CHAPTER 1.
0 : INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS
Subtopics : 1.1 Understanding Physics
1.2 Understanding Base Quantities & Derived Quantities
1.3 Understanding Scalar & Vector Quantities
1.4 Understanding Measurements
1.5 Analyzing Scientific Investigations
1.1 Understanding Physics
In this subtopic, you should be able to:
a) Explain what is physics.
b) Recognize the physics in everyday objects and natural phenomena.
What is Physics ?
• Physics is the basic physical science. It deals with such things as
mechanics (force, energy, motion), sound, heat, light, electricity, and
atomic structure (even subatomic).
• Physics extend well in our everyday life, describing the motion, forces
and energy of ordinary experience.
• In action such as walking, driving a car or using a phone, physics is at
work.
• For example, when you get ready for your school, whatever medium of
transportation is, you certainly have to walk up to a certain distance.
You can easily walk is just because of the physics. While you have a
walk in a park or on a tar road, you have a good grip without slipping
because of a sort of roughness or resistance between the soles of your
shoes and the surface of the road. This resistance, which is responsible
for the grip, is called “Friction” or “Traction.” However, when a banana
peel comes under your foot, you suddenly fall. Now, what makes you
fall? Well, it’s due to the reduced friction between your shoes and the
surface of the road because of the slippery banana peel.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
[Link]
• Natural phenomena such as lightning also involve physics. The process
of transferring of charge from a charged object to the earth is known
as earthing. When negative and positive charges meet, it produces
streaks of bright light and sound and the process is known as
an electric discharge. The process of electric discharge also occurs
between two or more clouds, or between clouds and the earth.
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1.2 Understanding Base Quantities & Derived Quantities
In this subtopic, you should be able to:
a) Explain what base and derived quantities.
b) List base quantities and their units
c) List some derived quantities and their units.
d) Express quantities using prefixes.
e) Express quantities using scientific notation.
f) Express derived quantities as well as their units in terms of base
quantities and base unit
g) Solve problem involving conversion of units.
Physical Quantity
• Physical quantity is a physical property that can be measured.
There are two types of physical quantity.
Physical Quantity Definition/Explanation
• Quantity that cannot be derived from
Base (basic)
any physical quantity.
quantity
• Independent of other physical
(Kuantiti asas)
quantities.
• Quantity which can be derived from
Derived quantity basic quantities. (combination of base
(Kuantiti terbitan) quantities)
• Depends on other physical quantities.
SI Unit
• SI Unit is The Systēme International d’Units (SI) which has defined 7
units of measurement as a base for all other derived SI units.
Base Quantities and Their Respective Units.
Quantity Unit
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
Length,l Meter (m)
Mass,m Kilogram (kg)
Time,t Second (s)
Temperature,T or θ Kelvin (K)
Electric Current,I Ampere (A)
Amount of Substance,n Mole (mol)
Luminious Intensity,L Candela (cd)
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Few Examples of Derived Quantities and Their Respective Units
Derived Quantity Formulae SI Unit
s m s−1
Velocity,v
t
v m s−2
Acceleration,a
t
ρ m kgm −3
Density,
V
Momentum,p mv kg m s−1
Unit Prefixes
• Unit prefixes is the standard metric prefixes used in the SI convention
of scientific measurement.
• It is use to present larger or smaller value.
Some Examples of Unit Prefixes
Prefix Multiple Symbol
Tera ×10 12 T
Giga ×109 G
Mega ×106 M
Kilo ×103 K
densi ×10−1 d
centi ×10−2 c
mili ×10−3 m
micro µ
×10−6
nano ×10−9 n
pico ×10−12 p
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
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Conversion of Units
• Conversion of units is about conversion between different units of
measurement for the same quantity.
• Usually from non-SI units to SI units.
• Conversion needs to be done before you substitute the value in
the equation and calculation for all coming chapters.
Sangat mudah untuk menukar unit yang tidak melibatkan kuasa 2 atau
kuasa 3 seperti 1 mm = ? [Link] pula jika 1 mm2 = ? m2
Salah 1 cara paling mudah untuk menukar unit ialah dengan menggunakan
Table of Conversion
Table of Conversion for Measurement of Length
Cara
Km Hm Dm m dm cm mm mudah
Kilometer Hectometer Decameter meter decimeter centimeter millimeter
untuk
Kambing Haji Daud makan daun cili muda ingat
*Table of Conversion juga boleh digunakan untuk kuantiti lain (mass, force, etc)
How to use this table ?
Example 1 : 1 mm = ? m
Steps What to do?
1 • Tulis ‘1’ di petak mm.
• Unit yang dikehendaki ialah m.
2 • Tuliskan ‘0’ dalam setiap petak ke kiri
sehingga petak m.
• Tandakan ‘ .’ (titik perpuluhan) di
3
sebelah kanannya.
