Dimensional Analysis Package 2023-24.
Dimensional Analysis Package 2023-24.
PHYSICS
STUDY PACKAGE
PHYSICAL QUANTITIES
All those quantities which can be measured directly or indirectly and in terms of
which the laws of physics can be expressed are called physical quantities.
For example, length, mass, temperature, speed, force, electric current, etc. The
physical quantities are the building blocks of physics in terms of which the basic laws
of physics can be expressed in mathematical forms.
Physical quantities are of two types – fundamental and derived.
(i) Fundamental quantities - The physical quantities which can be treated as
independent of other physical quantities and are not usually defined in terms of other
physical quantities are called fundamental quantities. To give a consistent and
unambiguous description to all physical quantities, we need a minimum of seven
fundamental or base quantities - These are mass, length, time, electric current,
temperature, luminous intensity and amount of substance.
(ii) Derived quantities - The physical quantities whose defining operations are based on
other physical quantities are called derived quantities. All physical quantities other
than the seven base quantities are derived quantities. For example, velocity,
acceleration, force, momentum, etc.
Unit
It is a standard measurement in whose multiple the given magnitude of a physical
quantity is expressed, e.g., kg, metre, second etc.
Types of unit
1. Fundamental (or Base) Units - Units of fundamental physical quantities are called
fundamental or base units, e.g., metre, second etc.
2. Derived Units - are units which are expressed in terms of fundamental units.
Systems of Units
(a) c.g.s. system of units: In this system of units, the unit of length is centimetre, the
unit of mass is gram, and the unit of time is second.
(b) f.p.s. system of units: In this system of units, the unit of length is foot, the unit of
mass is pound, and the unit of time is second.
(c) m.k.s. system of units: In this system of units, the unit of length is metre, the unit
of mass is kilogram, and the unit of time is second.
(d) S. I. units: S.I. is the modernized & developed version of metric system.
(b) Steradian (sr) - It is defined as the solid angle subtended at the centre of a sphere
by a surface of the sphere equal in area to that of a square, having each side equal
to the radius of the sphere.
Ω (in steradian) =
PARALLAX
Parallax is the apparent shift in the position of an object with respect to another when
we shift our eye sidewise. The closer object always appears to move in the direction
opposite to that of our eye.
To understand parallax, hold a pen O at distance S from the eyes. Look at the pen first
by the left eye L (closing the right eye) and then by the right eye R (closing the left
eye). The position of the pen appears to change with respect to the background. This is
called parallax. The distance between the two points of observation is called basis. In
this case, the distance (LR = b) between the two eyes is the basis. LOR = is called
parallax angle or parallactic angle.
As =
or d= .
As =
= =
or D=S
Linear diameter = Distance × angular diameter
Knowing S and , D can be determined.
DIMENSIONS
Seven dimensions of the world
All the derived physical quantities can be expressed in terms of some combination of
the seven fundamental or base quantities. We call these fundamental quantities as the
seven dimensions of the world, which are denoted with square brackets [ ].
Dimension of length = [L]
Dimension of mass = [M]
Dimension of time = [T]
Dimension of electric current = [A]
Dimension of thermodynamic temperature = [K]
Dimension of luminous intensity = [cd]
Dimension of amount of substance = [mol]
Dimensions of a physical quantity
The dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers (or exponents) to which the
fundamental quantities must be raised to represent that quantity completely.
L×L= =
1. Area Length × breadth
[ ]
Length × breadth ×
2. Volume L×L×L=[ ]
height
3. Density =[ ] kg
Speed
4. = [ ]
or velocity
5. Acceleration =[ ]
×L=
8. Work Force × distance J
[ ]
10. Power =[ ] W
Moment of force or × L=
12. Force × distance Nm
torque [ ]
Gravitational ( ) =
13.
constant ‘G’ [ ]
×T=
14. Impulse of a force Force × time Ns
[ ]
15. Stress =[ ]
[ ]
16. Strain
(dimensionless)
Coefficient of
17. =[ ] Nm-2
elasticity
Coefficient of Nm-2s
20. =[ ]
viscosity or Pa s
=1=[ ]
21. Angle Rad
(dimensionless)
= =
23. Angular acceleration rad s-2
[ ]
M × LT-1 × L =
26. Angular momentum Mass × velocity ×radius kg m2 s-1
[ ]
T-ratios =[ ]
27.
( ) (dimensionless)
Thermal
38. Js-1 m-1 K-1
conductivity
=[ ]
=
39. Entropy JK-1
[ ]
Universal gas =
40. J mol-1 k-1
constant [ ]
Boltzmann’s =
41. JK-1
constant [ ]
=
42. Stefan’s constant Js-1 m-2 K-4
( ) [ ]
Mechanical =[ ]
44. J=
equivalent of heat
(dimensionless)
46. Resistance
47. Resistivity
PRINCIPLE OF HOMOGENEITY
The principle of homogeneity is that the dimensions of each the terms of a
dimensional equation on both sides are the same. Any equation or formula involving
dimensions (like mass, length, time, temperature electricity) have the terms with same
dimensions.
APPLICATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
The method of studying a physical phenomenon on the basis of dimensions is called
dimensional analysis.
Following are the three main uses of dimensional analysis:
1. To check the correctness of a given physical relation.
2. To derive a relationship between different physical quantities.
3. To convert a physical quantity from one system of units to another.
4. To convert a physical quantity from one system of units to another.
or = [ ] [ ] [ ]
This equation can be used to find the numerical value in the second or new system of units.
3. It fails when a physical quantity (e. g., s = ut + at2) is the sum or difference of two or
more quantities.
4. It fails to derive relationships which involve trigonometric, logarithmic or exponential
functions.
5. Sometimes, it is difficult to identify the factors on which the physical quantity depends.
The method becomes more complicated when dimensional constants like G, h, etc. are
involved.
Assignment - 1
1. Deduce the dimensional formulae for the following physical quantities :
(a) Gravitational constant (g) Boltzmann's constant
(b) Power (h) Specific heat
(c) Young's modulus (i) Latent heat
(d) Coefficient of viscosity (j) Gas constant
(e) Surface tension (k) Mechanical equivalent of heat
(f) Planck's constant (l) Coefficient of thermal conductivity
2. Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formulae are as follows :
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)
3. Give an example of.
(a) a physical quantity which has a unit but no dimensions.
(b) a physical quantity which has neither unit nor dimensions.
(c) a constant which has a unit.
(d) a constant which has no unit.
4. By the use of dimensions, show that energy per unit volume is equal to the pressure.
5. Show that angular momentum has the same physical units as the Planck's constant h which is
given by the relation E = h .
6. In the expression P = E G-2; E, m, l and G denote energy, mass, angular momentum
and gravitational constant, respectively. Show that P is a dimensionless quantity.
7. Check the dimensional consistency of the following equations:
(i) de-Broglie wavelength, λ = , where h = planck’s constant, m = mass, v = speed.
(iv) Time period T = 2 √ , where = length of the string, g = acceleration due to gravity
10. Check the correctness of the relation = I , where is the torque acting on a body, I is the
moment ofinertia and is angular acceleration.
11. The number of particles crossing a unit area perpendicular to x-axis in unit time is given by
n=–D , where and are number of particles per unit volume for the values of x
meant to be and . Find the dimensions of the diffusion constant D. V.IMP [Ans. L2T-1]
Assignment - 2
1. If force (F), length (L) and time (T) are chosen as the fundamental quantities, then what
would be the dimensional formula for density? [Ans. FL- 4 T2]
2. Calculate the dimensions of force and impulse taking velocity, density and frequency as basic
quantities. [Ans. v-2, v-3]
3. Find the dimensions of linear momentum and surface tension in terms of velocity v, density
and frequency v as fundamental quantities. [Ans. v-3, v-1]
4. Taking velocity, time and force as the fundamental quantities, find the dimension of mass.
[Ans. FTV-1]
5. If density , acceleration due to gravity g and frequency v are the basic quantities, find the
dimensions of force. [Ans. ]
6. The viscous force 'F' acting on a small sphere of radius 'r' moving with velocity v through a
liquid is given by F = 6 rv. Calculate the dimensions of the coefficient of viscosity.
[Ans. ML-1T-1]
7. The critical velocity of the flow of a liquid through a pipe of radius r is given by
vc = where is the density and is the coefficient of viscosity of the liquid. Check if this
relation is dimensionally correct. [Ans. Correct]
12. Find the dimensions of the quantity q from the expression. T = √ , where T is the time
period of the bar of length l, mass m and Young’s modulus Y. [Ans. L4]
13. lf P, Q, R are physical quantities, having different dimensions, which of the following
combinations can never be a meaningful quantity?
(a) (P - Q)/R (b) PQ - R (c) PQ/R (d) (PR - Q2)/R (e) (R + Q)/P
14. A function f() is defined as:
( ) ….
Why is it necessary for f() to be a dimensionless quantity?
Assignment - 3
1. Find the dimensions of a/b in the equation: F = a√ + bt2, where F is force, x is distance and
t is time. [Ans. L-1/2 T2]
3. The Vander Wall's equation for a gas is ( ) (V – b) = RT, Determine the dimensions
of a and b. Hence write the S.I. units of a and b.
IMP [Ans. ML5T-2, L3, SI units are kg m5 s-2 and m3]
4. In the equation: y = a sin ( t – kx ), t and x stand for time and distance respectively. Obtain
the dimensional formula for and k. IMP [Ans. T-1, L-1]
6. The distance covered by a particle in time t is given by x = a + bt + ct2 + dt3; find the
dimensions of a, b, c and d. [Ans. L, LT-1, LT-2, LT-3]
7. When white light travels through glass, the refractive index of glass ( = velocity of light in
air velocityof light in glass) is found to vary with wavelength as = A + . Using the
principle of homogeneity of dimensions, find the SI units in which the constants A and B
must be expressed. [Ans. A dimensionless, B= L2and A has no units or SI unit of B is m2]
Assignment - 4
1. The wavelength λ associated with a moving electron depends on its mass m, its velocity v
and Planck's constant h. Prove dimensionally that λ .
