1. Physical quantities and units
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1.1 Physical quantities
1.1.1All physical quantities consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit
• understand that all physical quantities consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit
1.1.2Physical quantities included within the syllabus
• make reasonable estimates of physical quantities included within the syllabus
1.2 SI units
1.2.1The following SI base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m)
• recall the following SI base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m), time (s), current (A), temperature (K)
1.2.2Derived units as products or quotients of the SI base units and use the
• 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
1.2.3SI base units to check the homogeneity of physical equations
• use SI base units to check the homogeneity of physical equations
1.2.4The following prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal submultiples or
• 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)
1.3 Errors and uncertainties
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
1.3.2The distinction between precision and accuracy
• understand the distinction between precision and accuracy
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
1.4 Scalars and vectors
1.4.1The difference between scalar and vector quantities and give examples of
• understand the difference between scalar and vector quantities and give examples of scalar and vector quantities included in the syllabus
1.4.2Add and subtract coplanar vectors
• add and subtract coplanar vectors
1.4.3A vector as two perpendicular components
• represent a vector as two perpendicular components