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IGCSE Physics Chapter1 Notes

The document covers the importance of measurement in physics, detailing the SI units and their fundamental categories. It explains various methods for measuring length, volume, mass, density, time, and speed, along with the types of errors that can occur in measurements. Additionally, it introduces scientific notation and the rules for significant figures.

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Kanwar Priyanka Singh
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56 views2 pages

IGCSE Physics Chapter1 Notes

The document covers the importance of measurement in physics, detailing the SI units and their fundamental categories. It explains various methods for measuring length, volume, mass, density, time, and speed, along with the types of errors that can occur in measurements. Additionally, it introduces scientific notation and the rules for significant figures.

Uploaded by

Kanwar Priyanka Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

IGCSE Physics - Chapter 1: Making Measurements (Notes)

1.1 The Importance of Measurement

- Measurement is essential in physics for accuracy and comparison.


- SI units (International System of Units) are used globally.

1.2 SI Base Units

- SI system has 7 fundamental units:


- Length (meter - m), Mass (kilogram - kg), Time (second - s),
- Electric current (ampere - A), Temperature (kelvin - K),
- Amount of substance (mole - mol), Luminous intensity (candela - cd).

1.3 Measuring Length

- Instruments: Ruler (+-1 mm), Vernier Caliper (+-0.01 cm),


- Micrometer Screw Gauge (+-0.001 cm).
- To use a Vernier caliper: Read the main scale, add the vernier scale reading.
- To use a micrometer screw gauge: Read the sleeve scale, add the thimble scale reading.

1.4 Measuring Volume

- Regular objects: Use formulas (e.g., Volume = length x width x height for cuboid).
- Irregular objects: Use water displacement method.

1.5 Measuring Mass and Density

- Mass is measured using an electronic balance.


- Density formula: Density = Mass / Volume, SI unit: kg/m^3.

1.6 Measuring Time

- Time is measured using stopwatches (Analog: 0.1s, Digital: 0.01s).


- Use a pendulum or electronic timer for higher accuracy.

1.7 Measuring Speed


- Speed formula: Speed = Distance / Time, SI unit: m/s.
- Types: Instantaneous speed, Average speed.

1.8 Errors in Measurement

- Systematic Errors: Caused by faulty instruments.


- Random Errors: Caused by human reaction time, environmental factors.
- Reduce errors by taking multiple readings.

1.9 Scientific Notation and Significant Figures

- Scientific notation example: 0.00045 = 4.5 x 10^-4.


- Significant figures rules: All nonzero digits are significant.
- Trailing zeros in decimals are significant.

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