UNITS AND DIMENSIONS -II

Limitations of Dimensional Analysis.

Although dimensional analysis is very useful it cannot lead us too far as,
(1) If dimensions are given, physical quantity may not be unique as many physical quantities have same
dimensions. For example if the dimensional formula of a physical quantity is [ML2 T 2 ] it may be work or energy
or torque.
(2) Numerical constant having no dimensions [K] such as (1/2), 1 or 2 etc. cannot be deduced by the
methods of dimensions.
(3) The method of dimensions can not be used to derive relations other than product of power functions.
For example,

s  u t  (1 / 2) a t 2 or y  a sin  t

cannot be derived by using this theory (try if you can). However, the dimensional correctness of these can
be checked.
(4) The method of dimensions cannot be applied to derive formula if in mechanics a physical quantity
depends on more than 3 physical quantities as then there will be less number (= 3) of equations than the
unknowns (>3). However still we can check correctness of the given equation dimensionally. For example
T  2 1 mgl can not be derived by theory of dimensions but its dimensional correctness can be checked.

(5) Even if a physical quantity depends on 3 physical quantities, out of which two have same dimensions, the
formula cannot be derived by theory of dimensions, e.g., formula for the frequency of a tuning fork
f  (d / L2 ) v cannot be derived by theory of dimensions but can be checked.

PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS FROM DIFFERENT ENGINEERING AND

MEDICAL ENTRANCE EXAMS
SOME IMPORTANT EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE-1. A physical quantity is measured and its value is found to be nu where n  numerical value and u  unit.
Then which of the following relations is true
1
(a) n  u 2 (b) n  u (c) n u (d) n 
u
1
Solution : (d) We know P  nu  constant  n1u1  n2u2 or n  .
u
EXAMPLE-2. In C.G.S. system the magnitude of the force is 100 dynes. In another system where the fundamental physical quantities
are kilogram, metre and minute, the magnitude of the force is
(a) 0.036 (b) 0.36 (c) 3.6 (d) 36
Solution : (c) n1  100 , M1  g , L1  cm , T1  sec and M 2  kg , L2  meter , T2  minute , x  1 , y  1 , z  2
x y 2
 M   L  T 
By substituting these values in the following conversion formula n2  n1  1   1   1 
 M 2   L2   T2 
 1 1 2
 gm   cm   sec 
n2  100     
 kg   meter   minute 
1
 gm   cm 1  sec  2
n2  100 3   2     3.6
 10 gm   10 cm   60 sec 
EXAMPLE-3. The temperature of a body on Kelvin scale is found to be X K. When it is measured by a Fahrenheit thermometer, it is
found to be X F. Then X is
(a) 301.25 (b) 574.25 (c) 313 (d) 40
K  273 F  32
Solution : (b) Relation between centigrade and Fahrenheit 
5 9
X  273 X  32
According to problem   X=574.25.
5 9
EXAMPLE-4. Which relation is wrong
(a) 1 Calorie = 4.18 Joules (b) 1Å =10–10 m
(c) 1 MeV = 1.6 × 10–13 Joules (d) 1 Newton =10–5 Dynes

Solution : (d) Because 1 Newton = 10 5 Dyne.

F L
EXAMPLE-5. To determine the Young's modulus of a wire, the formula is Y  . ; where L= length, A= area of cross- section of
A l
the wire, L  Change in length of the wire when stretched with a force F. The conversion factor to change it from
CGS to MKS system is
(a) 1 (b) 10 (c) 0.1 (d) 0.01
1 2
Solution : (c) We know that the dimension of young's modulus is [ ML T ]

C.G.S. unit : gm cm1 sec 2 and M.K.S. unit : kg. m–1 sec–2 .
1 1 2 1 1 2
M  L   T1   gm   cm   sec 
By using the conversion formula: n 2  n1  1   1         sec 
 M 2   L2   T2   kg   meter   
1
n  gm   cm  1  sec  2 1
 Conversion factor 2   3   2      0.1
n1  10 gm   10 cm   sec  10

EXAMPLE-6. Conversion of 1 MW power on a new system having basic units of mass, length and time as 10 kg, 1dm and 1 minute
respectively is

