Birmingham City University

ENG4082 Mathematics and Mechanics

THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS, (SI)

In 1960 at the General Conference for Weights and Measures held in Paris it was agreed
to adopt the name International System of Units, abbreviated to SI in all languages, for the
practical system of units for general acceptance. SI units are divided into three classes:
base units, derived units and supplementary units. The SI units of these three classes are
coherent i.e. the units are related by rules of multiplication and division without any
numerical factor.

Base Units

Seven units are recognised as being dimensionally independent and are classed as base
units:

Quantity Name Symbol

length metre m
mass kilogram kg
time second s
electric current ampere A
temperature kelvin K
luminous intensity candela cd
amount of a mole mol
substance

Derived Units

Derived units are formed by combining base units according to algebraic relations. Some
of the derived units are expressed in terms of base units, e.g:

Quantity Name Symbol

area square metre m2
volume cubic metre m3
speed, velocity metre per second ms-1
angular velocity * radian per second rad.s-1
acceleration metre per second squared ms-2
angular acceleration * radian per second squared rad.s-2
density kilogram per cubic metre kg.m-3
specific volume cubic metre per kilogram m3.kg-1
momentum kilogram metre per second kg.m.sec-1
angular momentum kilogram metre squared per kg.m2.sec-1
second
moment of inertia kilogram metre squared kg.m2
moment of a force newton metre N.m
current density ampere per square metre A.m-2
magnetic field strength ampere per metre A.m-1
concentration (of a mole per cubic metre mol.m-3
substance)
luminance candela per square metre cd.m-2

International units
 * Strictly, a radian, (rad) is not an SI unit, and hence can be omitted, e.g. the SI unit for
angular velocity is s-1. However, for clarity rad is often retained.

Certain derived units have special names, e.g:

Quantity Name Symbol Expression in Expression in

terms of other terms of SI
units base units
frequency hertz Hz s-1
force newton N kg.m.s-2

pressure, pascal Pa N. m-2 kg.m-1.s-2

stress
energy, work, joule J N.m kg.m2.s-2
quantity of heat
power, radiant watt W J.s-1 kg.m2.s-3
flux
electric charge, coulomb C s.A
quantity of
electricity
electric volt V W.A-1 m2.kg.s-3.A-1
potential,
potential
difference
capacitance farad F C.V-1 m-2.kg-1.s4.A2
electric ohm V.A-1 m2.kg.s-3.A-2
resistance
temperature degree Celcius C K

Supplementary Units

Supplementary units are for plane and solid angles:

Quantity Name Symbol Expression in

terms of SI
base units
Plane angle radian rad m.m-1 = 1
Solid angle steradian sr m2.m-2 = 1

RULES FOR WRITING SI UNIT SYMBOLS

Generally lower case roman letters are used with the exception of units derived
from a proper name, e.g. Newton, in which case upper case letter is used.
Unit symbols are unaltered in the plural, e.g. 1 kg and 27 kg.
Unit symbols are not followed by a full stop.
Products are denoted by either a full stop or a single character space, e.g. N.m or N
m

International units
 Division is denoted by either an oblique or negative exponent, e.g. m/s or m.s -1. To
avoid any possible confusion of multiple obliques in the same unit, the use of
negative exponents or parentheses are to be used, e.g. m/s2 or m.s-2 not m/s/s.
To distinguish between symbols to represent algebraic quantities and SI unit
symbols, it is recommended that the SI unit symbols are contained in brackets, e.g.
force = P [N]
NB. Units are important and should always be quoted with appropriate quantities.
In assessed work marks will be deducted for absent or incorrect units.
Accompanying all calculation stages with the units will assist in confirming the
correct manipulation of the relations and enable the correct units to be derived for
the final result.

SI UNITS PREFIXES

Examples multiples and sub-multiples of SI units are tabulated below

Prefix Symbol Value Example

Name Symbol
tera T 1012 teranewton TN
giga G 109 gigapascal GPa
mega M 106 megajoule MJ
kilo k 103 kilowatt kW
hecto h 102 hectogram hg
deca da 10 decavolt daV
deci d 10-1 decibel dB
centi c 10-2 centimetre cm
milli m 10-3 milliamp mA
micro 10-6 microcoulomb C
nano n 10-9 nanosecond ns
pico p 10-12 picofarad pf

Powers which are a multiple of 3 are preferred, e.g. 1012, 103, 10-6 and 10-9. Therefore,
prefixes hecto, deca, deci and centi are not preferred.

FORCE

A force is defined as that quantity when applied to a mass of 1 kg gives the mass an
acceleration of 1m.s-2,

i.e. 1 [N] (force) = 1 [kg] (mass) x 1 [m.s-2] (acceleration)

MASS AND WEIGHT

The mass of a body is defined as the amount of matter contained in that body, and
hence is constant unless some of the body is removed or added to.

