An important technique in physics problem solving problems is unit analysis.  The units on both sides of any equation must be the same if the equation is correct.  It is often desirable to carry the units along as a problem is done in order to see if the units cancel out properly so as to come up with the correct unit for the answer.  When operating with units treat them just like any other variable; multiplying, dividing or canceling them as appropriate.  In order to make the maximum use of unit analysis you need to know what the correct unit is for any physical quantity and also be able to express a given unit in terms of other units.  For example, work is measured in joules and a joule is equal to a newton meter.  The following table lists some of the most common quantities used in physics, their units and their equivalents.

The table should be studied in light of the following comments.  The three CGS units and the calorie are given for reference, all others are standard SI units.  Some of the units shown are redundant.  For example, period is a time so obviously is measured in seconds.  However they are shown for clarity.  One unit, the Tesla, will not be used in this course at all although its equivalent, the newton per amp meter, will be used.  The pascal is also rarely used but is included for reference.  Note that the symbols are just that, they are not abbreviations.  Fundamental units are units that are defined by reference to some arbitrary standard or experiment, all other units are defined in terms of them.  Some quantities, such as speed and gravitational field, are given for which there is no unit only composite units.  These are given for the sake of completeness.  Observe the capitalization of the units and their symbols.  When the unit is a person's name, e.g. watt, the symbol is capitalized. when the unit is written out the first letter is not capitalized.