CHAPTER 02

MEASURING LENGTH, AREA AND VOLUME

2.1 Basic Physical Quantities and S.I Units

In quoting any measurement of a physical quantity, two features must be stated,
namely, the numerical size and the unit.

In development of science, some physical quantities have been agreed upon as the
basic quantities and form the basis for other derived quantities and units.

Basic quantities and their S.I. units

Basic Quantity S.I. unit Symbol
Length Metre m
Mass Kilogram kg
Time Second s
Temperature Kelvin K

2.2 Length
Length is the physical quantity that measure the distance between two points.
The S.I. unit of length is metre (m).

Without any instrument, try to measure the teacher's table! What basic unit shall you
use?

2.3 Measuring Length

• The metre rule - accuracy 0.1 cm or 1 mm
• The measuring tape - accuracy 0.1 cm or 1 mm
• The external and internal calipers - accuracy?
 Draw the usage of the instruments before on your notebook!

Parallax errors associated with length measurement

See Figure 2.3 and Figure 2.4 TB p.21!

The vernier calipers

The vernier calipers has accuracy of 0.01 cm or 0.1 mm

See TB p.22-23!

2.4 Some Prefixes and Their Interpretation

Unit Prefix In terms of S.I. unit (m)

1 millimetre (mm) milli- (one thousandth) 1/1000 m
1 centimetre (cm) centi- (one hundredth) 1/100 m
1 kilometre (km) kilo- (one thousand) 1000 m

2.5 Some Derived Quantities and Units

• Area - the measure of the extent of a two-dimensional surface.
e.g. Area (A) of rectangle = length (l) x breadth (b)
The S.I. unit of area = m x m = m2

• Volume - the measure of the amount of three-dimensional space occupied by an

object.
e.g. Volume (V) of a cuboid = length (l) x breadth (b) x height (h)
The S.I. unit of volume = m x m x m = m3

2.6 Measurement and Estimation of Area

• Regular surfaces - Math problems!
• Irregular surfaces - TB p.26

2.7 Measuring Volume

 • Regular shapes - Math problem!
• Small irregular shapes - use displacement method
• Large irregular shapes - use the displacement can
 Meniscus reading in measuring cylinders!
2.8 Other Apparatus for Measuring the Volumes of Liquid
• Volumetric flasks
• Burettes
• Pippetes

Concept Map