QUANTITY AND UNITS

PREAMBLE: Give the SI unit of the physical quantity.

1. Luminous intensity.
ANSWER: Candela
2. Solid angle.
ANSWER: Steradian
3. Amount of substance.
ANSWER: Mole
1. Which of the following is a fundamental quantity: mass, weight, time, length, frequency?

ANSWER: Length, time and mass

2. Which of the following is a derived SI unit: kilogram, newton, metre, joule?

ANSWER: Newton and joule

3. Which of the following units is accepted for use in the SI system: steradian, kilogram-force,
pound, radian?

ANSWER: Steradian and radian

Consider the following units: Fahrenheit, kilogram force, bar, pound per square inch, millimeter of
mercury.

(1) Which of the units is an SI unit?

Ans: None of them

(2) Which of the units are used for the same physical quantity?

Ans: Bar, psi, mmHg

(3) Give the SI equivalent of each unit.

Ans: Fahrenheit: kelvin; kilogram force: newton; bar, psi, mmHg: pascal

The magnetic flux linkage for a certain circuit is 0.01006 V s. State the flux in the circuit in
scientific notation using SI base units only.

𝐀𝐧𝐬: 𝟏. 𝟎𝟎𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟐 𝐀−𝟏 𝐬−𝟐

 The value of a physical quantity is 205.10 J s. State the value of the quantity in scientific
notation using SI base units only.

Ans: 𝟐. 𝟎𝟓𝟏𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟐 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟐 𝐬 −𝟏

The magnitude of the linear momentum of a moving object is 0.00810 N s. State the linear
momentum of the object in scientific notation using SI base units only.

Ans: 𝟖. 𝟏𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝐤𝐠 𝐦 𝐬−𝟏

1. Which of the following devices can be used to measure the interval between two events: meter
rule, stopwatch, spherometer, simple pendulum?
ANSWER: Stopwatch and simple pendulum
2. How is the second now defined?
ANSWER: The duration of a specified number of cycles of a specified transition in cesium-
133.A more precise specification (e.g.9192631770 cycles of the hyperfine ground state
transition radiation) is acceptable.
3. Which of the following physical phenomena can be used to estimate the interval between two
events: position variation of a spring-mass system, intensity variation of terrestrial sunlight,
electric current variation in a tuned LC circuit?
ANSWER: Position variation of a spring-mass system and electric current variation in an LC
circuit Intensity variations of sunlight on earth are subject to phenomena that are not easily
predictable.
In the following questions, you are given a set of derived units. Give the corresponding
S.I units. (1 attempt)

1. 1 kgm/s2 is equivalent to ….
ANSWER: 1 Newton

12. 1 N/m2 is equivalent to

ANSWER: 1 Pascal.

(1) In an experiment to confirm the relationship between two observables, 𝐴 and 𝐵, a graph with ln 𝐴 on
the vertical axis and ln 𝐵 on the horizontal axis is drawn. If the anticipated relationship is 𝐴 = 𝑘𝐵 𝑛 ,
how can the graph be used to determine 𝑘 and 𝑛?

Ans: 𝒌 is given by the vertical intercept and 𝒏 by the slope of the graph
(5) The relationship between two observables, 𝑉 and 𝑟, is 𝑉 = 𝑘 + 𝑎/𝑟. How must experimental data be
plotted to obtain a straight-line graph whose slope gives 𝑎 and whose intercept gives 𝑘?

Ans: Plot 𝑽 on the vertical axis and 𝟏/𝒓 on the horizontal axis

(9) The relationship between observables 𝑈 and 𝑟 is postulated to be 𝑈 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑏𝑟 . What graph type is
obtained by plotting ln 𝑈 on the vertical axis and 𝑟 on the horizontal axis and how can it be used to
determine 𝐴 amd 𝑏?

Ans: The graph is linear; the slope equals 𝒃 and the vertical intercept equals 𝐥𝐧 𝑨

(1) Express 0.080100 Pa s in scientific notation using SI base units only.

Ans: 𝟖. 𝟎𝟏𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐 𝐤𝐠 𝐦−𝟏 𝐬 −𝟏

(5) Express 0.0002050 J s in scientific notation using SI base units only.

Ans: 𝟐. 𝟎𝟓𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟐 𝐬−𝟏

(9) Express 10.030800 N s in scientific notation using SI base units only.

