MODULE 3

Dimensional Analysis and Similitude

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DIMENSIONS AND UNITS

Dimension
A dimension is a measure of a physical quantity (without
numerical values). There are seven primary dimensions (also
called fundamental or basic dimensions) – mass, length,
time, temperature, electric current, amount of light, and
amount of matter. All nonprimary dimensions can be formed
by some combination of the seven primary dimensions.

Unit
A unit is a way to assign a number to a dimension. For Figure 1. Length is a dimension, and it
example, length is a dimension that is measured in units such can be measured in units of centimeter.
as microns (𝝁m), feet (ft), centimeters (cm), meters (m),
kilometers (km), etc.

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DIMENSIONS AND UNITS

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DIMENSIONS AND UNITS
EXAMPLE 1
Write the dimensions of surface tension in terms of primary dimensions.

𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
Dimensions of surface tension: 𝜃𝑠 =
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
𝑘𝑔. 𝑚
𝑁 2 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝒎
𝜃𝑠 = = 𝑠 = 2 = =
𝑚 𝑚 𝑠 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 2 𝒕𝟐
EXAMPLE 2
Write the dimensions of viscosity in terms of primary dimensions.
𝑘𝑔. 𝑚
𝑦 𝑁 𝑚 𝑠 2 𝑚 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚 𝑚. 𝑠 𝑘𝑔
Viscosity is given by: 𝜇=𝜏 𝜇= 2 = = 2 2 =
𝑣 𝑚 𝑚/𝑠 𝑚2 𝑚/𝑠 𝑠 .𝑚 𝑚 𝑚. 𝑠
𝑣 = 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝑚/𝑠)
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝒎
𝑦 = ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 (𝑚) 𝜇= =
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑥 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑳. 𝒕
𝜏 = 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 (𝑁/𝑚2 )

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 DIMENSIONAL HOMEGENEITY
Law of Dimensional Homogeneity
Every additive term in an equation must have the same dimensions.
Change of total energy of a system: ∆𝐸 = ∆𝑈 + ∆𝐾𝐸 + ∆𝑃𝐸
Internal energy ∆𝑈 = 𝑚(𝑢2 − 𝑢1 )
1
Kinetic energy ∆𝐾𝐸 = 𝑚 𝑉2 2 − 𝑉1 2
2
Potential energy ∆𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔 𝑧2 − 𝑧1
𝑘𝑔. 𝑚 𝒎𝑳𝟐
∆𝐸 = 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑥 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = .𝑚 →
𝑠2 𝒕𝟐
2
𝑚 𝒎𝑳𝟐
∆𝐾𝐸 = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑥 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 2 = 𝑘𝑔. 2 →
𝑠 𝒕𝟐
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝒎𝑳𝟐
∆𝑈 = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑥 →
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝒕𝟐
Figure 2. Total energy of a system
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝒎𝑳𝟐 at state 1 and at state 2.
∆𝑃𝐸 = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑥 . 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ →
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 2 𝒕𝟐

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 DIMENSIONAL HOMEGENEITY

In addition to dimensional homogeneity, calculations are valid only

when units are also homogeneous in each additive term.

𝑚2
𝐽 + 𝑁. 𝑚 + 𝑘𝑔. 2 → 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝐴𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑠
𝑚2
𝑘𝐽 + 𝑁. 𝑚 + 𝑘𝑔. 2 → 𝐼𝑛𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝐴𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑠
𝑚2
𝐽 + 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚 + 𝑘𝑔. 2 → 𝐼𝑛𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝐴𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑠
𝑚2
𝑘𝐽 + 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚 + 1000 𝑘𝑔. 2 → 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝐴𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑠

Figure 2. Total energy of a system

at state 1 and at state 2.

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 DIMENSIONAL HOMEGENEITY
Dimensional Variables Nondimensional Variables
Are defined as dimensional quantities that change or vary Quantities that change or vary in the problem, but
in the problem. In the equation below: 𝒉𝒇 , 𝑳, 𝑫, and 𝒗. have no dimensions. An example is the angle of
rotation measured in degrees or radians which are
Dimensional Constant dimensionless units. In the equation below: 𝒇
Constants with dimensions fixed in a particular problem. Parameters
An example is the gravitational constant 𝒈.
The general term used for dimensional variables,
Pure Constants nondimensional variables, and dimensional
constants.
Has no dimension and its value is fixed in the equation;
does not change with initial conditions. In the equation
below: 𝟏
𝟐
𝑓𝐿𝑣 2
Friction head loss: ℎ𝑓 =
2𝑔𝐷

𝑫 – diameter 𝑳 – length of pipe 𝒇 – friction coefficient

𝒗 – velocity 𝒉𝒇 – friction head loss 𝒈 – gravitational constant

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY
In most experiments, to save time and money, tests are performed on a geometrically scaled
model, rather than on the full-scale prototype. A technique called dimensional analysis is
used with three primary purposes:

To generate nondimensional parameters that help in the design of

1 experiments (physical and/or numerical) and in reporting of experimental
results.

