Symbol of SI unit m kg s K A

Electric current

Derived quantity is obtained by combining base quantities by multiplication or division or both these operations.

Example:
Area length(m) xlength(m), unit : m
2

length( m) Velocity , unit : ms 1 time( s )

mass (kg ) Density length(m) xlength(m) xlength(m) , unit : kgm

3

Standard form powers of the base number 10

and A can be an integer or decimal number. n is a positive integer for a number greater than one or negative integer for a number less than one

1 A 10

A x 10n

Example:
0.0000002m 2 x10 m
1276000m 1.27 x10 m
6

 Are

used to simplify the description of physical quantities that are either very big or very small.

Prefix Pico Nano Micro

Symbol p n

Value 10-12 10-9 10-6

m
c d k M G T

Mili
Centi Deci Kilo Mega Giga Tera

10-3
10-2 10-1 103 106 109 1012

 A scalar quantity is quantity which has only magnitude or size A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction

Scalar quantity Length Speed Mass Area Time Temperature Density Volume

Vector Quantity Displacement Velocity Acceleration Momentum

Work

Energy

Force

EXAMPLE
The

maximum speed for a car in Malaysian highways is 110 km h-1 What is this value in m s-1?

A measuring tape is used to measure lengths of several metres. Its accuracy is up to 0.01m A metre rule is used to measure lengths of a few centimetres to a metre. Its accuracy is up to 0.1m A vernier callipers is used to measure lengths of less than 10 cm. It is also suitable for measuring internal or external diameter of round objects. Its accuracy is up to 0.01 cm A micrometer screw gauge is used for measuring very small objects. Its accuracy is up to 0.01 mm.