CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

1.1 UNDERSTANDING PHYSICS

WHAT IS PHYSICS?
Physics is the study of natural phenomena and the properties of matter. The aim of physics is to explain the fundamental nature of the universe by using the concept of physics.

 Physics involves the conduct of studies and experiments to find anwer to the question Why? and How? in relation to the mysteries of the universe.

 The majority of natural phenomena can be explained using the principles of physics, for example ; i) We cannot see an object behind a wall because light travels in a straight line. ii) The image of the pencil formed by the mirror is due to the reflection of light

Fields of study in physics

1. Force and motion Investigates the action of force and motion 2. Forces and pressure Pressure, pressure in liquids, gas pressure, atmospheric pressure, Pascals principle, Archimedes principle, Bernoullis principle.

3. Heat Studies the influence of heat on different types of matter. 4. Light Explains the different phenomenon due to light. 5. Waves Understands the properties of different types of waves and their uses.

6. Electricity and electromagnetism Investigates the interactions of electric and magnetic fields. 7. Electronics Studies the use of electronic devices in various fields 8. Nuclear physics Study of nuclear structure and their applications

Exercises
1. Define physics 2. Give one example of natural phenomena 3. State 8 fields of study in physics

1.2 Understanding base quantities and derived quantities

Physical quantity
1.Determine length, width and thickness 2.Calculate the area and volume

Physical quantity

Define physical quantity

Physical quantity
Physical quantity is a quantity that can be measured by a scientific instrument It consists of numerical magnitude and a unit Units are based on the International Systems of Units (SI units)

Example: i) The time taken for a student come to school ii) ???? iii) ????

Physical quantity

Base quantities

Derived quantities

Base Quantities A base quantity = a physical quantity that cannot be derived from other physical quantities

Base quantity Length Mass Time Temperature Electric current

Symbol

SI Unit metre kilogram second kelvin ampere

Symbol

Exercises
1. Give a definition for physical quantity? 2. Define base quantity 3. Name 5 base quantities and units

Derived quantities A derived quantity = a physical quantity that can be derived from other physical quantities by multiplication, division or both these operations

Derived quantity Area Volume Velocity Acceleration Work Power

Symbol Formula

Relationship with base quantities

Derived unit m

A V

Length x width l x l Mass/ volume

v a W P

Length time
Velocity change

Time Force x displacement Work Time

m l t -2 x l

Exercises
1. Define derived quantities 2. Express the following derived quantities and their units in terms of base quantities and base units a) Force = mass x acceleration b) Pressure = force / area c) Kinetic energy = x mass x velocity

Prefixes A prefixed is used to denote the multiple of a unit @ A multiplying factor used to present very small and big values in an easier manner

Prefix Giga Mega Kilo Deci Centi Milli Micro Nano

Abbreviation Numerical value G M k d c m n 1 000 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 0.1 0.01 0.001 0.000 001 0.000 000 001

Factor 10 10 10
9 6 3

10 -1 10 -2 10 -3 10 10
-6 -9

Examples
1. The distance of moon from the Earth 384 000 000 m = 384 M m 2. Size of bacteria 0.000 0042 m = 4.2

PREFIXES
m

3. A size of a coin 0.00124 m = 1.24 m m

Exercises
State the following values using prefixes a) 0.000 000 456 m b) 310 000 000 ms -1 c) 7230 000 000 s d) 0.000 000 000 0011 N e) 0.00435 g

Examples: a) The distance from Amiruls house to the post is 1.5 km. What is the distance in m? b) Sea water is denser than tap water. -3 The density of sea water is 1.1 g cm . What is the density of sea water in kg m-3 ?

