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Measurements
Measurements
SI Units
Errors and uncertainties
Scalars and vectors
Learning Outcomes
Candidates should be able to:
(a)
recall the following base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m), time (s),
current (A), temperature (K), amount of substance (mol).
(b)
(c)
Show an understanding of and use the conventions for labelling graph axes and table
columns as set out in the ASE publication SI units, Signs, Symbols and
Abbreviations, except where these have been superseded by Signs, Symbols and
Systematics ( The ASE Companion to 5-16 Science, 1995 )
(d)
use the following prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal sub-multiples or
multiples of both base and derived units: pico (p), nano (n), micro (), milli (m), centi
(c), deci (d), kilo (k), mega (M), giga (G), tera (T).
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
distinguish between scalar and vector quantities, and give examples of each.
(j)
(k)
JJ Physics Dept
Page 1 of 23
(a)
Measurements
recall the following base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m), time
(s), current (A), temperature (K), amount of substance (mol).
A = 5 000 m2
Physical Quantity
Numerical magnitude
Numbers are not physical quantities. Without a unit, numbers cannot be a measure
of any physical quantity.
All physical quantities consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit.
Physical quantities are the building blocks of Physics in terms of which the laws of
Physics are expressed.
There are 2 types of physical quantities:
(1)
base (fundamental) quantities
(2)
derived quantities
Base Quantities & Units
A base quantity is chosen and arbitrarily defined rather than being derived from a
combination of other physical quantities.
Base unit is the standards assigned to each of these basic quantities and to no
others. It is not derived from other units, i.e. independent of other units.
Base units are units from which all other units can be defined
The seven base quantities and their SI units are:
Base Quantity / Symbol
Length, l
Mass, m
Time, t
electric current, I
temperature, T
amount of substance, n
*luminous intensity, Iv
Unit Symbol
m
kg
s
A
K
mol
cd
SI Unit
metre
kilogram
second
ampere
kelvin
mole
candela
JJ Physics Dept
Page 2 of 23
(b)
Measurements
velocity =
displaceme nt
time
Base quantities
Derived quantity
Example
Force = mass x acceleration
unit of F
= unit of m x unit of a
= kg m s-2
Example
Potential Energy = mgh
= unit of (m x g x h)
= kg m s-2 m
so, SI unit of energy, J, can be expressed as kg m2 s-2
unit of PE
= m2 s-2 K -1
More on homogeneity of equations
A physical equation is true irrespective of the system of units used for the physical
quantities mentioned in the equation. Note that:
- Each term of the equation has the same units
- Only quantities of the same units can be added, substracted or equated in an
equation
- The equation is said to be homogeneous or dimensionally correct if all the terms
in it has the same base units.
JJ Physics Dept
Page 3 of 23
Measurements
s = ut +
1 2
at
2
Unit for s =
Unit for ut =
Unit for at2 =
Note that all the three terms have the same unit. Therefore, we can conclude that the
equation is homogeneous.
An equation which is not homogeneous must be physically wrong. On the other hand, if
the units for the various terms in an equation are the same, it does not imply that the
equation is physically correct. Cases where an equation can be homogeneous and yet
incorrect are:
a. Incorrect Coefficient (s)
l
l
is dimensionally correct and physically correct, but T = 3
g
g
dimensionally correct but physically wrong.
T = 2
is
b. Missing terms
The relationship between s, u, t and a may just be written as s =
1 2
at which is
2
JJ Physics Dept
c
unit of c
m2 s-2 K-1
unit of a
=
=
=
=
aT3
unit of (aT3)
unit of a unit of K3
m2 s-2 K-4
Page 4 of 23
Measurements
Worked Example 3
The experimental measurement of the specific heat capacity c of a solid as a function of
temperature T is to be fitted to the expression c = T + T3.
What are the possible units of and expressed in SI base units?
Solution
c = T + T3
For the equation above to be dimensionally correct or homogeneous,
the base units of the terms on the L.H.S. of the equation must be the same
as the base units of the terms on the R.H.S.
m2 s-2 K-1
3
Also base unit of c = base unit of T
3
= (unit of ) (unit of T ) unit of = m2 s-2 K-4
m2 s-2 K-1
Worked Example 4
Which of the following units are not equivalent to that of force?
A.
Pa m2
B.
W m1 s
C.
D.
J m s1
kg m s2
Solution
A)
B)
C)
D)
Pa m
W m-1 s
J m s-1
kg m s-2
Working
kg m-1 s-2 x m2
kg m2 s-3 x m-1 s
kg m2 s-2 x m s-1
Base units
kg m s-2
kg m s-2
kg m3 s-3
Answer is C.
