UNITS, DIMENSIONS & MEASUREMENTS

Physical Quantity Fundamental units :

All the quantities in terms of which laws
of physics are described and whose
measurements are necessary are called
physical quantities. For example mass,
length and time.
The Measuring Process
The process of measurement is a
comparison process. The chosen standard
of measurement of a quantity, which has
the same nature as that of the quantity is
called the unit of the quantity.
Choice of a unit : (Characteristics of a unit)
1. It should be suitable in size (suitable to use)
2. It should be accurately defined (everybody
understands the unit in same way)
3. It should be easily reproducible.
4.
5.
It should not change with time.
It should not change with change in
physical conditions (temperature pressure)
Every measured quantity (its magnitude)
comprises of a number and a unit. Eg : 15
min
Fundamental units are those, which are
independent of each other and cannot
be further resolved into any other units.
Ex. : Metre, kilogram, second, ampere etc.
Derived units :
All units other than fundamental are
derived units (which are dependent on
fundamental units) Ex. : Metre/sec.,
newton, m2, etc.
Systems of Units
A system of units is a complete set of
fundamental and derived units for all
physical quantities. There are four systems
of units :
1. F.P.S. (Foot - Pound - Second) system .
(British engineering system of units.): Foot
p s
is for length, pound is for mass and second
is for time. This system is losing its
t e
popularity because of inconvenient
multiples and sub-multiples involved in its

Q = nu = n1u1 = n2u2  n 
1
y s 2.
conversion. For eg 1 pound = 453.6 g
C.G.S (Centimetre - Gramme-Second)

u
u
Where Q is the magnitude of the quantity d system . (Gaussian system of unit):
Centimetre is for length, gramme is for

S t
(which does not depend on the selection
of unit) and u is unit. In the example 15
minute, 15 is quantity and minute is unit.
mass and second is for time. The drawback
of this system is that the derived units of
this system are very small.
3. M.K.S. (Metre - Kilogramme - Second)
Conversion of magnitude from one system system. This system is related to
of unit to another : mechanics only. Metre is for length,
a b C kilogram is for mass and second is for time.
M  L  T 
n 2  n1  1   1   1  4. S.I system of units : (Introduced in 1971)
 M 2   L 2   T2  Different countries use different set of
S.No. Basic physical quantity Fundamental unit Symbol
1. Mass kilogram kg
2. Length metre m
3. Time second s
4. Temperature kelvin K
5. Electric Current ampere A
6. Luminous Intensity candela Cd
7. Quantity of matter mole mol

1
 S.No. Supplementary physical Supplementary unit
quantity
1. Plane angle radian
2. Solid angle steradian
units. To avoid complexity, by
international agreement, seven physical
quantities have been chosen as base
physical quantities and two as
supplementary. These quantities are
Merits of S.I. Units
1. SI is a coherent system of units: This means
that all derived units are obtained by
multiplication and division without
introducing any numerical factor.
2. SI is rational system of units: This is
because it assigns only one unit to a
particular physical quantity.
3. SI is an absolute system of units: There is
no gravitational unit in this system.
Symbol
rad
sr
(iv) Ampere: It is the current which when
flows through two infinitely long straight
conductors of negligible cross-section
placed at a distance of one metre in air or
vacuum produces a force of 2 × 10–7 N/
m between them.
(v) Candella : It is the luminous intensity in
a perpendicular direction, of a surface of
1/600,000 square metre of a black body
at the temperature of freezing platinum
under a pressure of 1.013 × 105 N/m2.
(vi) Kelvin : It is the 1/273.16 part of
thermodynamic temperature of triple point
(vii)
of water.

p s
Mole : It is the amount of substance
4. SI system is applicable to all branches of
science.
t e
which contains as many elementary
entities as there are in 0.012 gm of
5. The derived units are practical.
y s Carbon-12.
S.I. Prefixes : The magnitudes of physical
Definitions of Fundamental Units
(i)
u d
Meter : One meter is equal to 1650763.73
quantities vary over a wide range. For
example, the atomic radius, is equal to

