1

SECTION-B
DIMENSIONAL FORMULA

S. No. Physical quantity Physical with other quantities Dimensional formula SI unit

Mechanical Quantities

1. Area Length× breadth 𝑳 × 𝑳 = L2 = [M0 L2 T0] m2

2. Volume Length ×breadth × height 𝐋 × 𝐋 × 𝐋 = 𝐋𝟑 m3

3. Density 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐌 𝟑 kg m-3

= [𝐌𝐋 𝐓𝟎]
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐋𝟑

4. Speed of velocity 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐋 ms-1

= [𝐌 𝟎 𝐋𝐓 𝟏
]
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐓

5. Acceleration 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐓 𝟏

𝟐
ms-2
= 𝐋𝐓 = [𝐌 𝟎 𝐋𝐓 𝟐
]
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐓

6. Momentum Mass × velocity M × LT-1 = [MLT-1] kg ms-1

7. Force Mass × acceleration M × LT-2 = [MLT-2] N
8. Work Force × distance MLT-2 × L = [ML2 T-2] J

9. Energy Amount of work [ML2 T-2] J

10. Power 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐌𝐋𝟐 𝐓 𝟐 W
= [𝐌𝐋𝟐 𝐓 𝟑
]
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐓
11. Pressure 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐋𝟏 𝐓 𝟐 Pa or
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 = [𝐌𝐋 𝟏 𝐓 𝟐
]
𝐋𝟐 Nm-2

12. Moment of force Force × distance MLT-2 × L = [ML2 T-2] Nm

or torque
13. Gravitational 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 × (𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞)𝟐 𝐌𝐋𝐓 𝟐 × 𝐋𝟐 𝟏 𝟑 𝟐
Nm2 kg-2
= [𝐌 𝐋 𝐓 ]
constant ‘G’ 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐱 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐌 × 𝐌

14. Impulse of a force Force × time MLT-2 × T = [MLT-1] Ns

15. Stress 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐋𝐓 𝟐

𝟏 𝟐
Nm-2
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 = [𝐌𝐋 𝐓 ]
𝐋𝟐
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16. Strain 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 [M0 L0 T0] (dimensionless) -
𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
17. Coefficient of 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐋 𝟏 𝐓 𝟐
𝟏 𝟐
Nm-2
= [𝐌𝐋 𝐓 ]
elasticity 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝟏

18. Surface tension 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐋𝐓 𝟐

𝟐
Nm-1
𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 = 𝐌𝐓 = [𝐌𝐋𝟎 𝐓 𝟐
]
𝐋

19. Surface energy 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐌𝐋𝟐 𝐓 𝟐

𝟐
Jm-2
= 𝐌𝐓 = [𝐌𝐋𝟎 𝐓 𝟐
]
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐋𝟐
20. Coefficient of 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 × 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐋𝐓 𝟐 × 𝐋 𝟏 𝟏
Nm-2 s or
= [𝐌𝐋 𝐓 ]
viscosity 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 × 𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝟐 × 𝐋𝐓 𝟏 Pa s

21. Angle 𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐋

= 𝟏 = [𝐌 𝟎 𝐋𝟎 𝐓 𝟎 ] (𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬)
rad
𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐋

22. Angular velocity 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝟏 𝟏 rad s-1

=𝐓 = [𝐌 𝟎 𝐋𝟎 𝐓 𝟏
]
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐓
23. Angular 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓 𝟏 𝟐
rad s-2
= 𝐓 = [𝐌 𝟎 𝐋𝟎 𝐓 𝟐
]
acceleration 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐓

24. Moment of inertia Mass × (𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞)𝟐 ML2 = [ML2 T0] kg m2

25. Radius of Distance L = [M0 LT0] m

gyration
26. Angular Mass × velocity × radius M × LT-1 × L = [ML2 T-1] kg m2 s-1
momentum
27. T-ratios 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐋 -
= 𝟏 = 𝐌 𝟎 𝐋𝟎 𝐓 𝟎 (𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬)
(sin 𝜽, cos 𝜽, tan 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐋

𝜽)
28. Time period Time T = [M0 L0 T] s
29. Frequency 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 s-1 or Hz
= 𝐓 = [𝐌 𝟎 𝐋𝟎 𝐓 𝟏
]
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝 𝐓
30. Plank’s constant Energy  E  𝐌𝐋𝟐 𝐓 Js
𝟐
= [𝐌𝐋𝟐 𝐓 𝟏
]
‘h’ Frequency   𝐓 𝟏

31. Relative density 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐋 𝟑

= 𝟏 = [𝐌 𝟎 𝐋𝟎 𝐓 𝟎 ](𝐃𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬)
-
𝐌𝐋 𝟑
𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝟒°𝐂
32. Velocity gradient 𝐕𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐓 𝟏
𝟏 𝟎 𝟎 𝟏
s-1
= 𝐓 = [𝐌 𝐋 𝐓 ]
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐋
33. Pressure gradient 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐋 𝟏 𝐓 𝟐
= 𝑴𝑳 𝟐
𝑻 𝟐 Pa m-1
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐋
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34. Force constant 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐋𝐓 𝟐
𝟐
Nm-1
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 = 𝐌𝐓 = [𝐌𝐋𝟎 𝐓 𝟐
]
𝐋