To obtain scaling laws to that prototype performance can be predicted from

2
model performance.

3 To predict trends in the relationship between parameters.

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY
The underlying concept of dimensional analysis is the principle of similarity. There are three
necessary conditions for complete similarity between a model and a prototype.

Geometric similarity – the model must be the same shame

1 as the prototype, but may be scaled by some constant scale
factor.

Kinematic similarity – the velocity at any point in the model

2
flow must be proportional (by a constant scale factor) to the
velocity at the corresponding point in the prototype flow.
Specifically, the velocity must scale in magnitude and must
point in the same relative direction.

3 Dynamic similarity - achieved when all forces in the model

flow scale by a constant factor to corresponding forces in the
prototype flow. It is possible for a model flow and a prototype
flow to achieve both geometric and kinematic similarity, yet
not dynamic similarity.

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY
Nondimensional parameters are oftentimes denoted as π (from Buckingham’s π-Theorem).
Some common established nondimensional parameters encountered in fluid mechanics and
heat transfer are as shown.

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY

To ensure complete similarity between the model and the

prototype, each independent π of the model (subscript 𝑚)
must be identical to the corresponding independent π of
the prototype (subscript 𝑝).

π𝑚 = π𝑝

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY
EXAMPLE 1 - Similarity Between Model and Prototype Cars
The aerodynamic drag of a new sports car is to be predicted at a speed of
50.0 mi/h at an air temperature of 25°C. Automotive engineer build a one
fifth scale model of the car to test in a wind tunnel. It is winter and the wind
tunnel is located in an unheated building; the temperature of the wind
tunnel air is only about 5°C. Determine how fast the engineers should run
the wind tunnel in order to achieve similarity between the model and the
prototype.
Solution:
For air at atmospheric pressure and at 𝑇 = 25℃, ρ = 1.184 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 and
μ = 1.849 𝑥 10−5 𝑘𝑔/𝑚. 𝑠. Similarly, at 𝑇 = 5℃, ρ = 1.269 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 and μ =
1.754 𝑥 10−5 𝑘𝑔/𝑚. 𝑠.
In this problem, there is only one dimensionless parameter which could
relate the velocity of the model and prototype, the Reynolds number.

𝜌𝑚 𝑉𝑚 𝐿𝑚 𝜌𝑝 𝑉𝑝 𝐿𝑝
π𝑚 = π𝑝 → 𝑅𝑒𝑚 = 𝑅𝑒𝑝 → =
𝜇𝑚 𝜇𝑝
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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY
EXAMPLE 1 - Similarity Between Model and Prototype Cars
Solving for the unknown wind tunnel speed, 𝑉𝑚 ,

𝜇𝑚 𝜌𝑝 𝐿𝑝
𝑉𝑚 = 𝑉𝑝
𝜇𝑝 𝜌𝑚 𝐿𝑚

1.754 𝑥 10−5 𝑘𝑔/𝑚. 𝑠 1.184 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

= (50.0 𝑚𝑖/ℎ) 5
1.849 𝑥 10−5 𝑘𝑔/𝑚. 𝑠 1.269 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

= 𝟐𝟐𝟏 𝒎𝒊/𝒉𝒓

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY
EXAMPLE 2 – Prediction of Aerodynamic Drag Force
This example is a follow-up to Example 1. Suppose the
engineers run the wind tunnel at 221 mi/h to achieve similarity
between the model and the prototype. The aerodynamic drag
force on the model car is measured with a drag balance.
Several drag readings are recorded, and the average drag
force on the model is 21.2 lbf. Predict the aerodynamic drag
force on the prototype (at 50 mi/h and 25°C).
Solution:
In this problem, the dimensionless parameter which could
relate the drag force between the model and the prototype is
the coefficient of drag, which is shown in nonstandard form
below.
𝐹𝐷, 𝑚 𝐹𝐷, 𝑝
π𝑚 = π𝑝 → 𝐶𝐷, 𝑚 = 𝐶𝐷, 𝑝 → 2 2 =
𝜌𝑚 𝑉𝑚 𝐿𝑚 𝜌𝑝 𝑉𝑝2 𝐿2𝑝

