Unit 1.1 - Basic Physics Flashcards
What includes the 7 basic units?
The SI system
What does the SI system stand for?
Systems Internationale d’Unites
What can all units be derived from?
The 7 basic units of the SI system
What’s good about the 7 basic units of the SI system?
-Have been agreed internationally
-Do not vary over time
-All can be reproduced by observing physical phenomena
What can all the 7 basic units be observed using?
Physical phenomena
Which one of the 7 basic units of the SI system is an exception? Why?
Mass
-the kilogram is based on a prototype kept in Paris (a lump of metal - “the big K”)
-the only one with a prefix in its name (for historical reasons)
What is the kilogram based on?
A prototype kept in Paris - the lump of metal known as the “big K”
Which is the only basic unit with a prefix in its name and why?
The kilogram (kilo) for historical reasons
Mass symbol, basic unit and symbol
m, kilogram, kg
Length symbol, basic unit and symbol
l, metre, m
Time symbol, basic unit and symbol
t, second, s
Temperature symbol, basic unit and symbol
T, Kelvin, K
Electric current symbol, basic unit and symbol
l, ampere, A
Amount of substance symbol, basic unit and symbol
n, mole, mol
Electric current symbol
l
What’s the new way we’re calculating the kg as the unit of the big k has previously changed over time?
Pure silicon with 1 isotope - can calculate the amount of atoms in it
Why do we use Kelvin for temperature as the basic unit?
It goes down to absolute zero
What IS a metre?
The length travelled by light in a vacuum during 1 ÷ the speed of light
What are the derived units made up of?
The basic units
Area symbol, derived unit name and symbol
A, square metre, m2
Volume symbol, derived unit name and symbol
V, cubic metre, m3
Density symbol, derived unit name and symbol
d, kilogram per cubic metre, kgm-3
Velocity symbol, derived unit name and symbol
v, metre per second, ms-1
Acceleration symbol, derived unit name and symbol
a, metre per second squared, ms-2
Momentum symbol, derived unit name and symbol
p, kilogram metre per second, kgms-1
Show why area and volume’s units are what they are
Area - m x m = m2
Volume - m x m x m =m3
What’s p the symbol for?
Momentum
What’s l the symbol for?
Length OR electric current
What’s v the symbol for?
Velocity (big V is volume)
What is kilogram metre per second?
Momentum
What is metres per second squared?
Acceleration
What is kilogram per cubic metre?
Density
What do amperes measure?
Electric current
Why are some units given a special name?
They appear complicated if the basic units are shown
Force symbol, derived unit name and symbol
F, newton, N
Pressure symbol, derived unit name and symbol
P, pascal, Pa
Energy symbol, derived unit name and symbol
E, joule, J
Work symbol, derived unit name and symbol
E, joule, J
Power symbol, derived unit name and symbol
P, watt, W
Frequency symbol, derived unit name and symbol
f, Hertz, Hz
Electric charge symbol, derived unit name and symbol
Q, coulomb, C
Resistance symbol, derived unit name and symbol
R, ohm, Ω
Electromotive force symbol, derived unit name and symbol
E, volt, V
Potential difference symbol, derived unit name and symbol
V, volt, V
Coulomb (C) quantity name and symbol
Electric charge (Q)
Ohm quantity name and symbol
Resistance (R)
Hertz (Hz) quantity name and symbol
Frequency (f)
Pascal (Pa) quantity name and symbol
Pressure (P)
Newton (N) quantity name an symbol
Force (F)
Volt (v) quantity name and symbol
-Electromotive force (E)
-Potential difference (V)
Why do we use prefixes?
More convenient and quicker to use than standard form
Which multiples are used in Physics?
Multiples of 1000 generally (usually in 3 times table)
Homogeneity
The equation is the same throughout - same units on both sides
What’s the term for an equation being the same throughout?
Homogeneity
What do we use to represent a physical quantity? (give an example)
2kg
2 - numerical magnitude
Kg - unit abbreviation
What does a quantity stand for when it’s represented by a symbol? Give an example
A number AND a unit
E.g - m for mass
What do we call the process of finding the unit of quantity in an equation?
Quantity algebra
Quantity algebra
Finding out the unit of the quantity
How can we test to see if an incorrect mathematical equation has been used?
The unit for the required quantity shows up as being wrong
Which quantity do we need to be careful with in quantity algebra?
Mass with kg
If given n grams, we need to change it to kg - always go with the base unit!
Force symbol and worded equation (including unit symbols)
F = ma
Force (N) = mass (kg) x acceleration (ms-2)
Force’s derived unit expressed as its base units
N = kgms-2
Energy’s derived unit expressed as its base units
E = kgm2s-2
Power’s derived units expressed as base units
P = kgm2s-3
Work done symbol and worded equation (including unit symbols)
E = fd
Work done/energy (J) = force (N) x distance (m)
Kinetic energy symbol and worded equation (including unit symbols)
E = 0.5mv^2
Kinetic energy (J) = 0.5 x mass (kg) x (velocity (ms-1)^2
Potential energy symbol and worded equation (including unit symbols)
E = mgh
Potential energy (J) = mass (kg) x g (ms-2) x height (m)
Power symbol and worded equation (including unit symbols)
P = E
—
t
Power (W) = Energy (E)
————
Time (s)
What do all energy equations (what are they?) come down to and why?
Work done, kinetic energy and potential energy
All come down to the same base units
All measured in joules (J)
Frequency symbol and actual basic units
Hz, s-1
Do numbers have units?
No
what do we do if units are squared?
Square each individual base unit too
What is weight measured in?
Newtons
What doesn’t homogeneity show us?
Whether any of the units are constants
How do you work out the unit of a constant?
Make it the subject and literally work it out as if they were normal numbers (e.g - divided, the indices minus)
Then, cancel the relevant things and whatever’s left is the unit
Scalar
Only size
Vector
Size AND direction