t
wavelength in vacuum of the radiation

S
corresponding to transition between the
levels 2P10 & 5d5 of the krypton – 86
10–10 m, radius of earth is 64 × 106 meter
and the mass of electron is 9.10 × 10–31
kg. The internationally recommended
atom OR standard prefixes for certain powers of
The distance travelled by light in vacuum 10 are given.
1
in second is called 1 meter..
299,792,458 Prefix Power of 10 Symbol
(ii) Kilogramme : The mass of cylinder made exa 18 E
of Platinum-iridium alloy kept at peta 15 P
International Bureau of weights and tera 12 T
measures is defined as 1 kg.
giga 9 G
(iii) Second: It is the duration of
9,192,631,770 periods of radiation mega 6 M
corresponding to the transition between kilo 3 K
the two hyperfine levels of the ground hecto. 2 h
state of Caesium (133) atom. deka 1 da

2
 deci -1 d (b) Solar Day : It is the time taken by the earth
centi -2 c to complete one rotation about its axis with
milli -3 m respect to sun.
micro -6 µ (c) Sedrial Day : It is the time taken by Earth
nano -9 n to complete one rotation on its axis with
respect to distant star.
pico -12 p
8. For measuring pressure
femto -15 f
1 bar = 1 atm pressure = 105 N/m2 =760
atto -18 a
mm Hg
Some Important Practical Units 1 Torr = 1 mm Hg

1. For large distance (macro-cosm) Conventions of Writing of Units

(a) Astronomical unit : It is the average
distance of the center of the sun from the
centre of the earth.
1 A.U = 1.496 × 1011m.
(b) Light year : It is the distance travelled 
by the light in vacuum in one year.
1ly = 9.46 × 1015m
(c) Parsec : One parsec is the distance at
which an arc 1 A.U. long subtends an
angle of one second.
1 parsec = 3.1 × 1016m.
y s
2. For small distance (micro-cosm)
u d
1 micron = 10–6 m 1 nanometer =10–9m
and their symbols
 Unit is never written with capital initial
letter.
 For a unit named after scientist, the symbol
is a capital letter otherwise not.
The unit or symbol is never written in
plural form.

s
Punctuation marks are not written after the
symbol.
p
t e
Dimensions
The powers to which the fundamental units
of mass, length and time are raised in order
to get the unit of required physical quantity
are called the dimensions of that physical

3. For small area

t
1 Angstorm =10–10m 1 fermi =10–15 m
S
quantity.
Dimensional Formulae
Units of a physical quantity expressed in
1 barn = 10–28 m2 terms of M, L and T is called dimensional
4. For heavy masses formula.
1 quintal =100 kg For example, the dimensional formula of
1 Ton =1000 kg work is M1L2T–2
1 C.S.L. =1.4 times the mass of the sun Here dimension of work w.r.t mass is 1.
The dimension of work w.r.t. length is 2.
5. For small masses 1 amu =1.67×10–27 kg
The dimension of work w.r.t. time is –2.
6. For small time 1 shake =10–8 s
7. For large time : Dimensional Equations
(a) Lunar month : It is the time taken by the When we equate the dimensional formula
moon to complete one rotation about its of the physical quantity, we get
the dimensional equation for eg.
axis with respect to earth.
Work = [M1L2T–2]
1 L.M = 27.3 days.

3
 Types of Physical Quantities in Relation to their Dimensions

For eg. c (velocity of light in vaccum)

Dimensional Dimensional R (Universal gas constant
Physical quantity Constant (stefans's constant), h Planck's costant),
k (Boltzmann constant), G (Universal gravitational constant)

PHYSICAL Dimensional For eg.

QUANTITY Distance, displacement,
Variable Force, mass, time etc

Dimension less Dimensional For eg. 0, 1, 2, ...........e,

physical Quantity Constant

Dimensional For eg. plane angle, solid angle, strain,

refractive index, dielectric, constant,
Variable specific gravity, strain, poisson's ratio

Dimensional Formula of Some Important Physical Quantities

S.N. Physical Quantity Definition Dimensional

formulae

1. Velocity, (v)  

length  dx 
Time  dt  p s [LT–1]



velocity dv 
  t e
2. Acceleration, (a )

 y s
time  dt 

[LT–2]

[MLT–1]
3.
4.
Momentum. P

Force, F
u d
Mass×Velocity (M× v )

Mass×acceleration (M× a ) [MLT–2]

5. Power , P
S t Work  W 
 
Time  t 
[ML2T–3]