• Maka jawapannya ialah
4
1 mm = 0.001 m @ 1.0 × 10-3 m
Refer to the table below.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
Steps Km Hm Dm m dm cm mm
1 1
2 0 0 0 1
3&4 0. 0 0 1
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Example 2 : 3 km = ? m
Steps What to do?
1 • Tulis ‘3’ di petak km.
• Unit yang dikehendaki ialah m.
2 • Tuliskan ‘0’ dalam setiap petak ke
kanan sehingga petak m.
• Tandakan ‘ .’ (titik perpuluhan) di
3
sebelah kanannya.
• Maka jawapannya ialah
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3 km = 3000 m @ 3.0 × 103 m
Refer to the table below.
Steps Km Hm Dm m dm cm mm
1 3
2 3 0 0 0
3&4 3 0 0 0.
Example 3 : 42 mm2 = ? m2
Steps What to do?
• Mulakan dengan ‘ 1’ mm.
• Gunakan Table of Conversion seperti
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Example 1.
• Jadi, 1 mm= 0.001 m @ 1.0 × 10-3m
• Unit yang dikehendaki ialah m2.
• Kuasaduakan : mm2 = ? m2
2
• 1 mm = 1.0 × 10-3m
(1 mm)2 = (1.0 × 10-3 m)2 = 1.0 × 10-6 m2
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
• Rujuk soalan
• Jika (1 mm)2 = 1.0 × 10-6 m2
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Maka 42 mm2 = 42 × (1.0 × 10-6 m2)
= 42.0 × 10-6 m2 @ 4.2 × 10-5 m2
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Example 4 : 3.5 gcm-3 = ? kgm-3
3.5 g ? kg
3.5 g cm-3 = =
cm3 ? m3
Steps What to do?
• Mulakan dengan 3.5 g
• Rujuk Example 1
1 g = ? kg gunakan Table of
1 Conversion (gantikan ‘ m ‘ dengan ‘ g ‘)
• 1 g = 1.0 × 10-3kg
• 3.5 g = 3.5 × (1.0 × 10-3 kg)
= 3.5 × 10-3 kg
• 1 cm3 = ? m3
• Rujuk Example 3
2 • 1 cm = 1.0 × 10-2 m
• Kuasatigakan
(1 cm)3 = (1.0 × 10-2 m)3 = 1.0 × 10-6 m3
• Rujuk soalan 3.5 gcm-3 = ? kgm-3
• 3.5 g 3.5 ×10-3 kg
3 3.5 g cm-3 = =
cm3 1.0 ×10-6 m3
• = 3.5 × 103 kgm-3
Why Do We Care about Units?
In science, when quantities are measured or calculate, they must be given proper units.
A measurement without a unit specification really does not make much sense. Imagine
if someone told you that Mt. Everest is 104 tall. Without a unit specification this
number should mean nothing to you.
The metric system is a system of units for measurement developed in late 18th century
in France by the chemist Lavoisier to replace the different systems of measures then
in use with a unified, natural and universal system. In the early metric system there
were several fundamental or base units, the grad or grade for angles, the metre for
length, the gram for weight and the litre for capacity. These were derived from each
other through the properties of natural objects, mainly water: 1 litre of water weighs
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
1 kg and measures 1 cubic decimetre (dm³). Other units were derived from this, such
as the Celsius temperature scale, where water freezes as 0°C and boils as 100°C.
As the result of scientific progress, refinements, and different choices of base units,
there have been a number of attempts at creating metric systems. The modern metric
system (modern meaning post-1960) is now widely used throughout the world and is
called the International System of Units (SI) ("Système International d'Unités" in
French).
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1.3 Understanding Scalar & Vector Quantities
In this subtopic, you should be able to:
a) Define scalars and vectors quantities.
b) Give examples of scalar and vector quantities.
In the study of physics, there are many different aspects to measure and many
types of measurement tools. Scalar and vector quantities are two of these types
of measurement tools.
Quantity Definition Examples
• Quantity
with • A car moves for 30 km far.
Scalar
magnitude • Distance, speed, energy.
only.
• Quantity
• A car moves for 30 km far
with
to the east.
Vector magnitude
• Displacement, velocity,
and
acceleration.
direction.
1.4 Understanding Measurements
In this subtopic, you should be able to:
a) Measure physical quantities using appropriate instruments/devices.
b) Explain accuracy, consistency and sensitivity.
c) Explain types of experiment.
d) Use appropriate technique to reduce errors.
Measurement Instruments
• Physics involved measurement to develop physical theories base on
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
experiments and observations.
• So, choosing the right instruments to perform the measurement is very
important.
• A reliable instrument must be accurate, consistent and sensitive.
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Definition
• How close the
Accuracy measurement made is to
(Ketepatan) the actual value.
Consistency • The ability of the
instrument to measure a
OR quantity with little or no
deviation among
Precision measurements.
• The ability to detect small
Sensitivity change in the quantity to
(Kepekaan) be measure.
