What is the difference between a derived SI unit and a funda-mental SI unit? Give an example of each

Key Concepts

Fundamental SI Units

Fundamental SI units are the basic building blocks of the International System of Units (SI). They represent physical quantities that cannot be expressed in terms of other units. There are seven fundamental SI units, including the meter (length), kilogram (mass), and second (time), which serve as the foundation for all other measurements in science.

Derived SI Units

Derived SI units are formed by combining fundamental SI units to measure more complex physical quantities. These units are created through mathematical relationships, such as multiplication or division. For example, the unit for velocity is meters per second (m/s), which combines the fundamental units of length (meters) and time (seconds).

Examples of Units

An example of a fundamental SI unit is the kilogram, which measures mass. In contrast, an example of a derived SI unit is the newton (N), which measures force and is defined as one kilogram meter per second squared (kg·m/s²). Understanding these examples helps clarify the distinction between fundamental and derived units in scientific measurements.