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Brilio.net - In everyday life, often without realizing it, many activities involve measurements. Starting from measuring the length of a table, body weight, to the time needed to cook. All of these activities involve physical quantities called basic quantities. Basic quantities are quantities that cannot be described from other quantities. There are seven basic quantities that are internationally recognized in the International System (SI). Brilio.net reports from various sources, 7 types of basic quantities along with their units complete with examples on Tuesday (17/9).
1. Length.Length is the most frequently used basic quantity in everyday life. The SI unit for length is the meter (m). Length measures the distance between two points. For example, the length of a table is 1.5 meters. Another example is the distance between two cities, for example Jakarta and Bandung which are about 150 kilometers apart.
2. Mass.Mass is a quantity that measures the amount of matter in an object. The SI unit for mass is the kilogram (kg). For example, the weight of a book is 0.5 kilograms. Another example is the weight of a person which can reach 70 kilograms. Mass is different from weight, because weight is the force produced by gravity acting on mass.
3. Time.Time is a quantity that measures the duration of an event. The SI unit for time is the second (s). For example, the time it takes to boil an egg is about 300 seconds or 5 minutes. Another example is the time it takes to travel from home to work, for example 3600 seconds or 1 hour.
Electric current is a quantity that measures the flow of electric charge. The SI unit for electric current is the ampere (A). For example, the electric current flowing through a lamp is 0.5 amps. Another example is the electric current flowing through a fan which can reach 1.2 amps.
5. Temperature.Temperature is a quantity that measures the degree of hotness or coldness of an object. The SI unit for temperature is the kelvin (K). For example, room temperature is usually around 298 kelvins or 25 degrees Celsius. Another example is the temperature of boiling water which reaches 373 kelvins or 100 degrees Celsius.
6. Amount of substance.The amount of substance is a quantity that measures the number of particles in a substance. The SI unit for the amount of substance is the mole (mol). For example, one mole of water contains about 6.022 x 10^23 water molecules. Another example is the amount of substance in one mole of oxygen gas, which also contains about 6.022 x 10^23 oxygen molecules.
7. Light intensity.Luminous intensity is a quantity that measures the strength of light emitted. The SI unit for luminous intensity is the candela (cd). For example, the luminous intensity of a candle is about 1 candela. Another example is the luminous intensity of an LED lamp which can reach 1000 candela.
Conclusion.Understanding basic quantities and their units is very important in various fields of science and technology. By knowing these seven basic quantities, measurements in various daily activities become easier and more accurate. Length, mass, time, electric current, temperature, amount of substance, and light intensity are the basis of many measurements made. Each quantity has an internationally agreed unit, making it easier for communication and understanding between scientists and the general public.
(brl/red)
