PHYSICS

FORM 4

Chapter 1

Introduction to Physics
Cikgu Desikan

Chapter 1

Introduction to Physics
Dear students,

FORM 4 PHYSICS
2015

With the new day comes new strength and new

thoughts.
Learning Objectives :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Understanding Physics
Understanding base quantities and derived quantities
Understanding scalar and vector Quantities
Understanding measurements
Analysing scientific investigations

Cikgu Desikan

Analysis of Past Year Questions

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

P1
P2

P3

Chapter 1

Introduction to Physics
Dear students,

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail !!!

Concept Map
Introduction to Physics
Physics
Concepts
Field of
Physics

Physics Quantity
Base
Quantity

Derived
Quantity

Base Unit

Derived Unit

Prefix

Scientific
Notation

Measurement
Approximation
Instrument for
Measurement

Error
Accuracy

Conversion of
Units

Sensitivity

Consistency

Scientific
Investigation

1.1

Understanding Physics

What is Physics?
Study of ___________________ phenomena and the properties of ____________________ .

2. _________________
Studies the influence of
heat on different
types of matter
1.__________ & ________
Investigate the action of
force and motion
Fields of study
in physics

7. ______________
Study of nuclear
structure and their
application
6. ___________
Studies the use of
electronic devices in
various fields

3. ________________
Explains the different
phenomena due to light
4. _________________
Understand the
properties of different
types of waves and
their uses

5. _______________
Investigates the
interactions of electric &
magnetic fields

1.2

Physical Quantities

Physical Quantities is a physical

characteristic that can be measured.

Base quantities are quantities that cannot be

___________ in terms of other base quantities.

All physical quantities can be classified

into two groups :
1. ____________________________

Base quantity

Symbol

2. ____________________________
Derived quantities

Base quantities

S.I. Unit

Symbol
for S.I.
Unit

Derived quantity is one which obtained by

__________________ base quantities by
multiplication, division or both these
operations. Its unit is derived from a
similar combination of the base units.

Derived quantities
(symbol)

Expressed in base quantities

Derived units

Area, A

Volume, V

Derived
quantities
(symbol)

Expressed in base quantities

Derived units

Density ,

Velocity , v

Acceleration, a

Momentum, p

Force, F

Pressure, P

Weight, W

Scientific form
The values of measurements which is either
very large of very small are written in
Standard Form so as to be neater, brief and
easier to read.
A x 10n ,
1 < A < 10 and n = integer
Write the following quantities in standard
form :
a. Radius of the earth = 6 370 000 m

b. Mass of an electron
= 0.000 000 000 000 000 911 kg

c. Size of a particle = 0.000 03 m

d. Diameter of an atom = 0.000 000 072 m

e. Wavelength of light = 0.000 000 55 m

Prefixes
Prefix is used to simplify the expression of very
big or very small numerical values of physical
quantities
Prefix

Value

Tera

1,000,000,000,
000

Giga

1,000,000,000

Mega
Kilo
Hecto
Deca
Deci
Centi
Mili
Micro

1,000,000
1,000
100
10
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.000 001

Nano

0.000 000 001

Pico

0.000 000 000

001

Standard
Symbol
form

Exercise 3.1
Conversion of Units
Convert each of the following measurements
into metre, m
(a) 2.98 Tm
(b) 298 km
(c) 2.98 m
(d) 2.98 x 10-1 Gm
(e) 2.98 x 10-3 Mm
(f) 29.8 x 107 nm
(g) 298 x 104 m

Convert
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

4 m2 into the units of cm2

30 cm2 into the units of m2
2.5 m2 to unit of mm2
500 mm2 into the units of m2
200 m3 into the units of mm3
11.5 cm3 into the units of m3
72 km h-1 into the units of ms-1
5 g cm-3 into the units of kg m-3

1.3 Understanding Scalar and Vector Quantities

Scalar Quantities

Vector Quantities

Distance
Velocity
Work
Area

Examples
Force

Distance(s)
Total

of the path traveled

Displacement(s)
Distance between
along a specific

quantity

quantity

Speed
Rate of

of distance

Speed =

measured

Velocity
Rate of change of displacement
Velocity =

quantity

quantity

10

1.4

Measuring Instruments
Consistency

Consistency in measurements
refers to how little deviation
there is among the
measurements made when a
quantity is measured several
times.