JJ Physics Dept
Page 5 of 23
Measurements
Worked Example 5
The critical density of matter 0 in the universe may be written as
0 =
3H
8 G
H = Hubble constant
G = gravitational constant (unit: N m2 kg2)
0 =
3H
8 G
Solution
H=
80G
3
-3
2 -2
unit of H = ( kg m )( N m kg )
-3
-2 2 -2
= ( kg m )( kg m s m kg )
-2
=s
Worked Example 6
The energy E of a damped oscillator of mass m varies with time t is given by
bt
E = kA2 e 2m
What are the units of k and b?
Solution
A = amplitude (unit: m)
k, b = constants
-bt/2m
is a number and hence has no unit
e
Power has no unit and hence
bt
=1
2m
(unit of b).s
=1
kg
unit of b = kg s-1
unit of E = (unit of A2 ) ( unit of k )
( unit of k ) = J m-2 = ( kg m2 s-2 ) m-2 = kg s-2
JJ Physics Dept
Page 6 of 23
(c)
Measurements
Show an understanding of and use the conventions for labelling graph axes
and table columns as set out in the ASE publication SI units, Signs, Symbols
and Abbreviations, except where these have been superseded by Signs,
Symbols and Systematics ( The ASE Companion to 5-16 Science, 1995 )
A table of ordered pairs is used to represent a relationship. In a table, it is
conventional to have the independent variable to be recorded as the leading
column in a table, e.g. pre-selected physical quantity such as length.
The second and subsequent columns should be the dependent variable(s), e.g.
readings recorded from experiment or calculated values from previous columns. e.g.
Pendulum length
L / cm
20.0
40.0
60.0
Independent variable
t2 / s
10.5
15.8
21.2
Period, T = ( t1 + t2 ) / 40
T/s
0.520
0.788
1.05
Dependent variable
Notice the pendulum length readings are recorded with the same number of
decimal places (d.p.) according to the type of the measuring instrument i.e. the
metre rule.
The time taken by a stopwatch however was only recorded to 1 d.p. throughout
instead of the usual 2 to 3 d.p. as indicated in the time instrument. This is because
the time readings recorded must take into account of the human reaction time of ~
0.2 s in starting and stopping the stopwatch.
The period of one oscillation is a calculated value ( processed data ) taken from
records of the time taken for 20 oscillations, hence, the values recorded will have the
same number of significant figures (s.f.) as its raw score ( raw data ).
A graph is an infinite set of order pairs plotted on a Cartesian plane, representing a
relationship between the elements of the ordered pair. It is conventional to plot the
independent variable on the horizontal axis ( x-axis ) and the dependent variable on
the vertical axis ( y-axis ).
JJ Physics Dept
Page 7 of 23
Measurements
T/s
30.0
Dependent variable
False
origin
25.0
x
x
20.0
Reference
triangle
15.0
x
10.0
0.0
20.0
40.0
60.0
L / cm
Independent variable
The selected scales of the axes should be easy to read and large enough to enable
the curve(s) (Curve refers to both curves and straight lines) to occupy at least half of
the graph grid. The selected scale should usually be in multiples of 1, 2, 5 or 10
unit(s). A false origin is sometimes used in order to accommodate the curve into the
graph.
When determining the gradient of the curve at a particular point or straight line, the
chosen reference triangle should fall within the recorded data points and be at least
half the size of the curve. The chosen points should not coincide with any of the
recorded data points from the experiments. Label these chosen points for easy
checking.
(d)
use the following prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal sub-multiples or
multiples of both base and derived units: pico (p), nano (n), micro (), milli (m),
centi (c), deci (d), kilo (k), mega (M), giga (G), tera (T).
Prefixes are used to simplify the writing of very large or very small orders of
magnitude of physical quantities.
Fraction / multiple
10-12
10-9
10-6
10-3
10-2
10-1
103
106
109
1012
JJ Physics Dept
Prefix
pico
nano
micro
milli
centi
deci
kilo
mega
giga
tera
Symbol
p
n
m
c
d
k
M
G
T
Page 8 of 23
Measurements
Examples
1500 m = 1.5 x 103 m = 1.5 km
0.00077 V = 0.77 x 10-3 V = 0.77 mV
100 x 10-9 m3 = 100 x (10-3)3 m3 = 100 mm3
(e)
The following are examples of the estimated values of some physical quantities:
Diameter of an atom ~ 10-10 m
Diameter of a nucleus ~ 10-15 m
Air pressure ~ 100 kPa
Wavelength of visible light ~ 600 nm
Resistance of a domestic lamp ~ 1000
Mass of a car ~ 2000 kg
Maximum speed of a car on an expressway ~ 90 km h-1
(f)
JJ Physics Dept
Page 9 of 23
Measurements
2.2
2.3
2.4
Reading
= 5.7
Uncertainty = 0.1
Reading
= 2.36
Uncertainty = 0.01
Even when instruments with digital displays are used, there are still uncertainties
present in the measurements. So for example, a digital ammeter may show the current
to be 358 mA. This does not mean that the current is 358 mA exactly.
