Logo
BrainRecally Memory Master
Physics 30 flashcards ~15 min

Units, Measurement and Vectors in Physics

Before diving into forces, energy, or waves, every physics student needs a solid grasp of units, measurement, and vector fundamentals. This deck covers the seven SI base units, dimensional analysis, and the distinction between scalar and vector quantities. You...

Study this deck View all cards

About this deck

Before diving into forces, energy, or waves, every physics student needs a solid grasp of units, measurement, and vector fundamentals. This deck covers the seven SI base units, dimensional analysis, and the distinction between scalar and vector quantities. You'll also review vector addition and resolution, unit vectors, and key measurement concepts like precision, accuracy, and systematic versus random error. A great foundational refresher for the start of any physics course, or a quick reference before tackling more advanced topics.

Ready to test yourself?

Flip through all 30 cards in interactive study mode.

Launch study mode

All flashcards

Click any question to reveal the answer.

Meter, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole, candela
Meter
Kilogram
Second
A unit formed by combining base units, such as m/s for velocity
Checking the consistency of equations and converting units
A quantity with magnitude only, no direction
A quantity with both magnitude and direction
Mass, temperature, or speed
Displacement, velocity, or force
As arrows, with length indicating magnitude and direction indicating orientation
Combining two or more vectors to find a resultant vector
The single vector representing the combined effect of two or more vectors
Breaking a vector into its component parts, usually horizontal and vertical
A vector with a magnitude of exactly one, indicating direction only
Indicating the precision of a measured value
The range within which the true value of a measurement is expected to lie
How close repeated measurements are to each other
How close a measurement is to the true or accepted value
A consistent, repeatable error due to a flaw in equipment or method
An unpredictable variation in measurements due to uncontrollable factors
Mass is the amount of matter; weight is the gravitational force on that mass
Kilo
Milli
Micro
An estimate of size expressed as a power of ten
The scalar product, related to the angle between vectors
A vector perpendicular to both original vectors
A vector scaled in magnitude by a numerical factor, without changing direction (unless negative)
It ensures the equation is physically meaningful and correctly formulated