2. Obtain an expression for the centripetal force F acting on a particle of mass m moving with
3. The orbital velocity v of a satellite may depend on its mass m, the distance r from the centre
of the earth and acceleration due to gravity g. Obtain an expression for its orbital velocity.
[Ans. v = K√ ]
4. A small spherical ball of radius falls with velocity v through a liquid having coefficient of
viscosity · find the viscous drag F on the ball assuming it depends on , r and v. take
K=6 . [Ans. F = 6 ηrv]
6. Using the method of dimensions, derive an expression for the energy of a body executing
SHM; assuming this energy depends upon its mass m, frequency v and amplitude of vibration
r. IMP [Ans. E= Kmv2r2]
7. A body of mass m hung at one end of the spring executes SHM. Prove that the relation
T = 2 m/ k is incorrect, where k is the force constant of the spring. Also derive the correct
relation. [Ans. T = K√ ]
8. Assuming that the critical velocity vc of a viscous liquid flowing through a capillary tube
depends only upon the radius r of the tube, density p and the coefficient of viscosity of the
liquid, find the expression for critical velocity. [Ans. vc = ]
9. By the method of dimensions, obtain an expression for the surface tension S of a liquid rising
in a capillary tube. Assume that the surface tension depends upon
(i) mass m of the liquid
(ii) pressure p of the liquid and
(iii) radius r of the capillary tube. Take K = 1 2 [Ans. S = pr/2]
10. The depth x to which a bullet penetrates a human body depends upon (i) coefficient of
elasticity and(ii) kinetic energy Ek· By the method of dimensions, show that: x [ ]
IMP
11. A U-tube of uniform cross-section contains mercury upto a height h in either limb. The
mercury in one limb is depressed a little and then released. Obtain an expression for the time
12. The critical angular velocity of a cylinder in side another cylinder containing a liquid at
which its turbulence occurs depends on viscosity , density and the distance d between the
walls of the cylinder. Find an expression for . [Ans. = ]
13. A body of mass m is moving in a circle of radius r with angular velocity . Find expression
for centripetal force acting on it by the method of dimensions. [Ans. F = Kmr ]
14. Consider a simple pendulum. The period of oscillation of the simple pendulum depends on its
length 'l' and acceleration due to gravity 'g'. Derive the expression for its period of oscillation
by the method of dimensions. [Ans: T = 2 √ ]
Assignment - 5
1. Convert one dyne into newton. [Ans. 10-5newton]
3. If the value of universal gravitational constant in SI is 6.6 × 10-11 Nm2 kg-2, then find its
value in CGS system. [Ans. 6.6 × 10-8dyne cm2g-2]
4. The density of mercury is 13.6 g cm-3 in CGS system. Find its value in SI units.
[Ans. 13.6 × 103 kg m-3]
5. The surface tension of water is 72 dyne cm-1. Express it in SI units. [Ans. 0.072 Nm- 1]
6. An electric bulb has a power of 500 W. Express it in CGS units. [Ans. 5 × 109erg s-1]
7. If the value of atmospheric pressure is 106 dyne cm-2, find its value in SI units.
[Ans. 105Nm-2]
8. In SI units, the value of Stefan's constant is = 5.67 × 10-8Js-1m-2K-4. Find its value in CGS
system. [Ans. 5.67 × 10-5erg s-1cm-2K-4]
9. Find the value of 100 J on a system which has 20 cm, 250 g and half minute as fundamental
units of length, mass and time. IMP [Ans. 9 × 106 new units]
10. If the units of force, energy and velocity are 20 N, 200 J and 5ms-1, find the units of length,
mass and time. [Ans. 10m, 8 kg, 2s]
11. When 1 m, 1 kg and 1 min are taken as the fundamental units, the magnitude of the force is
36 units. What will be the value of this force in CGS system? [Ans. 103 dyne]
12. The value G in CGS system is 6.67 10-8 dyne cm2 g-2. Calculate the value in SI units.
[Ans. 6.67 10-11 Nm2 kg-2]
13. Find the value of 60 J per minute on a system that has 100 g, 100 cm and 1 minute as the base
units. IMP [2.16 × 106 new units of power]
14. In CGS system the value of Stefan’s constant is = 5.67 × 10-5 erg s-1cm-2 K-4. Find its value
in S.I. units. Given 1 J = 107 erg. IMP [Ans. 5.67 10-8 Js-1 m-2 K-4]
15. If the unit of force is 1kN, unit of length 1 km and the unit of time is 100 sec, what will be the
unit of mass? [ ]
16. A new system of units is proposed in which unit of mass is kg, unit of length m and unit
of time s. How much will 5J measure in this new system? [Ans. ]