1. Measurement LECTURE 1_112139

PH1101 MECHANICS I
Course Outline:
0.Introduction
1.Measurement
2.Vectors
3.Fundamentals of Dynamics: Newton and Force Laws
4.Conservation of Energy & Momentum of Variables Mass
System
5.Work and Energy Theorem
6. Gravitation: Motion of a Particle under Central Force Field
7.Rotational Dynamics
8.Fluid Mechanics
1
0. Introduction
Objectives / Outcomes
By the end of the course the student should be able to:
• Solve and determine the dynamical behavior of discreet
mechanical systems
• Apply Newton’s Laws to solving problems
• Apply the laws governing the conservation of energy;
momentum; and angular momentum
• Apply principles of fluid mechanics
2
Measurement
• 1.1 Physical Quantities

• 1.2 SI Units
• 1.3 Dimensions and Dimensional Analysis
• 1.4 Power Notation
• 1.5 Significant Figures
3
Measurement
1.1 Physical Quantities
Measurement is a fundamental process in science. All

physical laws are deduced from measurements of
physical quantities. We know something about a physical
phenomenon if we can measure and express it in
numbers. Physical quantities can be divided into two
groups:
4
Fundamental quantities: These are basic quantities
which can not be defined by any other physical
quantity. The numbers of physical quantities regarded
as fundamental is the minimum number needed to
give a consistent and unambigous description of all
quantities of physics. Eg. length (L), time (t), mass
(m).
Derived quntities: These are defined in terms of the
fundamental quantities . Eg. Force (F), acceleration
(a), momentum (p), work (W), torque (t) etc.
5
Measurement involves a comparison of a standard to
the quantity to be measured so that a number and unit
are determined as the measure of the quantity.
Presently, S.I units are used.
6
1.2 SI Units
Measurement becomes possible only after a standard or
unit has been fixed. Magnitude of quantities are then
quoted as multiples of that unit, i.e. as products of  ve
numbers and the unit.
7
NB: In all your work, use S.I (System International)
units. Quote values of length in metres (m), of mass
in kilograms (kg), of time in seconds (s). This system
used is called the MKS (metre-kilogram-second) and
the second metric system is the cgs system in which
the centimetre, gram, and second are the standard
units of length, mass, and time, as abbreviated in the
title.
8
The table below shows a list of the S.I units you will use frequenlty in this course along
with their accepted abbreviation s
Quantites Symbol Unit in Basic Name of unit Abbreviation
form
Length L M metre m
Time t s Second s
Mass M Kg Kilogram kg
Current i A Ampere A
Force F Kgms-2 Newton N
Work / nergy W/E Kgm2s-2 Joule J
Power P Kgm2s-3 Watt W
Charge Q As Coulomb C
Momentum P Kgms-1 - -
Torque  Kgm2s-2 - -
Temperature R k kelvin K
9
1.3 Dimensions and Dimensional Analysis
Dimensions of physical quantity refer to the type of units
or basic quantities that make it up. In the S.I. set of units,
for example, length (L), mass (m),time (t), electric
current (I) and the amount of substance (A) are
fundamental.
In this system, velocity is a derived quantity, since it is
defined as the ratio
10
We say that the dimensions of velocity are [L/T];
those of accelerations are [L/T2],etc
Every term in an equation expressing a relationship
between physical quantities-i.e, a physical equation
must have the same units. This is called the principle
of dimensional homogeneity. Dimensions can be
used as a help in working out relationships, and such
a procedure is referred as dimensional analysis. Eg.
From elementary mechanics we have:
1
s  so  vo t  at 2
2
v  vo  at .
11
But because the dimensions of s and v are different it is
incorrect physically to conclude from this that:
1 2
s  v  so  vot  at  vo  at
2
though this is correct mathematically. Many errors can
be avoided by checking your steps for dimensional
homogeneity.
12
Example1: Consider a sphere moving through a
viscous liquid with a constant small velocity, v, so
that there is a streamline like motion. The applied
force, F, must exactly equal and opposite to the
frictional force exerted by the liquid on the sphere
since a constant velocity, v, is assumed. If the
frictional force, F, depends on the radius, r, of the
sphere ,the viscosity coefficient, , of the liquid and
on the velocity, v. Derive the formula for applied
forcé, F.
13
F  ( r , , v )
Let F  kr a b v c
Where k is a dimensionless constant, and a, b,c are
exponents which are dimensionless.
Solution:
Dimension of r: [L]
Dimension of : [M][L]-1[T]-1
Dimension of v: [L][T]-1
Dimension of F=[M][L][T]-2
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By the principal of dimensional homogeneity
[M]1 [L]1[T]-2=[L1]a[M1L-1 T-1]b[L1T-1]c

Equating the exponents of corresponding fundamental
quantities, which gives
a=b=c=1.
Thus, F=krv. The constant k could he obtained
experimentally. It has the value of 6, hence F=6rv,
which is Stoke’s law.
15
Example 2
A small liquid drop is disturbed from its spherical
shape, and set oscillating.
Assuming that frequency of oscillation, f, depends only
on the drop radius, r, the liquid surface tension ,T, and
the density,  of the drop. Obtain an expression of f in
terms of r T and  using principle of dimension
homogeneity.
16
1.4 Power-of-ten notation
The distance from the earth to the sun is 1.495 x 1011 m.
It is ridiculous and wasteful to write this as
149,500,000,000 m.
Similarly, the wavelength of sodium light is written as

5.893 x 10-7 m and not as 0.0000005893 m.
As a rule write all quantities as numbers between 1 and
10 multiplied by the appropriate power of ten
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Other examples
Half lifetime of neutron: 7.0x102 sec
Distance to the nearest star : 4.3 x1016 m
Effective radius of proton: 1.2x10-15 m
Radius of the earth: 6.4x106 m
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1.6 Precison and Significant Figures
Assignment:
 Reading on how to write a number in a given significant
figures.
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PH1101 MECHANICS I

• 1.1 Physical Quantities

Measurement is a fundamental process in science. All

[M]1 [L]1[T]-2=[L1]a[M1L-1 T-1]b[L1T-1]c

Similarly, the wavelength of sodium light is written as

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