Fr 2
6. Gravitational constant G [M–1L3T–2]
m1m 2
   [MLT–2]
7. Torque   r F
f
8. Surface Tension  [MT–2]

W
9. Gravitational Potential V [L2T–2]
m

F
10. Coefficient of Viscosity  [ML–1T1]
dv
A
dx

4
11. Impulse Force×time (F×t) [MLT–1]

change in length  L 
12. Strain   [M0L0T0]
original length  x 

Pr essure  P 
13. Pressure gradient   [ML–2T–2]
Dis tan ce  x 

Arc  s 
14. Angle   [M0L0T0]
Radius of circle  R 

Angle   
15. Angular velocity   [M0L0T–1]
time  t 

moment of intertia of body  I 

 
16. Radius of gyration total mass of the body   mi  [M0LT0]

17. Moment of force, Force×Distance (Fs) [ML2T–2]

moment of couple
18. Angular frequency 2×frequency (2v)
p s [M0L0T–1]

19. Radiation of pressure  

t
speed of light  C e
Intensity of wave  1 
[ML–1T–2]

20. Efficiency
y s
output work or energy  W 
 
input work or energy  Q 
[M0L0T0]

21. Angular impulse

u d
toque×time(×t) [ML2T–2]

22. Planck's constant

S t energy  E 
 
frequency  v 
[ML2T–1]

Heat energy  Q 
23. Heat capacity, Entropy   ML2T–2K–1
temperature  T 

Heat energy  Q 
24. Specific heat capacity   M0L2T–2K–1
Mass  temperature  m  t 
temp.  Time
25. Thermal Resistance, R [M–1L–2T–3K]
heat
heat energy  thickness  Q dT 
26. Thermal conductivity, K   KA  [MLT–3K–1]
area  temperature  time  t dx 

volume  (change in pressure)  P 

27. Bulk mod ulus (B) or  V  ML–1T–2
change in volume  V 
(compressibility)1

5
 (energy / area )  Q  AtT 4 
 
time  ( temperature) 4  E  Q / A.t  t 4 
28. Stefan's constant () [ML0T–3K–4]

pressure  volume  pV 
 
Mole  temperature  T 
29. Universal gas constant R [ML2T–2K–1 mol–1]

work  W 
 
ch arg e  q 
30. Voltage, electric potential ML2T–3A–1
(V, ) electromotive force
ch arg e q
31. Capacitance (C)   M–1L–2T4A2
potential difference  V 
electricforce  Fe 

  
ch arg e  q 
32. Electric field E MLT–3A–1

33.

Magnetic field (B)
force
current  length
 Fm 

BF2m  L I  B
Li
 ML0T–2A–1
magnetic induction,
magnetic flux density
magnetic flux   m 
 
34. Inductance (L,M)
current  I 
Magnetic moment  M  p s ML2T–2A–2

M0L–1T0A
35. Magnetic field strength or
magnetic moment density (I) volume
 
V
t e
ys
(ch arg e) 2  q2  M–1L–3T4A2
36. Permittivity constant in 
2 

2 
free space 0 4  electric force (dis tan ce)  4  Fe  r 
37. Faraday constant (F)
u d
Avagadro constant × element charge [M0L0TA mol–1]

38.
charge (NAq)

Mass defect ,m S t (sum of masses of nucleons 

mass of nucleus) (ZM p  (A  Z)M n  M( z X A ) ) ML0T0
39. Resonant frequency (fr) (Inductance×Reactance)½(LC)½ [M0L0T–1]
1
40. Power of lens (D) (Focal length)–1   M0L–1T0
F
Shortcuts/Time Saving Techniques  To find dimensions of a typical physical
quantity which is involved in a number of
1 formulae, try to use that formula which is
  0  0 = c = velocity of light in vacuum easiest for you. For example if you want
to find the dimensional formula of
 The dimension of RC is same as that of magnetic induction then you can use the
time following formulae:
L
 The dimension of is same as that of  0 Idl sin 
R  dB  , B = µ 0 nI, F = qvB,
time 4 r 2
= MBsin