For digital displays, the uncertainty is usually provided by the manufacturer.
Errors & Uncertainties
Errors or uncertainties fall generally into 2 categories:
a) Random errors
b) Systematic errors
Random Errors
Random error is one that occurs without a fixed pattern resulting in a scatter of
readings about a mean value.
x
x
x
x
x
x
The readings are equally likely to be higher or lower than the MEAN value.
Random errors are of varying sign (higher or lower than average) and magnitude and
cannot be eliminated. Averaging repeated readings is the best way to minimize
random errors.
Examples: Measuring the diameter of a wire due to its non-uniformity
JJ Physics Dept
Page 10 of 23
Measurements
Systematic errors
Systematic error is one that occurs with a fixed pattern resulting in a consistent overestimation or under-estimation of the actual value.
The readings are consistently higher or lower than the ACTUAL value. Systematic
error is consistent in both magnitude and sign and results in readings taken being
faulty in one direction.
Systematic errors cannot be reduced or eliminated by taking the average of
repeated readings.
It could be reduced by techniques such as making a
mathematical correction or correcting the faulty equipment.
Examples: zero error of a measuring instrument, a clock running too fast or too
slow.
(h)
P + P
Mean
Value
Fractional error of P =
P
P
Percentage error of P =
P
100%
P
JJ Physics Dept
Absolute
error
Page 11 of 23
Measurements
Worked Example 7
The length of a piece of paper is measured as 297 1 mm.
Its width is measured as 209 1 mm.
(a)
(b)
Solution
Note :
Mean
Value
(a)
(b)
297 + 1 mm
Absolute
error
1
= 0.00337
297
1
x 100% = 0.337 %
Percentage uncertainty in its length =
297
Fractional uncertainty in its length =
Note:
(g)
JJ Physics Dept
The
Page 12 of 23
Measurements
No. of readings, n
Value of reading, x
Expected 9.81
8.63, 8.78, 8.82, 8.59, 8.74, 8.88
To summarise,
Precision:
A set of measurements is precise if
a) the measurements have a small spread or scatter
b) there are small random errors in the measurements
Accuracy:
A set of measurements is accurate if
a) the measurements are close to the actual value
b) there are small systematic errors in the measurements
Page 13 of 23
Measurements
C = A + B
If D = A B, find the uncertainty in D.
D=
A + B
E A B
=
+
E
A
B
If F =
A
, find the uncertainty in F.
B
F A B
=
+
F
A
B
Generalising:
If A = Bn, then
If A = Bm Cn ,
then
If A = Bm / Cn ,
then
A
B
=n
A
B
A
B
C
=m
+n
A
B
C
A
B
C
=m
+n
A
B
C
Worked Example 8
Given X = (1.0 0.2) cm and Y = (5.0 0.2) cm, find D and the associated uncertainties if
(a)
D=X+Y
D = X + Y = 6.0 cm
(b)
D=YX
JJ Physics Dept
Page 14 of 23
Measurements
D = Y X = 4.0 cm
D = 2Y 3X
D = 2Y 3X = 7.0 cm
Therefore, D = (7 + 1) cm
(d)
D=
Y-X
4
D=
Y-X
= 1.0 cm
4
= (Y + X)
= (0.2 + 0.2) = 0.1 cm
D = XY
D X Y
=
+
D
X
Y
0.2
0.2
= 0.24
=
+
1.0
5.0
D =
D
D
D
Therefore, D = (5 + 1) cm2
(f)
D = 4XY
D X Y
=
+
D
X
Y
=
0.2 0.2
= 0.24
+
1.0 5.0
D = 4(1.0)(5.0) = 20 cm2
D = 0.24 x 20 = 4.8 cm2 5 cm (to 1 sig. fig)
2
D = (20 5) cm2
JJ Physics Dept
Page 15 of 23
(g)
D = X2Y
Measurements
X Y
D
=2
+
D
X
Y
= 2(
0.2
0.2
)+
1.0
5.0
= 0.44
2
2
3
Average D = X Y = (1.0) (5.0) = 5.0 cm
D =
D
D
D
Therefore, D = (5 + 2) cm3
Worked Example 9
In a simple pendulum experiment to determine g the equation used is where
T = (2.16 0.01) s and l = (1.150 0.005) m.