Electrical Quantities

35. Electric charge Time × current [M0 L0 TA] C oulomb

36. Electrical 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝑴𝑳𝟐 𝑻 𝟐 V (volt)

= [𝑴𝑳𝟐 𝑻 𝟑
𝑨 𝟏
]
potential 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝑻𝑨

37. Resistance 𝑷𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝐌𝐋𝟐 𝐓 𝟑 𝐀 𝟏 𝜴 (𝒐𝒉𝒎)

= [𝐌𝐋𝟐 𝐓 𝟑
𝐀 𝟐]
𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝐀

38. Capacitance 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐀 𝟏 F (farad)

= [𝐌 𝐋 𝟐 𝐓 𝟒 𝐀𝟐 ]
𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐋𝟐 𝐓 𝟑 𝐀 𝟏
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Quantities having same Dimensions

Dimension Quantity
[M0L0T -1] Frequency, angular frequency, angular velocity, velocity gradient and decay constant.

[M1L2T -2] Work, internal energy, potential energy, kinetic energy, torque, moment of force.

[M1L-1T -2] Pressure, stress, Young’s modulus, bulk modulus, modulus of rigidity, energy density.

[M1L1T -1] Momentum, impulse.

[M0L1T -2] Acceleration due to gravity, gravitational field intensity.

[M1L1T -2] Thrust, force, weight, energy gradient.

[M1L2T -1] Angular momentum and Planck’s constant.

[M1L0T -2] Surface tension, Surface energy ( energy per unit area)

[M0L0T 0] Strain, refractive index, relative density, angle, solid angle, distance gradient, relative
permittivity (dielectric constant), relative permeability, Poisson’s ratio etc.
[M0L2T -2] Latent heat and gravitational potential

[ML2T -2θ -1] Thermal capacity, Boltzmann’s constant and entropy.

[M0L0T 1] 𝑙/𝑔 , 𝑚/𝑘 , 𝑅/𝑔 ,

where l = length, g = acceleration due to gravity, m = mass,
k = spring constant, R = radius of earth
[M0L0T 1] L/R , √𝐿𝐶 , RC
where 𝑳 = 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑹 = 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑪 = 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
[ML2T -2] 𝐼 2𝑅𝑡, t, 𝑉𝐼𝑡, 𝑞𝑉, 𝐿𝐼 2 , , 𝐶𝑉 2,

where 𝑰 = 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝒕 = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝒒 = 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒,

𝑳 = 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑪 = 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑹 = 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

 The dimensions of inter atomic force constant: K  Y  r0 = [ ML1T 2 ]  [ L] = [ MT 2 ]

Y = Young's modulus and r0 = Interatomic distance

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 Dimensions of a physical quantity: (2) To check the correctness of a given physical

relation.
“The dimensions of a physical quantity are the
powers (or exponents) to which the units of base (3) To derive a relationship between different
quantities are raised to represent a derived physical quantities.
unit of that quantity.”
 Principle of Homogeneity : The dimensions of
Mass Mass
For example: Density =  both sides in an equation are same.
Volume   b  h

[M ] Q.1. What is the basis of the principle of

 Dimensions of density =  [ML3 ]
[L][L][L] homogeneity of dimensions?

Hence the dimensions of density are ‘1’ in mass, Ans. The principle of homogeneity of dimensions
‘-3’ in length and ‘ 0 ’ in time. is based on the fact that only the physical
quantities of the same kind can be added,
 Dimensional formulae:
subtracted (or) compared.
The expression showing the powers to which
 Limitations of dimensional analysis:
the fundamental units are to be raised to
represent a physical quantity is called the (1) While deriving a formula the
dimensional formula of that quantity. proportionality constant cannot be found.

Ex: Dimensional formula of volume = [𝑳𝟑 ]

(2) The equations of the type v  u  at cannot

 Dimensional equation: be drive. They can be checked only.

When a physical quantity is equated to its (3) It fails to derive relationships which involve
dimensional formula, what we obtain is the trigonometric, logarithmic (or) exponential
dimensional equation of the physical quantity. functions.
Dimensional equation of Volume [V] =[Mo L3 To]
(4) The formula for a physical quantity
 Uses/Applications of dimensional analysis depending on more than three other physical
quantities cannot be derived. It can be checked
(1) To convert a physical quantity from one
only.
system of units to another.