Ans: 𝟏. 𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟎𝟖𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏 𝐤𝐠 𝐦 𝐬 −𝟏

Contest 37a

(1) Find the loss in total kinetic energy when a 2 kg object moving at 5 m s −1 collides head-on with a
stationary 3 kg object if the coefficient of restitution is 0.8.

Ans: 𝟓. 𝟒 𝐉
(2 kg)(3 kg)(5 m s−1 )2
𝑇 − 𝑇 = (1 − 𝑒 2 )𝑢12 𝑚1 𝑚2 /2(𝑚1 + 𝑚2 ) =
′
× (1 − 0.82 ) = 5.4 J
2(2 kg + 3 kg)

Contest 37b

(4) The characteristic yellow emission of sodium contains photons of energy 2.11 eV. Express this energy
in scientific notation using SI base units only.

Ans: 𝟑. 𝟑𝟖 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟗 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟐 𝐬−𝟐

2.11 eV = 2.11 eV × 1.60 × 10−19 J/eV = 3.38 × 10−19 kg m2 𝑠 −2
(9) Mercury emits blue photons of energy 2.85 eV. Express this energy in scientific notation using SI base
units only.

Ans: 𝟒. 𝟓𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟗 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟐 𝐬−𝟐

2.85 eV = 2.85 eV × 1.60 × 10−19 J/eV = 4.56 × 10−19 kg m2 𝑠 −2

(1) Convert W m−3 to a unit containing SI base units only.

Ans: 𝐤𝐠 𝐦−𝟏 𝒔−𝟑

1. What is the SI prefix for 1012 ?

ANSWER: Tera
2. What power of ten corresponds to the SI prefix atto?
−𝟏𝟖
ANSWER: 𝟏𝟎
3. How many gigahertz make one megahertz?
ANSWER: 𝟏/𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
State the physical quantity associated with the unit given:

1. The weber

ANSWER: Magnetic flux

2. The tor

ANSWER: Pressure

3. The light-year.

ANSWER: Distance
Preamble: Which of the following are derived units in the SI system?

1. Kilogram, newton, nanosecond.

ANSWER: Newton
2. Millimetre, gram, joule.
ANSWER: Joule
3. Candela, kelvin, ohm.
ANSWER: Ohm
1. Which of the following are base units in the SI system: kilogram, ampere, volt?
ANSWER: Kilogram and ampere
 2. Which of the following are not base units in the SI system: Candela, weber, tesla?
ANSWER: Weber and tesla
3. What quantity is measured in candelas?
ANSWER: Luminous intensity
Give the SI unit of the physical quantity.
1. Electrical power
ANSWER: Watt

2. Thermal energy
ANSWER: Joule
3. Fluid pressure
ANSWER: Pascal
1. Which of the following are not SI units: newton, pound, dyne?

ANSWER: Pound and dyne

2. Which of the following is an SI unit: degree Fahrenheit, degree Celsius, kelvin?

ANSWER: Kelvin

3. Which of the following is not an SI unit: inch, metre, hectometre?

Ans: Inch
Which of the following is an SI base unit?
1. Meter, ohm, candela, tesla.

ANSWER: Meter and candela

2. Joule, kilogram, newton, second.

ANSWER: Kilogram and second

3. Coulomb, ampere, kelvin, weber.

ANSWER: Ampere and kelvin

: Which of the given units are equivalent?

1. J, N s, N m, W s

ANSWER: 𝐉, 𝐍 𝐦, 𝐖 𝐬

2. N, kg m s 2 , J m−1 , V C m−1
 ANSWER: 𝐍, 𝐉 𝐦−𝟏 , 𝐕 𝐂 𝐦−𝟏

3. A s, J V −1 , N s T −1 m−1 , V s

ANSWER: 𝐀 𝐬, 𝐉 𝐕 −𝟏 , 𝐍 𝐬 𝐓 −𝟏 𝐦−𝟏

: Give an SI unit for the physical quantity measured by the given instrument.

1. Vernier callipers
ANSWER: Meter
2. Manometer
ANSWER: Pascal
3. Pyrometer
ANSWER: Kelvin
1. How is the kelvin, the SI unit of thermodynamic temperature, defined?
ANSWER: The fraction 𝟏/𝟐𝟕𝟑. 𝟏𝟔 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of
water
: Convert the given unit to a unit containing only SI base units.

