2.1a – The units of energy and power answers

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What are the base SI units for the joule?
A) k times g solidus s squared
B) k times g m s
C) k times g m solidus s cubed
D) k times g m squared solidus s squared

The answer is D. The easiest way to figure this out is to say that  w times o times r times k d times o times n times e equals f times o times r times c times e multiplication d times i times s times t times a times n times c times e . As  one n times e times w times t times o times n is the same as  one k times g m solidus s squared  we need to multiply that by the unit for distance, the m times e times t times e times r .

The watt (the SI unit for power) can be written in several different ways. Which of the following are correct?  (you can select more than one answer)
A)  cap n m solidus s
B) cap j solidus s
C)  cap v times cap a
D)  k times g m squared solidus s cubed

No matter what you chose, you are correct.  All of the above are correct.   k times g m solidus s cubed uses only the base units, but the other ones that use derived units are also correct.

At KS5 students are asked to compare units like this. The skill is called dimensional analysis. It is useful for teachers to be aware that these different units are equivalent, but it is not expected.

One result from dimensional analysis that may be useful is that the units for acceleration and gravitational field strength are identical, even if they look different. This helps students to understand why the free-fall acceleration on Earth is the same as the gravitational field strength.

a times c times c times e times l times e times r times a times t times i times o times n sub f times r times e times e times f times a times l times l equals g times r times a times v times i times t times a times t times i times o times n times a times l f times i times e times l times d s times t times r times e times n times g times t times h sub e times a times r times t times h

9.8 m solidus s squared equals 9.8 cap n solidus k times g

For more about acceleration see the Forces module, 6.6 Classroom approaches – velocity and acceleration.


2.1 – The units of energy and power

2.2 – Where do the equations come from?

Last modified: Sunday, 19 December 2021, 7:37 PM