High School Physics : Understanding SI Units

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Physics

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Example Questions

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Example Question #21 : Understanding Si Units

The fastest time to finish a  driving race was . What was the average speed for the car during the race?

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a straightforward problem, but requires a number of unit conversions. To find the speed, we will need to determine the change in distance per unit time:

While we are given distance and time, we need to convert it to meters per second. A distance of is converted to meters with the relation .

Time requires several step-wise conversion. First, convert the hours to minutes.

Find the total number of minutes and convert it to seconds.

Finally, find the total number of seconds.

Use the final distance and final time to calculate the speed in meters per second.

 

Example Question #21 : Introductory Principles

Which of the following is the correct SI unit for distance?

Possible Answers:

Inch

Meter

Kilometer

Mile

Foot

Correct answer:

Meter

Explanation:

First, when thinking about SI you should usually start with the metric system -- this leaves us with meter and kilometer. The correct SI unit for distance is the meter -- displacement is in meters, velocity is in meters per second, etc.

Example Question #21 : High School Physics

Which of these is not an SI unit?

Possible Answers:

Ohm

Farad

Second

Tesla

Kilometer

Correct answer:

Kilometer

Explanation:

While a kilometer is a metric unit of distance, the correct SI unit for distance is the meter. When making calculations with length, it is necessary to convert kilometers to meters.

Seconds are the SI unit for time. Ohms are the SI unit for electrical resistance. Farads are the SI unit for capacitance. Teslas are the SI unit for magnetic field strength.

Example Question #22 : High School Physics

Which of the following is not an SI unit?

Possible Answers:

Farads

Meters

Seconds

Decibels

Mass

Correct answer:

Mass

Explanation:

Units are used as the interval by which a given parameter can be measured. SI units are the standardized units that are used universally in physics and chemistry to make calculations consistent. Each parameter has its own SI unit.

Mass is a parameter, not a unit. It is a property of a given system, rather than an interval system. The SI unit for measuring mass is the kilogram.

Decibels are the SI unit for sound intensity, Farads are the SI unit for capacitance, meters are the SI unit for length (distance and displacement), and seconds are the SI unit for time.

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