CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

1.1 Understanding Physics

What is physics ?

• The word Physics is originated from the Greek word

• In physics, we study natural phenomena and the properties of matter. The aim of physics is to explain the fundamental nature of the universe by using the concept of physics.

• Physics involves the conduct of studies and experiments to find answers to the question in relation to the mysteries of the universe.

• The majority of natural phenomena can be explained using the principle of physics :

                i) We cannot see an object behind a wall because light travels in a straight line.
                ii) The image of the pencil formed by the mirror is due to the reflection of light.

Fields of study in physics

1) Forces and pressure - pressure, pressure in liquids, gas pressure, atmospheric pressure, Pascal
                                          principle, Archimedes principle, Bernoulli principle.
2) Heat - studies the influence of heat on different types of matter.
3) Electricity and electromagnetism - Investigate the interaction of electric and magnetic fields.
4) Electronics - studies the use of electronics devices in various fields.
5) Waves - understand the properties of different types of waves and their uses.
6) Light - explain the different phenomenon due to light.
7) Force and motion - investigate the action of force and motion.
         
1.2.1 Base Quantities

Physical Quantities

1) A physical quantity is a quality that can be measured.
2) A physical quantity can be divided into base quantity and derived quantity.

Base Quantities

1) Base quantities are the qualities that are conventionally accepted as functionally independent of one another.
2) It is a quantity that cannot be defined in term of other physical quantity.
3) The base quantities and its units are as in the table below :

1.2.2 Derived Quantities

Derived Quantities

A derived quantity is a Physics quantity that is not a base quantity. It is the quantities which derived from the base quantities through multiplying and/or dividing them.

Example :

( Speed is derived from dividing distance by time )

Derived Unit

The derived unit is a combination of base units through multiplying and/or dividing them.

Example 1 

Find the derived unit of density

Answer :

Unit Convertion

Area and Volume

1.2.3 Prefixes

Prefixes are the preceding factor used to represent very small and very large physical quantities in SI units.

Scientific Notation (Standard Form)

• Scientific notation (also known as Standard index notation) is a convenient way to write very small or large numbers. 
• In this notation, numbers are separated into two parts, a real number with an absolute value between 1 and 10 and an order of magnitude value written as a power of 10. 
• Physical quantities that are very big or very small need to be written in the standard form so that it is neat, simple and easy to read. 

1.3 Scalar and Vector Quantities

• Scalars are quantities which are fully described by a magnitude alone. 
• Magnitude is the numerical value of a quantity. 
• Examples of scalar quantities are distance, speed, mass, volume, temperature, density and energy. 

• Vectors are quantities which are fully described by both a magnitude and a direction. 
• Examples of vector quantities are displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, momentum, and magnetic field.

Example 1 

Categorize each quantity below as being either a vector or a scalar.

Speed, velocity, acceleration, distance, displacement, energy, electrical charge, density, volume, length, momentum, time, temperature, force, mass, power, work, impulse.

Scalar Quantities:

• speed 
• distance 
• energy 
• electrical charge 
• density 
• volume 
• length 
• time 
• temperature 
• mass 
• power 
• work            

Vector Quantities

• velocity 
• acceleration 
• displacement 
• momentum 
• force 
• impulse 

1.4.0 Measurement and Error

Error
Error is the difference between the actual value of a quantity and the value obtained in measurement.
There are 2 main types of error

• Systematic Error
• Random Error

Systematic Error
Systematic errors are errors which tend to shift all measurements in a systematic way so their mean value is displaced. Systematic errors can be compensated if the errors are known.

Examples of systematic errors are

1. zero error, which cause by an incorrect position of the zero point,
2. an incorrect calibration of the measuring instrument.
3. consistently improper use of equipment.

Systematic error can be reduced by

1. Conducting the experiment with care.
2. Repeating the experiment by using different instruments.

Zero error
1. A zero error arises when the measuring instrument does not start from exactly zero.
2. Zero errors are consistently present in every reading of a measurement.
3. The zero error can be positive or negative.

(NO ZERO ERROR: The pointer of the ammeter place on zero when no current flow through it.)

(NEGATIVE ZERO ERROR: The pointer of the ammeter does not place on zero but a negative value when no current flow through it.)

(POSITIVE ZERO ERROR: The pointer of the ammeter does not place on zero but a negative value when no current flow through it.)

Random errors
1. Random errors arise from unknown and unpredictable variations in condition.
2. It fluctuates from one measurement to the next.
3. Random errors are caused by factors that are beyond the control of the observers.
4. Random error can cause by :

• personal errors such as human limitations of sight and touch.
• lack of sensitivity of the instrument: the instrument fail to respond to the small change.
• natural errors such as changes in temperature or wind, while the experiment is in progress.
• wrong technique of measurement.

One example of random error is the parallax error. Random error can be reduced by:

• taking repeat readings
• find the average value of the reading.

Parallax error
A parallax error is an error in reading an instrument due to the eye of the observer and pointer are not in a line perpendicular to the plane of the scale.