6
 Out of these the easiest is probably the third Tricks :
one.  The dimensional formulae of
 If you have to find the dimensional formula trigonometric ratios is' [M0L0T0]
of a combination of physical quantities,  The dimensional formula of x in e x is
then instead of finding the dimensional [M0L0T0]
formula of each, try to correlate the  The dimensional formula of ex is [M0L0T0]
combination of physical quantities with a  The dimensional formula of x in log x is
standard formula. For example, if you have [M0L0T0]
to find the dimension of CV2, then try to  The dimensional formula of log x is
1 [M0L0T0]
use formula E  CV 2 where E is energy
2 Uses of Dimensional Equation
of a capacitor.
 Dimensions of the following are same 1. Conversion of one system of unit into
work = PV = nRT = qV = CV 2 = another.
q2 V2 Example :
  t = LI2 Convert a pressure of 106 dyne/cm2 in S.I
c R
 Dimensions of the following are same units.
Force = Impulse × time. qvB = qE. Solution :
Thrust = weight = energy gradient We know that 1N = 10 5 dyne  1
 Dimensions of the following are same
T r
p s
dyne = 10–5N
Also 1 m = 100 cm  1 cm =
velocity =
T


r 0
t e –2
10 m
Now, the pressure is
 Dimensions of the following are same

Frequency =
R

k

MB

1
y s 106
dyne
cm  cm


L m I

u
Dimensions of the following are same
LC
d = 106 ×  2
10 5 N
10 m  10 m 2 =105N/m2

S
modulus) = B(Bulk modulus) t
(E)Modulus of Elasticity = Y(Young's

= (modulus of rigidity) = Stress =

2. Checking the accuracy of various
formulae :
Example :
Check the correctness of the following
1
Pressure = dv
Compressibility equation dimensionally F  A sin 
 Dimensions of the following are the same dx
acceleration, retardation, centripetal where F = force, m = coefficient of
acceleration, centrifugal acceleration, dv
viscosity, A = area, = Velocity gradient
gravitational intensity/strength. dx
w.r.t. distance, = angle of contact
 Dimensions of the following are the same
Solution :
water equivalent, thermal capacity, L.H.S. = Force = [MLT–2]
entropy, Boltzmann's constant.
dv
PRINCIPLE OF HOMOGENEITY : R.H.S. = A (sin )
dx
Only those physical quantities can be
added/subtracted/equated/compared 1 –1 –1 2 Lt 1
=M L T L × = MLTT–2
which have the same dimensions. L
The equation is dimensionally correct.

7
3. Derivation of formulae : Dimensions :
Example 7 : [q 2 ] A 2T 2
F=[ 0] = = =
The air bubble formed by explosion inside [F][r 2 ] [MLT2 ][L2 ]
water performed oscillation with time [M–1L–3T4A2]
period T which is directly proportional to Its units :
Pa db Ec where P is pressure, d is density Coulomb 2 (coulomb) 2 coulomb
and E is the energy due to explosion. Find = 2 = =
N  meter Joule  meter volt  meter
the values of a, b and c. Example 2 :
Solution : Find out the units & dimensions of
Let us assume that the required expression coefficient of Self or Mutual Inductance?
for time period is T = KP d E a b c Solution :
where k is a dimensionless constant.  dI   dI 
  L  or M   , where  is induced
Writing dimensions of both sides.  dt   dt 
[M 0 L 0 T 1 ] = [ML –1 T –2 ] a [ML –3 ] b electromagnetic force (e.m.f.)
[ML2L–2]c
 dt  W T 
= [M]a + b + c [L]–a – 3b + 2c [T]–2a – 2c =[T1]  L      
 dI q  I 
Equating the powers on both sides of the
equation, we get a + b + c = 0 [ML2 T 2 ][T]
or [ L]  =
– a – 3b + 2c = 0, – 2a – 2c = 1
5 [ML2T–2A–2]
p s [AT][A]

Solving these equations, we get, a = – ,

6
t e
Its units : volt × sec/amp or ohms×sec or
Henry.
1
b= ,c= .
2
1
3
y s Example 3 :
Find out the units & dimensions of
Magnetic field intensity (H)?

