Learning objectives
At the end of this chapter the students will be able to:
- Understand what is physics.
- Understand that all physical quantities consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit.
- Recall the following base quantities and their units; mass (kg), length (m), time (s), current (A), temperature (K), luminous intensity (cd) and amount of substance (mol).
- Describe and use base units, supplementary units, and derived units.
- Understand and use the scientific notation.
- Use the standard prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal sub-multiples or multiples to both base and derived units.
- Understand and use the conventions for indicating units.
- Understand the distinction between systematic errors and random errors.
- Understand and use the significant figures.
- Understand the distinction between precision and accuracy.
- Assess the uncertainty in a derived quantity by simple addition of actual, fractional or percentage uncertainties.
- Quote answers with correct scientific notation, number of significant figures and units in all numerical and practical work.
- Use dimensionality to check the homogeneity of physical equations.
- Derive formulae in simple cases using dimensions.
Eversince man has started to observe, think and reason he has been wondering about the world around him. He tried to find ways to organize the disorder prevailing in the observed facts about the natural phenomena and material things in an orderly manner. His attempts resulted in the birth of a single discipline of science, called natural philosophy.
There was a huge increase in the volume of scientific knowledge up till the beginning of nineteenth century and it was found necessary to classify the study of nature into two branches, the biological sciences which concern with non-living things. Physics is an important and basic part of physical sciences besides its other disciplines such as chemistry, astronomy, geology etc.
Physics is an experimental science and the scientific method emphasizes the need of accurate measurement of various measurable features of different phenomena or of man made objects. This chapter emphasizes the need of thorough understanding and practice of measuring techniques and recording skills.