PHYSICS for Sciences and Engineering / 101

Chapter 1 : Physics and Measurement

Q2: The standard kilogram is a platinum-iridium cylinder in height
and in diameter. What is the density of the material?

( )

( )

( )

Q5: Two spheres are cut from a certain uniform rock. One has radius
. The mass of the second sphere is five times greater. Find the radius
of the second sphere ?

From a certain uniform rock → the two sphere have the same density
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Ms. Lara Samen
Q9: Which of the following equations are dimensionally correct?
(a)
(b)

a) [ ] ⁄

[ ]

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Ms. Lara Samen
or write the dimensions for each quantity in equation (a)

 the variables are expressed in units of ( )

[ ] [ ]
 the variable are expressed in units of ( )

[ ]
 the variable are expressed in units of
[ ]

[ ]
[ ] [ ]
"quantities to be added must have the same dimensions"
So, equation (a) is not dimensionally correct.

b) [ ]

[ ] [ ]

or write the dimensions for each quantity in equation (b)

 the variable are expressed in units of
[ ]
 the variable are expressed in units of
[ ]
 the variable are expressed in units of
 the variable are expressed in units of ( )

[ ]

" is quantity of an angle in rad and the cosine itself is dimensionless"

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Ms. Lara Samen
 [ ]
[ ][ ]
"the two sides are equal "
So, equation (b) is dimensionally correct.

Q12: Newton's law of universal gravitation is represented by

Here is the magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by one small

object on another are the masses of the objects , and is a
distance. Force has the units . What are the units of the
proportionality constant ?

or by using dimensional analysis

 the variable are expressed in units of ( )

[ ]
 the variables are expressed in units of
[ ] [ ]
 the variable are expressed in units of
[ ]

Substitute the dimensions in Newton's law

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Ms. Lara Samen
 [ ][ ][ ]
[ ]
[ ]

[ ]

[ ] ( )

Q13: The position of a particle moving under uniform acceleration is some

function of time and the acceleration. Suppose we write this position as
, where is a dimensionless constant. Show by dimensional
analysis that this expression is satisfied if and . Can this
analysis give the value of ?
The equation has dimensions of
[ ] [ ] [ ]

The powers of and must be the same on each side of the equation.
Therefore,
→

Therefore, the expression is satisfied

The value of , a dimensionless constant, cannot be obtained by dimensional

analysis.

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Ms. Lara Samen
Q14: (a) Assume the equation describes the motion of a
particular object, with having the dimension of length and having the
dimension of time. Determine the dimensions of the constants and .
(b) Determine the dimensions of the derivative:

Summed terms must have the same dimensions.

[ ] [ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ]

Either
[ ]
→ [ ] ( )

or
[ ]
→ [ ] ( )

b)

[ ] [ ][ ] [ ]

[ ] ( )
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Ms. Lara Samen