(a) 2.16  1012 unit (b) 1.26  1012 unit (c) 2.16  1010 unit (d) 2  1014 unit

Solution : (a) [ P ]  [ ML2 T 3 ]

x y z 1 2 3
 M 1   L1   T1  6  1 kg   1m   1s 
Using the relation n2  n1        1  10       [As 1MW  10 6 W ]
M L
 2  2  2 T  10 kg   1 dm   1 min 
2 3
 1kg   10 dm   1sec 
 10 6       2.16  1012 unit
 10kg   1 dm   60sec 

2
EXAMPLE-7. In two systems of relations among velocity, acceleration and force are respectively v2  v1, a2  a1 and

F1
F2  . If  and  are constants then relations among mass, length and time in two systems are

  2  3T1 1 3 
(a) M2  M1, L2  2 L1, T2  (b) M2  M1, L2  L , T  T1 2
3 1 2
    2 2  

3 2  2  3
(c) M2  M1, L2  2 L1, T2  T1 (d) M2  M1, L2  2 L1, T2  3 T1
 3
   2
 

2 2
Solution : (b) v 2  v1  [L2 T21 ]  [L1T11 ] ......(i)
 

a 2  a1  [L2 T22 ]  [L1 T12 ] ......(ii)

F1 1
and F2   [M 2 L2 T2 2 ]  [M 1 L1 T1 2 ]  ......(iii)
 
M1 M
Dividing equation (iii) by equation (ii) we get M 2   2 12
()  B

3
Squaring equation (i) and dividing by equation (ii) we get L2  L1
3

Dividing equation (i) by equation (ii) we get T2  T1
2
1
EXAMPLE-8. If the present units of length, time and mass (m, s, kg) are changed to 100m, 100s, and kg then
10
1
(a) The new unit of velocity is increased 10 times (b) The new unit of force is decreased times
1000
(c) The new unit of energy is increased 10 times (d) The new unit of pressure is increased 1000 times
100m m
Solution : (b) Unit of velocity = m/sec ; in new system =  (same)
100 sec sec
kg  m 1 100m 1 kg  m
Unit of force  ; in new system  kg  
2 10 100 sec 100 sec 1000 sec 2
sec

kg  m 2 1 100m  100m  kg  m 2
Unit of energy  ; in new system  kg  
sec 2 10 100 sec 100 sec 10 sec 2

kg 1 1 1 kg
Unit of pressure  ; in new system  kg  m  10 7
m  sec 2 10 100 100 sec  100 sec m  sec 2
EXAMPLE-9. Suppose we employ a system in which the unit of mass equals 100 kg, the unit of length equals 1 km and the unit of
time 100 s and call the unit of energy eluoj (joule written in reverse order), then
(a) 1 eluoj = 104 joule (b) 1 eluoj = 10-3 joule (c) 1 eluoj = 10-4 joule (d) 1 joule = 103 eluoj

Solution : (a) [E]  [ML2 T 2 ]

2 4 2
1 eluoj  [100kg]  [1km]  [100 sec]  100kg  10 m  10 sec  10 4 kg m2  sec 2  10 4 Joule
2 6 2

EXAMPLE-10. If 1gm cms–1 = x Ns, then number x is equivalent to

(a) 1  101 (b) 3  102 (c) 6  104 (d) 1  105
Solution : (d) gm - cm s 1  10 3 kg  10 2 m  s 1  10 5 kg  m  s 1 = 10–5 Ns
EXAMPLE-11.From the dimensional consideration, which of the following equation is correct
 R3 GM GM R2
(a) T  2 (b) T  2 (c) T  2 (d) T  2
GM R3 R2 GM

R3 R3 R
Solution : (a) T  2  2 2
 2 [As GM = gR2]
GM gR g

Now by substituting the dimension of each quantity in both sides.

1/ 2
 L 
[T ]     [T]
 LT  2 
L.H.S. = R.H.S. i.e., the above formula is Correct.

EXAMPLE-12.A highly rigid cubical block A of small mass M and side L is fixed rigidly onto another cubical block B of the same
dimensions and of low modulus of rigidity  such that the lower face of A completely covers the upper face of B. The
lower face of B is rigidly held on a horizontal surface. A small force F is applied perpendicular to one of the side faces of
A. After the force is withdrawn block A executes small oscillations. The time period of which is given by

M L ML M
(a) 2 (b) 2 (c) 2 (d) 2
L M  L
1 2
Solution : (d) Given m = mass = [M],  = coefficient of rigidity = [ ML T ] , L = length = [L]

By substituting the dimension of these quantity we can check the accuracy of the given formulae
1/ 2 1/ 2
 [M ]   M 
[T ]  2   = 
1  2 
= [T].
 [] [L]   ML T L 
L.H.S. = R.H.S. i.e., the above formula is Correct.

