QuestionQuestionConceptConceptDocumentDocument

1. Physical quantities and units

Start with Concept to understand a topic, then use Question Bank to check what you know.

4 topics · 12 learning objectives

Your progress

Sign in to see your mastery and mistakes.

  1. 1.1 Physical quantities

    1. • understand that all physical quantities consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit

    2. • make reasonable estimates of physical quantities included within the syllabus

  2. 1.2 SI units

    1. • recall the following SI base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m), time (s), current (A), temperature (K)

    2. • express derived units as products or quotients of the SI base units and use the derived units for quantities listed in this syllabus as appropriate

    3. • use SI base units to check the homogeneity of physical equations

    4. • recall and use the following prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal submultiples or multiples of both base and derived units: pico (p), nano (n), micro (μ), milli (m), centi (c), deci (d), kilo (k), mega (M), giga (G), tera (T)

  3. 1.3 Errors and uncertainties

    1. 1.3.1The effects of systematic errors (including zero errors) and random errors

      • understand and explain the effects of systematic errors (including zero errors) and random errors in measurements

    2. 1.3.2The distinction between precision and accuracy

      • understand the distinction between precision and accuracy

    3. 1.3.3Assess the uncertainty in a derived quantity by simple addition of absolute

      • assess the uncertainty in a derived quantity by simple addition of absolute or percentage uncertainties

  4. 1.4 Scalars and vectors

    1. • understand the difference between scalar and vector quantities and give examples of scalar and vector quantities included in the syllabus

    2. • add and subtract coplanar vectors

    3. • represent a vector as two perpendicular components