1. J s
ANSWER: 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟐 𝐬 −𝟏
2. W h
ANSWER: 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟐 𝐬 −𝟐
3. N s
ANSWER: 𝐤𝐠 𝐦 𝐬−𝟏
1. Which of the following is not a distance unit: astronomical unit, arc second, parsec, light year,
steradian?
ANSWER: arc second and steradian
1. What is the specific volume of a substance?
ANSWER: Volume per unit mass of substance.
2. What is the relationship between specific volume of a substance and its density?
ANSWER: One is the reciprocal of the other.
Consider the following units: , , , , .

1. Which of them are units of energy?

ANSWER:
2. Which of them are units of force?
ANSWER:
3. Which of them are units of pressure?
ANSWER:
1. What SI unit has the same dimension as the light year?
ANSWER: meter
1. What SI unit has the same dimension as the kW h?
ANSWER: Joule [Accept or .]
1. What SI unit has the same dimension as the pound?
ANSWER: Newton
Accept
1. 1 x 10-6 Farads is equivalent to
ANSWER: 1 microfarad.

2. 1 x 103 Ohms is equivalent to

3. What does the velocity ratio of a simple machine signify?
ANSWER: Ratio of distance moved by effort to distance moved by load
(1) 𝑛2 𝑉
The van der Waals equation of state can be stated as (𝑃 + 𝑎 𝑉 2 ) (𝑛 − 𝑏) = 𝑅𝑇 where 𝑃 is pressure, 𝑉 is
volume, 𝑛 is number of moles, 𝑇 is temperature, 𝑅 is the molar gas constant and 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants.
Give an SI unit for 𝑏 which contains base units only.

Ans: 𝐦𝟑 𝐦𝐨𝐥−𝟏

(1) 𝑛2 𝑉
The van der Waals equation of state can be stated as (𝑃 + 𝑎 𝑉 2 ) (𝑛 − 𝑏) = 𝑅𝑇 where 𝑃 is pressure, 𝑉 is
volume, 𝑛 is number of moles, 𝑇 is temperature, 𝑅 is the molar gas constant and 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants.
Give an SI unit for 𝑎 which contains base units only.

Ans: 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟓 𝐬−𝟐 𝐦𝐨𝐥−𝟐

(1) Give the SI unit of the Newtonian gravitational constant that contains SI base units only.

Ans: 𝐦𝟑 𝐤𝐠 −𝟏 𝐬−𝟐

(3) Give the SI unit of the Coulomb Law constant in a form that contains base units only.

Ans: 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟑 𝐀−𝟐 𝐬 −𝟒
 1. A container with a volume of 10 cm3 has a mass of 40 g when empty and 50 g when filled
with liquid. What is the density of the liquid?
ANSWER: 1000 kg/m3 = 1 g/cm3

2. A density bottle has a mass of 30 g when empty, a mass of 40 g when filled with water, and a
mass of 39 g when filled with a liquid. What is the relative density of the liquid?
ANSWER: 0.9

3. A density bottle has a mass of 30 g when empty, a mass of 40 g when filled with water, and a
mass of 45 g when filled with a liquid. What is the density of the liquid?
ANSWER:1500 kg/m3 = 1.5 g/cm3

1. 45 m/s
ANSWER: 162 km/hr [45 x 3600/1000 = 45 x 36/10 = 9 x 18 = 162]

2. 30 m/s
ANSWER: 108 km/hr [30 x 3600/1000 = 3 x 36 = 108]

3. 50 m/s
ANSWER: 180 km/hr [50 x 3600/1000 = 5 x 36 = 180]
The graduations on a meter rule are actually 0.99 cm apart at room temperature.

1. What is the actual distance between two points that are measured with the meter rule to be 10 cm
apart?
ANSWER: 9.9 cm
2. What is the relative error in a distance measured to be 20 cm?
ANSWER: 1%

Error is so relative error is .

