1.

1 U N D E R S T A N D I N G
PHYSICS
Recognise the concepts of physics in everyday objects and natural phenomena
1. Tick () the statements that are related to physics.
Blood circulation in our body is controlled by heart.
A large truck moves faster than a car because it has a more powerful
engine. We need water in our digestion system.
Orange juice is acidic because its taste is sour.

1.2 UNDERSTANDING BASE AND DERIVED QUANTITIES

Recognise physical quantity and unit
1. Identify Physical quantities, Magnitude, Units and Measuring instrument from the
statements below. Write them into the table below (next page).
A Ismail weigh a wooden block that has mass of 500 gram using a lever beam
balance.
Physical quantity
Magnitud Unit
Measuring
e
instrument

Statement

Define base quantities and derived quantities are

2. Identify base quantities and derived quantity from the equation below.
(a) Volume = length x length x length
Base quantity = (i)
length
Derived quantity = (i)
volume
(b) Area = length x length
Base quantity = (i)
length
Derived quantity = (i)
Area
(c) Density = mass
length xlength xlength
Base quantity = (i)
(ii)
Mass length
Derived quantity = (i)
Density

(i) Base quantity is physical quantity that

cannot
(ii) Derived quantity is physical quantity that
is derived quantities.
List base quantities and their S.I unit

be derived from any quantities.

from the base

List some derived quantities and their S.I units

Express quantities using scientific notation
Express quantities using prefixes
4. Write 5 derived quantities from physical quantities given in the box above (previous
page) and state their S.I units. [*any five]
No.
Derived Quantity
S.I Unit

5. Rewrite the values below in scientific notation (Standard notation)

No. Original value
Scientific notation

6. Arrange the prefixes given below in ascending order. Then, state their multiple / submultiple.

No.

Prefix
Prefix

Multiple /
Sub-multiple
Multiple /
Sub-multiple

No.

Solving problem involving

conversion of units
1. Rewrite the values below using the suitable prefix.
(i) 4.1 x 1012 m
= 4.1 Tm
(ii) 9.3 x 101 s = 9.3 das
(iii) 0.5 x 10-3 J
= 0.5 mJ
(iv) 11.2 x 10-2 N = 11.2 cN
(v) 5.9 x 106 V
= __________
5.9 MV
(vi) 6.6 x 10-9 m
= 6.6 nm 3.8 x 102 K = 3.8 hK
(vii) 1.7 x 109 W
= 1.7 GW
(viii) 4.1 x 103 C = 4.1 kC
(ix)
9.5 x 10-6 A = 9.5 A
(x)
8.6 x 10-12 m = 8.6 pm
(xi) 2.2 x 10-1 s
= 2.2 ds
2. Replaced the prefix in the values below with the correct multiple or sub-multiple.
(i) 4.1Tm
= 4.1 x 1012 m
(ii) 9.3 ms
= 9.3 x 10-3 s
(iii) 0.5 kJ
= 0.5 x 103 J
(iv) 11.2 cN = 11.2 x 10-2 N
(v) 5.9 MV = 5.9 x 106 V
(vi) 6.6 dm
= 6.6 x 10-1 m 3.8 daK
= 3.8 x 101 K
(vii) 1.7 GW = 1.7 x 109 W
(viii) 4.1 hC
= 4.1 x 102 C
(ix)
9.5 A
= 9.5 x 10-6 A
(x)
8.6 pm = 8.6 x 10-12 m

