WEEK 1

F I R S T Q UA RT E R
 MODULE 1 LESSONS
• This module is divided into five
lessons:
1. Scientific Notation
2. Conversion of Units
3. Accuracy and Precision and Types of Errors
4. Vector and Scalar Quantities
5. Vector Addition
 At the end of the module, you are expected to:
• solve measurement problems involving conversion of
units, expression of measurements in scientific
notation;
• differentiate accuracy from precision;
• differentiate random errors from systematic errors;
• differentiate vector and scalar quantities;
• perform addition of vectors; and
• cite most stressful experience and give ways on how
to cope with it. (CVGI – C5)
 PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY
Familiar Quantities. Different quantities that are often used in Physics are
enumerated below. Fill the table below with all necessary information and use
example one as your guide
Quantities SI Unit SI Unit Name
Mass kg kilogram
Electric Current
Temperature
Time
Velocity
Acceleration
Force
Momentum
Impulse
Density
Energy
Power
Work
Frequency
Wavelength
 PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY: ANSWERS
Quantities SI Unit SI Unit Name
Mass kg kilogram
Electric Current A Ampere
Temperature K Kelvin
Time S Second
Velocity m/s Meter per second
Acceleration m / s2 Meter per second square
Force N Newton
Momentum kg.m/s Kilogram meter per second
Impulse N.s Newton second
Density kg / m3 Kilogram per cubic meter
Energy J Joule
Power W Watts
Work J Joule
Frequency Hz Hertz
Wavelength m meter
SCIENTIFIC
NOTATION
WEEK 1-LESSON 1
 INTRODUCTION
• Often times, numbers in Physics are too small or
large therefore to express these numbers
conveniently scientific notation is introduced.
n
• General Formula: a x 10
Wherein: a= coefficient (significant figures)
10= base constant
n= exponent
 SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
•The following sign conventions shall be
used for the exponent:
• + = if you move the decimal point to the
left
• - = if you move the decimal point to the
right
 SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
Examples
1. 0.0000004578 = 4.58x107
2. 986,500,235 = 9.87 x108
3. 123,789 = 1.24 x105

The rounding off rule will be applied if the next number

before (large values) or after (small values)the third
significant figure is 5 and above.
 SCIENTIFIC NOTATION: YOUR TURN
Express the following numbers into their scientific
notation form:
1. 2,467,900 = 2.47 x106
2. 0.00009872345 = 9.87 x105
3. -0.00056293 = 5.63x104
4. 569,900,789,000 =
5.70 x1011
5. -235,980,111,523 = 2.36 x1011
 SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
Important Note:
• In the entire course of General Physics 1, all of
your answers must be written in scientific
notation with two decimal places and three
significant figures if:
1. Your answers exceeded 5 digits whole numbers
for large values; and
2. four decimal places for small values.
CONVERSION
OF UNITS
WEEK 1-LESSON 2
 INTRODUCTION
• Another way of expressing large and
small values is with the use of
conversion factor.
• Greek prefixes with corresponding
factors and values are used.
• Familiarize and memorize the Greek
prefixes.
 CONVERSION OF UNITS EXAMPLES
1. 200 km - m
3
10 m
 200,000 m  2x10 m
5
200 km x
1 km

2. 5.98 µL - mL
6
10 L 1 mL 3
5.98 L x x 3  0.00598 mL  5.98x10 mL
1 L 10 L
 CONVERSION OF UNITS EXAMPLES
3. 789.24 Gb - cb
9
10 b 1 cb
789 .24 Gb x x  2  7.89x10 cb
13

1Gb 10 b
4. 0.023 g - kg
1 kg 5
0.023 g x 3  2.30x10 kg
10 g
 ACCURACY AND
PRECISION AND
TYPES OF ERRORS
WEEK 1-LESSON 3
 INTRODUCTION

Based on the
picture, define
accuracy and
precision.

https://circuitglobe.com
 Accuracy Precision
• closeness of the • closeness of the
measurement to a specific measurements to each other
value

https://circuitglobe.com
Trials Volume of Water in Glass (mL)
Albert Julia Berta Julie
1 6.90 7.60 4.32 4.24
2 5.01 7.62 4.30 4.26
3 8.80 7.65 4.29 4.25
David, Oliver M. (2020). General Physics 1. Makati City: Diwa Learning System Inc.