EXAMPLE-13.A small steel ball of radius r is allowed to fall under gravity through a column of a viscous liquid of coefficient of
viscosity. After some time the velocity of the ball attains a constant value known as terminal velocity v T . The terminal
velocity depends on (i) the mass of the ball. (ii)  (iii) r and (iv) acceleration due to gravity g. which of the following
relations is dimensionally correct
mg r mgr
(a) vT  (b) vT  (c) vT  rmg (d) vT 
r mg 
1 2
Solution : (a) Given v T = terminal velocity = [ LT ] , m = Mass = [M], g = Acceleration due to gravity = [ LT ]

r = Radius = [L],  = Coefficient of viscosity = [ ]

mg
By substituting the dimension of each quantity we can check the accuracy of given formula v T 
r

[M ] [LT 2 ] 1
 [LT 1 ]  1 1
= [ LT ]
[ML T ] [L]
L.H.S. = R.H.S. i.e., the above formula is Correct.
EXAMPLE-14. A dimensionally consistent relation for the volume V of a liquid of coefficient of viscosity  flowing per second
through a tube of radius r and length l and having a pressure difference p across its end, is

pr 4  l 8 pl p

(a) V  (b) V  (c) V (d) V 
8l 8 pr 4
r 4
8lr 4
Volume
Solution : (a) Given V = Rate of flow =  [ L3 T 1 ] , P = Pressure = [ ML1T 2 ] , r = Radius = [L]
sec
 = Coefficient of viscosity = [ ML1T 1 ] , l = Length = [L]
 P r 4
By substituting the dimension of each quantity we can check the accuracy of the formula V 
8l

[ML1T 2 ] [L4 ] 3 1
 [L3T 1]  = [L T ]
[ML1T 1] [L]
L.H.S. = R.H.S. i.e., the above formula is Correct.
1
EXAMPLE-15.. With the usual notations, the following equation S t  u  a(2t  1) is
2
(a) Only numerically correct (b) Only dimensionally correct
(c) Both numerically and dimensionally correct (d) Neither numerically nor dimensionally correct
1 2
Solution : (c) Given St = distance travelled by the body in tth sec.= [ LT ] , a = Acceleration = [ LT ] ,
1
v = velocity = [ LT ] , t = time = [T]
By substituting the dimension of each quantity we can check the accuracy of the formula
1
St  u  a (2t  1)
2
 [LT1]  [LT1]  [LT2 ] [T]  [LT 1 ]  [LT 1 ]  [LT 1 ]
Since the dimension of each terms are equal therefore this equation is dimensionally correct. And after deriving this
equation from Kinematics we can also proof that this equation is correct numerically also.

EXAMPLE-16. If velocity v, acceleration A and force F are chosen as fundamental quantities, then the dimensional formula of
angular momentum in terms of v, A and F would be

(a) FA 1 v (b) Fv 3 A 2 (c) Fv 2 A 1 (d) F 2v 2 A 1

1 2 2
Solution : (b) Given, v = velocity = [ LT ] , A = Acceleration = [ LT ] , F = force = [ MLT ]
By substituting, the dimension of each quantity we can check the accuracy of the formula

[Angular momentum] = Fv 3 A 2

[ ML2 T 1 ]  [MLT 2 ] [LT 1 ] 3 [LT 2 ]2

2 1
= [ ML T ]

L.H.S. = R.H.S. i.e., the above formula is Correct.