1.4.1 Consistency, Accuracy and Sensitivity

Precision


1.Precision is the ability of an instrument in measuring a quantity in a consistent manner with only a small relative deviation between readings.
2. The precision of a reading can be indicated by its relative deviation.
3. The relative deviation is the percentage of mean deviation for a set of measurements and it is defined by the following formula:




Accuracy
1. The accuracy of a measurement is the approximation of the measurement to the actual value for a certain quantity of Physics.
2. The measurement is more accurate if its number of significant figures increases.
3. Table above shows that the micrometer screw gauge is more accurate than the other measuring instruments.

4. The accuracy of a measurement can be increased by

• taking a number of repeat readings to calculate the mean value of the reading.
• avoiding the end errors or zero errors.
• taking into account the zero and parallax errors.
• using more sensitive equipment such as a vernier caliper to replace a ruler.

5. The difference between precision and accuracy can be shown by the spread of shooting of a target (as shown in Diagram below).



Sensitivity
1. The sensitivity of an instrument is its ability to detect small changes in the quantity that is being measured.
2. Thus, a sensitive instrument can quickly detect a small change in measurement.
3. Measuring instruments that have smaller scale parts are more sensitive.
4. Sensitive instruments need not necessarily be accurate.

1.4.2 Vernier Caliper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JvPLUp9SJ54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kTLhmptHAPc

1.4.3 Micrometer Screw Gauge



Range and Accuracy
The range of a micrometer is 0-25mm.
The accuracy of a micrometer is up to 0.01mm.How to Use a Micrometer?

1. Turn the thimble until the object is gripped gently between the anvil and spindle.
2. Turn the ratchet knob until a "click" sound is heard. This is to prevent exerting too much pressure on the object measured.
3. Take the reading.

How to Read the Reading?

Reading = Reading of main scale + Reading of thimble scale.

Reading of main scale = 0 - 25 mm
Reading of thimble scale = 0 - 0.49mm

Example :

Reading of main scale = 5.5mm
Reading of thimble scale = 0.28mm

Actual Reading = 5.5mm + 0.28mm = 5.78mm

Precaution Steps

1. The spindle and anvil are cleaned with a tissue or cloth, so that any dirt present will not be measured.
2. The thimble must be tightened until the first click is heard.
3. The zero error is recorded.

1.4.4 Ruler, Thermometer, Stopwatch, Ammeter and Voltmeter

Ruler 

A metre rule has sensitivity or accuracy of 1mm

Precaution to be taken when using ruler

1. Make sure that the object is in contact with the ruler.
2. Avoid parallax error.
3. Avoid zero error and end error.

Thermometer

There are 2 types of mercury thermometer

1. Thermometers of range -10^oC - 110^oC with accuracy 1^oC.
2. Thermometers of range 0^oC - 360^oC with accuracy 2^oC.

Precaution to be taken when using thermometer

1. Make sure that the temperature measured does not exceed the measuring range.
2. When measuring temperature of liquid

• immerse the bulb fully in the liquid
• stir the liquid so that the temperature in the liquid is uniform
• do not stir the liquid vigorously to avoid breaking the thermometer

Stopwatch

There are 2 types of stopwatches

1. analogue stopwatches of sensitivity 0.1s or 0.2s
2. digital stopwatches of sensitivity 0.01s.

The sensitivity of a stopwatch depends on the reaction time of the user.

Ammeter and Voltmeter

Ammeters are measuring instrument used to measure electric current.
An Ammeter is always connected in series with the load (resistor) in a circuit.

Voltmeters are measuring instrument used to measure potential difference (voltage).
A voltmeter is always connected parallel to the load (resistor) in a circuit.

1.5 Scientific Investigation

The scientific method is a systematic method in doing their work.

A report of the investigation must include:

1. Objective of the experiment,
2. Inference,
3. Hypothesis,
4. Three types of variables: manipulated variable, responding variable and fixed variable,
5. Defined operational variables,
6. List of apparatus,
7. Procedure,
8. Tabulation of data,
9. Analysis of data,
10. Conclusion.

Inference: 
Inference is a statement to state the relationship between two visible quantities observed in a diagram or picture.Hypothesis: 
Hypothesis is a statement to state the relationship between two measurable variables that can be investigated in a lab.The Variables
A variable is a quantity that can vary in value. There are 3 types of variable:

1. Manipulated Variables: Manipulated variables are factors which changed for the experiment.
2. Responding Variables: Responding variables are factors which depend on the manipulated variables.
3. Constant Variables: Constant variables are factors which are kept the same throughout the experiment.

Tabulating Data
A proper way of tabulating data should include the following:

1. The name or the symbols of the variables must be labelled with respective units.
2. All measurements must be consistent with the sensitivity of the instruments used.
3. All the values must be consistent to the same number of decimal places.

The Graph
Graphs are used to make a relationship between variables.
Gradient value and extrapolation of a graph are used to analyse a graph.
A well-plotted must contain the following features:

1. A title to show the two variables under investigation,
2. two axes labelled with the correct variables and their respective units,
3. the graph drawn is greater than 50 % of the graph paper,
4. appropriate scales (1:1 x 10^x, 1:2 x 10^x and 1:5 x 10^x)
5. all the points are correctly plotted,
6. a best fit line is drawn.