2. In this chapter, we will discuss the following: Definition of Physics Branches and sub-branches of Physics Measurement of Quantities
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4. Classical Physics Mechanics – the study of forces acting on bodies. Statics – on bodies at rest. Kinematics – on motion without regard to its cause. Dynamics – on motion and forces that affect it. Acoustics – study of the production of and the propagation of sound waves. Optics - study of light. Thermodynamics – study of the relationship between heat and other forms of energy. Electromagnetism – study of the properties of electric current and magnetism, and their relationship.
5. Modern Physics Atomic and Nuclear Physics – study of the components, structure and behavior of the nucleus of the atom. Quantum Physics – study of the discrete nature of the phenomena at the atomic and sub-atomic levels. It focuses on the unit of energy called quanta.
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7. What is a standard/unit of measurement? It is a quantity or amount that everyone agrees on. For instance, in the ancient period, the cubit, which is agreed upon by the ancient people as the measure from a man’s elbow to the tip of the middle finger.
8. The Metric System or International System of Measurements (SI) In 1790, the French National Assembly appointed a committee (Academy of Science) that created the metric system. In 1960, the metric system was named International System of Measurements, abbreviated as SI. The SI includes fundamental quantities and derived quantities which are described by base units and derived units, respectively.
11. The kilogram is the unit of mass; it is equal to the mass of the international prototype of the kilogram.(The mass of one liter of water. A liter is one thousandth of a cubic meter.)
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13. Conversion of Units One of the simplest method of converting one unit of measurement is using the chain-link conversion method. The chain-link conversion method uses a conversion factor. A conversion factor is a ratio which is equal to one and which contains the original unit and the unit which you want the quantity to be converted to.