EXAMPLE-17.The largest mass (m) that can be moved by a flowing river depends on velocity (v), density (  ) of river water and
acceleration due to gravity (g). The correct relation is

 2v4 v6 v4 v6

(a) m  2
(b) m  2
(c) m 3
(d) m 
g g g g3
1 3
Solution : (d) Given, m = mass = [M], v = velocity = [ LT ] ,  = density = [ ML ] , g = acceleration due to gravity = [LT–2]
By substituting, the dimension of each quantity we can check the accuracy of the formula

 v6
mK
g3

[ML3 ][LT 1 ]6
 [M ] 
[LT  2 ] 3
= [M]
L.H.S. = R.H.S. i.e., the above formula is Correct.
 X
EXAMPLE-18.The dimensions of physical quantity X in the equation Force  is given by [DCE 1993]
Density

(a) M 1 L4 T 2 (b) M 2 L2 T 1 (c) M 2L2T 2 (d) M 1 L2 T 1

2 3 2 2 2
Solution : (c) [X] = [Force] × [Density] = [ MLT ]  [ ML ] = [ M L T ] .

EXAMPLE-19. E, m, l and G denote energy, mass, angular momentum and gravitational constant respectively, then the dimension
El 2
of are [AIIMS 1985]
m5 G2
(a) Angle (b) Length (c) Mass (d) Time
Solution : (a) [E] = energy = [ ML2T 2 ] , [m] = mass = [M], [l] = Angular momentum = [ ML2T 1 ]
1 3 2
[G] = Gravitational constant = [ M L T ]

El 2 [ML2T 2 ]  [ML2T 1]2 0 0 0

Now substituting dimensions of above quantities in = = [M L T ]
m5G2 [M 5 ]  [M 1L3T  2 ]2
i.e., the quantity should be angle.
A x
EXAMPLE-20 The potential energy of a particle varies with distance x from a fixed origin as U  , where A and B are
x2  B
dimensional constants then dimensional formula for AB is

(a) ML7/2T 2 (b) ML11 / 2T 2 (c) M 2L9 / 2T 2 (d) ML13 / 2T 3

Solution : (b) From the dimensional homogeneity [ x 2 ]  [B]  [B] = [L2]

[ A] [ x 1 / 2 ] [ A][L1 / 2 ]
As well as U    [ML2 T  2 ]   [ A]  [ML7 / 2T 2 ]
2 2
[ x ]  [ B] [L ]

Now [ AB]  [ML7 / 2 T 2 ]  [L2 ]  [ML11 / 2T 2 ]

EXAMPLE-21. If the velocity of light (c), gravitational constant (G) and Planck's constant (h) are chosen as fundamental units, then
the dimensions of mass in new system is [UPSEAT 2002]

(a) c 1 / 2 G1 / 2 h1 / 2 (b) c 1 / 2 G1 / 2 h 1 / 2 (c) c 1 / 2 G 1 / 2 h1 / 2 (d) c 1 / 2 G1 / 2 h1 / 2

Solution : (c) Let m  c x Gy h z or m  K c x G y h z

By substituting the dimension of each quantity in both sides
[M 1 L0 T 0 ]  K[LT 1 ] x [M 1 L3 T 2 ]y [ML2 T 1 ] z  [M  y  z Lx  3y  2z T  x  2y  z ]
By equating the power of M, L and T in both sides : y  z  1 , x  3y  2z  0 ,  x  2y  z  0
By solving above three equations x  1 / 2 , y  1 / 2 and z  1 / 2 .

 m  c 1 / 2 G 1 / 2 h1 / 2
EXAMPLE-22. If the time period (T) of vibration of a liquid drop depends on surface tension (S), radius (r) of the drop and density
( ) of the liquid, then the expression of T is [AMU (Med.) 2000]

(a) T  K r 3 / S (b) T  K  1 / 2 r 3 / S (c) T  K r 3 / S1 / 2 (d) None of these

Solution : (a) Let T  S x r y  z or T = K S x r y  z

By substituting the dimension of each quantity in both sides

[M 0 L0 T 1 ]  K [MT 2 ] x [L]y [ML3 ] z  [ M x  z Ly  3 z T 2 x ]

By equating the power of M, L and T in both sides x  z  0 , y  3z  0 , 2x  1
 By solving above three equations  x  1 / 2 , y  3 / 2 , z  1 / 2

r 3
So the time period can be given as, T  K S 1 / 2 r 3 / 2  1 / 2  K .
S
EXAMPLE-23 If P represents radiation pressure, C represents speed of light and Q represents radiation energy striking a unit area
x y z
per second, then non-zero integers x, y and z such that P Q C is dimensionless, are
[AFMC 1991; CBSE 1992; CPMT 1981, 92; MP PMT 1992]
(a) x  1, y  1, z  1 (b) x  1, y  1, z  1 (c) x  1, y  1, z  1 (d) x  1, y  1, z  1

Solution : (b) [ P x Q y C z ]  M 0 L0 T 0
By substituting the dimension of each quantity in the given expression

[ ML1 T 2 ] x [ MT 3 ] y [ LT 1 ] z  [M x  y L x  z T 2 x  3 y  z ]  M 0 L0 T 0
by equating the power of M, L and T in both sides: x  y  0 ,  x  z  0 and 2x  3y  z  0

by solving we get x  1, y  1, z  1 .

