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20 Dec 2025

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Understanding Physical Quantities and Units in A-Level Physics

user profile picture

Yasmina Taleb Medarova @yasminatalebmedarova_ipfc

Ever wondered why scientists worldwide can understand each other's measurements? It's all thanks to the SI unit system... Show more

Name
metre
second
kelvin
kilogram
ampere
mole
candela
Derived units
Name
newton
joule
hertz
ohm
volt
watt
bascal
Base units (SI Units)
Greek

Base and Derived Units in Physics

Physics revolves around seven base SI units that form the foundation of all measurements. These include metres for length, seconds for time, kilograms for mass, and kelvin for temperature - units you'll use constantly in calculations.

Derived units are combinations of base units that measure specific physical quantities. For instance, newtons measure force, joules measure energy, and watts measure power. Think of them as recipes made from the basic ingredients of base units.

The Greek alphabet isn't just ancient history - it's essential for physics! You'll encounter theta (θ) for angles, lambda (λ) for wavelength, and omega (Ω) for electrical resistance. Learning these symbols now will make your physics equations much clearer.

Quick Tip Don't try to memorise all Greek letters at once - learn them as you encounter them in different physics topics!

Name
metre
second
kelvin
kilogram
ampere
mole
candela
Derived units
Name
newton
joule
hertz
ohm
volt
watt
bascal
Base units (SI Units)
Greek

Metric Prefixes and Unit Conversions

Metric prefixes are your best friends for handling enormous or tiny numbers in physics. From tera (10¹²) down to pico (10⁻¹²), these prefixes help you express everything from the distance to stars to the size of atoms without writing endless zeros.

The most common prefixes you'll use are kilo (×1000), centi (÷100), and milli (÷1000). Remember that when units with the same power are divided, they cancel out completely - leaving you with a simple ratio.

Converting between units becomes straightforward once you understand the pattern. A kilometre contains 1000 metres, whilst a millimetre is 0.001 metres. The prefixes work the same way whether you're measuring length, mass, or volume.

Exam Success Practice converting between different prefixes daily - it's guaranteed to appear on your physics papers!

We thought you’d never ask...

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Where can I download the Knowunity app?

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Basil

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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

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Physics

142

20 Dec 2025

2 pages

Understanding Physical Quantities and Units in A-Level Physics

user profile picture

Yasmina Taleb Medarova

@yasminatalebmedarova_ipfc

Ever wondered why scientists worldwide can understand each other's measurements? It's all thanks to the SI unit system - a universal language of measurement that makes physics calculations possible. Plus, you'll need to master Greek letters and metric prefixes to... Show more

Name
metre
second
kelvin
kilogram
ampere
mole
candela
Derived units
Name
newton
joule
hertz
ohm
volt
watt
bascal
Base units (SI Units)
Greek

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Base and Derived Units in Physics

Physics revolves around seven base SI units that form the foundation of all measurements. These include metres for length, seconds for time, kilograms for mass, and kelvin for temperature - units you'll use constantly in calculations.

Derived units are combinations of base units that measure specific physical quantities. For instance, newtons measure force, joules measure energy, and watts measure power. Think of them as recipes made from the basic ingredients of base units.

The Greek alphabet isn't just ancient history - it's essential for physics! You'll encounter theta (θ) for angles, lambda (λ) for wavelength, and omega (Ω) for electrical resistance. Learning these symbols now will make your physics equations much clearer.

Quick Tip: Don't try to memorise all Greek letters at once - learn them as you encounter them in different physics topics!

Name
metre
second
kelvin
kilogram
ampere
mole
candela
Derived units
Name
newton
joule
hertz
ohm
volt
watt
bascal
Base units (SI Units)
Greek

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Metric Prefixes and Unit Conversions

Metric prefixes are your best friends for handling enormous or tiny numbers in physics. From tera (10¹²) down to pico (10⁻¹²), these prefixes help you express everything from the distance to stars to the size of atoms without writing endless zeros.

The most common prefixes you'll use are kilo (×1000), centi (÷100), and milli (÷1000). Remember that when units with the same power are divided, they cancel out completely - leaving you with a simple ratio.

Converting between units becomes straightforward once you understand the pattern. A kilometre contains 1000 metres, whilst a millimetre is 0.001 metres. The prefixes work the same way whether you're measuring length, mass, or volume.

Exam Success: Practice converting between different prefixes daily - it's guaranteed to appear on your physics papers!

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

2

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

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4.9/5

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

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Samantha Klich

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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

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Thomas R

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Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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Greenlight Bonnie

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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

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Thomas R

iOS user

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Android user

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Android user

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