Weight is an example of a force which is the effect of gravitational acceleration

acting on a mass. The value of gravitational acceleration varies dependent upon location
and hence weight is not constant for a given mass. The earths gravitational

International units
acceleration, denoted g varies such that at sea-level in London g 9.81 m.s-2, at the
equator g 9.78 m.s-2 and at each pole g 9.832 m.s-2 . Hence, from the definition of the
newton, it follows that for sea-level in London:

weight, [N] = mass, [kg] x 9.81 [m.s-2]

PRESSURE

The effect of an applied force is dependant upon the surface area over which the force is
applied, and is termed the pressure, where
force[ N ]
pressure, p
area[m 2 ]
The SI unit of pressure is thus N.m-2, symbol Pa. The internal reaction to applied loading,
(force) is stress, which has the same units as pressure, and will be the subject of a
separate topic.

WORK

Work is done when a force is exerted to overcome some resistance through a

distance in the direction of the force. The SI unit of work is the joule, symbol J, named
after the English physicist James Joule, (1818-1889), in recognition of his achievements in
establishing the relationship between mechanical and thermal energies. Then,

work done, w [J] = force, F [N] x distance, in direction of the force, s [m] = Fs [N]

POWER

Power is defined as the rate of doing work. The SI unit of power is the watt, symbol W,
named after the Scottish engineer James Watt, (1736-1819). Then,

power [W] = work done, w [J] / time taken, t [s] = w/t [W]

WORKED EXAMPLE

A mass of 200 kg is raised through a height of 400 m in 2 minutes. Calculate i) the force
to lift the mass, ii) the total work done, and iii) the power required.

i) force required to lift the 200 kg mass, F = mg 200 [kg] x 9.81 [m.s-2] = 1 962 N
(Here, in the absence of any information to the contrary, it has been assumed that g 9.81
[m.s-2] )
ii) total work done, w = Fs = 1 962 [N] x 400 [m] = 784 800 J
iii) power required P = w / t = 784 800 [J] / 2 x 60 [s] = 6 540 W
= 6.54 kW

Bibliography

1. Bell, R.J. The International System of Units, National Physical Laboratory, London,
HMSO, 1993, ISBN 0-11-887538-8

2. Hughes, E. & Hughes, C., Engineering Science, Longman, 1994, ISBN 0-582-22913-8

International units
 MATHEMATICS AND MECHANICS

SI UNITS ~ TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

1. Calculate the area, in square metres, of: (a) a square of side 600 mm, (b) a triangle of
base 400 mm and height 500 mm and (c) a circle of diameter 1.5 m.
(0.36 m2, 0.1 m2, 1.767 m2)

2. Calculate the volume, in cubic metres, of: (a) a room, 7 m x 4 m x 3 m and (b) a sphere
having a diameter of 1.5 m.
(84 m3, 1.767 m3)

3. Calculate the length of each side of a cube having a volume of 3 m 3.

(1.44 m)

4. Calculate the diameter of a sphere having a volume of 0.8 m 3.

(1.15 m)

5. A steel plate measures 500 mm x 200 mm x 10 mm. If the relative density of the steel is
7.8, calculate the mass of the plate.
(7.8 kg)

6. If the density of aluminium is 2700 kg/m3, what is the volume, in cubic metres, of 5 kg of
this material?
(1.852 x 10-3 m3)

7. A block of wood, measuring 300 mm x 150 mm x 60 mm, has a mass of 2.3 kg.
Calculate the density of the wood.
(852 kg.m-3)

8. If the mass of 7500 mm3 of lead is 85 g, calculate the relative density of the lead.
(11.33)

9. A 2-m length of iron pipe has a mass of 137 kg. The external and internal diameters of
the pipe are 160 mm and 120 mm respectively. Calculate (a) the density and (b) the
relative density of the iron.
(7 787 kg.m-3, 7.787)

10. Hydrogen has a density of 89.9 g/m3 at a certain temperature and a certain pressure.
Calculate the volume, in cubic metres, of hydrogen having a mass of 0.1 kg at the same
temperature and pressure.
(1.112 m3)

11. A 10-kg mass is suspended at the end of a cord. Calculate the approximate value of
the force, in newtons, exerted by the cord.
(98.1 N)

12. A body is suspended from a spring balance. The reading on the balance is 4 N.
Assuming the local gravitational force to be 9.81 N/kg, calculate the mass of the body in
grams. (408 g)