EXAMPLE-24. The volume V of water passing through a point of a uniform tube during t seconds is related to the cross-sectional area
A of the tube and velocity u of water by the relation V  A u  t  , which one of the following will be true
(a)      (b)      (c)      (d)     

Solution : (b) Writing dimensions of both sides [L3 ]  [L2 ] [LT 1 ]  [ T]  [L3 T 0 ]  [L2   T    ]

By comparing powers of both sides 2    3 and     0

1
Which give    and   (3   ) i.e.      .
2
EXAMPLE-25. If velocity (V), force (F) and energy (E) are taken as fundamental units, then dimensional formula for mass will be

(a) V 2F 0 E (b) V 0 FE 2 (c) VF2 E0 (d) V 2F 0 E

Solution : (d) Let M  V a F b Ec

Putting dimensions of each quantities in both side [M]  [LT 1 ]a [MLT 2 ]b [ML2 T 2 ]c

Equating powers of dimensions. We have b  c  1, a  b  2c  0 and a  2b  2c  0

Solving these equations, a  2, b = 0 and c = 1

So M  [V 2 F 0 E]

EXAMPLE-26. Given that the amplitude A of scattered light is :

(i) Directly proportional to the amplitude (A0) of incident light.
(ii) Directly proportional to the volume (V) of the scattering particle
(iii) Inversely proportional to the distance (r) from the scattered particle
(iv) Depend upon the wavelength (  ) of the scattered light. then:
1 1 1 1
(a) A (b) A (c) A (d) A
 2 3 4
KA0 Vx
Solution : (b) Let A 
r
By substituting the dimension of each quantity in both sides
[ L] .[ L3 ] [Lx ]
 [ L] 
[L]
 [L]  [L3 x ] ;  3  x  1 or x  2
  A  2
EXAMPLE-27. You may not know integration. But using dimensional analysis you can check on some results. In the integral
dx x 
 2 1/ 2
(2ax  x )
 an sin 1   1  the value of n is
 a 
1
(a) 1 (b) – 1 (c) 0 (d)
2
Solution : (c) Let x = length  [ X ]  [L] and [dx]  [L]

x
By principle of dimensional homogeneity    dimensionless  [a]  [ x]  [L]
a
[L]
By substituting dimension of each quantity in both sides:  [Ln ]  n  0
[L2  L2 ]1 / 2
 2ct   2x 
EXAMPLE-28 The equation of the stationary wave is y= 2a sin   cos  , which of the following statements is wrong
     
(a) The unit of ct is same as that of  (b) The unit of x is same as that of 
(c) The unit of 2c / is same as that of 2x /t (d) The unit of c/ is same as that of x / 
2ct 2x  2ct   2x 
0 0 0
Solution : (d) Here,

as well as

are dimensionless (angle) i.e.    M L T
     

 2c   2x 
So (i) unit of c t is same as that of  (ii) unit of x is same as that of  (iii)   
    t 
x c
and (iv) is unit less. It is not the case with .
 

PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS FROM DIFFERENT ENGINEERING AND MEDICAL ENTRANCE EXAMS

ONLY ONE OPTION IS CURRECT

1. Light year is a unit of (c) N m 2 kg 2 (d) kg m sec 1
(a) Time (b) Mass
6. SI unit of pressure is
(c) Distance (d) Energy
(a) Pascal (b) Dynes / cm2
2. Newton–second is the unit of
(a) Velocity (b) Angular momentum (c) cm of Hg (d) Atmosphere
(c) Momentum (d) Energy 7. Which of the following is not a unit of energy
3. Which of the following is not represented in correct unit (a) W- s (b) kg - m /sec
Stress (c) (d) Joule
(a)  N /m2 (b) Surface tension = N/m N- m
Strain
8. Joule-second is the unit of
(c) Energy  kg-m/sec (d) Pressure  N /m 2
(a) Work (b) Momentum
4. The unit of power is
(c) Pressure (d) Angular momentum
(a) Joule 9. Density of wood is 0.5 gm / cc in the CGS system of units.
(b) Joule per second only The corresponding value in MKS units is
(c) Joule per second and watt both (a) 500 (b) 5
(d) Only watt (c) 0.5 (d) 5000
5. A suitable unit for gravitational constant is 10. The unit of surface tension in SI system is

