Lecture one

Introduction
In this lecture we discuss the concept of dimension and the choices of units
commonly used in physics. We discuss dimensional analysis and order of
magnitude calculations, and define some mathematical notation
 Standards of Length, Mass and Time
o Systems of Units
o Scientific Notation
 Dimensional Analysis
 Conversion of Units
 Order of Magnitude Calculations
 Mathematical Notation
 Coordinate Systems and Frames of Reference
 Problems
Standards of Length, Mass and Time
There are five basic quantities:
 length(L)
 mass (M)
 time (t)
 electric current (I)
 temperature (T)
Systems of Units
 SI units (used mostly in physics):
o length: meter (m)
o mass: kilogram (kg)
o time: second (s)
This system is also referred to as the mks sytem for meter-kilogram-
second.
 Gaussian units (used mostly in chemistry):
o length: centimeter (cm)
o mass: gram (g)
o time: second (s)
This system is also referred to as the cgs system for centimeter-gram-
second.
 British engineering system:
o length: foot (ft)
o mass: slug
o time: second (s)
 Scientific Notation
It is sometimes convenient to express large or small numbers in
scientific notation.
For Example: 5,000 = 5 x 103 and 0.0004 = 4 x 10- 4.
Commonly used prefixes for powers of 10 used with metric units are
given below in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1: Prefixes used with metric units.
Power Prefix Abbreviation
10- 9 nano n
10- 6 micro
10- 3 milli m
10- 2 centi c
10- 1 Deci d
103 Kilo k
106 mega M

For Example:
a) 60,000 m = 6 x 104 m = 60 km
b) 0.003 s = 3 x 10- 3 s = 3 ms
Dimensional Analysis
Definition: The Dimension is the qualitative nature of a physical quantity
(length, mass, time).
Square brackets denote the dimension or units of a physical quantity:
Table 1.2: Dimensions
Quantity dimension SI units
Area [A] = L 2 m2
Volume [V]=L 3 m3
Velocity [v] = L/t m/s
Acceleration [a] = L/t 2 m/s 2
Mass [m] = M kg
Idea: Dimensional analysis can be used to derive or check formulas by
treating dimensions as algebraic quantities. Quantities can be added or
subtracted only if they have the same dimensions, and quantities on two
sides of an equation must have the same dimensions.
Note: Dimensional analysis can't give numerical factors. For Example: The
distance (x) travelled by a car in a given time (t) , starting from rest and
moving with constant acceleration (a) is given by, x = at 2. We can check
this equation with dimensional analysis:
l.h.s. [x] = L
=
r.h.s. [a][t 2] = t 2 = L.
Since the dimension of the left hand side (l.h.s.) of the equation is the same
as that on the right hand side (r.h.s.), the equation is said to be dimensionally
consistent.
Conversion of Units
Idea: Units can be treated as algebraic quantities. For example, we can use
the conversion factor 1 in = 2.54 cm to rewrite 15 inches in centimeters.
(1)
15 in = 15 in 38.1 cm
Order of Magnitude Calculations
Idea: An order of magnitude calculation is an estimate to determine if a
more precise calculation is necessary. We round off or guess at various
inputs to obtain a result that is usually reliable to within a factor of 10.
Specifically, to get the order of magnitude of a given quantity, we round off
to the closest power of 10 (example: 75 kg 102 kg).
Mathematical Notation
1- - proportional to
2- < or > - less than or greater than

3- or - much less than or much greater than

4- - approximately equal to
5- - defined as
6- x - change in the quantity x
7- - summation sign
8- |x| - absolute value of x
Coordinate Systems and Frames of Reference
The location of a point on a line can be described by one coordinate; a point
on a plane can be described by two coordinates; a point in a three
dimensional volume can be described by three coordinates. In general, the
number of coordinates equals the number of dimensions. A coordinate
system consists of:
1- a fixed reference point (origin)
2- a set of axes with specified directions and scales
3- instructions that specify how to label a point in space relative to the
origin and axes.
For Example:
 Cartesian coordinate system (rectangular coordinate system): (x,y)

Figure 1.1: Cartesian coordinate system

 Plane polar coordinates: (r, )

Figure 1.2: Plane polar coordinates

Definition: The position vector ( ) in any given coordinate system

specifys the position of a given point within that coordinate system relative
to the origin.
 Problems
Problem 1.1
The diameter of the earth, measured at the equator, is 7930 mi. Express the
diameter a) in meters and b) in kilometers. Use scientific notation when
expressing your answers.
Solution:
a)
d=

7930 mi
=1.28 x 107 m
b)

d=

1.28 x 107 m
=1.28 x 104 km
Problem 1.2
The period of a simple pendulum, defined as the time for one complete
oscillation, is measured in time units and is given by:

T=2
where l is the length of the pendulum and g is the acceleration due to
gravity, in units of length divided by time squared. Show that this equation
is dimensionally consistent; that is, show that the right hand side of this
equation gives units of time.
Solution:

= =t
Problem 1.3
A point is located in a polar co-ordinate system by the co-ordinates r = 2.5
m and = 35 o . Find the x - and y - co-ordinates of this point, assuming that
the two co-ordinate systems have the same origin.
Solution:

=cos 35 o

x=2.5cos 35 o = 2.05 m
=sin 35 o
[2mm]
y=2.5sin 35 o = 1.43 m
Problem 1.4
A truck driver moves up a straight mountain highway, as shown in the
figure. Elevation markers at the beginning and ending points of the trip show
that he has risen vertically 0.530 km, and the mileage indicator on the truck
shows that he has travelled a total distance of 3.00 km during the ascent.
Find the angle of incline of the hill, .

Figure 1.3: Problem 1.4

Solution:

sin =

= 0.177
=
(0.177) = 10.2 o