Accuracy

Sensitivity

Accuracy of a measurement
is how close the
measurement made is to the
________
_________of the quantity.

Sensitivity of an instrument is
its ability to detect a
______________ in the
quantity to be measured in a
short period of time.

The diagram shows the result for four shooters A, B, C and D

in a tournament. Every shooter shot five times.
Shooter

Consistency

Accuracy

A
B
C
D
(Use High / Low)

11

ERROR
Error is ________________caused by measuring instrument or the_____________ or the
____________________ of the surroundings.
Systematic Error
Caused by:
i. Condition of the measuring instrument
ii. Condition of environment
Example
i. ______________________________
ii. Inaccurate calibration
Way of correction
i. Proper calibration
ii. Adjust the instrument frequently

Random Error

Caused by:
i. Surroundings factors, such as
temperature and wind
ii. Carelessness of the observer
Example
i. Parallax error ii. Error in counting
iii. Natural errors (sudden change)
Ways of correction
i. Take several readings and calculate
the average value.

Parallax Error
A parallax error is an error in reading an instrument because the observers eyes and pointer are
not in line / perpendicular to the plane of the scale.
How to avoid parallax error?
1. position of eyes must be in line/ perpendicular / 90o with the scale of the reading to be taken.
2. When taking reading from an ammeter, we must make sure that the eyes are exactly in front of
the pointer, so that the reflection of the pointer in the mirror is right behind the pointer. In other
words, the reflection of the pointer on the mirror could not be seen by the observer, then it is
free from parallax error.
12

Parallax Error

13
B

Pointers image can be seen

Pointers image is behind the pointer

Measuring Instruments & Accuracy

Physical Quantity
Length
Current
Mass
Temperature
Time
Voltage

Measuring Instrument

Measurement

Function

The tail is used to

measure depths

3
Vernier calliper reading = _________
VERNIER CALLIPER

No Zero error

14

Positive zero error

Negative zero error

0

Main Scale

Main Scale

Vernier Scale

Vernier Scale

10

10

Sixth mark on the Vernier scale is in line with

a mark on the main scale

Sixth mark on the Vernier scale is in line with

a mark on the main scale

Negative zero error

Positive zero error

Try this!!!
1. Write down the readings shown by the following:
a)

10

b)

10

15

The object which to be

measured is placed
between the jaws (spindle).

The thimble is
turned until its jaw
touches the object.
The ratchet knob
prevents
overtightening by
making a click
sound when the
micrometer is ready
to be read.

MICROMETER SCREW GAUGE

Reading of the main scale

=
main scale
Horizontal
reference
line

Reading of the thimble scale

thimble scale

=
Diameter of ball bearing

16

No Zero Error

Horizontal
reference
line

10
5
0
45
40

0 mark

CW
Horizontal
reference
line

0 10
5
0
45

2nd mark
above 0

Horizontal
reference
line

5
0
45
40

3th mark
below 0
ACW

To elliminate the zero error ***

Correct Reading = Reading Obtained Zero Error

17

Exercise 3.4
1. Write down the readings shown by the following:
a)

c)

10

b)

d)

10

10

10

2. Write down the readings shown by the following micrometer screw gauges.

a)

b)

18

3. The following diagram shows the scale of a vernier callipers when the jaws are closed.
1

10

(a)

10

(b)

The following diagram shows the scale of the same vernier callipers when there are 50
pieces of cardboard between the jaws. Determine the thickness of one piece of cardboard.

19

Miliammeter

Thermometer

Mechanical Stopwatch

Sensitivity & Accuracy of Measuring Instruments

Instrument

Sensitivity

Accuracy

Metre Rule
Vernier Calliper
Micrometer Screw Gauge
Ammeter
Miliammeter
Thermometer
Mechanical stopwatch
Digital stopwatch

20

1.5 Scientific Investigation

Identify the problems/

questions / situations

The problem is identified and stated by

asking question. The problem is usually
arised from an observation
The question asked must be one that can
be solved experimentally.

Inference

Identify the
variables involve

Hypothesis

Apparatus

List out

Design and
carry out
experiments

Tabulate

Aim
Procedure

Analysis

_______________________________
The quantity whose values we deliberately
choose to change or a primary variable
which causes other secondary variable to
change.
________________________________
The quantity whose value depend on the
manipulated variable or a secondary
variable which changes in response to the
change in the manipulated variable.
________________________________
The quantity whose value is kept constant
throughout the experiment.

