UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

Centre : Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) Session : 201506

Course : Foundation in Science Unit Code : FHSC 1014
Year : Year 1 Unit Title : Mechanics
Trimester : Trimester 1

Tutorial 1: Introduction

1. Express the following sum with the correct number of significant figures:
1.80 m + 142.5 cm + 5.34 × 105 µm
[Answer: 3.76 m]

2. The variables x, v, and a have the dimensions of L, L/T, and L/T2, respectively. These
variables are related by an equation that has the form
vn = 2ax,
where n is an integer constant (1, 2, 3, etc.) without dimensions.
What must be the value of n, so that both sides of the equation have the same
dimensions? Explain your reasoning.
[Answer: 2]

3. Newton’s law of universal gravitation is represented by

GMm
F
r2
where F is the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by one small object on
another, M and m are the masses of the objects, and r is the distance between the two
objects.
Given that force has the SI units kg m s–2, what are the SI units of the proportionality
constant G?
[Answer: m3 kg–1 s–2]

4. The speed of ocean waves, v depends on their wavelength,  (measured in meters) and
the gravitational field strength g (measured in m s–2) in this way:
v = Kpgq
where K is a dimensionless constant.
Find the values of the p and q.
[Answer: ½, ½]

5. Drawing below shows a person looking at a building on top of which an antenna is

mounted. The horizontal distance between the person’s eyes and the building is 85.0
m.

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 In diagram (a), the person is looking at the base of the antenna, and his line of sight
makes an angle of 35.0° with the horizontal. In diagram (b) the person is looking at
the top of the antenna, and his line of sight makes an angle of 38.0° with the
horizontal. How tall is the antenna?
[Answer: 6.89 m]

6. Two points are given in polar coordinates by (r, ) = (2.00 m, 50.0°) and (r, ) = (5.00
m, –50.0°), respectively. What is the distance between them?
[Answer: 5.69 m]

7. (a) Discuss briefly whether in general the method of dimensional checking can
positively confirm that an equation is correct.
(b) The flow of a liquid density ρ, round an obstacle of width b, changes from
streamline to turbulence when the critical speed v is reached. If η is the
viscosity of the liquid and given their relationship as below:
Cη
v
bρ
where C is a dimensionless constant.
Deduce the dimension of η.
(Past Year Paper: Sept10)
[Answer: (b) ML–1T–1]

8. Given that Newton’s law of universal gravitation is represented by

Gm1 m2
F
r2
Determine the dimension of G, namely the universal gravitational constant.
(Past Year Paper: Sept11)
[Answer: L3M–1T–2]

9. For an object moving with uniform acceleration, the velocity v is given by the
equation
v2 = p +qx,
where p and q are constants with dimensions and x is displacement.
Find the dimensions of the term q.
(Past Year Paper: Sept12)
[Answer: LT–2]

10. The equation of de Broglie wavelength, λ is

h
λ
mv
where h = Planck constant
m = mass
v = speed
(a) What are the dimensions for Planck constant?
(b) Write the SI unit of Planck constant.
(Past Year Paper: Dec12)
[Answer: (a) ML2T–1; (b) kg m2 s–1]

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11. The velocity of sound in a medium of density ρ is given by the equation:
k
v
ρ
where k is a constant.
Deduce the dimensions of k and state its unit in terms of SI base units.
(Past Year Paper: Apr13)
[Answer: ML–1T–2, kg m–1 s–2]

12. Suppose the speed of a sail-boat is given by an equation

vboat  k ql
where k is a dimensionless constant
q is a constant with dimension
l is the length of the boat
Find the dimensions of the term q.
(Past Year Paper: Sept13)
[Answer: LT–2]

13. Q represents thermal energy and is given by the expression:

Q = mc.
where m, c and  represent mass, specific heat capacity and change in temperature of
matter, respectively.
(a) What are the SI base units of specific heat capacity, c?
(b) If the quantity Y is given by Y  c , what are the SI base units of the
quantity Y?
(Past Year Paper: Dec13)
[Answer: (a) m2 K–1 s–2; (b) m s–1]