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY
EXAMPLE 2 – Prediction of Aerodynamic Drag Force
Solving for the unknown drag force on the prototype car, 𝐹𝐷, 𝑝 ,
2 2
𝑉𝑝 𝜌𝑝 𝐿𝑝
𝐹𝐷, 𝑝 = 𝐹𝐷, 𝑚
𝑉𝑚 𝜌𝑚 𝐿𝑚
2
50.0 𝑚𝑖/ℎ 1.184 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 2
= (21.2 𝑙𝑏𝑓) 5
221 𝑚𝑖/ℎ 1.269 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

= 𝟐𝟓. 𝟑 𝒍𝒃𝒇

Automobile or aircraft performance can be simulated in a water tunnel, and performance

of a submarine can be simulated in a wind tunnel as long as similarity is achieved.
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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY
EXAMPLE 3 – Using a Water Tunnel Instead
Suppose, for example, that the engineers in the previous
example use a water tunnel instead of a wind tunnel to test
one-fifth scale model. Using the properties of water at room
temperature (20°C is assumed) calculate the water tunnel
speed required to achieve similarity.
Solution:
For water at 20°C, ρ = 998 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 and μ = 1.002 𝑥 10−3 𝑘𝑔/
𝑚. 𝑠 Using Reynolds number as dimensionless parameter,
same as Example 1,

𝜇𝑚 𝜌𝑝 𝐿𝑝
𝑉𝑚 = 𝑉𝑝
𝜇𝑝 𝜌𝑚 𝐿𝑚

1.002 𝑥 10−3 𝑘𝑔/𝑚. 𝑠 1.184 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

= (50.0 𝑚𝑖/ℎ) 5 = 𝟏𝟔. 𝟏 𝒎𝒊/𝒉
1.849 𝑥 10−5 𝑘𝑔/𝑚. 𝑠 998 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

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BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
Also called the method of repeating variables, popularized by Edgar Buckingham is a step by step
procedure or “recipe” for obtaining nondimensional parameters.
As a first example, consider a ball falling in a vacuum as shown.
We are to obtain the dimensionless parameters or π′ s. All we
know is that:

 The instantaneous elevation 𝑧 of the ball must be a

function of time 𝑡.
 Initial vertical speed is 𝑤0
 Initial elevation is 𝑧0
 Gravitational constant is 𝑔.

The only other thing we need to know is the primary dimensions

of each of these quantities. As we go through each step of this
method, we will explain the technique in more detail.

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 BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
1 List the parameters.

There are 5 parameters in this problem; 𝑛 = 5 . The

instantaneous elevation 𝑧 is the dependent variable and is a
function of independent variables and constants. Make sure
that any listed independent parameter is indeed independent
of the others.
𝑧 = 𝑓(𝑡, 𝑤0 , 𝑧0 , 𝑔)

2 List the primary dimensions of each n parameter.

It is recommended to write each dimension with exponents

since this helps with later algebra.

𝑧 𝑡 𝑤0 𝑧0 𝑔
𝐿1 𝑡1 𝐿1 𝑡 −1 𝐿1 𝐿1 𝑡 −2

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 BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
3 Guess the reduction j.

As a first guess, set j equal to the number of the primary

dimensions represented in the problem. The expected
number of π′ 𝑠 (𝑘) is equal to 𝑛 minus 𝑗.

𝑘 =𝑛−𝑗
In this problem, 𝑗 = 2 therefore the number of expected π′ 𝑠,

𝑘 = 𝑛 − 𝑗 = 5 − 2 = 3.

If at this step or during any subsequent step, the analysis

does not work out, verify that you have included enough
parameters in step 1. Otherwise, go back and reduce 𝑗 by
one and try again.

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 BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
4 Choose j repeating parameters

The 𝑗 repeating parameters that will be used to construct each π. There

are several rules in choosing the repeating variables.
Never pick the dependent variable. Otherwise, it Never pick two parameters with the same
1 5 dimensions or with dimensions that differ by only
may appear in all the π’s which is undesirable.
the exponent.
The chosen repeating parameters must not by
2 themselves be able to form a dimensionless 6 Whenever possible, choose dimensional
group. Otherwise, it would be impossible to constants over dimensional variables so that only
generate the rest of the π’s. one π contains the dimensional variable.
Pick common parameters since they may appear
3
The chosen repeating parameters must represent 7 in each of the π’s.
all the primary dimensions in the problem.
Never pick parameters that are already 8 Pick simple parameters over complex parameters
4 dimensionless. These are π ’s already, all by whenever possible.
themselves.

In this problem, the wises choice of two repeating variables is 𝑤0 and 𝑧0 .

