Fundamental and Derived Quantities and Units | Waec Physics

Fundamental Quantities and Units

1. Fundamental quantities are the basic physical quantities that cannot be derived from other quantities.
2. There are seven fundamental quantities in the International System of Units (SI).
3. These include length, mass, time, electric current, thermodynamic temperature, amount of substance, and luminous intensity.
4. Fundamental units are the standard units used to measure fundamental quantities.
5. Examples of fundamental units include the meter (m), kilogram (kg), and second (s).
6. The SI system ensures consistency in the measurement of fundamental quantities worldwide.
7. Fundamental quantities form the basis for defining all other physical quantities.
8. The precision of measurements of fundamental quantities is critical in scientific experiments.
9. Fundamental units are invariant and do not depend on physical phenomena like temperature or pressure.
10. The relationships between fundamental quantities are governed by natural laws.
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Derived Quantities and Units

11. Derived quantities are physical quantities obtained from combinations of fundamental quantities.
12. Examples include area, volume, density, speed, force, energy, and pressure.
13. Derived units are combinations of fundamental units used to measure derived quantities.
14. The process of deriving quantities often involves multiplication or division of fundamental quantities.
15. Derived units in the SI system include square meters (m²), cubic meters (m³), and kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
16. Speed is a derived quantity expressed in meters per second (m/s).
17. Force is a derived quantity, calculated using Newton's second law, $F = ma$, and measured in newtons (N).
18. Energy is a derived quantity measured in joules (J), with 1 joule equivalent to $1kg \cdot {m}^2/{s}^2$.
19. The derived unit of pressure is the pascal (Pa), defined as $N/m^2$.
20. Understanding derived quantities helps in interpreting complex physical phenomena.
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Length, Mass, and Time as Examples of Fundamental Quantities

21. Length measures the extent of an object in space and is a fundamental quantity.
22. The SI unit of length is the meter (m).
23. Mass measures the quantity of matter in an object and is a fundamental quantity.
24. The SI unit of mass is the kilogram (kg).
25. Time measures the duration of events and is a fundamental quantity.
26. The SI unit of time is the second (s).
27. These three fundamental quantities are essential in classical mechanics.
28. Length is often used to describe distances, dimensions, and displacements.
29. Mass is critical in determining the inertia and weight of an object.
30. Time forms the basis for analyzing motion and changes in systems.
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Volume, Density, and Speed as Derived Quantities

31. Volume is a derived quantity representing the amount of three-dimensional space occupied by a substance.
32. The SI unit of volume is the cubic meter (m³).
33. Volume can be calculated for regular shapes using geometric formulas.
34. Density is a derived quantity defined as mass per unit volume, $\rho = m/V$.
35. The SI unit of density is kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
36. Density is an important property in material science and fluid dynamics.
37. Speed is a derived quantity defined as the rate of change of distance with time, $v = d/t$.
38. The SI unit of speed is meters per second (m/s).
39. Speed is a scalar quantity, while velocity, a related concept, is a vector quantity.
40. Understanding these derived quantities is crucial in real-world applications like engineering and physics.
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m³, kg/m³, and m/s as Examples of Units

41. The cubic meter (m³) measures the volume of a substance in three dimensions.
42. One cubic meter is equivalent to 1,000 liters.
43. The kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³) measures the density of a substance.
44. A density of $1kg/m^3$ means that one cubic meter of the substance has a mass of one kilogram.
45. The meter per second (m/s) measures the speed or velocity of an object.
46. A speed of $1m/s$ means the object travels one meter in one second.
47. These units are consistent with the SI system, ensuring standardized measurements.
48. Using derived units like m³, kg/m³, and m/s makes complex calculations manageable.
49. Mastery of these units simplifies problem-solving in physics and engineering.
50. These units exemplify the interdependence of fundamental and derived quantities in describing physical phenomena.

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