(a) kg - m sec 1 (b) N m 1 sec (a) Dyne / cm2 (b) Newton / m

(c) Dyne / cm (d) Newton / m2
11. The velocity of a particle depends upon as v  a  bt  ct 2 ; (c) ML2T 1 2 3
(d) ML T
if the velocity is in m / sec , the unit of a will be
22. Dimensional formula for latent heat is
(a) m / sec (b) m / sec 2
(a) M 0 L2T 2 (b) MLT 2
2 3
(c) m / sec (b) m / sec
(c) ML2T 2 (d) ML2T 1
12. If the unit of length and force be increased four times, then
23. The dimensional formula of angular velocity is
the unit of energy is
(a) Increased 4 times (b) Increased 8 times (a) M 0 L0T 1 (b) MLT 1

(c) Increased 16 times (d) Decreased 16 times (c) M 0 L0 T 1 (d) ML0T 2

13. The units of modulus of rigidity are 24. The dimensional formula for r.m.s. (root mean square)
(a) Nm (b) N/m velocity is
(a) M 0 LT 1 (b) M 0 L0T 2
(c) Nm2 (d) N /m 2
(c) M 0 L0 T 1 (d) MLT 3
14. If x  at  bt 2 , where x is the distance travelled by the
body in kilometres while t is the time in seconds, then the 25. The dimensional formula for Planck's constant (h) is
units of b are (a) ML2T 3 (b) ML2T 2
(a) km/s (b) kms
(c) ML2T 1 (d) ML2T 2
2 2
(c) km/s (d) kms 26. Out of the following, the only pair that does not have
identical dimensions is
 a 
15. The equation  P  2  (V  b) constant. The units of a (a) Angular momentum and Planck's constant
 V 
(b) Moment of inertia and moment of a force
are
(c) Work and torque
(a) Dyne  cm5 (b) Dyne  cm4 (d) Impulse and momentum
(c) Dyne /cm 3 (d) Dyne /cm 2 27. Which of the following is dimensionally correct
(a) Pressure = Energy per unit area
16. Dyne/cm2 is not a unit of
(b) Pressure = Energy per unit volume
(a) Pressure (b) Stress (c) Pressure = Force per unit volume
(c) Strain (d) Young's modulus (d) Pressure = Momentum per unit volume per unit time
17. In C.G.S. system the magnitutde of the force is 100 dynes. 28. Planck's constant has the dimensions (unit) of
In another system where the fundamental physical quantities (a) Energy (b) Linear momentum
are kilogram, metre and minute, the magnitude of the force (c) Work (d) Angular momentum
is
29. A spherical body of mass m and radius r is allowed to
(a) 0.036 (b) 0.36 fall in a medium of viscosity  . The time in which the
(c) 3.6 (d) 36 velocity of the body increases from zero to 0.63 times the
18. A physical quantity is measured and its value is found to be terminal velocity (v) is called time constant ( ) .
nu where n  numerical value and u  unit. Then which Dimensionally  can be represented by
of the following relations is true
(a) n  u 2 (b) n  u mr 2  6mr 
(a) (b)  
6  g2 
1  
(c) n u (d) n 
u m
(c) (d) None of the above
19. Select the pair whose dimensions are same 6 rv
(a) Pressure and stress
30. The velocity of water waves v may depend upon their
(b) Stress and strain
wavelength  , the density of water  and the
(c) Pressure and force acceleration due to gravity g . The method of dimensions
(d) Power and force gives the relation between these quantities as
2 3
20. Dimensional formula ML T represents
(a) v 2  g 1  1 (b) v 2  g
(a) Force (b) Power
(c) v 2  g (d) v 2  g 1  3
(c) Energy (d) Work
31. Dimensional formula of heat energy is
21. The dimensions of calorie are
2 2 2 (a) ML2 T 2 (b) MLT 1
(a) ML T (b) MLT
(c) M 0 L0 T 2 (d) None of these
32. The period of a body under SHM i.e. presented by 40. If pressure P , velocity V and time T are taken as
a b c
T  P D S ; where P is pressure, D is density and S fundamental physical quantities, the dimensional formula
is surface tension. The value of a, b and c are of force is