(xi) 2.2 ns
= 2.2 x 10-9 s
Check Yourself 1
1. Which physical quantity has the correct S.I unit?
Physical quantity
S.I unit
A Temperature Celcius
B Timeminute
C Mass
Newton
D Length
metre
2. Time, speed, density, and energy are .............. quantities.
A base C vector
B scalar
D derived
3. Which of the following shows the correct relationship between the base quantities for
density?
6.
A radio station airs its programmes by transmitting waves at a frequency of 102.3 MHz.
How much is this frequency, in Hz?
A 1.023 x 102
B 1.023 x 105
C 1.023 x 106
D 1.023 x 108
7. Which of the following values is equal to 470 pF?
A 4.7 x 10-10 F
B 4.7 x 1011 F
C 4.7 x 10-7 F
D 4.7 x 102 F
8. Hamid cycles at a velocity of 3.1 km h-1. What is this velocity, in m s-1?
A 0.09
B 0.86
C 1.16
D 11.61
Mass
A
Length xLength xLength Mass xLength xMass
B
Time
Time xTime
C
Length xMass
D
Mass xLength
Length xLength xTime
4. Which of the following is not a base S.I unit?
9. Which measurement is the longest?
A 2.68 x 103 m
B 2.68 x 10-1 mm
C 2.68 x 103 cm
D 2.68 x 10-4 m
10. Which of the following conversion of unit is correct?
A Gram

B Kelvin
C Ampere
D Meter
A 24 mm3
= 2.4 x 10-6 m3
B 300 mm3 = 3.0 x 10-7 m3
C 800 mm3 = 8.0 x 10-2 m3
D 1 000 mm3 = 1.0 x 10-4 m3
5.
Which of the following physical quantities is not a base quantity?
C Temperature
D Electric current
11. Which of the following frequencies is the same as 106.8 MHz?
A 1.068 x 10-4 Hz
B 1.068 x 10-1 Hz
C 1.068 x 102 Hz
D 1.068 x 106 Hz
E 1.068 x 108 Hz
A Weight
B Time
1.3 UNDERSTANDING SCALAR AND VECTOR QUANTITIES
Define scalar and vector quantities.
1. Read the statements below to make a generalisation on scalar quantity and vector
quantity. Then classify the physical quantities into scalar quantity and vector quantity in
the table below.
A Hasan walks with a velocity of 2 m s-1 due West.
Scalar Quantity

Vector Quantity

(i) Scalar quantity is physical quantity that has

.
magnitude
(ii) Vector quantity is physical quantity that has
and
magnitude
direction
.
Differentiate between distance and displacement.
2. Underline the correct physical quantity.
(i) (Distance / Displacement) is the total length travelled by an object.
(ii) (Distance / Displacement) is the shortest length measured between the initial point
and the final point.
EXAMPLE:

Check Yourself 2
1. Which of the following quantities is a vector
3 Which quantity is a vector quantity?
A Energy
B Power
C Force
D Pressure
A Area
B Length
C Distance
D Displacement
2. Diagram below shows the path travelled by a car from P to S.
4. Which of the following is group of vector quantities?

A Velocity, mass, displacement

B Speed, time, acceleration
C Force, velocity, displacement
D Area, temperature, momentum
What is the displacement of the car?
A 5.0 km
B 6.8 km
C 8.2 km

D 9.0 km
1.4 UNDERSTANDING MEASUREMENTS
Recognise appropriate instrument for physical quantities
1. State the suitable measuring instrument for the physical quantities in the table below.

No.

Physical Quantity

Measuring Instrument

Measure physical quantity using vernier calliper.

2. Label the part of vernier calliper below.

3. Take the reading from a vernier calliper:

(i) Read the main scale.

Main scale reading = 0.70 cm
(ii) Read the vernier scale.
Vernier scale reading = 0.02 cm
(iii) Total up the readings.
Actual reading= 0.72 cm
4. Read the vernier calliper below.

3.10 cm
Main scale
=
Vernier scale = 0.03 cm
Actual reading=
Main scale
=
................
Vernier scale =
Actual reading=

3.13 cm
2.10 cm
0.06 cm
2.16 cm

Main scale
= 8.50 cm
Vernier scale = 0.06 cm

Actual reading= 8.56 cm

Main scale
= 0.20 cm
................
Vernier scale = 0.04 cm
Actual reading= 0.24 cm
Measure physical quantity using micrometer screw gauge.
5. Label the part of micrometer screw gauge below.

