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Unit & Dimension, Basic Maths and VectorALLEN 1
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PHYSICAL QUANTITIES AND UNITS
Physical quantities :
All quantities that can be measured are called physical quantities. eg. time, length, mass, force, work
done, etc. In physics we study about physical quantities and their inter relationship.
Measurement :
Measurement is the comparison of a quantity with a standard of the same physical quantity.
Classification :
Physical quantities can be classified on the following bases :
I. Based on their directional properties
1. Scalars:The physical quantities which have only magnitude but no direction are called scalar quantities.
Ex. mass, density, volume, time, etc.
2. Vectors : The physical quantities which have both magnitude and direction and obey laws of vector
algebra are called vector quantities. Ex. displacement, force, velocity, etc.
II. Based on their dependency
1. Fundamental or base quantities : A set of physical quantities which are completely independent of
each other and all other physical quantities can be expressed in terms of these physical quantities is
called Set of Fundamental Quantities.
2. Derived quantities : The quantities which can be expressed in terms of the fundamental quantities
are known as derived quantities. Ex. Speed (= distance/time), volume, acceleration, force, pressure,
etc.
Physical quantities can also be classified as dimensional and dimensionless quantities or constants
and variables.
Ex.Classify the quantities displacement, mass, force, time, speed, velocity, acceleration, moment of inertia,
pressure and work under the following categories :
(a) base and scalar(b) base and vector(c) derived and scalar (d) derived and vector
Ans.(a) mass, time (b) displacement(c) speed, pressure, work
(d) force, velocity, acceleration
Units of Physical Quantities
The chosen reference standard of measurement in multiples of which, a physical quantity is expressed
is called the unit of that quantity. Four basic properties of units are :
1. They must be well defined.
2. They should be easily available and reproducible.
3. They should be invariable e.g. step as a unit of length is not invariable.
4. They should be accepted to all.
System of Units :
1. FPS or British Engineering system :
In this system length, mass and time are taken as fundamental quantities and their base units are foot
(ft), pound (lb) and second (s) respectively.
KEY CONCEPT
UNIT & DIMENSION, BASIC MATHS AND VECTOR