Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Derived units are units of measurement obtained by combining the base units according to the physical relationships between quantities. Examples include meters per second (m/s) for velocity and newtons (N) for force.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Derived units are formed by multiplying or dividing base units.
The International System of Units (SI) includes both base and derived units.
Common derived units in physics include joules (J) for energy, watts (W) for power, and pascals (Pa) for pressure.
The dimensional analysis technique can be used to verify the correctness of derived units.
Understanding derived units is crucial for solving problems involving physical quantities like velocity, acceleration, and force.
Review Questions
Related terms
Base Units: Fundamental units of measurement defined by the International System of Units (SI), such as meter (m), kilogram (kg), and second (s).
Dimensional Analysis: A method used in physics to check the consistency of equations by comparing the dimensions on both sides.
International System of Units (SI): The modern form of the metric system which includes both base and derived units for measuring physical quantities.