21

.Scientific Investigation.

5
A general statement about the relationship between
a manipulated variable and a responding variable.
The hypothesis should be written as :
The greater the, the greater the.
Or
The bigger the, the smaller the..

Aim
A statement to show the investigation of the
variables involve. The aim of the experiment should
be written as:
To investigate the relationship between ..and

Apparatus
List the apparatus and materials used so that at
least a set of data for manipulated and responding
variables can be determined. State the arrangement
of the apparatus that can function by drawing a
labeling diagram .
Procedure
1. State the method of controlling the manipulated
variables
2. State the method of measuring the responding
variables
3. Repeat the experiments at least four times.

When the data is organised in a table, it is

easier to analyse than recorded randomly.

6
Plot a graph of ( Responding variable) against
(Manipulated variable)
How to analyze the data ?
(a) Determine the relationship between two
variables.
(b) Determine the gradient of the graph

7
Based on the analysis and data interpretation,
make a rational conclusion

8
Report must be written after the scientific
investigation is completed.
The report must consist of aim, problem
statement, hypothesis, variables, apparatus and
material, procedure, result, discussion and
conclusion.

22

Relationship between two variables

a

a
a 1
m

aF

a 1
m
m

a is inversely
proportional to m

a is directly proportional to 1
m

1
m

y decreasing linearly with

x

23

Revision Questions

D. F

C. F

1. Which of the following force-compression

graphs shows that the compression,x of a
spring is directly proportional with the force
that is applied, F?
A.

3.

B. F

C. F

10

D. F
Q
5

2. Which of the following is the best graph ?

B. F

A. F

The equation of the graph above is

A) P = 10Q + 5
C) P = 2Q + 10

B) P = 2Q + 10
D) P = 5Q 10

24

4. Table shows the readings of the length of a rod as recorded by two students, X and Y

a)
b)
c)

d)
e)

Reading of student X/cm

Reading of student Y/cm

2.42

2.43

2.38

2.41

2.40

2.38

2.36

2.34

What was the instrument used by both students?

Why four readings were taken for each measurement?
What is the average value of the readings made by
i)
student X ?
ii)
student Y ?
Which set of reading is more accurate? Why?
Apart from the instrument in (a), what instruments can be used although they are
less accurate?

25

5.

Load
W/N

Time for 10
oscillations, t/s

1.0

6.7

2.0

9.5

3.0

11.6

4.0

13.4

Period of
oscillation, T/s

T2/s2

W/T2 N s-2

The above table shows the experimental data that is obtained by a student using the
weighted spring oscillation system.
a) Name the variable that is manipulated.
b) Name the variable that responds.
c) Complete the above table with the corresponding values.
d) State the derived unit for W/T2.
e) Draw the graph of T2 against W.
f) Interpret the shape of the graph that you have drawn.
g) Calculate the gradient of your graph.
h) Write one relationship between the load and the period.

26

0.2
0

27

DO YOU WANT TO GET

THINK..AND ACT NOW !!!

But HOW ?

HOW TO SCORE A+ PHYSICS ?

1. MASTER THE DEFINITION FOR PHYSICS TERMINOLOGY
2. MASTER THE PHYSICS PRINCIPLE AND THEIR APPLICATION
3. MASTER THE PHYSICS LAW & APPLICATION
4. MASTER THE PHYSICS RULE
5. MASTER THE PHYSICS FORMULA
6. KNOWING THE PHYSICS EXAMINATION FORMAT
7. MASTER THE METHOD OF ANSWERING QUESTION
8. MASTER THE METHOD OF ANSWERING
9. MASTER ALL THE PHYSICS EXPERIMENT
10. MASTER THE PHYSICS CONTENT USING
11. ANSWER THE PAST YEARS SPM EXAM PAPERS (Min 5 yrs)
12. MASTER THE DRAWING SKILL
13. MASTER THE WORKING PRINCIPLE OF INSTRUMENT
14. MASTER THE GRAPH SKILL
15. MASTER THE UNIT CONVERSION SKILL
16. MASTER CALCULATION SKILL
17. MASTER THE QUESTIONS SKILL ANALYSIS