Scientific notation (Bentuk Piawai)

A way to write very large or small numbers values

A x 10

A = a number greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10 n = integer

Examples
1) The distance of the moon from the Earth 8 is 384 000 000 m = 3.84 x 10

the decimal point moves 8 to the left

Wavelength of red light is -7 0.000 000 644 m = 6.44 x 10 The decimal point moves 7 to the right

Exercises
1. Expressed the numbers below by using the scientific notation: a) 300 000 000 = __________ b) 11 800 000 = __________ c) 740 000 000 = ___________ d) 0.000 000 018 = __________ e) 0.000 005 288 = __________ f) 0.000 022 669 = __________

Rules using a scientific notation: a) To add or subtract numbers, all the numbers have to be rewritten so that the exponents are the same b) To multiply numbers, the numbers are multiplied and than add the exponent c) To divide numbers, the numbers are divided and than subtract the exponent

2. Add 3.8 x 10 to 2.6 x 10 3. Multiply 5.2 x 10

5

4 3

and 2.0 x 10
4 3

4. Subtract 3.8 x 10 to 2.6 x 10 5. Divide 4.2 x 10

5

and 2.0 x 10

EXERCISES Conversion of units

1. Express the following lengths in metres and state which of the lengths has the largest value 10 a) 2.88 x 10 m b) 2.88 x 10 km c) 2.88 x 10 8 mm 7 d) 2.88 x 10 dm

2. Change the following quantities to the units shown a) 1 cm = _______m b) 13.6 g cm = ________ kg m 1 1 c) 72 km h = _______m s

3. 4 500 000 mg is equivalent to a) 4.5 kg b) 45 kg c) 450 kg d) 4 500 kg

1.3 Understanding scalar and vector quantities

Scalar quantities

Are quantities that have magnitude but no direction Examples: mass, temperature, time, volume, area, energy, work

Vector quantities Are quantities that have both magnitude and direction Examples: displacement, velocity, acceleration, weight, force and momentum

 A vector can be represented by a straight line. Length represents the magnitude Arrow represents the direction

3N 7N

Forces acting in the same direction. Resultant force = + 7 N + (+3 N) = 10 N to right direction

7N

3N

Forces oppose one another Resultant forces = +3 N + (- 7 N)

= - 4 N to right direction

Parallelogram Law
3N

7N

Example: Find by means of a vector diagram the resultant of two forces of 6 N and 10 N acting at right angles to one another

Steps: a) Use convenient unit of length to represent 1 N (1 cm = 2 N) b) Use the parallelogram law c) Use a scale 6 N =3 cm and 10 N = 5 cm d) The resultant force is the length of the diagonal OC times 2

A
3 cm

5 cm

Magnitude of resultant force = 5.8 x 2 N = 11.6 N The resultant force is 11.6 N acting at an angle 31 with the 10 N force

Exercises
1. State the difference between scalar and vector quantity 2. Calculate resultant of these 2 problems a) 6 m 4m b) 6 m s-1 10 m s-1

3. Find

by means of a vector diagram the resultant of two forces of 4 N and 6 N acting at right angles to one another

1.4 Understanding measurements

 Page 12

Using appropriate instruments to measure

a. Consider a magnitude to choose a suitable instrument b. The magnitude of the quantity should not exceed the maximum capacity of the instrument. c. The instrument must be sensitive to detect the measurement

Accuracy and consistency in measurements

Use a term consistent, accurate, not consistent and not accurate for the following diagram

a) b) c) d)

Consistent and accurate Accurate and not consistent Consistent but not accurate Not consistent and not accurate

a) b) c) d)

Consistent and accurate Accurate and not consistent Consistent but not accurate Not consistent and not accurate

a) b) c) d)

Consistent and accurate Accurate and not consistent Consistent but not accurate Not consistent and not accurate

1) Consistency The ability of an instrument to measure a quantity with little or no deviation among measurement

Consistent but not accurate

The length (cm) of an object measured by Tool X 8.5 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.5 Tool Y 8.2 7.9 8.9 9.2 8.0
The readings of tool X is more ___________ than tool Y