International units
13. A vertical column supports a body having a mass of 6 Mg (or 6 tonnes). Calculate the
approximate value of the upward force, in kilonewtons, exerted by the column.
(58.86 kN)

14. A cylindrical vessel has an internal diameter of 100 mm and an internal length of 300
mm. It is stood on end and filled with oil having a relative density of 0.8. Calculate (a)
the total thrust on the bottom of the cylinder and (b) the pressure on the bottom of the
cylinder, in kilonewtons per square metre.
(18.49 N, 2.354 kPa)

15. A force of 30 N acts through a distance of 4 m in the direction of the force. What is the
work done?
(120 J)

16. A force of 700 N does 2500 J of work. Through what distance does the force move,
assuming that it acts in the direction of motion?
(3.571 m)

17. Calculate the force, in kilonewtons, required to do 3 MJ of work when it moves through
a distance of 200 m in the direction of the force.
(15 kN)

18. A horizontal force of 20 N is applied to a body to move it at a uniform velocity through a

distance of 80 m in 6 s in the direction of the force. Calculate (a) the work done and (b)
the power. (1.6 kJ, 266.7 W)

19. The work done by a force in moving a body at a uniform speed through a distance of
20 m, in the direction of the force, is 3 kJ. If this work is done in 10 s, calculate (a) the
force and (b) the power.
(150 N, 300 W)

20. The power required to lift a certain body through a distance of 30 m in 6 s is 200 W.
Calculate (a) the work done and (b) the mass of the body.
(1.2 kJ, 4.08 kg)

21. If 40 MJ of work are done in lifting 5 Mg (or 5 t) of coal, through what height is it lifted?
If the time taken to lift the 5 Mg of coal is 120 s, what is the power required? Neglect
any losses.
(815 m, 333 kW)

22. If 60 m3 of water are pumped per hour to a height of 80 m, calculate (a) the power
required, in kilowatts, and (b) the work done, in megajoules, in 10 min. Neglect any
losses and assume that 1 m3 of water has a mass of 1000 kg.
(13.08 kW, 7.848 MJ)

International units
 MATHEMATICS AND MECHANICS
SI UNITS ~ SOLUTIONS TO TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

1. Calculate the area, in square metres, of: (a) a square of side 600 mm, (b) a triangle of
base 400 mm and height 500 mm and (c) a circle of diameter 1.5 m.

a) area = 6002 x (10-3)2 [m2] = 6002 x 10-6 [m2] = 0.36 m2

b) area = (400 x 500 / 2) 10-6 [m2] = 0.1 m2

c) area = ( 1.52 / 4) [m2] = 1.767 m2

2. Calculate the volume, in cubic metres, of: (a) a room, 7 m x 4 m x 3 m and (b) a sphere
having a diameter of 1.5 m.

a) volume = 7 x 4 x 3 [m3] = 84 m3

b) volume = (4 0.753 / 3) [m3] = 1.767 m3

3. Calculate the length of each side of a cube having a volume of 3 m3.

length of side of cube = 3(3 [m3]) = 1.44 m

4. Calculate the diameter of a sphere having a volume of 0.8 m 3.

diameter of sphere = 3(3 x 0.8 [m3] / 4)2 = 1.15 m

5. A steel plate measures 500 mm x 200 mm x 10 mm. If the relative density of the steel is
7.8, calculate the mass of the plate.

mass of plate = density x volume = 7.8 x 103 [kg.m-3] x 500 x 200 x 10 x10-9 [m3] = 7.8 kg

6. If the density of aluminium is 2700 kg/m3, what is the volume, in cubic metres, of 5 kg of
this material?
mass 5[kg][m 3 ]
volume of aluminium = = 1.852 x 10-3 m3
density 2700[kg]

7. A block of wood, measuring 300 mm x 150 mm x 60 mm, has a mass of 2.3 kg.
Calculate the density of the wood.

mass 2.3[kg]
density of wood = = 852 kg.m-3
volume 300 x150 x60 x10 9 [m 3 ]

International units
8. If the mass of 7500 mm3 of lead is 85 g, calculate the relative density of the lead.

mass 85 x10 3 [kg]

relative density of lead = = 11.33
volumex10 3 7500 x10 9 [m 3 ]10 3

9. A 2-m length of iron pipe has a mass of 137 kg. The external and internal diameters of
the pipe are 160 mm and 120 mm respectively. Calculate (a) the density and (b) the
relative density of the iron.
mass 137[kg]4
a) density of iron = = 7 787 kg.m-3
volume 2 (160 120 2 )10 6 [m3]
2

