Uses of Dimensions

 Check the validity of an equation.

If an equation is correct the dimensions of each term must be equal.
 To find the dimensions and the units of an unknown physical quantity.
 To derive relationships between physical quantities.

01. Check the validity of following equations.

i. P =h  g P - Pressure h- depth  - density g – acceleration
ii. v = u + a t v – velocity u – velocity t – time a – acceleration
2 2
iii. v = u + 2a s s –displacement
iv. s = ut + ½ a t2

v. v=√ ⁄ v- velocity T- tension m- linear density

vi. W = ½ F x2 W – Work done F- Force x- extension
vii. U=Vg U – Up trust( force) V – volume - density
viii. E= E- Energy P- pressure v- velocity F- force x- distance

02. Find the dimensions and units of the constants given bellow.
i. E=hf E – Energy f- frequency h- Plank constant
2
ii. E = ½ k x E- Energy x- extension k- Spring constant
iii. F= 6  ηav F- force a- radius v – velocity η- Coefficient of viscosity
iv. F- Force M & m- Mass r- separation of masses
G- Universal gravitational constant

v. V-Volume t- time a-radius P- pressure
l- length η- Coefficient of viscosity
vi. F=T l F- Force l- Length T- Coefficient of surface Tension
vii. F-Force A- Area e- extension l- length
Y – Young’s modulus
viii. E= - E- Energy M & m- Mass r- separation of masses
G- Universal gravitational constant

03. Derive relationships between following physical quantities.

i. The period of oscillation T of simple pendulum depends on its length l, mass of the
pendulum bob m, and the acceleration due to gravity g at that place.
ii. The speed of transvers wave v, in a stretched wire depends on the tension T of the
string and its linear density m.
iii. The speed of sound v in a solid depends on Young’s modulus Y of the solid and the
density  of the solid.
iv. Air friction F experienced by a car depends on the effective surface area A density of
air  and the speed of the car v. Obtain an expression for F.

Milinda Prageeth, B.Sc.(sp) Page | 1

 v. The volume rate R through a tube of a viscose liquid of coefficient of viscosity η,
depends on the radius of the tube a, and the pressure gradient (pressure difference per
unit length) ⁄ .
vi. The viscose force F experienced by a moving sphere in a viscose liquid depends on
the coefficient of viscosity η of the liquid, the radius of the tube a, and the velocity of
the sphere v.
vii. The gravitational force F between two masses M and m, depends on the universal
gravitational constant G, product of the masses Mm, the separation of the masses r.
viii. The energy of a photon E depends on the Plank constant h and the frequency f of the
photon.

Limitations of Dimensions

 Numerical constants have no dimensions.

 Trigonometric ratios have no dimensions.
 Exponents (ex) have no dimensions. ( both e and x)
 Logarithms (log x) have no dimensions. (both log x and x)
 This method gives no information about proportional constants. They have to be
introduced.
 Useful only for deducing and verifying power relations. Relationship involving
exponentials, trigonometric functions and logarithms can’t be obtained or studied.
 Can’t be used to obtain a quantity depends upon more parameters than the fundamental
quantities used.

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