[Link]
Instruments Use for Sensitivity & Range
Meter rule • Use to measure • Sensitivity :
lengths of a few ±0.1 cm
centimeters to a • Range :
metre. (0.0 – 100.0) cm
[Link]
Vernier Caliper • Use to measure • Sensitivity :
(Angkup Vernier) internal or ±0.01 cm
external • Range :
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
diameter of (0.00 – 10.0) cm
round objects.
Range might be differ depends
• Can also be on the production company.
[Link] used to measure
thickness of
books or piece of
glass.
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Micrometer Screw • Use for very • Sensitivity :
Gauge small readings. ±0.01 mm
(Tolok Skru Mikrometer) • Can be used to • Range :
measure (0.00 – 25.0) mm
thickness of
coin, diameter of
wire or hair.
[Link]
Vernier Scale Reading Technique
Vernier Caliper
1. The main scale
contributes the
main numbers
and one
decimal place
to the reading.
2. The Vernier
scale
contributes to
Micrometer Screw Gauge the second
decimal place
to the reading.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
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Error in Measurements
• Measurement is very important in conducting science experiments.
• However no measurements is 100% accurate due to some errors.
• Error (ralat) is the mistake(s) that happen during the measurement
process. It is the difference between the measured and actual value.
• It is almost impossible to avoid error, but steps (precautions) to reduce
the errors can be taken.
Types of Errors
Random Error Systemic Error
(Ralat Rawak) (Ralat Bersistem)
• Random error occurs in • Systemic error occurs in the
measurement because of experiment because of the
the uncertain changes imperfection of the
in the environment instruments.
such as temperature, • The errors arise because the
lightning or air incorrect calibration (penentu-
resistance. ukuran) of the device.
• It may also due to eye • It is constant error which
position of the observer remains the same for all the
while making the measurement.
measurement. (parallax • The errors can be categorized to :
error) Instrumental error
• Due to misuse of the instruments,
imperfection in the mechanical
structure or error because of the
loading effect.
Observational error
• Due to observation of the reading.
For example the pointer of the
voltmeter does not rest at zero when
it is not being use. (zeroth error)
• The presence of random Environmental error
error is determined only • Due to surroundings such as
when the different pressure, humidity or magnetic field.
reading are obtained for
the measurement of the
same quantity under the
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
same condition.
How to overcome?
• By repeatly taking the • By improving the design of the
reading instruments.
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1.5 Analyzing Scientific Investigations
In this subtopic, you should be able to:
a) Identify variables in a given situation.
b) Identify a question suitable for scientific investigation.
c) From a hypothesis.
d) Design and carry out a simple experiment to test the hypothesis.
Scientific investigation is a systematic way in which the scientist or
researchers approach to answer the questions and communicate the result to
the people around the world.
There are few steps in performing scientific investigations.
Steps Definition/Explanation
• Ask a question..
Questioning/
1 • Make observation/do some research.
Observing
Example : why ice does melt soon when pressed by hand?
• Hypothesis is the kind of prediction of outcome
based on studying the information.
State
2 • It is a kind of educated guess that tells the
hypothesis
expected result of the experiment.
Example : heat transfer from hand to the ice.
Experiment • Design and conduct the experiment to test the
3 (test the hypothesis.
hypothesis) • Follow proper guidelines during the experiment.
• Data collected from the experiment decides
whether the experiment works proves or
Collect and
disproves the result.
4 record date,
• Data are recorded in table form.
analyze.
• Analyze usually involving calculations and
graphs.
• From the 4th step, conclude either the hypothesis
5 Conclusion is proven or disprove.
• Ask more questions.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
• To perform scientific investigation, there are variables (pembolehubah)
to be identified.
• Variables is a physical quantity that can be varied in an experiment.
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Three types of variables
Variable Definition
• Physical quantity which values can be
Manipulated fixed by the observer (person conducting
(dimanipulasikan) the experiment) before conducting the
experiment.
• Physical quantity that changes its value
Responding
responding to the change of the
(bertindakbalas)
manipulated variable.
Fixed • Physical quantity that is set to remain
(dimalarkan) unchanged throughout the experiment.
Straight Line Graph
• Straight line graph is used in data analysis for many physics
experiments.
• It test the skills of plotting a straight line graph and how to determine
a physical quantity from the gradient and interception of the graph
plotted.
Steps to Draw a Straight Line Graph
Steps What to do?
1 • Write the title of the graph.
• Label the axis correctly.
2 • Choose suitable scale (refer to the data from the table).
• Write the quantity used with the correct unit.
3 • Plot all the data from the table correctly (using ‘ x ‘ )
• Draw the best straight line using ruler.
• Base on priority, the straight line supposed to :
i. Pass through as many points as possible.
4 ii. The points on top and the bottom of the straight line
are balanced.
iii. Pass through origin, if possible.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics
*refer to the graph on the next page.
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Physics