AS Physics course on units help

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the confusion surrounding base units, base quantities, derived units, and derived quantities in an AS Physics course. Base units include fundamental measurements like distance, time, mass, and charge, while derived units are combinations of these, such as force and energy. Understanding the relationship between these units requires a grasp of the underlying physics concepts. Participants emphasize that it's normal to feel overwhelmed at first and advise not to stress too much initially. Clarity will come with further study and comprehension of the subject matter.
ben-newton
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I have just started the AS Physics course and we have been doing base units, base quanntities, derived units and drived quantities. This stuff completely baffles me, and cannot find a site which explains this stuff in bog standard english. Please could someone help me.

Thanks,

Ben
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ben-Newton said:
I have just started the AS Physics course and we have been doing base units, base quanntities, derived units and drived quantities. This stuff completely baffles me, and cannot find a site which explains this stuff in bog standard english. Please could someone help me.
Base units are units of distance, time, mass, charge. Units for other quantities, such as Force and energy, are derived from these units (Force is in units of mass x distance/ sec^2 for example; energy is mass x distance^2/sec^2). You won't understand why the units are this way until you understand the underlying physics. Don't worry about it for now.

AM
 
Thanks Andrew
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Syntax Error? x and y components of E field in unit vector form
Replies
13
Views
2K
I Units analysis for this phase shift problem using a differential equation
Replies
3
Views
1K
Schools Theoretical Physics Masters Course in Spain or Italy?
Replies
4
Views
209
I Unit Conversions of Force: How to Convert Between Different Units of Force?
Replies
4
Views
1K
Why is F=ma? (Physics homework)
Replies
13
Views
2K
Courses Algebra or Calculus based physics to start with?
Replies
5
Views
3K
Courses Math Course Advice -- Harvard freshman planning to double major in physics and mathematics
Replies
41
Views
5K
Is zero of nothing nothing? If so, would you write units for nothing?
Replies
14
Views
1K
Courses Should I Retake Physics 1 Before Taking Physics 2 After Learning Calculus?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Common derived units of the physical quantities
Replies
18
Views
9K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top