T = 2
l
g
Solution
Note:
T was the original subject of the equation but since we are interested in g, before
we form the error equation, we have to make g the subject of the equation first.
T = 2
g=
g=
l
g
4 2 l
T2
4 2 (1.150)
2.16 2
g = 9.73 m s-2
g l
T
=
+2
g
l
T
g 0.005
0.01
=
+2
g
2.16
1.150
g
= 0.0136
g
g = 0.132 = 0.1 m s-2 (to 1 sig. fig)
JJ Physics Dept
Page 16 of 23
Measurements
A l b
= +
A
l
b
A
1
1
=
+
4
297 209
6.21 x 10
Worked Example 11
In an experiment to measure the Youngs modulus of a wire, E, the following measurements
were made:
Length of wire, l
Diameter of wire, d
Mass, M
Extension, e
Acceleration of free fall, g
If E is calculated as
E=
3.025
0.84
5.000
1.27
9.81
0.005 m
0.01 mm
0.002 kg
0.02 mm
0.01 m s-2
4Mgl
, calculate E with its associated uncertainty.
ed 2
Solution
E=
4Mgl
4(5.000)(9.81)(3.025)
=
= 2.11 x 1011 Pa
2
-3
-3 2
ed
(1.27 x 10 )(0.84 x 10 )
E=
4Mgl
ed 2
E M g l e
d
=
+
+
+
+2
E
M
g
l
e
d
E 0.002 0.01 0.005 0.02
0.01
=
+
+
+
+ 2
= 0.0426298
E 5.000 9.81 3.025 1.27
0.84
E = 0.0426298 x 2.11 x 1011
JJ Physics Dept
Page 17 of 23
Measurements
E = 8.78 x 109 Pa
E = 0.09 1011 Pa (to 1 sig. fig)
E = (2.11 0.09) x 1011 Pa
Note (REPEATED):
Rule of thumb: non-exact answers should always be rounded off to 3 significant
figures (3.S.F.) except for absolute errors, which are always rounded off to
1.S.F. MARKS will be deducted for expressing the answers to an incorrect
number of significant figures!
The average value is always rounded off to the number of decimal figures of
the absolute error when expressed in scientific notation.
(i)
distinguish between scalar and vector quantities, and give examples of each.
Scalars and vectors are both physical quantities (they have both a number and a
unit).
A scalar quantity consists of a magnitude only.
Examples: mass and charge
A vector quantity consists of a magnitude and a direction.
Examples: displacement and force
Examples
Scalars
Distance
speed
Vectors
displacement
velocity
time
frequency
density
acceleration
force
momentum (encountered in the topic of
Dynamics)
Note:
A vector can be placed anywhere in a diagram as long as it keeps its same length
and direction.
Two vectors with the same length but different directions are different.
Directions for vectors must be given clearly without ambiguity.
JJ Physics Dept
Page 18 of 23
Measurements
i)
ii)
iii)
i)
ii)
75
40o
(j)
Due East
Bearing of 090o
R
R
B
A
B
JJ Physics Dept
Page 19 of 23
Measurements
120 m
40o
84o
100 m
Solution
= 180 84 = 96
sin 96 sin 40
=
120
R
R2 = 1002 + 1202 2(100)(120) cos 40 R = 77.6 m
Vectors Subtraction
Example :
P - Q = P + (- Q)
P
P+(-Q)
-Q
Q
P
(k)
V+H=R
JJ Physics Dept
Page 20 of 23
Measurements
Rx = H = R cos
Ry = V = R sin
tan =
V
H
H
Worked Example 13
Find the horizontal and vertical components of the forces A, B & C.
A (400 N)
B (500 N)
35o
25o
20o
C (200 N)
Solution
Vector
A
Horizontal / N
- 400 cos 25o
Vertical / N
400 sin 25o
Total
- 141
Note:
Check that your calculator is in the correct mode i.e. radian or degree if
you cannot get the final answer for the computation of trigonometric
functions.
Ans : B
JJ Physics Dept
Page 21 of 23
Measurements
Ans : B
Solution
a)
JK JK
A+ B
JK
A
JK
vi
bi)
JJK
vf
JK
B
bii)
JJK
JK
v f + (vi )
JJK
vf
JJJK
vi
JJ Physics Dept
Page 22 of 23
Measurements
Note (IMPORTANT):
Change in a physical quantity = Final physical quantity Initial physical quantity:
For scalars, one can simply take the difference in the magnitude; For vectors, one
need to consider the directions involved!
In the previous example, speed is a scalar whereas velocity is a vector!
Acknowledgements
-
JJ Physics Dept
Page 23 of 23