It is important to quote scientific quantities in the correct units. Here are some of the more common units of measurement that you might use. Equations that can be used to calculate these variables are presented in Appendix D.
Variable |
Unit name |
Unit abbreviation |
Distance |
millimetre (millimeter in US) |
mm |
|
metre (meter) |
m |
|
kilometre (kilometer) |
km |
Speed |
metres per second |
m·s-1 |
Velocity |
metres per second in a given direction |
m·s-1 (a direction should be specified) |
Acceleration |
metres per second per second |
m·s-2 |
Mass |
kilogram |
kg |
Force |
newton |
N |
Impulse |
newton-second |
N·s |
Linear momentum |
kilogram-metres per second |
kg·m·s-1 |
Angular momentum |
kilogram-metres squared per second |
kg·m2·s-1 |
Moment of inertia |
kilogram-metres squared |
kg·m2 |
Torque |
newton-metre |
N·m |
Work |
joule |
J |
Power |
watt |
W |
Energy |
joule |
J |