Physics 1: Properties of Matter

Study Notes

Course is an introduction to the fundamental basis of Physics (Part One: Properties of Matter)
The course utilizes lectures and weekly laboratory sessions (total 12 sessions)
Assessment:
- Mid-term examination (20%)
- Semester work (quizzes, reports, sheets) (20%)
- Oral/practical examination (10%)
- Final examination (50%)
- Total = 100%

Lecture 1 objectives: Understand units, benefits of dimensional analysis, scientific notation, significant figures, and graphs.
Science and engineering rely on measurements and comparisons.
- Rules (standards) are needed for consistent measurement.
- Experiments are required to establish measurement units.
Physical quantities are specified by their numerical value and unit.
The SI system of units is divided into:
- Base units
- Derived units
- Supplementary units
Fundamental quantities and their units are defined.
Definitions of SI units are provided (e.g., metre, kilogram, second, ampere, Kelvin, candela, mole).
Supplementary quantities (e.g., radian, steradian) and their units are defined.
Examples of SI derived units (e.g., area, volume, speed, velocity, acceleration, mass density, current density, magnetic field strength).
Dimensions of fundamental quantities (e.g., length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, luminous intensity, amount of substance).

Dimensional equations are equations obtained by equating a physical quantity with its dimensions.
Some physical quantities have no dimensions (e.g., plane angle, solid angle, specific gravity, strain, refractive index).
Quantities having the same dimensions can be used interchangeably in expressions (Momentum and Impulse, Work, energy, Torque, Pressure, stress, elasticity).
Dimensionless physical parameters are determined without consideration of actual values (e.g., Reynolds number, Mach number, refractive index).

The method does not provide information about constants,
It fails in deriving relationships if the physical quantity relies on multiple fundamental quantities.
Does not handle equations requiring trigonometric, logarithmic or exponential functions

Small letters are used for unit symbols (e.g., m for metre)
Unit symbols are not followed by periods.
Symbols for units named after scientists start with a capital letter (e.g., N for Newton).
Full names start with a lowercase letter (e.g., 5 newton).
Unit symbols do not take plural form.
Practical units concurrently used with SI units are also defined (Ferm, Angstrom, Nanometer, Micron, light years, astronomical unit)

Order of magnitude of a physical quantity is the power of 10 closest to its magnitude, representing relative size.
Useful to express how big or small a quantity is.

In any measurement, reliable digits (including uncertain digit) are called significant figures.
Zeros between non-zero digits are significant.
Trailing zeros after a decimal point are significant.
Trailing zeros without a decimal point are not significant.
In addition/subtraction, results are rounded to the least decimal place.
In multiplication/division, results are rounded to the least significant figures.

Accuracy: Closeness to the true value.
Precision: Closeness of repeat measurements.
Errors in measurement: Instrument limitations and observation uncertainties from true value.
Types of errors:
- Systematic errors (tend to be consistent, predictable in direction and magnitude)
- Random errors (occur irregularly and unpredictable)
Mean value of a quantity (average of measurements).
Absolute error: Difference between true value and observed value.
Mean absolute error: Average of absolute errors.
Relative error: Ratio of mean absolute error over true value.
Percentage error (relative error expressed as percentage).
Error in computed quantities: calculated considering individual errors of each quantity involved in the computation.