(5) It gives no information whether a physical

quantity is a scalar (or) a vector.
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PRACTICE QUESTIONS: (a) A / B (b) A  B

Q.1. Do all physical quantities have (c) A  B (d) None

dimensions? If no, name thee physical
SOLUTION: (a)
quantities which are dimensionless.
Quantities having different dimensions can only
Ans. No, all physical quantities do not have
be divided (or) multiplied but they cannot be
dimensions. The physical quantities like angle,
added (or) subtracted.
strain and relative density are dimensionless.

Q.2. Can a quantity has dimensions but still has Q.7. A, B, C and D are four different physical

no units? quantities having different dimensions. None of

them is dimensionless. But we know that the
Ans. No, a quantity having dimensions must
equation AD  C log  BD  holds true. Then which
have some units of its measurement.
of combination is not a meaningful quantity?
Q.3. Can a quantity has different dimensions in
(a)  C / BD   AD2 / C (b) A2  B 2C 2
different systems of units?
(c)  A / B   C (d) ( A  C )/ D
Ans. No, a quantity has same dimensions in all
system of units.
SOLUTION: (a) and (d)

Q.4. Can a quantity has units but still be Given: AD = C log (BD)
dimensionless?
We know log( BD )  Dimensionless = 1  B  1 / D
Ans. Yes, For example, a plane angle has no
and AD  C  1  C
dimensions but has unit like radian for its
measurement. C AD2 C (C )  D
(a)   
BD C 1 C
Q.5. Justify L + L and L – L = L
 C  D  Not meaningful  BD  1 & AD  C 
Ans. When we add a length to another length,
A A
we get length only so L + L = L is justified. (b) C   C  AD  C
B (1 / D)
When we subtract a length from another  C  C  Meaningful
length, again we get length, justifies L – L = L
A A
(c) C   C  AD  C
B (1 / D)
Q.6. Two quantities A and B have different  C  C  Meaningful
dimensions. Which mathematical operation AC A
(d)   C  Not meaningful
given below is physically meaningful? D D
 7
TYPE-I: Same dimensional formula of different TYPE-II: Find the dimensions of variables in
quantities: given equation

Q.1. Identify the pair whose dimensions are  Use method of principle of Homogeneity
equal
Q.1. Find the dimensions of a/b in the equation:
(a) Torque and work
F  a x  bt 2 , Where F is force, x is distance and
(b) Stress and energy t is time.
(c) Force and stress
Ans.  L1/2T 2 
(d) Force and work

SOLUTION: (a) Q.2. Find the dimensions of a  b in the relation:

 Torque ()  Force (F) × distance (d) b  x2

P , where P is power, x is distance and t
at
 [ ]  [Fd ]  [ MLT 2 ][ L]  [ ML2T 2 ]
is time.

 Work (W) = Force (F) × distance (d)

Ans. ab  M 1L2T 2 
  W   [ MLT 2 ]  [ L]  [ ML2T 2 ]
 a
Q.3. In Vander Wall’s equation: P  2 V b RT
 V
Q.2.The physical quantities not having same
dimension are What are the dimensions of a and b?

(a) Torque and work Here, P is pressure, V is volume, T is temperature

and R gas constant.
(b) Momentum and Planck’s constant

(c) Stress and young’s modulus Ans. a   ML5T 2  , b   L3 

(d)Speed and  00 

1/2
Q.4. The velocity v of a particle depends upon
c
SOLUTION: (b) time t, according to equation v  a  bt  .
d  t 
 Momentum ( p ) = Mass (m) × velocity (v) Write the dimensions of a, b, c, d.

[ p]  [mv]  [M ] [LT 1 ]  [MLT 1 ] Ans. LT 1  ,  LT 2  ,  L , T 

Planck’s constant  h   E / 
Q.5. v = At2 + Bt + C, where v is m/sec and t in
2 2
 E  [ ML T ] seconds. What are the units of A, B and C?
 [h]     1
 [ ML2T 1 ]
 [T ]
 8
Ans. m/sec3, m/sec2, m/sec

  Z /k
Q.6. In the relation P  e

P is pressure, Z is distance, k is Boltzmann
constant and θ is the temperature. Find the
dimensional formula of β.

SOLUTION:

 Z   k 
 k   [M L T ]
0 0 0
 [ ]   
  Z 

      k 
Further [P]     [  ]      
  P  Z P 

Dimensions of k are that of energy,

 ML2T 2 
 [ ]     [M 0 L2T 0 ]
  L  ML T  
 
1 2

TYPE–III: Convert a physical quantity from one

system of units to another

Q.1. Convert energy of one Joule into ergs.

Ans. 107 ergs

Q.2. Convert energy of one erg into Joule.

Ans. 10-7 Joule

Q.3. Convert 1 Newton into dyne.

Ans. 105 dyne

Q.4. Find the value of 60 Joule/minute on a

system which has 100 gm, 100cm and 1 minute
as fundamental units.

Ans. 2.16×106 new units