Section A- Fundamental and Derived Quantities

Fundamental Quantities and Units

The following table satisfies objective 1.1 and 1.3 which deals with the Fundamental or Basic Quantities we use in physics

Name of Quantity	Symbol	Unit
Length	l	Meter
Mass	m	Gram
Temperature	T	Kelvin
Temperature	0	Celius
Time	t	Second
Electric Current	I	Ampere

Section 1.4

The need for standard units arise due to the fact that non-standard units always vary. Imagine that the length of your foot was called 1 meter. As you grow your feet will also grow changing what was called 1 meter. So a pencil measured to be 3 meters (by your foot) when you were 5 would be about 1 meter when you are 10. This kind of system would be very confusing. An ever constant unit or a standard unit is the way to go because it will always remain the same in every country. This is why we have Systeme International (S.I. Units) which is the same world wide.

The following Table satisfies objective 1.5

Prefix	Symbol	Value
Mega	M	10⁶
Kilo	k	10³
Centi	c	10²
Milli	m	10^-3
Micro	µ	10^-6

Section 1.6

To convert a number into standard form is elementary.

First Identify if the number is greater than 10 if it is not the number does not need to placed in standard form.
Place a decimal point between the first number in the whole number(that first number should be between 1 and 9).
After the number has been turned into a decimal kind of number place x10
Count the number of numbers behind the decimal point and then superscript that count on the 10 (that means write above)
And your done!

Section 1.7

Derived quantities and their units are produced by multiplying and dividing fundamental quantities and their units. Example Meter divided by Time gives us Velocity (m/s=v)

Name of quantity	Symbol	Basic quantities composed of
Area	A	mxm=m²
Density	p	g/cm=gcm^-3
Volume	V	mxmxm=m³
Acceleration	a	m/s/s=ms^-2
Force	F	kgxm/s/s=kgms^-2(or 1 Newton)
Energy	E,W	kgxm/s/s(N)xm=kgm²s^-2(or 1Joule)

Section 1.8

Remember that some derived quantities have special names. Example kgms^-2 can just be called Newton.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws