Dr Vince Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes 1

Chapter 1: Physics and Measurement

1. Physics, like any other branch of science, is based on systematic observations and precise
measurements.
[Accuracy is how close a measured value (9.9 cm) is to the actual (true) value (10 cm).]
[Precision is how close the measured values are to each other. (9.9, 9.91, 9.89)]

2. Experiments are essential features of science.

[essential = extremely important, feature = distinctive property]
3. Most experiments in Physics require the observations made to be quantitative rather than
qualitative.
[Quantitative: The road is 4 miles long.] [Qualitative: The road is quite long.]
1.1 BASIC AND DERIVED UNITS
Measurement: Measurement essentially is a comparison process. [essentially = basically]
4. Quantitative measurements must be expressed by numerical comparison to certain
agreed upon set of standards.
5. A standard quantity of some kind is referred to as a unit.
Standard: Standard is something or a reference used as a measure for length, mass and time.
Unit: Unit is a quantity or an amount used as a standard of measurement.
6. There are many things in the world that can be measured accurately. These things are
known as physical quantities.
Physical Quantity: A physical quantity is the quantity that can be measured, and consists
of a numerical magnitude and a unit.
[Weight/mass of a lady is a physical quantity. Beauty of a lady is not a physical quantity.]
7. A physical quantity is expressed as,
Q = N u, where Q = physical quantity, N = dimensionless number, u = unit
If m = 15 kg then Q = m, N = 15, u = kg.
If v = 100 m s-1, then Q = v, N = 100, u = m s-1.
2 Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

8. Quantities of the same kind must be compared.

9. The unit represents the dimension of the quantity.
10. If F = 10 lb, the physical quantity (Q) is F, the dimensionless number (N) is 10 and the
unit (u) is lb.
11. Physical quantities can be classified as the basic type (length, mass, time, temperature,
electric current, amount of substance, luminous intensity) and the derived type (area,
volume, velocity, work, energy, etc.). Their units are also called the basic units and the
derived units.
Basic Type of Physical Quantities: Length, mass, time, temperature, electric current,
amount of substance and luminous intensity are called basic type of physical quantities.
Derived Type of Physical Quantities: Quantities other than the basic quantities are called
derived type of physical quantities. Area, volume, velocity, work, energy, etc., are called
derived type of physical quantities.
Basic Units: The units of basic quantities are called basic units. [m, kg, s, K, A, cd, mol]
Derived Units: A derived unit is a unit of measurement formed by combining the basic (or
base) units of a system.
12. Derived unit is a unit of measurement formed by combining the base units of a system.
(Eg. m s-1 = m/s)
distance
speed 
time
SI unit of distance is m, SI unit of time is s. Therefore, SI unit of speed is m/s (or) m s-1.
The unit of speed, metre per second, is a derived unit.
Chapter 1: Exercise 1.1
R01: Explain physical quantity, basic unit and derived unit.
Ans: See notes.
T01: Which of the followings are the basic units? Which are the derived units?
m, cm, ft, ft2, m3, kg, g, s, cm s-1, m s-2, kg m s-1, kg m s-2, kg m2 s-3.
Ans: Basic units are m, cm, ft, kg, g and s.
Derived units are ft2, m3, cm s-1, m s-2, kg m s-1, kg m s-2 and kg m2 s-3.
Dr Vince Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes 3

T02: Determine the SI base units of the following:

(i) velocity (= displacement/time)
(ii) acceleration (= velocity/time)
(iii) density (= mass/volume)
Ans: (i) velocity (= displacement /time)
The base unit of displacement is metre (m).
The base unit of time is second (s).
The SI base unit of velocity is metre per second (m s-1).
(ii) acceleration (= velocity/time)
The SI base unit of velocity is metre per second (m s-1).
The base unit of time is second (s).
The SI base unit of acceleration is metre per second squared (m s-2).
(iii) density (= mass/volume)
The base unit of mass is kilogram (kg).
The SI base unit of volume is cubic metre (m3).
The SI base unit of density is kilogram per cubic metre (kg m-3).
Q02: Determine the derived units of: (a) speed (b) volume (c) density.
Ans: distance
(a) speed 
time
The base unit of distance is metre (m).
The base unit of time is second (s).
The derived unit of speed is metre per second (m s-1).
(b) volume = length  width  thickness
The base units of length, width and thickness are all metre (m).
The derived unit of volume is cubic metre (m3).
mass
(c) density 
volume
The base unit of mass is kilogram (kg).
The SI base unit of volume is cubic metre (m3).
The derived unit of density is kilogram per cubic metre (kg m-3).
4 Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

1.2 SYSTEMS OF UNITS

1. In this text book, three systems of measurement: British system, Metric system and SI
units will be used.
British System (FPS System): The British system is based on foot (ft), pound (lb) and
second (s), and is therefore also called the FPS system.
Metric System: The Metric system consists of the CGS system and the MKS system.
CGS System: The CGS system is based on centimetre (cm), gram (g) and second (s).
MKS System: The MKS system is based on metre (m), kilogram (kg) and second (s).
2. The CGS and the MKS systems are alike in the sense that units of length and mass of
one system may be converted to those of the other by using powers of 10.
[1 m = 102 cm, 1 kg = 103 g]
SI Units: The SI units is just the modified form of the MKS system of units.
3. Scientists all over the world like to work with a consistent and coherent system of units.
In 1960, the Eleventh General Conference of Weights and Measures in France
recommended an International System of Units based on the metric system of units. It is
SI units (Full name, ‘Système International d'Unités’).
4. The SI unit has seven base units and all other units are derived from these base units by
multiplying or dividing one unit by another without introducing numerical factors.
Basic Quantities and Basic Units
Basic Quantity Symbol Basic Unit Short form
Length l, d, s, etc. metre m
Mass m kilogram kg
Time t second s
Electric Current I ampere A
(Thermodynamic) Temperature T kelvin K
Amount of Substance n mole mol
Luminous intensity Iv candela cd
Dr Vince Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes 5

tjynfjynfqdkif odyÜHynm&Sifrsm;\ oabmwlnDrIjzifh w&m;0if owfrSwfcsuft& Luminous

intensity \ Symbol trSefrSm Iv jzpfygonf/ yHkESdyf az:jy&mwGif Physical symbol rsm;udk pmvHk;
tapmif;? numerical value ESifh unit rsm;udk twnfha&;&efvnf; nTefMum;owfrSwfxm;ygonf/
https://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si-brochure/SI-Brochure-9-EN.pdf
System Unit of Length (L) Unit of Mass (M) Unit of Time (T)
FPS foot (ft) slug (sl) second (s)
CGS centimetre (cm) gram (g) second (s)
MKS metre (m) kilogram (kg) second (s)
SI metre (m) kilogram (kg) second (s)

The candela is equal to the luminous intensity in a given direction of a source that emits
monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 1012 hertz and has a radiant intensity in that
direction of 1/683 watt per unit solid angle.
6 Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

1.3 PREFIXES
1. Sometimes a physical quantity is too big (or) too small to be conveniently expressed in basic
SI units. Prefixes are needed to be used. Prefixes are multiples or sub-multiples of 10.
Symbol Prefix 10x Symbol Prefix 10x
d deci 10-1 da deca 10
c centi 10-2 h hecto 102
m milli 10-3 k kilo 103
 micro 10-6 M mega 106
n nano 10-9 G giga 109
p pico 10-12 T tera 1012
f femto 10-15
a atto 10-18

2. Scientific notation (or) standard form may be written as follows;

Place the decimal point after the first nonzero digit.
Count the number of places the original decimal point is moved to the new decimal point.
If we (have) moved the point to the left, then the power is positive.
[1 234.5 = 1.234 5  103]
If we (have) moved the point to the right, then the power is negative.
[0.000 123 45 = 1.234 5  10-4]
Decimal form Standard Form Decimal form Standard Form
12.345 = 1.234 5  101 0.123 45 = 1.234 5  10-1
123.45 = 1.234 5  102 0.012 345 = 1.234 5  10-2
1 234.5 = 1.234 5  103 0.001 234 5 = 1.234 5  10-3
12 345 = 1.234 5  104 0.000 123 45 = 1.234 5  10-4
Dr Vince Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes 7

Chapter 1: Exercise 1.3

R02: Write down the value of (i) 1564 mm in m, and (ii) l750 g in kg.
Ans: (i) 1564 mm = 1.564  103  10-3 m = 1.564 m
(ii) l750 g = 1.750  103  10-3 kg = 1.750 kg
R03: In each of the following pairs, which quantity is larger?
(a) 2 km (or) 2500 m, (b) 2 m (or) 1500 mm, (c) 2000 g (or) 3 kg
Ans: (a) 2 km = 2  103 m
2500 m = 2.5  103 m
2.5  103 m > 2  103 m
Thus, 2500 m > 2 km
(b) 2 m
1500 mm = 1.5  103  10-3 m = 1.5 m
2 m > 1.5 m
Thus, 2 m > 1500 mm
(c) 2000 g = 2  103  10-3 kg = 2 kg
3 kg > 2 kg
Thus, 3 kg > 2000 g.
R04: Write the following numbers in scientific notation. (a) 320 000 (b) 0.000 075.
Ans: (a) 320 000 = 3.2  105 (b) 0.000 075 = 7.5  10-5
C04: Give the names and the values of; a, c, d, da, f, G, h, k, m, M, n, p, T and .
Ans: Please See notes
Q05: Write down in powers of ten of the values of the following:
(a) 60 nF (b) 500 MW (c) 20 000 mm (d) 400 C.
Ans: (a) 60 nF = 6  101  10-9 F = 6  10-8 F
(b) 500 MW = 5  102  106 W = 5  108 W
(c) 20 000 mm = 2  104  10-3 m = 2  101 m
(d) 400 C = 4  102  10-6 C = 4  10-4 C
Q08: The sun is a medium-sized star. In the Milky Way galaxy which includes the sun, there are
one hundred billion stars. Write down this figure in the standard form. (1 billion = 109)
Ans: number of stars = 100 billion = 102  109 = 1011
8 Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

1.4 STANDARDS AND UNITS

(a) The Unit of Length
1. The standard of length is metre.
2. The metre was originally defined as the length between two marks on a platinum-iridium rod
at 0 C, kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures at Sevres, near Paris.

3. From 1960 to 1983, the standard of length used was based on the wavelength of orange-
red light emitted by a krypton 86 isotope.
4. A metre was defined as the length equivalent to l 650 763.73 times the wavelength of
this orange-red light.

1 metre

Isotopes are same element with different

number of neutrons.
H-1 isotope has 1 nucleon in its nucleus.
krypton-86
H-2 isotope has 2 nucleons in its nucleus.
Fig: Standard Metre Rod
H-3 isotope has 3 nucleons in its nucleus.
5. Since 1983, a metre has been defined based on the velocity of light.
One metre: One metre is the length of the path travelled by light in vacuum during a time

interval of second.

[In vacuum, light travels 299 792 458 m in 1 s, so light travels 1 m in s.]

6. In the CGS system the unit of length is the centimetre (cm) and 1 cm = 10-2 m.
7. In the FPS system the unit of length is the foot (ft) and 1 ft = 0.3048 m.
Dr Vince Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes 9

8. The unit of length used by particle physicists is the ‘fermi’ or ‘femtometre’ (fm) given
by 1 fm = 10-15 m.
9. In the field of optics, physicists use the unit angstrom (Å), where 1 Å = 10-10 m.
10. In astronomy, the most suitable units are the astronomical unit (au) and the light year unit (ly).
[According to Resolution B1 of IAU (2012) and the 9th edition of the SI Brochure (2019), the
recommended symbol for the astronomical unit is au.]
11. The light year is the distance which light travels in one year.
12. [1 au = 1.496 × 1011 m, 1 ly = 9.461 × 1015 m]
13. The largest unit of length is the 'parsec' (pc). [1 pc = 3.084 × 1016 m]
[The unit, Å = angstrom is used in honour of Swedish Physicist Anders Jonas Ångström.]
[fm = femtometre is taken from the Dutch and Norwegian word "fifteen" (15). Fermi
is used in honour of Nuclear Physicist Enrico Fermi. It is used as length unit in Nuclear
Physics.]
[1 au is the average distance between the sun and the earth.]
[If the angle subtended by a side of 1 au length of a right triangle is 1 sec (1/3600 degree),
the other side is 1 pc.]

(b) The Unit of Mass

14. The standard of mass is a cylinder of 1 kg mass made of platinum-iridium alloy.
15. It serves as a standard of mass for international use.
16. The standard metre and standard kilogram are kept at the International Bureau of
Weights and Measures at Sevres, near Paris.
10 Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

17. Prototypes of standard kilogram are distributed to research academies and laboratories
situated in all parts of the world.

Fig: A cylinder of 1 kg mass made of platinum-irridium alloy

(c) The Unit of Time
18. The SI base unit of time is second.

19. The second was originally defined as of a day. [1 day = 24 h = 24 × 60 × 60 s]

20. One day is the time it takes the Earth to rotate once.
21. But the Earth's rotation is not quite constant.
22. So, for accuracy, the second is now defined in terms of something that never changes:
the frequency of oscillation which can occur from a cesium atom.
23. A particular frequency 9 192 631 770 s-1 emitted or absorbed by a cesium atom is used
to define l s.
Symbols for Physical Quantities
24. Mathematics is the language of physics.
25. Physical laws and principles can be fully and effectively represented in mathematical
forms.
26. The symbols for the physical quantities must be short and precise.
Dr Vince Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes 11

Chapter 1: Exercise 1.4

Q03: The density of water is 1.0 g cm-3. Convert this value to SI units.
g 103 kg 103 kg
Ans: density of water = 1.0   1.0   1.0   1.0  103 kg m 3
cm 3


10 m2 3
 6
10 m 3

R05: If the density of ice is 920 kg m , convert this value to g cm-3.

-3

kg 103 g 103 g
Ans: 920 kg m-3 = 920   920   920   920  103 g cm 3
m 3 2
10 cm 3
 6
10 cm 3

Q04: Find the area of one page of a book whose dimensions are 20 cm × 25 cm in cm2 and
then convert this value to m2.
Ans: area = length  width = 20 cm × 25 cm = 500 cm2 = 5  102  10-4 m2 = 5  10-2 m2
Q06: The thickness of a ream of printing paper is 5.2 cm. It contains 500 sheets of paper. What
is the average thickness of one sheet of paper? Express your answer in SI unit.
Ans: thickness of 500 sheets of paper = 5.2 cm
5.2 cm 5.2  10 2 m
average thickness of one sheet of paper = = = 1.04  10-4 m
500 5  10 2
Q07: The mass of 1 litre of water is 1 kg. Find the mass of 350 mL purified drinking water in
a small sized bottle.
Ans: mass of 1 L water = 1 kg, 350 mL = 350  10-3 L
1 kg
mass of 350 mL water = 350  10-3 L  = 350  10-3 kg = 350 g
1L
Q09: The tissue of a cell is 70 Å thick. Find the thickness of the tissue in terms of an inch.
(1 m = 39.4 in, 1 Å = 10-10 m)
10 10 m 39.4 in
Ans: thickness = 70 Å = 70 A    1 m = 2.758  10  10 in = 2.758  10 in
3 -10 -7
1A
Q11: One acre is 43 560 ft2. How much is it in m2? [1 ft = 0.305 m]
2
 0.305 m 
Ans: 1 acre = 43 560 ft = 43 560 ft  
2 2
 = 0.3052  43 560 m2 = 4052 m2
 1 ft 
Q12: One litre is 1000 cm3. How many litre are there in 231 in3? [ 1 in = 2.54 cm]
3
 2.54 cm  1L
Ans: 231 in = 231 in  
3 3
  3
= 3.785 L
 1in  1000 cm
12 Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

