Scalars and vectors
.
Measurement of length and time

Candidates should be able to:

(a)  show understanding that all physical quantities consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit

(b)  recall the following base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m), time (s), current (A),
temperature (K), amount of substance (mol)

(c)  use the following prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal sub-multiples and multiples of the
SI units: nano (n), micro (µ), milli (m), centi (c), deci (d), kilo (k), mega (M), giga (G)





(d)  show an understanding of the orders of magnitude of the sizes of common objects ranging from a
typical atom to the Earth

(e)  state what is meant by scalar and vector quantities and give common examples of each
 

(f)    add two vectors to determine a resultant by a graphical method

(g) describe how to measure a variety of lengths with appropriate accuracy by means of tapes, rules,
micrometers and calipers, using a vernier scale as necessary

(h) describe how to measure a short interval of time including the period of a simple pendulum with
appropriate accuracy using stopwatches or appropriate instruments