7787[kg.m 3 ]
b) relative density = 10 3 [kg.m 3 ] = 7.787

10. Hydrogen has a density of 89.9 g/m3 at a certain temperature and a certain pressure.
Calculate the volume, in cubic metres, of hydrogen having a mass of 0.1 kg at the same
temperature and pressure.
mass 0.1[kg][m 3 ]
volume of hydrogen = 3
= 1.112 m3
density 89.9 x10 [kg]

11. A 10-kg mass is suspended at the end of a cord. Calculate the approximate value of
the force, in newtons, exerted by the cord.

force on cord = mg 10 [kg] x 9.81 [m.s-2] = 98.1 N

12. A body is suspended from a spring balance. The reading on the balance is 4 N.
Assuming the local gravitational force to be 9.81 N/kg, calculate the mass of the body in
grams.
force 4[ N ][kg]
mass of body (in grams) = = 0.408 kg = 408 g
g 9.81[ N ]

13. A vertical column supports a body having a mass of 6 Mg (or 6 tonnes). Calculate the
approximate value of the upward force, in kilonewtons, exerted by the column.

column reaction = mg 6x103 [kg] x 9.81 [m.s-2] = 58.86

kN

14. A cylindrical vessel has an internal diameter of 100 mm and an internal length of 300
mm. It is stood on end and filled with oil having a relative density of 0.8. Calculate (a) the
total thrust on the bottom of the cylinder and (b) the pressure on the bottom of the cylinder,
in kilonewtons per square metre.

a) total thrust = mg = density x volume x g

0.8 x 103 [kg.m-3](1002 x 300/4)10-9[m3]9.81[m.s-2] = 18.49
N

thrust 18.49[ N ]4
b) pressure on cylinder = = 2.354 kN.m-2 = 2.354 kPa
area 100 210 6 [m 2 ]

International units
15. A force of 30 N acts through a distance of 4 m in the direction of the force. What is the
work done?

work done = Fs = 30 [N] x 4 [m] = 120 [Nm] = 120 J

16. A force of 700 N does 2500 J of work. Through what distance does the force move,
assuming that it acts in the direction of motion?
work 2500[ Nm]
distance moved by force, s = = 3.571 m
force, F 700[ N ]

17. Calculate the force, in kilonewtons, required to do 3 MJ of work when it moves through
a distance of 200 m in the direction of the force.
work 3x10 6 [ Nm]
force to do 3MJ of work, F = = 15 x 103 N = 15 kN
dis tan ce, s 200[m]

18. A horizontal force of 20 N is applied to a body to move it at a uniform velocity through

a distance of 80 m in 6 s in the direction of the force. Calculate (a) the work done and (b)
the power.

a) work done on body = Fs = 20 [N] x 80 [m] =1 600 N.m = 1.6 kJ

work 1600[ J ]
b) corresponding power = = 266.7 J.s-1 = 266.7 W
time, t 6[ s]

19. The work done by a force in moving a body at a uniform speed through a distance of
20 m, in the direction of the force, is 3 kJ. If this work is done in 10 s, calculate (a) the
force and (b) the power.
work 3x10 3 [ Nm]
a) force, F = = 150 N
dis tan ce, s 20[m]

work 3x10 3 [ J ]
b) power required = = 300 W
time, t 10[ s]

20. The power required to lift a certain body through a distance of 30 m in 6 s is 200 W.
Calculate (a) the work done and (b) the mass of the body.

a) work done = power x time, t = 200 [J.s-1] x 6 [s] = 1 200 J = 1.2 kJ

work
b) mass of body, m = , since work done = f x s = m x g x s
gxs
1200[ N .m]
Subs: = = 4.08 kg
9.81[ N .kg 1 ]30[m]

21. If 40 MJ of work are done in lifting 5 Mg (or 5 t) of coal, through what height is it lifted?
If the time taken to lift the 5 Mg of coal is 120 s, what is the power required? Neglect any
losses.

International units
 work work 40 x10 6 [ N .m]
a) height lifted, s = = 815 m
force, F mg 5 x10 3 [kg]9.81[ N .kg 1 ]

work 40 x10 6 [ J ]
b) power required = =0.333 x 106 W = 333 kW
time, t 120[ s]

22. If 60 m3 of water are pumped per hour to a height of 80 m, calculate (a) the power
required, in kilowatts, and (b) the work done, in megajoules, in 10 min. Neglect any losses
and assume that 1 m3 of water has a mass of 1000 kg.

work Fs mgs 60 x10 3 [kg]9.81[ N .kg 1 ]80[m]

a) power required =
time, t t t 1x60 x60[ s]
3 -1
= 13.08 x 10 N.m.s = 13.08 kW

b) work done = power x time, t = 13.08 x 103 [J.s-1] x 10 x 60 [s] = 7 848 x 103 J
= 7.848 MJ

International units