1.5 MEASUREMENT OF LENGTH

1. To measure the length of objects, some standard objects have to be used.
2. For everyday use, the standard may be a yard stick, ruler, metre stick and so on.
3. Lengths are usually measured in metre, centimetre or millimetre.
4. Greater lengths are measured in kilometre.
Table: Instruments used for measuring length
Length to be measured Suitable instrument Accuracy of instrument
Several metres (m) Measuring tape 0.1 cm (1 mm)
Several centimetres (cm) to 1 m Metre or half-metre rule 0.1 cm (1 mm)
Between 1 cm and 10 cm Vernier calipers 0.01 cm (0.1 mm)
Less than 2 cm screw gauge (Micrometer) 0.01 mm (0.001 cm)

Fig: A Vernier calipers

Micrometer or Screw gauge

1.6 MEASUREMENT OF MASS

5. The mass of an object is a measure of the amount of matter in it.
6. Mass is measured in laboratories using a sliding mass balance or the electronic balance.
7. The electronic balance is easier to use and also more accurate than sliding mass balance. The
unknown mass is placed on the top of the pan and its mass is read directly from a display screen.
Dr Vince Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes 13

8. The balance really detects the gravitational pull on the object (weight), but the scale is
marked to show the mass.
9. The mass of purified drinking water of 1 liter bottle is 1 kg.

A sliding mass balance An electronic balance

1.7 MEASUREMENT OF TIME
10. Time is measured in years, months, days, hours, minutes and seconds, but the SI unit for
time is the second (s).
11. Most common modern clocks and watches depend on, the vibration of quartz crystals to
keep time accurately. The energy to keep these crystals vibrating comes from a small battery.
12. A stopwatch (or) a stop clock can be chosen to measure the time to an accuracy of a few
tenths of a second.
13. Digital stopwatches can measure up to 0.01 s.

Stopwatch Stop clock Digital Stopwatch

14 Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

Grade 10 Physics: Chapter 1 Exercises

C05: Explain: (i) Measurement (ii) Standard (iii) Unit (iv) Physical Quantity (v) Basic Type
of Physical Quantities (vi) Derived Type of Physical Quantities (vii) Basic Units
(viii) Derived Units (ix) British System (FPS System) (x) Metric System (xi) CGS
System (xii) MKS System (xiii) SI Units.
Ans: Please See notes
C06: Express basic quantities, their symbols, their SI units and short form using table.
Ans: Please See notes
C07: Express the units of length, mass and time for different systems of unit using table.
Ans: Please See notes
C08: Express instruments used for length with the ranges and least counts using table.
Ans: Please See notes
Q01: Is physics useful in the study of chemistry, biology and engineering subjects?
Ans: Yes.
Q10: The size of an elementary particle is ~ 10-15 m and the size of the universe is ~ 1026 m.
Determine the ratio of the size of the universe to the size of an elementary particle.
[x ~ 1010 means x is on the order of 1010]
size of the universe ~ 10 26 m
Ans:  15
 1041
size of an elementary particle ~ 10 m
Q13: The shortest life-time of an elementary particle is ~ 10-23 s and the age of the universe
is ~ 1018 s. Find the ratio of the two time intervals.
the age of the universe ~ 1018 s
Ans:   23
 10 41
the shortest life  time of an elementary particle ~ 10 s

Q14: If the width of the Milky Way galaxy (which includes our solar system) is 105 ly, how
long will a light signal take to travel that width?
Ans: distance = 105 ly, the speed of light = 1 ly/y
distance 10 5 ly
time    10 5 y
speed 1 ly
y
Dr Vince Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes 15

Q15: According to observations and measurements the farthest galaxies are at a distance of
1026 m from the earth. When space travel becomes highly advanced, do you think that
man will be able to visit those galaxies? (Light travels 3 × 108 m in one second and
there are approximately 108 s in a year.)
Ans: distance 1026 m
time   1
 3.333  1017 s ~ 1018 s
speed 3  10 m s
8