3. What type of error is present in measurements with the meter rule?
ANSWER: Calibration error.
1. What error arises with an instrument whose dial does not coincide with the zero mark before
use?
ANSWER: Zero error (Accept systematic error)
2. When taking a reading with a meter rule, why must the eye be positioned directly above the mark
to be read?
ANSWER: To avoid parallax error.
3. What error arises in calculations in which too few significant figures are kept in intermediate
steps?
ANSWER: Round-off error
 1. The zero mark on the vernier scale of a vernier calliper lies just to the right of the 0.9 cm mark
on the main scale. If the seventh vernier mark coincides with the 1.6 cm mark on the main scale,
what is the distance between the jaws of the calliper?
ANSWER: 0.97 cm
2. A precision goniometer has a vernier scale wide with markings from zero to 10. What is the
reading on the goniometer when the zero mark on the vernier scale is between the and
marks on the main scale and the fourth mark on the vernier coincides with a main scale mark?
ANSWER: 21.4O [Reading is 21O + 0.4O = 21.4O]
3. The 5.5 mm mark on the sleeve of a micrometre screw gauge is exposed by the thimble and the
22nd mark on the thimble coincides with the sleeve scale. What is the distance between the anvil
and spindle of the gauge?
ANSWER: 5.72 mm [Reading is ]
1. When Ndeeya uses a voltmeter, she first joins the two terminals of the instrument with a wire
and records the reading. Why does she do this?
ANSWER: To account for zero error
2. In searching for the balance point on a meter bridge, why must the jockey be tapped on the
bridge wire instead of sliding it across the wire?
ANSWER: To avoid scratching the bridge wire thereby rendering its resistance non-
uniform across its length.
3. When reading the level of fluid in a cylindrical vessel such as a pipette, the eye must be brought
to the level of the fluid meniscus. Why is this necessary?
ANSWER: First, the level of the meniscus is a good approximation of the level of fluid;
second, parallax error is avoided when the eye is at the same level as the mark to be
read.
1. Which of the following are derived SI units: A, V, and Wb?
ANSWER: V and Wb

2. Which of the following are derived SI units: C, F, and H?

ANSWER: C, F, and H

3. Which of the following are derived SI units: T, Ω, and K?

ANSWER: T and Ω

1. Which of the following can be used to measure the width of a hair strand: metre rule,
micrometer screw gauge, and pair of callipers?
 ANSWER: Micrometre screw gauge

2. Which of the following methods would you prefer for determining the distance between two
communication towers about 50 km apart: measuring the time of flight for light pulses from
one tower to the other and back; covering the distance with a meter rule; comparing the
barometric pressure at the base of each tower?
ANSWER: Measuring the time between sending and receiving light

3. Your are required to measure the dimensions of a box containing a few books. You have
available a metre rule, a micrometre screw gauge, and a pair of vernier callipers. Which
instrument would you use?
ANSWER: Metre rule
1. What physical quantity is represented by the slope of a velocity-time graph?
ANSWER: Acceleration
2. What is the nature of the motion of an object in the horizontal portion of its displacement-
time graph?
ANSWER: Rest
3. What is the nature of the motion of an object in a straight portion of its velocity-time graph?
ANSWER: Uniform acceleration
Or constant acceleration. Do not
PREAMBLE: What are the dimensions of the following physical quantities?
1. Velocity
ANSWER: 𝐿/𝑇 (Accept length divided by time but not m/s.)

2. Displacement
ANSWER: 𝐿
3. Acceleration
ANSWER: 𝐿/𝑇 2 (Accept length divided by time squared.)
4. Which of the following are base units in the SI system: metre, joule, second, watt, newton?
ANSWER: Metre and second
5. Which of the following are derived units in the SI system: coulomb, candela, tesla, kelvin,
kilogram?
ANSWER: Coulomb and tesla
 6. Which of the following units are not used in the SI system: kilometre, pound, metre per second,
kilogram-force, pascal?
ANSWER: Pound and kilogram-force
PREAMBLE: The distance between two points is measured to be 0.025 m.
10. How many significant figures are there in the result?
ANSWER: 2
11. State the result in scientific notation.
ANSWER: 2.5 × 10−2 m
12. What is the uncertainty in the result?
ANSWER: 0.001 m Accept 1 mm.
1. Name one conserved physical quantity in an elastic head-on collision between two
objects.

ANSWER: Energy and linear momentum

Any one is acceptable. Mass conservation is implied by energy conservation.
2. (11) Name one physical quantity which is not conserved in an inelastic head-on
collision between two objects which separate after colliding.

ANSWER: Energy
3. (12) Name one conserved physical quantity in a head-on collision between two
objects which stick together after colliding.