Supposing the accepted volume of water is

4.24. Describe the measurements made by
the four students in terms of accuracy and
precision.
 TYPES OF ERRORS
Random Error Systematic Error
• Error that fluctuates due to • Error that is usually the result
the unpredictability or from equipment that is not
uncertainty inherent in your correctly calibrated.
measuring process, or the
variation in the quantity that
you are trying to measure.
• Measurement of balloon’s • Measurement of specimen’s
diameter. using triple beam balance.
VECTOR AND
SCALAR
QUANTITIES
WEEK 1-LESSON 4
 Scalar Quantity Vector Quantity
• Quantities and units that express • Quantities and units that express
magnitude only. magnitude and direction.
• numbers and units only • number, units, and direction
• directions’ expression can be:
 + or -
left or right
north, east, south, or west
• Examples: • Examples:
20 kg +20 m/s
1 L - 25 kg.m/s
35 cm +30 m/s2
16 y/o -40 J
35 s +45 N
Check Yourself! Given the following quantities below, classify whether they are scalar quantity or
vector quantity. Write your answer in column B.
Quantities Vector or Scalar
Mass
Electric Current
Temperature
Time
Velocity
Acceleration
Force
Momentum
Impulse
Density
Energy
Power
Work
Frequency
Wavelength
 Check Yourself: Answers
Quantities Vector or Scalar
Mass Scalar
Electric Current Scalar
Temperature Scalar
Time Scalar
Velocity Vector
Acceleration Vector
Force Vector
Momentum Vector
Impulse Vector
Density Scalar
Energy Scalar
Power Scalar
Work Scalar
Frequency Scalar
Wavelength Scalar
 VECTOR
ADDITION
WEEK 1-LESSON 5
 INTRODUCTION
•Two Methods of Vector Addition:
1. Graphical
a. Parallelogram Method
b. Polygon Method
2. Analytical
 GRAPHICAL METHOD
1. Parallelogram Method
- method used when getting a
resultant vector (vector sum) of
two given vectors
PARALLELOGRAM METHOD EXAMPLE

Vector A is 25 m/s, east and vector B is 43 m/s, north. To get

its resultant vector graph it first using your desired scale. After,
connect the head of the last vector to the tail of the last vector.
Then, measure the connecting line and convert it to its unit. For
the angle, just use a protractor to measure it.
 GRAPHICAL METHOD
2. Polygon Method/ Head to Tail
Method
- method used in determining the
resultant vector whenever two or more
vectors are present
 POLYGON METHOD EXAMPLE
A person walks on a flat field with
Given:
the following paths: First, he walks A  25m, 49, north of east
25m in a direction of 49° north of B  23m, 15, north of east
C  32m, 68, south of east
east.Then he walks 23m heading R ?

15° north of east. Finally, he turns

and walks 32m in a direction of
68°south of east.
 POLYGON METHOD EXAMPLE: SOLUTION
1. Draw the three displacement vectors using a
convenient scale (such as 1cm of vector length
on a paper equals 1m in the problem) as
shown below:
 POLYGON METHOD EXAMPLE: SOLUTION
2. Combine and graph all the vectors using the
scale you’ve chosen. Make sure that the angle
and scale are plotted accurately.
 POLYGON METHOD EXAMPLE: SOLUTION
3. Draw the resultant vector (R) from the tail of
the first vector to the head of the last vector
as shown in the figure.
 POLYGON METHOD EXAMPLE: SOLUTION

4. Use a ruler to measure

the resultant vector, and
convert it to the units
of meter. For angle, use
a protractor.
 POLYGON METHOD EXAMPLE: SOLUTION

