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1 h = 60 min 1 = 60 min 1h
&1 =
1h 60 min
1 min = 60 s 1 = 60 s 1 min
&1 =
1 min 60s
75 𝑚𝑖 75 𝑚𝑖 5280 𝑓𝑡
75 𝑚𝑖 ℎ−1 = = ×
1ℎ 1ℎ 1 𝑚𝑖
75 5280 ft 1h
=
1h 60 min
75 5280 ft 1 min
= = 110 ft s −1
60 min 60s
(b)
12in 1 ft
1 ft = 12in 1= &1 =
1 ft 12 in
2.54 cm 1 in
1in = 2.54 cm 1 = &1 =
1 in 2.54 cm
100 cm & 1 = 1 m
1 m = 100 cm 1 =
1m 100 cm
−1 110 ft 12 in
75 mi h =
1s 1 ft
110 12 in 2.54 cm
=
1s 1in
110 12 2.54 cm 1m
= = 33 .5 m s −1
1s 100 cm
Example 2
Convert 9 kg m-3 to mg cm-3.
1000 g 1 kg
1kg = 1000 g 1 = &1 =
1 kg 1000 g
1g 10 mg
6
1 g = 10 mg 1 = 6
6
&1 =
10 mg 1g
2
10 cm & 1 = 1 m
1 m = 100 cm 1 = 2
1m 10 cm
−3 9 kg 9 kg 1000 g
9 kg m = 3
= 3
1m 1m 1 kg
9000 g 10 mg 6
= 3
1m 1g
3
9 10 mg 1 m
9
= 3
2
1m 10 cm
= 9 000 mg cm −3
Dimensions and Dimensional Analysis
E.g., E = ML T
2 −2
F = MLT −2
= ML −3 V = L3
Example 1
Show that the expression v = k1u + k 2 at
where v is the final velocity, u is the initial
velocity, a is the acceleration, t is the time
and k1 and k2 are dimensionless constants is
dimensionally correct.
Solution
v = LT −1
k1u = k1 u = 1 LT −1
= LT −1
k2 at = k2 a t = 1 LT −2
T
k2 at = LT −1
, v = k1u & v = k 2 at
x
[ A] = 2 AND x L
B = 3 = 3 = LT −3
t
t T
A = 2 = LT −2
L
T
Another method
Make use of Q = M a b
LT c
L = M L T *T
a b c 2 L = M L T *T
a b c 3
c+2 M: a = 0
M LT = M L T
0 1 0 a b
, A = 2
L L: b = 1
M: a = 0 T: c + 3 = 0, c = -3
T
L: b = 1
[B] = LT-3
T: c + 2 = 0, c = -2
EXAMPLE 3
The frequency is given in functional form as
= f ( L, , m )
where L is length and the dimensions of , and m are
T-1, M2L2T-2 and ML-1, respectively. Use dimensional
analysis to deduce the formula for frequency.
Solution
[ ] : M L T [ m ] : ML
−1
= f ( L, , m ) [ ] : T
−1 2 2 −2
= kL m
x y z
[ ] = [k ][ L] [ ] [ m ]
x y z
−1 −2 y −1 z
T = 1* L ( M L T ) ( ML )
x 2 2
−1 −2 y −z
T =L M L T
x 2y 2y
M L z
−1 x+2 y− z 2 y+ z −2 y
T =L M T
−1 x+2 y − z 2 y+ z −2 y
0
LM T 0
=L M T
T: -2y = -1 M: 2y + z = 0 L: x + 2y – z = 0
y = 0.5 1+ z = 0 x +1 – (-1) = 0
z = -1 x+2=0
x = -2
k
= kL m −2 0. 5 −1 =
mL2
Some Limitations of Dimensional Analysis
• Cannot use dimensional analysis alone to
determine the value of a dimensionless
constant.
• Dimensional analysis can only show that
the relation is wrong or there is a possibility
that the relation is correct.
s = ut + 2 at
1
1
s = 4 ut + at }
2
2
Both dimensionally
correct
Cannot use dimensional analysis when
dealing with trigonometric functions.
Additional problems on Dimensional Analysis
1. Acceleration for simple harmonic motion is
k
Given by a = − x, where m is mass and
m
x is displacement. Determine [k].
2. The lift off speed, v, of a boat is a function
of the mass of the boat, m, the acceleration due
to gravity, g, the surface area of the boat, A,
and the density of water, . Use dimensional
analysis to determine the formula for lift off
speed of the boat. [One of the Limitations]
3. Check the dimensional correctness of
Ah
t = , where A and A' are areas, h
A' 2 g d
is height, d is distance, and g is acceleration.