6. Take the reading from a micrometer screw gauge.

EXAMPLE:

7. Read the micrometer screw gauge below:

(i) Read the sleeve scale (main scale). Sleeve scale reading = 3.00 mm
(ii) Read the thimble scale.
Thimble scale reading = 0.44 mm
(iii) Total up the readings.
Actual reading= 3.44 mm

Sleeve scale =
................
Thimble scale =
Actual reading=
mm
Sleeve scale =
.................
Thimble scale =
Actual reading=

5.00 mm
0.24 mm
5.24
3.00 mm
0.16 mm
3.16 mm

Sleeve scale = 5.50 mm

................
Thimble scale = 0.19 mm
Actual reading= 5.69 mm Sleeve scale
= 3.00 mm
.................
Thimble scale = 0.56 mm
Actual reading= 3.56 mm
Explain sensitivity.
Explain accuracy.
8. Table below shows readings from three instruments J, K, and L that are used in
measuring the mass of a Petri dish.

A piece of dried leaf of mass 0.05 g is then put in the Petri dish.
(i) Which instrument is able to detect the small change of the mass? [
L

(ii) Which instrument is the most sensitive? [

]
L
(iii) Which instrument has the highest sensitivity? [ ]
L
detect small
(iv) Sensitivity of instrument is the capability of the instrument to ..........................
changes. .................................................................................................................................
.
(v) Which instrument gives reading in the most decimal place? [ ]
L
(vi) The
the decimal place, the sensitivity of the
more higher
instrument.
9. Table below shows readings from three instruments P, Q, and R that are used in
measuring the length of a wire. The actual length of the wire is 10.0 cm.

(i) Which instrument gives the closest reading to the actual length of the wire?
[
]
P
(ii) Which instrument gives the most accurate reading? [ ]
P
(iii) Which instrument has the highest accuracy? [ ]
P give reading
(iv) Accuracy of instrument is the capability of the instrument to ..............................
close to the actual
size. ...................................................................................................................................
Explain consistency (Precision)
10. Table below shows four readings from three instruments X, Y, and Z that are used in
measuring the length of a wire. Each instrument repeats the measurement for four times.

(i) Which instrument gives readings with the smallest deviation (difference)?
[
]
X
(ii) Which instrument gives the most consistence readings? [
]
X
(iii) Which instrument has the highest consistency? [
]
X give reading
(iv) Consistency of instrument is the capability of the instrument to .............................
with small
deviation/difference. .............................................................................................................
......................
Explain type of experimental error.

11. In an experiment, the readings of measurement taken may have slightly difference
due to some mistakes. The difference in the readings is called as error
12. These errors can be caused by the change of environment, human factors or the
deficiency of measuring instrument.
13. Error that is caused by environment and human usually is (constant / changeable)*.
14. Error that is caused by the instrument is always (constant / changeable)*.
15. Type of Error:
Random Error
Difference
Systematic Error
Human factor and
Cause
Instrument
environment
Magnitude / Constant
Random
value
Zero error
Parallax error
Example
Add or deduct the zero
Take few readings and find
Method to
error from the reading.
the average reading
reduce the
Use different instrument
error
while taking readings and
find the average
Check Yourself 3
1. A, B, C, and D shows the shooting marks on a target. Which marks can explain the
concept . of precision of a measurement?
4. A, B, C, and D show parts of four different balance scales. Which balance is the most
sensitive?

2. Diagram below shows the target board in a game

Which result is consistent but not accurate?

3. The diagram shows the scale of a micrometer screw gauge.

5. The diagrams show the scales on a pair of vernier callipers and a metre rule.

Which comparison is correct about the sensitivity of the vernier callipers and the metre
rule when measuring the thickness of a wire?
Vernier callipers
Metre rule
A Low sensitivity
Low Sensitivity
B Low sensitivity
High sensitivity
C High sensitivity
Low sensitivity
D High sensitivity
High sensitivity

What is the reading of the micrometer?

