Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Units refer to the standardized measurements used in physics to quantify physical quantities such as length, time, mass, and energy. They provide a common language for scientists to communicate and compare their findings.
Related terms
Conversion Factors: Conversion factors are ratios that allow you to convert between different units of measurement. For example, converting meters to centimeters or seconds to minutes.
SI System: The International System of Units (SI) is the modern metric system used in science worldwide. It provides a consistent set of base units and prefixes for easy measurement conversions.
Dimensional Analysis: Dimensional analysis is a method used in physics to check the consistency of equations and ensure that the units on both sides of an equation match up correctly.