2) Accuracy How close the value of the measurement to the actual value

Consistent and accurate

The height of a table is 56.2 cm. Ahmad and Bakri measure the height of the table and the data are present as below:
Ahmad 56.3 cm Bakri 57.0 cm 56.0 cm 57.1 cm 56.2 cm 57.0 cm 56.1 cm 57.1 cm 56.4 cm 57.0 cm

a) Ahmad Ahmad s readings close to the actual value, thus his readings are___________ but not ____________ b) Bakri A little deviation among Bakri s readings is shown. Thus, his readings are ___________ but not ____________

3) Sensitivity Ability of the instrument to detect a small change in the quantity measured

A sensitive instrument has a smaller minimum scale division.

Types of experimental errors

a)Systematic errors b)Random errors

Systematic errors
a) Due to incorrect calibration of instrument

Example

This error may be due to zero error (the pointer is not return to zero when not in use)

c) Effects: The readings look consistent and difficult to be detected Lead to decrease in accuracy

Random errors
a) Errors due to the carelessness of the observer when making a measurement b) Eg: the incorrect position of eyes when taking a reading leading to parallax error

c) Surrounding factor (temperature) lead to the parallax error d) Example: The speed of an object rolling down a slope might be affected by random changes in wind direction.

Parallax error

A parallax error is an error in reading an instrument because the observers eye and pointer or scale are not perpendicular and not in line to the plane of the scale.

VERNIER CALIPER

a) A vernier caliper is used to measure a small object with dimension up to 12 cm b) A vernier caliper consists of two steel bar scales, one sliding over the other. c) The main scale is graduated in intervals of _______ cm.

d) The sliding vernier scale has a scale on which ten divisions are equal to nine small divisions on the main scale (0. 09cm)

e)The difference between the sizes of one division on the main scale and one division on the vernier scale is 0.1 cm 0.09 cm = ___cm giving a vernier scale an accurancy of ________ cm

VERNIER CALIPER

Positive Zero Error

Positive zero error = + ______cm All measurements taken with this vernier calipers must be corrected by subtracting + _______cm from the readings.

Example
Positive Zero error = + 0.04 cm Vernier caliper reading = 0.4 + 0.01 = 0.41 cm Corrected reading = vernier caliper reading zero error = 0.41 0.04 = _______ cm

Negative Zero Error

Negative zero error = - ( 0.1 0.08 ) cm = - _______ cm All measurements taken with this vernier calipers must be corrected by subtracting _____cm from the readings

Negative Zero error = - (0.1

0.07) cm = - 0.03 cm Vernier caliper reading = 3.6 + 0.02 = 3.62 cm Corrected reading = vernier caliper reading zero error = 3.62 (-0.03) = 3.62 + 0.03 = ______cm

Exercise

MICROMETER SCREW GAUGE

1. A micrometer screw gauge is used to measure a ___________ lengths ranging between 0.10 mm and 25.00 mm. Examples; can measure ________________ of wires and thicknesses of steel plate. 2. It is has an accuracy of 0.01 mm

 The micrometer scale comprises a __________________ marked on the sleeve and a scale marked on the thimble called the ___________________ Each division on main scale is 0.5 mm. The thimble scale is subdivided into 50 equal divisions. When the thimble is rotated through one complete turn, the main scale will moved to 0.5 mm.

This means that one division on the thimble scale is 0.50 mm = 0.01 mm 50 divisions The reading of the micrometer screw gauge = main scale reading + ( 0.01 mm x thimble scale)

Positive Zero Error

Positive zero error = + 0.04 mm All measurements taken with this micrometer screw gauge must be corrected by subtracting 0.04 mm from the readings

Zero error = Reading =

. ..

Corrected reading = micrometer screw gauge reading zero error = =

Negative Zero Error

Negative zero error = - 0.04 mm All measurements taken with this micrometer screw gauge must be corrected by subtracting - 0.04 mm from the readings

Zero error = Reading =

. ..

Corrected reading = micrometer screw gauge reading zero error = =