1. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
The SI system of fundamental and derived units
1.2.1 State the fundamental units in the SI system.
1.2.2 Distinguish between fundamental and derived units and give examples of derived units.
1.2.3 Convert between different units of quantities.
1.2.4 State units in the accepted SI format.
1.2.5 State values in scientific notation and in multiples of units with appropriate prefixes.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

2. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
The SI system of fundamental and derived units
The fundamental units in the SI system are…
mass measured in kilograms (kg)
length measured in meters (m)
time measured in seconds (s)
temperature measured in kelvin degrees (K)
electric current - measured in amperes (A)
luminosity measured in candela (cd)
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
mole measured in moles (mol)
FYI
In chemistry you will no doubt use the mole, the meter, the second, and probably the kelvin.
You will also use the gram. In physics we use the kilogram (meaning 1000 grams).

3. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
The SI system of fundamental and derived units
The international prototype of the kilogram was sanctioned in Its form is a cylinder with diameter and height of about 39 mm. It is made of an alloy of 90 % platinum and 10 % iridium. The IPK has been conserved at the BIPM since 1889, initially with two official copies. Over the years, one official copy was replaced and four have been added.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
FYI
One meter is about a yard or three feet.
One kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.
One second is about one second.

4. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
The SI system of fundamental and derived units
Derived quantities have units that are combos of the fundamental units. For example
Speed - measured in meters per second (m/s).
Acceleration - measured in meters per second per second (m/s2).
FYI
SI stands for Système International and was a standard body of measurements created shortly after the French Revolution.
The SI system is pretty much the world standard in units.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

5. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
The SI system of fundamental and derived units
Since the quantities we will be working with can be very large and very small, we will use the prefixes that you have learned in previous classes.
Power of 10 Prefix Name Abbreviation
pico p
nano n
micro µ
milli m
centi c
103 kilo k
106 mega M
109 giga G
tera T
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

6. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
The SI system of fundamental and derived units
In the sciences, you must be able to convert from one set of units (and prefixes) to another.
We will use the “multiplication by the well-chosen one” method of unit conversion.
EXAMPLE: Suppose the rate of a car is 36 mph, and it travels for 4 seconds. What is the distance traveled in that time by the car?
SOLUTION:
Distance is rate times time, or d = rt.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
FYI
Sometimes the units, though correct, do not convey much meaning to us. See next example!
d = r·t
36 mi
1 h
·(4 s) 1
d =
d = 144 mi·s/h

7. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
The SI system of fundamental and derived units
In the sciences, you must be able to convert from one set of units (and prefixes) to another.
We will use the “multiplication by the well-chosen one” method of unit conversion.
EXAMPLE: Convert 144 mi·s/h into units that we can understand.
SOLUTION:
Use well-chosen ones as multipliers.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
144 mi·s h
1 h
60 min
1 min
60 s
d =
= 0.04 mi
0.04 mi 1
5280 ft mi
= ft

8. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
The SI system of fundamental and derived units
In IB units are presented in European format rather than American.
The accepted method has no fraction slash.
Instead, denominator units are written in the numerator with negative exponents.
EXAMPLE: A car’s speed is measured as 40 km/hr and its acceleration is measured as 1.5 m/s2. Rewrite the units in the accepted IB format.
SOLUTION:
Denominator units just come to the numerator as negative exponents. Thus
40 km/hr is written 40 km hr-1.
1.5 m/s2 is written 1.5 m s-2.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
FYI
Live with it, people!

9. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
The SI system of fundamental and derived units
You can use units to prove that equations cannot be valid.
EXAMPLE: Given that distance is measured in meters, time in seconds and acceleration in meters per second squared, show that the formula d = at does not work and thus is not valid:
SOLUTION:
Start with the formula, then substitute the units on each side. Cancel to where you can easily compare left and right sides:
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
FYI
The last line shows that the units are inconsistent on left and right.
Thus the equation cannot be valid.
d = at m s2
m = ·s m s
m =

10. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
The SI system of fundamental and derived units
You can use units to prove that equations cannot be valid.
PRACTICE: Decide whether each of the following formulas is dimensionally consistent. The information you need is that v is measured in m/s, a is in m/s2 and t is in s.
(a) v = at2 (b) v2 = ax (c) x = at2
Inconsistent Consistent Consistent
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
FYI
The process of substituting units into formulas to check consistency is called dimensional analysis.
DA can be used only to show the invalidity of a formula. (b) and (c) both checked out but neither is correct. Should be v2 = 2ax and x = (1/2)at2.

11. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainty and error in measurement
1.2.6 Describe and give examples of random and systematic errors.
1.2.7 Distinguish between precision and accuracy.
1.2.8 Explain how the effects of random errors may be reduced.
1.2.9 Calculate quantities and results of calculations to the appropriate number of significant figures.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

12. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainty and error in measurement
Error in measurement is expected because of the imperfect nature of us and our measuring devices.
For example a typical meter stick has marks at every millimeter (10-3 m or 1/1000 m).
Thus the best measurement you can get from a typical meter stick is to the nearest mm.
EXAMPLE: Consider the following line whose length we wish to measure. How long is it?
SOLUTION:
It is closer to 1.2 cm than 1.1 cm, so we say it measures 1.2 cm (or 12 mm or m).
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund 1
1 mm
1 cm

13. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainty and error in measurement
Error in measurement is expected because of the imperfect nature of us and our measuring devices.
We say the precision or uncertainty in our measurement is  1 mm.
As a rule of thumb, use the smallest increment of your measuring device as your uncertainty.
EXAMPLE: Consider the following line whose length we wish to measure. How long is it?
SOLUTION:
It is closer to 1.2 cm than 1.1 cm, so we say it measures 1.2 cm (or 12 mm or m).
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
FYI
We record
L = 12 mm  1 mm. 1
1 mm
1 cm

14. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainty and error in measurement
Random error is error due to the recorder, rather than the instrument used for the measurement.
Different people may measure the same line slightly differently.
You may in fact measure the same line differently on two different occasions.
Suppose Bob measures the line at 11 mm  1 mm and Ann measures it at 12 mm  1 mm.
Thus Bob guarantees that the line falls between 10 mm and 12 mm.
Ann guarantees it is between 11 mm and 13 mm.
Both are absolutely correct.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund 1

15. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainty and error in measurement
Random error is error due to the recorder, rather than the instrument used for the measurement.
Different people may measure the same line slightly differently.
You may in fact measure the same line differently on two different occasions.
Perhaps the ruler wasn’t perfectly lined up.
Perhaps your eye was viewing at an angle rather than head-on. This is called a parallax error.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
FYI
The only way to minimize random error is to take many readings of the same measurement and to average them all together.

16. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainty and error in measurement
Systematic error is error due to the instrument being used for the measurement being “out of adjustment.”
For example, a voltmeter might not be zeroed properly.
A meter stick might be rounded on one end.
Now Bob measures the same line at 13 mm  1 mm.
Furthermore, every measurement Bob makes will be off by that same amount.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund 1
Worn off end
FYI
Systematic errors are hardest to detect and remove.

17. FYI: RANDOM ERROR is where accuracy varies in a random manner.
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
FYI: SYSTEMATIC ERROR is where accuracy varies in a predictable manner.
Uncertainty and error in measurement
The following game where a catapult launches darts with the goal of hitting the bull’s eye illustrates the difference between precision and accuracy.
First Trial
Second Trial
Third Trial
Fourth Trial
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
Low Precision
Low Precision
High Precision
High Precision
Hits not grouped
Hits not grouped
Hits grouped
Hits grouped
Low Accuracy
High Accuracy
Low Accuracy
High Accuracy
Average well below bulls eye
Average right at bulls eye
Average well below bulls eye
Average right at bulls eye

18. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainty and error in measurement
Significant figures are the reasonable number of digits that a measurement or a calculation should have.
For example, as illustrated before, a typical wooden meter stick has two significant figures.
The number of significant figures in a calculation reflects the precision of the least precise of the measured values.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

19. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainty and error in measurement
Significant figure rules: Live with them!
(1) All non-zero digits are significant
438 g
26.42 m
1.7 cm
0.653 L 3 4 2
(2) All zeros between non-zero digits are significant
225 dm
12060 m cm 3 4 5
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
(3) Filler zeros to the left of an understood decimal place are not significant
220 L
60 g
30. cm 2 1
(4) Filler zeros to the right of a decimal place are not significant.
0.006 L
0.8 g 1
(5) All non-filler zeros to the right of a decimal place are significant.
8.0 L
60.40 g cm 2 4 5

20. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainty and error in measurement
A calculation must be rounded to the same number of significant figures as in the measurement with the fewest significant figures.
EXAMPLE CALCULATOR SIG. FIGS
(1.2 cm)(2 cm) 2.4 cm2 2 cm2
π(2.75 cm) cm cm2
5.350 m/2.752 s m/s m/s
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
( n)(6 m) nm nm
EXAMPLE CALCULATOR SIG. FIGS
1.2 cm + 2 cm 3.2 cm 3 cm
2×103 m m m m
5.30×10-3m – 2.10m m m

21. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in calculated results
State uncertainties as absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainties.
Determine the uncertainties in results.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

22. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in calculated results
Absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainties.
Absolute error is the raw uncertainty or precision of your measurement.
EXAMPLE: A student measures the length of a line with a wooden meter stick to be 11 mm  1 mm. What is the absolute error or uncertainty in her measurement?
SOLUTION:
The  number is the absolute error. Thus 1 mm is the absolute error.
1 mm is also the precision.
1 mm is also the raw uncertainty.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

23. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in calculated results
Absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainties.
Fractional error is given by
fractional error
Absolute Error
Measured Value
Fractional Error =
EXAMPLE: A student measures the length of a line with a wooden meter stick to be 11 mm  1 mm. What is the fractional error or uncertainty in her measurement?
SOLUTION:
Fractional error =
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund 1 11
= .09

24. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in calculated results
Absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainties.
Percentage error is given by
percentage error
Absolute Error
Measured Value
Percentage Error =
· 100%
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
EXAMPLE: A student measures the length of a line with a wooden meter stick to be 11 mm  1 mm. What is the percentage error or uncertainty in her measurement?
SOLUTION:
Percentage error = 1 11
·100%
= 9%

25. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in calculated results
Absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainties.
PRACTICE: A student measures the voltage of a calculator battery to be 1.6 V  0.1 V. What are the absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainties of his measurement? Find the precision and the raw uncertainty.
Absolute uncertainty is 0.1 V.
Fractional uncertainty is (0.1)/1.6 = 0.06.
Percentage uncertainty is 0.06(100%) = 6%.
Precision is 0.1 V.
Raw uncertainty is 0.1 V.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

26. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in calculated results
To find the uncertainty in a sum or difference you just add the uncertainties of all the ingredients.
In formula form we have
If y = a  b then ∆y = ∆a + ∆b
uncertainty in sums and differences
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
FYI
Note that whether or not the calculation has a + or a -, the uncertainties are ADDED.
Uncertainties DO NOT EVER REDUCE ONE ANOTHER.

27. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in calculated results
To find the uncertainty in a sum or difference you just add the uncertainties of all the ingredients.
EXAMPLE: A 9.51  0.15 meter rope ladder is hung from a roof that is  0.07 meters above the ground. How far is the bottom of the ladder from the ground?
SOLUTION:
y = a – b = = 3.05 m
∆y = ∆a + ∆b = = 0.22 m
Thus the bottom is 3.05  0.22 m from the ground.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

28. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in calculated results
To find the uncertainty in a product or quotient you just add the percentage or fractional uncertainties of all the ingredients.
In formula form we have
If y = ab/c then ∆y/y = ∆a/a + ∆b/b + ∆c/c
uncertainty in products and quotients
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
FYI
Note that whether or not the calculation has a  or a /, the uncertainties are ADDED.
Since you can’t add numbers not having the same units, we use fractional uncertainties for products and quotients.

29. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in calculated results
To find the uncertainty in a product or quotient you just add the percentage or fractional uncertainties of all the ingredients.
EXAMPLE: A car travels 64.7  0.5 meters in 8.65  0.05 seconds. What is its speed during this time interval?
SOLUTION:
r = d/t = 64.7/8.65 = 7.48 m s-1
∆r/r = ∆d/d + ∆t/t = .5/ /8.65 =
∆r/7.48 = so that
∆r = 7.48(0.0135) = 0.10 m s-1.
Finally we can state that the car is traveling at 7.48  0.10 m s-1.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

30. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in graphs
Identify uncertainties as error bars in graphs.
State random uncertainty as an uncertainty range (+/-) and represent it graphically as an ‘error bar.’
Determine the uncertainties in the gradient and intercepts of a straight-line graph.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

31. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in graphs
Identify uncertainties as error bars in graphs.
IB has a requirement that when you conduct an experiment of your own design, you must have three trials for each variation in your independent variable.
This means that for each independent variable you will gather three values for the dependent variable.
The three values for each dependent variable will then be averaged.
The following slide shows a sample of a well designed table containing all of the information required by IB.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

32. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in graphs
Identify uncertainties as error bars in graphs.
3 trials
Independent variable manipulated by you
Sheets
n / no units
n = 0
Rebound Height
hi / cm
hi = 0.2 cm
Average Rebound Height
h / cm
h = 2.0 cm 55
54.8
55.1
54.6
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3 2 52
53.4
52.5
49.6 4 49
50.7
48.7
48.6 6 48
49.0
47.1
48.5 8 45
45.9
45.0
44.6 10 41
39.5
41.4
42.4 12 35
35.8
34.0
35.1 14 33
31.1
33.5
33.0 16 29
29.7
27.2
29.3
Dependent variable responding to your changes
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

33. Average Rebound Height
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in graphs
Identify uncertainties as error bars in graphs.
In order to determine the uncertainty in the dependent variable we reproduce the first two rows of the previous table:
The uncertainty in the height was taken to be half the largest range in the trial data, corresponding to the row for 2 sheets of paper:
Sheets
n / no units
n = 0
Rebound Height
hi / cm
hi = 0.2 cm
Average Rebound Height
h / cm
h = 2.0 cm 55
54.8
55.1
54.6
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3 2 52
53.4
52.5
49.6
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund 2
= 2

34. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in graphs
Identify uncertainties as error bars in graphs.
The size of the error bar in the graph is then up two and down two at each point in the graph on the next slide…
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

35. Error bars go up 2 and down 2 at each point.
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund

36. Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1
Topic 1: Physics and physical measurement 1.2 Measurement and uncertainties
Uncertainties in graphs
Determine the uncertainties in the gradient and intercepts of a straight-line graph.
Now to determine the uncertainty in the slope of a best fit line we look only at the first and last error bars, as illustrated here for a different set of data:
A sample of a well-done graph for the Bounce-Height lab is shown on the next slide:
mmax
mbest
mmin
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
uncertainty in slope
mmax - mmin 2
mbest  m = mbest 

37. mmax - mmin m = 2 m = m = 0.25 m = -1.6 0.3 -1.375 - -1.875 2
© 2006 By Timothy K. Lund
m = 0.25
m = -1.6 0.3