A 7.02 mm
B 7.52 mm
6. Table below shows the readings of the thickness of a board which are taken by four
students.
C 7.03 mm
D 7.58 mm

Each student made four measurements. If the actual thickness of the board is 2.53 cm,
which of the students A, B, C, and D made the measurements that are accurate but not
consistent?
7. The diagram shows the scale of a vernier calliper.

What is the reading of the vernier calliper?

8. Atmospheric pressure can be measured by using

A hydrometer
B Bourdon gauge and manometer
C Bourdon gauge and mercury barometer
D manometer and mercury barometer
9.
Four students, A, B, C, and D use a micrometer
screw gauge, a metre rule, and a vernier calliper to measure the thickness of a board.
Which student records the reading correctly?

10. The diagram shows the scale of a micrometer screw gauge.

What is the reading of the micrometer?

A 4.95 mm
C 4.50 mm
B 4.55 mm
D 4.45 mm
11. Diagram (a) shows the reading of a vernier calliper while its jaws are closed. Diagram
(b) shows the reading of the vernier calliper when a metal sheet is placed between the
jaws.

What is the thickness of the metal sheet?

A 0.46 cm
C 0.38 cm
B 0.42 cm
D 0.32 cm
12.
Which of the following statements is correct
about zero error?
A Can be reduced by determining average reading.
B The magnitude of error increases when
the value of the reading increases.
C Exist either in positive or negative.
D The magnitude of error increases if the range of scale is large.
Diagram below shows two types of ammeters, 12. X and Y, that can be used to measure
electric
cur
(a) Which ammeter is more sensitive?
Ammeter Y
...................................................................
(b) State one reason for your answer above.
Ammeter Y has smaller division of

...................................................................
scale
...................................................................
...................................................................

13. Which of the following ways can reduce the parallax error while taking reading of
current from an ammeter?
A Use a higher sensitivity ammeter.
B Repeat the measurement and calculate the average reading.
C Take the reading using a magnifying glass.
D Use ammeter that has plane mirror below the pointer.
13. What is the function of the plane mirror under the pointer in an ammeter?
A To increase the consistency of the measurement.
B To increase the accuracy of the measurement.
C To avoid parallax error.
D To prevent zero error. 13.
(a) The external diameters of the cylinder at
four different places are shown in the table below.

(i) Why is the external diameter measured four times?

..........................................
...
To get average reading / To find..... relative deviation
.............................................................
(ii) What is the purpose of calculating the relative deviation?
To determine the consistency of the
............................................................. measurement
.............................................................
16. Figure below shows the scale of an ammeter.

(a) Name the physical quantity measured by the ammeter.

Electric current
...................................................................
(b) What is the value of the smallest division on the scale?
0.1 A
...................................................................
(c) State the function of the mirror located under the scale.
To avoid parallax error
...................................................................
...................................................................
14.
Figure below shows the meniscus of oil in a measuring cylinder. P, Q and R are three eye
positions while measuring the volume of the oil.

(a) Which position of the eye is correct while taking the reading of the volume of oil?
Q. (but the direction must be 90)
...................................................................
(b) Give one reason for the answer above. Position of eyes is at the level of the
...................................................................
meniscus of the oil
17. Figure below shows a vernier calliper used to measure external diameter of a hollow
cylinder.

(b) Name the part labelled X.

Inner jaws

...................................................................
(c) What is the function of X?
To measure internal diameter of hollow
...................................................................
object
...................................................................
19. A student is assigned to measure the thickness of a metal sheet. The student is
provided with a vernier calliper.
(a) The student uses the vernier calliper to measure the thickness of the metal sheet.
Figure (i) shows the scale of the vernier calliper while the jaws are closed. Figure (ii)
shows the scale of the vernier calliper when the metal sheet is put between the jaws.

