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Units
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College Physics I – Introduction
Definition
Units are standardized quantities used to measure physical quantities. They provide a reference for expressing and comparing measurements accurately.
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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- The International System of Units (SI) is the most widely used system of units in science.
- There are seven base SI units: meter (m), kilogram (kg), second (s), ampere (A), kelvin (K), mole (mol), and candela (cd).
- Derived units are combinations of base units, such as meters per second ($\text{m/s}$) for velocity.
- Dimensional analysis involves checking the consistency of units in equations to ensure they make sense physically.
- Conversion factors allow you to convert between different units, such as inches to centimeters or pounds to kilograms.
Review Questions
- What is the primary purpose of using standardized units in physics?
- Name three examples of base SI units and their corresponding physical quantities.
- How do derived units differ from base units?
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