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 BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
5 Generate the π’s one at a time. Solve for the exponents

Combine each repeating variables with each 𝑡 0 = 𝑡 −𝑎1 → 𝑎1 = 0

remaining variable. The first π is always the dependent
π and is formed with the dependent variable 𝑧. 𝐿0 = 𝐿1 𝐿𝑎1 𝐿𝑏1 → 0 = 1 + 𝑎1 + 𝑏1
0 = 1 + 0 + 𝑏1
𝑧 𝑡 𝑔 𝑤0 𝑧0 𝑏1 = −1
𝐿1 𝑡1 𝐿1 𝑡 −2 𝐿1 𝑡 −1 𝐿1
Thus, 𝜋1 = 𝑧𝑤0 0 𝑧0 −1
Remaining variables Repeating variables
𝒛
𝝅𝟏 =
Dependent π: 𝜋1 = 𝑧𝑤0 𝑎1 𝑧0 𝑏1 𝒛𝟎

Equate exponents to zero

𝐿0 𝑡 0 = 𝐿1 (𝐿1 𝑡 −1 )𝑎1 𝐿𝑏1

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 BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
5 Generate the π’s one at a time. Solve for the exponents

Solve for 𝝅𝟐 : 𝑡 0 = 𝑡 1 𝑡 −𝑎2 → 0 = 1 − 𝑎2

𝑎2 = 1
𝑧 𝑡 𝑔 𝑤0 𝑧0
𝐿1 𝑡1 𝐿1 𝑡 −2 𝐿1 𝑡 −1 𝐿1
𝐿0 = 𝐿𝑎2 𝐿𝑏2 → 0 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏2

Remaining variables Repeating variables 0 = 1 + 𝑏2

𝑏2 = −1
𝜋2 = 𝑡𝑤0 𝑎2 𝑧0 𝑏2
Thus, 𝜋2 = 𝑡𝑤01 𝑧0 −1
Equate exponents to zero
𝒘𝟎 𝒕
𝐿0 𝑡 0 = 𝑡 1 (𝐿1 𝑡 −1 )𝑎1 𝐿𝑏1 𝝅𝟐 =
𝒛𝟎

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 BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
5 Generate the π’s one at a time. Solve for the exponents

Solve for 𝝅𝟑 : 𝑡 0 = 𝑡 −2 𝑡 −𝑎3 → 0 = −2 − 𝑎3

𝑎3 = −2
𝑧 𝑡 𝑔 𝑤0 𝑧0
𝐿1 𝑡1 𝐿1 𝑡 −2 𝐿1 𝑡 −1 𝐿1
𝐿0 = 𝐿1 𝐿𝑎3 𝐿𝑏3 → 0 = 1 + 𝑎3 + 𝑏3

Remaining variables Repeating variables 0 = 1 − 2 + 𝑏3

𝑏3 = 1
𝑎3 𝑏3
𝜋3 = 𝑔𝑤0 𝑧0
Thus, 𝜋3 = 𝑔𝑤0 −2 𝑧01
Equate exponents to zero
𝒈𝒛𝟎
𝝅𝟑 = 𝟐
𝐿0 𝑡 0 = 𝐿1 𝑡 −2 (𝐿1 𝑡 −1 )𝑎3 𝐿𝑏3 𝒘𝟎

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 BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
𝝅𝟑 can be manipulated to solve for Froude number:
We may multiply a 𝜋 by a pure dimensionless
2
−1/2 constant.
𝑔𝑧0 𝑔𝑧0 𝑤0
𝜋3 = 2 = = = 𝐹𝑟
𝑤0 𝑤02 𝑔𝑧0
3 We may form a product (or quotient) of any 𝜋 with
any other 𝜋 in the problem to replace one of the
Manipulation is often necessary to put the 𝜋 ’s into 𝜋’s. Sometimes such manipulation is necessary to
proper established form. convert our 𝜋 into an established 𝜋 . In many
cases, the established 𝜋 would have been
produced if we would have chosen different
Guidelines for manipulation of 𝝅’s repeating variables.