Answer:
R= 50m, 7° south
of east
 ANALYTICAL METHOD
• Method used to get more accurate
resultant vector.
• It is more accurate than graphical
method due to the mitigation of human
errors.
• Employs the integration of
trigonometry’s formulas and
geometrical formulas.
 ANALYTICAL METHOD
• Recall the following formulas of the
right triangle: c  a 2
 b 2

opposite side
sin  
hypotenuse
adjacent
cos 
hypotenuse
opposite side
tan  
adjacent
 ANALYTICAL METHOD EXAMPLE
Vector A has magnitude of 53m
and direction of 20° north of Given:
east while vector B has a A  53m, 20, north of east
magnitude of 34m and direction B  34m, 63, north of east

of 63° north of east. Determine R ?

the magnitude and direction of

the resultant vector using
analytical method.
 ANALYTICAL METHOD EXAMPLE: SOLUTIONS
1. Graph the all the vectors given. Since this is a
analytical method, you will not use scaling anymore
and it is accepted even if your angle is not accurate
in the graph.
 ANALYTICAL METHOD EXAMPLE: SOLUTIONS
2. Determine the components of each vector.

Rx

By

Ax

Bx Ry

Ay
 Rx
3. Analyze the formulas
By
needed to solve each Ax
vector’s component.
Bx Ry

Ay

Vectors X-axis Y-Axis

A Ax  cosA Ay  sin A

B Bx  cosB By  sin B
R Rx  Ax  Bx Ry  Ay  By

*The formulas to be used for every component are summarized in the table.
4. Compute the components of each vector.
Vectors X-axis Y-Axis
A Ax  cosA Ay  sin A

B Bx  cosB By  sin B
R Rx  Ax  Bx Ry  Ay  By

Ax  cosA Ay  sin A
 cos(20)(53m)  sin( 20)(53m)
 49.80m  18.13m
4. Compute the components of each vector.
Vectors X-axis Y-Axis
A 49.80 m 18.13 m
B Bx  cosB By  sin B
R Rx  Ax  Bx Ry  Ay  By

Bx  cosB B y  sin B
 cos(63)(34m)  sin( 63)(34 m)
 15.44m  30.29m
4. Compute the components of each vector.
Vectors X-axis Y-Axis
A 49.80 m 18.13 m
B 15.44 m 30.29 m
R Rx  Ax  Bx Ry  Ay  By

Rx  Ax  Bx R y  Ay  B y
 49.80 m  15.44 m  18.13m  30.29 m
 65.24m  48.42m
4. Compute the components of each vector.
Vectors X-axis Y-Axis
A 49.80 m 18.13 m
B 15.44 m 30.29 m
R 65.24 m 48.42 m

*Now that the components of

each vector is complete, you can
now compute the value of the
resultant vector using the
Pythagorean theorem.
 ANALYTICAL METHOD EXAMPLE: SOLUTIONS
5. Compute the value of the resultant vector and its
angle of direction.

R R R 2
x
2
y   cos ( )
1Rx
R
 (65.24 m)  (48.42 m)
2 2

1 65 .24 m
 81.24m  cos ( )
81.24
 36.58
 ANALYTICAL METHOD EXAMPLE: SOLUTIONS
5. Express your final answer.

R= 81.24m, 36.58° north of east

ACTIVIT Y #01

1 ST Q UA RT E R - W E E K 1
A. Convert the following numbers to the
desired unit in every item. Include your
complete solutions to show your cancellation
of units.
1. 235.22 h - s
2. 89.99 km/h – m/s
3. 900.16 cm  m
3 3

4. 435.10 mg – kg
5. 22.22 m - cm
 B. Solve the following problems by showing your complete
solution:
1. From your house you jog 10m in the direction of 25° north of
east, then after you changed your direction by 6m, 15° north of
east. Graph and calculate the magnitude and angle of the
resultant vector using analytical method.
2. Given the three vectors below, graph and calculate the magnitude
and angle of the resultant vector using analytical method. Use an
accurate scale for graphing.
A= 7 m/s, 0° eastward
B= 6 m/s, 30° north of east
C= 4 m/s, 45° north of west
C. Mitigating Errors! Enumerate ways on how to mitigate
systematic and random errors in the laboratory.
Systematic Errors Random Errors

Submit your output as PDF file on the thread titled,

“ACTIVITY #01 (1st Quarter)- General Physics 1 (2021)”