5 1 1
So we get T  KP 6 d 2 E 3
u d Solution :
As B = µH, hence
Limitations of Dimensional Analysis
1.
S t
No information about the dimensionless
constant is obtained during dimensional
H 
B 1 Id sin  ,
 4 r 2
[A][L]
analysis.  H 2
= [AL–1]
2. Formula cannot be found if a physical [ L ]
quantity is dependent on more than three Its unit is ampere turns/ meter in SI system.
physical quantities in mechanics In c.g.s. system, the unit is oersted.
Example 4 :
3. Formulae containing trigonometrical/ Find out the units & dimensions of
exponential function cannot be found. Magnetic permeability of free space or
4. If an equation is dimensionally correct it medium?
may or may not be absolutely correct. Solution :
Example 1 : According to Biat-savart's law
Find out the units & dimensions of  Id / sin 
permittivity of free space? B 0 and F = BI/sin
4 r2
Solution : F  Id sin 
According Coulomb's law or B 0 ;
I / sin  4r 2

8
 Fr 2 4. Which of the following is not a unit of
 µ or  0  (dimensionally) time?
I2l2
(a) solar year (b) tropical year
[MLT 2 ][L2 ] (c) leap year (d) light year
Hence [µ ] or [ 0 ]  =
[A 2 ][L2 ] 5. Dyne-sec is the unit of
[MLT–2A–2] (a) momentum (b) force
Its units : (c) work (d) angular momentum
6. Illuminance of surface is measured in
N  m2 Newton
=  = (a) Lumen (b) candela
amp  m
2 2
amp 2 (c) lux (d) lux m–2
Joule / meter volt  coulomb 7. One shake is equal to
  = (a) 10–8s (b) 10–9s
amp 2
amp  amp  meter
(c) 10–10s (d) 109s
ohm  sec Henry Tesla  meter 8. One torr is equal to
  
meter meter amp. (a) 1 cm of Hg col. (b) Atmosphere
Example 5 : (c) 1 Nm–2 (d) 1 mm of Hg col.
Find the dimensions of a and b in the 9. SI unit of electric polarisation is
 a  (a) Cm–2 (b) coulomb
Vander waal's equation P  2  (c) ampere (d) volt
 V 
(V – b) = RT where P is pressure and V is
volume of gas.
10.
s
What are the units of magnetic
p
permeability?
Solution :
t e
(a) Wb A–1m–1
(c) Wb Am–1
(b) Wb–1 Am
(d) Wb A–1m

of homogenity]
V
a
Dimensionally P = P  2 [By Principle

y s 11. The SI unit of coefficient of mutual

inductance of a unit is

 ML–1T–2 =
a
V2 u
 a = [ML5T–2] d (a) henry
(c) farad
(b) volt
(d) weber

homogenity]
S t
Also dimensionally V = b [By principle of
12. SI unit of magnetic flux is
(a) gauss
(c) oersted
(b) weber
(d) ampere/meter
 b = [L3]
13. Unit of specific resistance is
Practice Problems # 1 (a) ohm/m2 (b) ohm/m3
1. What is the unit of latent heat (c) ohm–m (d) ohm/m
(a) J kg–1 (b) J kg–1 mol–1 14. Light year is
(c) J mol –1 (d) J (a) Light emitted by the sun is one year.
2. Debye is a unit of (b) Time taken by light to travel from sun
(a) rms velocity to earth
(b) Force (c) The distance travelled by light in free
(c) specific gravity space in one year
(d) Electric dipole moment (d) Time taken by earth to go once around
3. Unit system of units is not based on units the sun.
of mass, length and time alone 15. SI unit of pressure is
(a) SI (b) MKS (a) atmosphere (b) bar
(c) kWh (d) kWH (c) pascal (d) mm of Hg

9
16. Electron volt is a unit of 9. Maxwell is the unit of
(a) potential difference (b) charge (a) Magnetic susceptibility
(c) energy (d) capacity (b) Intensity of Magnetisation
17. Dimension of impulse are (c) Magnetic Flux
(a) [MLT–1] (b) [MLT2] (d) Magnetic Permeability
(c) [MT ]–2 (d) [ML–1T–3] 10. One second is defined to be equal to
18. The S.I. unit of pole strength is (a) 1650763.73 periods of the Krypton
(a) Am2 (b) Am clock
(c) Am –1 (d) Am–2 (b) 652189.63 periods of the Krypton clock
Practice Problems # 2 (c) 1650763.73 periods of the Cesium
clock
1. Units of coefficient of viscosity are
(a) NmS–1 (b) Nm2s–1 (d) 9192631770 periods of the Cesium
clock
(c) Nm–2 (d) none of these
2. Power can be expressed as 11. The units of current in C.G.S./emu system is
1 (a) 10 A (b) 1/10 A
(a) F.v (b) Fv2 (c) 1/100 A (d) 1/1000 A
2
(c) F.t (d) none of these 12. Which of the following is a derived unit?
3. Unit of power is
(a) kilowatt hour (b) kilowatt per hour
(a) Mass

p
(c) Lengths (b) Velocity
(d) Time

4.
(c) kilowatt (d) erg
What are the dimensions of Action?
13.

