MEASUREMENT

We obtain an understanding of our environment by observing the physical world through measurements. Measurement is a comparison of physical quantity with a standard unit.

MEASUREMENT
It is expressed with numbers and units. Physical characteristics can be expressed in terms of fundamental quantities. Our comprehension of the physical world is based on fundamental quantities.

FUNDAMENTAL QUANTITIES
Four quantities have been identified and specified as fundamental. These are: Length Mass Time Electric charge

They form the basis for other quantities necessary to describe and understand the physical sciences.

Length

We use length to measure location or size.

Length is defined as the measurement of space in any direction.

Note: Space has three dimensions, each is measured by length. Consider a box: Length (l) Width (w) Height (h)

Time
Time is the continuous forward flow of events.
Events allow us to precise time, without events, we have no innate awareness of time.

Mass
Mass quantifies matter. Mass refers to the amount of matter an object contains.

Electric Charge
Electric Charge is the property associated with some particles, that gives rise to electric forces and electrical phenomena.

STANDARD UNITS
A standard unit is a fixed and reproducible value for the purpose of taking accurate measurements.
A set of standard units is referred to as a system of units.

British System
British System uses the familiar unit of: Length: foot Mass: Slug Weight: pound Time: Second Electric Charge: Coulomb Note: It is also called the Gravitational System of Units.

Metric System
Metric System is considered to be simpler than the British System as the conversion is by a factor of ten. The standard units of: Length meter, m Mass kilogram, kg Time seconds, s Electric Charge: Coulomb They are called the International System of Units (SI units).

Systems of units
Metric System Length meter, m Mass kilogram, kg Time seconds, s Electric Charge Coulomb British System Length: foot Mass: Slug Time: Second Electric Charge: Coulomb Weight: pound

International System of Units

There are seven base units of the International System of Units. Meter, m, measures length. Kilogram, kg, measures mass. Second, s, measures time. Ampere, A, measures electric current. Kelvin, K, measures temperature. Mole, mol, measures amount of substance. Candela, cd, measures luminous intensity.

Derived Quantities
Derived Quantities are formed by combining two or more of the fundamental quantities. Examples: Area = length x width Volume = length x width x height Speed = distance/time Density = mass/volume

Density
Density refers to how compact or crowded a substance is, that is, the amount of mass located in a definite volume. Density is simply the mass per unit volume. Density = mass/volume

Measurement Errors
Systematic Errors: Systematic errors are associated with instruments or the technique used. They are as a result of: Improperly calibrated instrument Error incurred from observers reading

Measurement Errors
Random Errors: Random Errors result from unknown and unpredictable variations in experimental situations. Such as fluctuation in electrical voltage. Changes in temperature, pressure, etc

Accuracy / Precision
Accuracy indicates how close measurement comes to the true value. Precision refers to the agreement among repeated measurement, that is, how close they are together.

Converting Quantities
1. Use a conversion factor, a ratio relating one unit to another. 2. Choose the appropriate form of the conversion factor(s) so that the unwanted units cancel.

3. Check to see that the unit cancel and that you obtain the desired unit.

Converting Quantities
Desired quantity and units = given quantity and units x conversion factor

Common relationships
1 kg = 2.2 lbs. 1 lb. = 453.6 g 1 inch = 2.54 cm 1.06 qt = 1 L 1.0 mile = 1.609 km

Temperature
A measure of hotness or coldness of an object . Types of temperature scales: Fahrenheit: on this scale the normal freezing and boiling points of water are taken to be 32F and 212F respectively. Celsius: Boiling point is 100C and the freezing point is 0C

0C = 32F

0C

32F

100C = 212F 0C = 32F

0C 100C

212F 32F

Relationship Between oC and oF

oF

= 1.8 oC + 32

K = oC + 273

There is no direct relationship between K and oF. Therefore, one must go through oC in order to get temperature in K.