1 y ~ 108 s
1y
time required = 1018 s  = 1010 y
108
age of man = 60 – 100 y = 102 y << 1010 y
So, it is impossible.
Q16: The mass of an electron is me = 9.1 × 10-31 kg. The mass of a muon is about 207 me
and the mass of a proton is about 1836 me. Find the masses of muon and proton.
(Muon is an elementary particle with a mass about 200 times that of an electron)
Ans: mass of muon = 207 me = 207 × 9.1 × 10-31 kg = 1.884 × 10-28 kg
mass of proton = 1836 me = 1836 × 9.1 × 10-31 kg = 1.671 × 10-27 kg
16 Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

1.6 MEASUREMENT OF MASS

1. The mass of an object is a measure of the amount of matter in it.
2. Mass is measured in laboratories using a sliding mass balance or the electronic balance.
3. The electronic balance is easier to use and also more accurate than sliding mass balance. The
unknown mass is placed on the top of the pan and its mass is read directly from a display screen.
4. The balance really detects the gravitational pull on the object (weight), but the scale is
marked to show the mass.
5. The mass of purified drinking water of 1 liter bottle is 1 kg.

A sliding mass balance An electronic balance

1.7 MEASUREMENT OF TIME
6. Time is measured in years, months, days, hours, minutes and seconds, but the SI unit for
time is the second (s).
7. Most common modern clocks and watches depend on, the vibration of quartz crystals to
keep time accurately. The energy to keep these crystals vibrating comes from a small battery.
8. A stopwatch (or) a stop clock can be chosen to measure the time to an accuracy of a few
tenths of a second.
9. Digital stopwatches can measure up to 0.01 s.

Stopwatch Stop clock Digital Stopwatch

Dr Vince Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes 17

Grade 10 Physics: Chapter 1 Exercises

C05: Explain: (i) Measurement (ii) Standard (iii) Unit (iv) Physical Quantity (v) Basic Type
of Physical Quantities (vi) Derived Type of Physical Quantities (vii) Basic Units (viii)
Derived Units (ix) British System (FPS System) (x) Metric System (xi) CGS System
(xii) MKS System (xiii) SI Units.
Ans: Please See notes
C06: Express basic quantities, their symbols, their SI units and short form using table.
Ans: Please See notes
C07: Express the units of length, mass and time for different systems of unit using table.
Ans: Please See notes
C08: Express instruments used for length with the ranges and least counts using table.
Ans: Please See notes
Q01: Is physics useful in the study of chemistry, biology and engineering subjects?
Ans: Yes.
Q10: The size of an elementary particle is ~ 10-15 m and the size of the universe is ~ 1026 m.
Determine the ratio of the size of the universe to the size of an elementary particle.
size of the universe ~ 1026 m
Ans:  15
 1041
size of an elementary particle ~ 10 m
Q13: The shortest life-time of an elementary particle is ~ 10-23 s and the age of the universe
is ~ 1018 s. Find the ratio of the two time intervals.
Ans: the age of the universe ~ 1018 s
  23
 10 41
the shortest life  time of an elementary particle ~ 10 s

Q14: If the width of the Milky Way galaxy (which includes our solar system) is 105 ly, how
long will a light signal take to travel that width?
Ans: distance = 105 ly, the speed of light = 1 ly/y
distance 105 ly
time    105 y
speed 1 ly
y
18 Grade 10 Physics Detailed Notes APEX

Q15: According to observations and measurements the farthest galaxies are at a distance of
1026 m from the earth. When space travel becomes highly advanced, do you think that
man will be able to visit those galaxies? (Light travels 3 × 108 m in one second and
there are approximately 108 s in a year.)
Ans: distance 10 26 m
time   1
 3.333  1017 s ~ 1018 s
speed 3  10 m s
8

1 y ~ 108 s
1y
time required = 1018 s  = 1010 y
108
age of man = 60 – 100 y = 102 y << 1010 y
So, it is impossible.
Q16: The mass of an electron is me = 9.1 × 10-31 kg. The mass of a muon is about 207 me
and the mass of a proton is about 1836 me. Find the masses of muon and proton.
(Muon is an elementary particle with a mass about 200 times that of an electron)
Ans: mass of muon = 207 me = 207 × 9.1 × 10-31 kg = 1.884 × 10-28 kg
mass of proton = 1836 me = 1836 × 9.1 × 10-31 kg = 1.671 × 10-27 kg