We can impose exponents on a 𝜋; a dimensionless

1 number raised to any number is still dimensionless. We may substitute a dimensional parameter in the
4 𝜋 with other parameters of the same dimensions.
Also, you can perform functional operation such as
sine, cosine, logarithm, etc.,

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 BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
Relationship between 𝝅’s
Double check if the 𝝅’s are indeed
6 𝑧 𝑤0 𝑡 𝑤0
dimensionless 𝜋1 = 𝑓 𝜋2 , 𝜋3 → =𝑓 ,
𝑧0 𝑧0 𝑔𝑧0
𝒈𝒛𝟎
Take 𝜋3 for example: 𝝅𝟑 = 𝟐
𝒘𝟎 Independent 𝜋 ′ 𝑠
Dependent 𝜋
𝑔 𝑤0 𝑧0
The dependent 𝜋 is a function of the independent 𝜋’s.
𝐿1 𝑡 −2 𝐿1 𝑡 −1 𝐿1
The method or repeating variables properly predict
𝑔𝑧0 𝐿1 𝑡 −2 (𝐿1 ) 𝐿2 𝑡 −2 the functional relationship between dimensionless
𝜋3 = 2 = 1 −1 𝟐 = 2 −2 = 1 ✓
𝑤0 (𝐿 𝑡 ) 𝐿 𝑡 groups. However, it cannot predict the exact
mathematical form of the equation. For simple
We can also check for 𝜋1 and 𝜋2 which are problems, however, the form of the equation can
pretty obvious. be predicted to within an unknown constant.

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY
EXAMPLE 4 – Pressure in a Soap Bubble
Some children are playing soap bubbles, and you become curious as
to the relationship between soap bubble radius and the pressure
inside the soap bubble. You reason that the pressure inside the soap
bubble must be greater than atmospheric pressure, and that the shell
of the soap bubble is under tension, much like the skin of a balloon.
You also know that the property surface tension must be important in
this problem. Not knowing any other physics, you decide to approach
the problem using dimensional analysis. Establish a relationship
between pressure difference ∆𝑃 = 𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 − 𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 , soap bubble
radius 𝑅, and the surface tension 𝜎𝑠 of the soap film.
Solution:
Assumptions: Assumptions: Gravity is not relevant since
the soap bubble is neutrally buoyant in air.

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DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SIMILARITY
1 List the parameters. Since k (the expected number of 𝜋’s) cannot be
zero, our guess of j must be wrong.
There are three parameters in this problem; ∆𝑃, 𝜎𝑠 ,
𝑅 and 𝑛 = 3. The dependent variable is a function At a time like this, we need first to go back and
of the independent variables. make sure that we are not neglecting some
important variable constant in the problem. Since
∆𝑃 = 𝑓(𝑅, 𝜎𝑠 ) we are confident that the pressure difference should
depend only on soap bubble radius and surface
2 List the primary dimensions of each tension, we reduce the value of j by one.
n parameter.

∆𝑃 𝑅 𝜎𝑠 Set 𝑗 = 2, then 𝑘 =𝑛−𝑗 =3−2=1

𝑚1 𝐿−1 𝑡 −2 𝐿1 𝑚1 𝑡 −2 Thus we expect one 𝜋.

3 Guess the reduction j. 4 Choose j repeating parameters

As a first guess, set j = 3, the number of primary We need to choose 2 repeating parameters, our
dimensions represented in the problem (𝑚, 𝐿, and 𝑡) only choices are 𝑅 and 𝜎𝑠 since ∆𝑃 is a repeating
variable.
𝑗=3 𝑘 =𝑛−𝑗 =3−3=0

M FLUID
ECHANICS
BUCKINGHAM PI THEOREM
5 Generate the π’s one at a time. The closest established nondimensional parameter
to 𝜋1 is the Weber number. There is no need to
∆𝑃 𝑅 𝜎𝑠 further manipulate this 𝜋.
𝑚1 𝐿−1 𝑡 −2 𝐿1 𝑚1 𝑡 −2
The functional relationship is:
𝑏
Dependent π: 𝜋1 = ∆𝑃𝑅𝑎1 𝜎𝑠 1 ∆𝑃𝑅
𝜋1 = = 𝑓 𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝜎𝑠
𝜋1 = 𝑚0 𝐿0 𝑡 0 = 𝑚1 𝐿−1 𝑡 −2 𝐿𝑎1 𝑚1 𝑡 −2 𝑏1

𝝈𝒔
Equate exponents to zero ∆𝑷 = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
𝑹
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒: 𝑡 0 = 𝑡 −2 𝑡 −2𝑏1 0 = −2 − 2𝑏1 𝑏1 = −1
Dimensional analysis cannot predict the
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠: 𝑚0 = 𝑚1 𝑚𝑏1 0 = 1 + 𝑏1 𝑏1 = −1 value of the constant; further analysis (or
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ: 𝐿0 = 𝐿−1 𝐿𝑎1 0 = −1 + 𝑎1 𝑎1 = 1 one experiment) can reveal that the
constant is equal to 4.
∆𝑃𝑅
𝜋1 = ∆𝑃𝑅1 𝜎𝑠−1 =
𝜎𝑠
M FLUID
ECHANICS