3 1 (a) PV 2 T 2 (b) P 1 V 2 T 2
(a)  , , 1 (b) 1,  2, 3
2 2 (c) PVT 2 (d) P 1 VT 2
1 3 1 1 41. If energy (E) , velocity (v) and force (F ) be taken as
(c) , , (d) 1, 2,
2 2 2 3 fundamental quantity, then what are the dimensions of
mass
33. A small steel ball of radius r is allowed to fall under
gravity through a column of a viscous liquid of coefficient (a) Ev 2 (b) Ev 2
of viscosity  . After some time the velocity of the ball (c) Fv 1 (d) Fv 2
attains a constant value known as terminal velocity vT . 42. If the velocity of light (c) , gravitational constant (G) and
The terminal velocity depends on (i) the mass of the ball Planck's constant (h) are chosen as fundamental units,
m , (ii)  , (iii) r and (iv) acceleration due to gravity g . then the dimensions of mass in new system is
Which of the following relations is dimensionally correct?
(a) c 1 / 2 G1 / 2 h1 / 2 (b) c 1 / 2 G1 / 2 h 1 / 2
mg r
(a) vT  (b) vT  (c) c 1 / 2 G 1 / 2 h1 / 2 (d) c 1 / 2 G1 / 2 h1 / 2
r mg
43. The frequency n of vibrations of uniform string of length l
mgr
(c) vT  rmg (d) vT  P F
 and stretched with a force F is given by n  where
2l m
34. The Martians use force (F ) , acceleration (A) and time p is the number of segments of the vibrating string and m is
(T ) as their fundamental physical quantities. The a constant of the string. What are the dimensions of m
dimensions of length on Martians system are (a) ML–1 T– 1(b)ML– 3 T0(c)ML– 2 T0 (d)ML–1 T0
2 1 2
(a) FT (b) F T z
  k
(c) F 1 A 2 T 1 (d) AT 2 44. In the relation P  e , P is pressure, z is distance , k is

35. An athletic coach told his team that muscle times speed
Boltzmann constant and  is temperature. The dimensional
equals power. What dimensions does he view for muscle
formula of  will be
(a) MLT 2 (b) ML2T 2
(a) [M 0 L2T 0 ] (b) [M1L2T1] (c) [M 1L0T 0 ] (d) [M 0 L2T 1 ]
(c) MLT 2 (d) L
36. Dimensions of coefficient of viscosity are
ANSWERS:
(a) ML2T 2 (b) ML2T 1 1.C 2.C 3.C 4.C 5.C 6.A 7.B 8.D 9.A 10.B 11.A 12.C
(c) ML1T 1 (d) MLT 13.D 14.C 15.B 16.C 17.C 18.D 19.A 20.B 21.A 22.A
23.A 24.A 25.C 26.B 27.B 28.D 29.D 30.C 31.A 32.A
37. Given that v is speed, r is the radius and g is the
33.A 34.D 35.A 36.C 37.A 38.B 39.A 40.A 41.B 42.C
acceleration due to gravity. Which of the following is
43.D 44.A
dimensionless

(a) v 2 / rg (b) v 2 r / g

(c) v 2 g / r (d) v 2 rg
38. If the speed of light (c) , acceleration due to gravity (g )
and pressure (p) are taken as the fundamental quantities,
then the dimension of gravitational constant is
(a) c 2 g 0 p 2 (b) c 0 g 2 p 1
(c) cg 3 p 2 (d) c 1 g 0 p 1
39. If the time period (T ) of vibration of a liquid drop
depends on surface tension (S) , radius (r ) of the drop
and density (  ) of the liquid, then the expression of T is

(a) T  k r 3 / S (b) T  k  1 / 2 r 3 / S

(c) T  k r 3 / S1 / 2 (d) None of these