ANSWER: Linear momentum

1. Which of the following are scalar quantities: velocity, speed, displacement, distance,
density?
ANSWER: Speed, distance, density
2. Which of the following are vector quantities: angular momentum, acceleration, volume,
force, temperature?
ANSWER: Angular momentum, acceleration, force
3. Which of the following are scalar quantities: energy, torque, time, mass, magnetic field?
ANSWER: Energy, time, mass
1. Which of the following are units of temperature: degree Celsius, degree Baumé, kelvin,
degree Rankine?
ANSWER: degree Celsius, kelvin, degree Rankine
2. Which of the following are units of weight: kilogram, newton, joule per meter, kilogram
meter per second?
 ANSWER: Newton, joule per meter
3. Which of the following are units of energy: Watt, kilowatt hour, newton meter, kilogram
meter squared per second squared?
ANSWER: Kilowatt hour, newton meter, kilogram meter squared per second
Squared.
4. Which of the following are units of temperature: degree Celsius, degree Baumé, kelvin,
degree Rankine?
ANSWER: degree Celsius, kelvin, degree Rankine
5. Which of the following are units of weight: kilogram, newton, joule per meter, kilogram
meter per second?
ANSWER: Newton, joule per meter
6. Which of the following are units of energy: Watt, kilowatt hour, newton meter, kilogram
meter squared per second squared?
ANSWER: Kilowatt hour, newton meter, kilogram meter squared per second
Squared.
1. What is the lower fixed point on the Celsius scale and what value is assigned to it?
ANSWER: Ice point, assigned 0 ℃
2. What is the upper fixed point on the Celsius scale and what value is assigned to it?
ANSWER: Steam point, assigned 100 ℃
3. What value is assigned the upper fixed point on the Fahrenheit scale?
ANSWER: 212 ℉
Give the SI prefix for the given power of ten.

1. 10−12
ANSWER: Pico
2. 10−15
ANSWER: Femto
3. 109
ANSWER: Giga
1. Convert V s to SI base units.
ANSWER: 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟐 𝐀−𝟏 𝐬 −𝟐
Convert to SI base units.

1. N m s −1
ANSWER: 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟐 𝐬 −𝟑
2. eV
ANSWER: 𝐤𝐠 𝐦𝟐 𝐬 −𝟐
3. V m−1
ANSWER: 𝐤𝐠 𝐦 𝐀−𝟏 𝐬−𝟑
1. Convert 20 mm2 to m2 .
ANSWER: 𝟐𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝐦 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝐦𝟐
2. Convert 36 km/h to m/s.
ANSWER: 𝟏𝟎 𝐦/𝐬
3. Convert 20 mm3 to m3 .
ANSWER: 𝟐𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟗 𝐦𝟑 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟖 𝐦𝟑

PREAMBLE: A thin rectangular plate of dimensions 2 cm × 5 cmhas mass 0.100 kg. When
one face of the plate is uniformly coated with a thin layer of copper, the mass of the plate is
measured to be 0.109 kg. The density of copper isapproximately9000 kg/m3 .

1. What is the area of the plate in m2 ?

ANSWER: 10−3 m2 = 0.001 m2
2. What is the volume of copper deposited on the plate?
ANSWER: 10−6 m3 = 1 cm3
𝑉 = 𝑀/𝜌 = (0.109 kg − 0.1 kg) ÷ 9000 kg/m3 = 10−6 m3
3. What is the thickness of the copper layer?
ANSWER: 1 mm
𝑡 = 10−6 m3 ÷ (10−3 m2 ) = 10−3 m = 1 mm

1. Give the dimensions of kinetic energy.

ANSWER: 𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −2
2. Give the dimensions of angular momentum.
ANSWER: 𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −1
3. Give the dimensions of torque.
ANSWER: 𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −2
1. Which of the following has dimensions 𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −1: force, impulse, linear momentum, angular
momentum?
 ANSWER: Angular momentum
2. Which of the following has dimensions 𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −2: torque, impulse, work, density?
ANSWER: Work and torque
3. Which of the following has dimensions 𝑀𝐿𝑇 −1: weight, impulse, density, linear momentum?
ANSWER: Impulse and linear momentum
PREAMBLE: Convert to metres/second.

1. 108 km/hr
ANSWER: 30 m/s [108 x 1000/3600 = 1080/36 = 30]

2. 162 km/hr
ANSWER: 45 m/s [162 x1000/3600 = 1620/36 = 45]

3. 54 km/hr
ANSWER: 15 m/s [54 x 1000/3600 = 15]

1. Which of the following quantities is zero for an ideal gas: average speed, average linear momentum, rms
speed?
ANSWER: Average linear momentum
2. Which of the following quantities remains unchanged when the temperature of an ideal gas is increased:
average kinetic energy, most probable speed, average velocity?
ANSWER: Average velocity
3. An ideal gas is contained in a stationary sphere of radius 𝑅. Which of the following is the mean
displacement of a molecule in the gas: 0, 𝑅, 2𝑅?
ANSWER: 0