t e –1
N kg is the unit of
(a) velocity (b) force
(a) M2LT–3
(c) MLT–2
(b) MLT–1
(d) ML2T–1
y s 14.
(c) acceleration (d) none of these
Which of the following is the unit of molar
5.
gas equation? u d
What is the unit of "a" in Van der Waal's gas constant?
(a) JK–1 mol–1 (b) J
t
(a) Atm litre–2 mol2 (b)Atm litre2 per mol2
S
(c) Atm litre–1 mol2 (d) Atm litre2 mol–2 15.
(c) JK –1 (d) J mol–1
If C and L denote the capacitance and
6. Which one is not a dimensional constant? inductance, the units of LC are
(a) Acceleration due to gravity (a) M0L0T–1 (b) M0L–1T0
(b) Surface Tension of water (c) M–1L–1T0 (d) M0L0T–2
(c) Velocity of light 16. S.I. unit of surface tension is
(d) Reynold's Number (a) degree /cm (b) N/m
(c) N/m 2 (d) Nm
7. Which is dimensional constant?
17. 2
Weber/m is equal to :
(a) Force/acceleration
(b) Velocity/acceleration (a) Tesla (b) Henry
(c) Volume/area (c) Watt (d) None.
(d) Energy/work 18. The wavelength of visible light is of the
8. Potential is measured in order of
(a) joules/coulomb (b) watt/coulomb (a) 10–4 m (b) 10–5 m
(c) newton-second (d) none of these (c) 10–6 m (d) 10–7 m

10

10
 Solved Examples
Example 1 : Solution :
The number of particles is given by, Dimension of G = [M–1L3T–2]
n1  n1
n  D crossing a unit area
x 2  x1 M  L 
1 3
 T1 
2

perpendicular to X-axis in unit time, where n 2  n1  1   1   

n1 and n2 are number of particles per unit  M 2   L2   T2 
volume for the value of x meant to x2 and 1 2
 1g  1cm 
3
8 1sec 
x1. Find dimensions of diffusion constant,  6.67  10     1sec 
D. 1Kg   1m 
(a) LT2 (b) L2T–4 = 6.67×10–8×[10–3][10–2][1]–2
(c) LT3 (d) L2T–1 = 6.67×10–8×[10–3][10–2][1]–2
Solution : = n2 = 6.67×10–11
n x 2  x 1  Example 3 :
We know D  
n 2  n1  In formula, X=3YZ 2 , X and Z have
dimensions of capacitance and magnetic
1 1
here, n = 2 = L–2T–1 induction respectively. The dimensions of

and,
Area  Time l T
x2 – x1 = L Solution :
p s
Y in MKS are

(n2–n1) =
1 1
= 2 = L–3
Volume L T
t e
Dimensions of [X] = [M–1L–2T22]
Dimensions of [Z] = [MT–1–1]

 [D] =
L2 T 1  L
3 = [L2T–1]
y s 
Given
[X]2= [M2T2 –2]
X=3YZ2
Example 2 :
L

u d  Y
X
3Z 2

numerical value in S.I. unit?

t
Value of gravitational constant in C.G..S.
unit is 6.67×10 –8 . What would be its
S  [Y] 
[M 1L2 T 2 2 ]
[M  2 L 2  2 ]
= [M–3L–2T44]

ANSWER SHEET
Practice Problems # 1

1. a 2. d 3. a 4. d 5. a 6. c 7. a
8. d 9. a 10. a 11. a 12. b 13. c 14. c
15. c 16. c 17. a 18. b

Practice Problems # 2

1. d 2. a 3. c 4. c 5. d 6. d 7. d
8. a 9. c 10. d 11. a 12. b 13. c 14. a
15. d 16. b 17. a 18. c

11

11