(i) What is the zero error of the vernier calliper?

-0.04 cm
..............
(ii) Calculate the thickness of the metal sheet.

3
Thickness = .66 cm
..............
1.5 UNDERSTANDING SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION
Identify variables in a given situation
1. Identify and state the variables that can be investigated from the situations below.
EXAMPLE:
The car moves faster when it is pushed harder.
Cause : pushed harder Manipulated variable : Force
Effect : moves faster Responding variable : Speed/Velocity/
Acceleration
No. Situation
Manipulated
Responding

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

variable
The temperature of smaller block rises
faster when it is heated.
Mass
The pendulum system with longer string
takes longer time to stop.
Length
The loaded lorry is harder to stop than the Mass
empty lorry.
The trolley that falls from the higher place
Height
moves faster.
The spring becomes longer when it is
Force
pulled harder.
Making inference
2. Write inference from the given variables.
EXAMPLE:
Manipulated variable : Length
Responding variable: Time
Inference : The length affects the time taken.
No. Manipulated Responding Inference
variable
variable

variable
Temperature
Time Time to
stop Speed
Length

Form hypothesis.
Analyse the data.
3. Write hypothesis from the given variables.
EXAMPLE:
Manipulated variable : Length
Responding variable: Time
Hypothesis : The longer the length, the longer the time taken.
No. Manipulated
Responding
Hypothesis
1.
variable
variable
The larger the force, the higher the
2.
Force Mass
Acceleration acceleration
3.
Force Mass
Temperature The larger the mass, the lower the
4.
Force Area
Extension
temperature
5.
Temperature
Time
The larger the force, the longer the
6.
Pressure
extension
7.
Pressure
The larger the mass, the longer the time
Volume
The larger the force, the higher the pressure
The larger the area, the lower the pressure
The higher the temperature, the larger the
volume
4. Data obtained from an experiment can be analysed by plotting a line graph
Manipulated variable is on the x-axis, and responding variable is on the y-axis. The
variables must be stated together with the correct unit.

EXAMPLE:
Manipulated variable : Mass Responding variable : Time

5. Sketch a graph to analyse the following variables:

(i) Manipulated variable : Force Responding variable : Acceleration

(ii) Manipulated variable
: Mass
Responding variable : Temperature

(iii
) Manipulated variable : Force
Responding variable : Extension
(iv)
Manipulated variable : Mass
Responding variable : Time

(v) Manipulated variable

: Force
Responding variable : Pressure
(vi) Manipulated variable
Responding variable : Pressure

: Area

Interpret data to draw a conclusion.

6. The conclusion of an experiment is made based on the line graph obtained.
EXAMPLE:

Conclusion:
The time is directly proportional to the mass.

Conclusion:
The temperature is linearly increasing with the time.
Conclusion:
The pressure is inversely proportional to the area.
Interpret data to draw a conclusion.
7. Write a conclusion based on the line graphs below:

Conclusion:
The square of period is directly proportional to the length
Conclusion:
The temperature is inversely proportional to the mass

Conclusion:
The volume is linearly increasing with the pressure
Conclusion:
The extension is directly proportional to the force
Check Yourself 4
1. Which of the following graphs obeys the equation F = kx, where k is a constant?

2. Table below shows the results of an experiment to investigate between load and
extension when a spring is stretched.

The original length of the spring is l0 = 15.0 cm. What is the manipulated variable?
A Load, F
B Extension, x
C Original length of the spring, l0
D Material used to make the spring
3. The graph shows the relationship between v and t.

The relationship between v and t is represented by the equation

4. Diagram below shows an investigation about the stretching of a spring. Babies of

different masses are supported by identical springs.

Which of the following variables are correct?

5. The graph shows the relationship between physical quantities P and Q.

Which statements about the graph is correct?

A If Q = 1, then P = 2.
B The gradient of the graph is 1.
C P is directly proportional to Q.
D The equation of the graph is P = 1 + 3Q