DIMENSIONS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

Dimension of physical quantities defined as the powers

to which the fundamental quantities in terms of M, L
and T for mass, length and time respectively must be
raised to represent the physical quantities.
For example: the formula for area of square is (A) = l2
Hence dimension of area is [M0L2T0]
 Examples;

 i. Acceleration= velocity/time
 Dimension of acceleration = Dimension of m/s2
Dimension of time
 [a] = [ Mo L T-1 ]
[T]
= [M0 L T-2]
 ii. Force = mass × acceleration
 [ F ] = [ M ] [ L T-2 ]
= [ M L T-2 ]
 Dimensional Formula and Equation

 When we express a physical quantity in terms

of its dimensions, it is called dimensional
formula of that quantity. For example, the
dimensional formula of pressure is [M L-1 T-2].
 If in an equation containing physical quantities
each quantity is represented by its dimensional
formula, the resulting equation is known as
dimensional equation.
 For example; consider the formula, V= u + at
 Writing this formula in terms of dimension we

have;
 [M0 L T-1] = [M0 L T-1] + [M0 L T-2][M0 L 0T]……(i)

Equation (i) is known as dimensional equation.

 Applications of Dimensions

(i) Checking the results obtained

(ii) Conversion from one system of units to
another
(iii) Deriving relationships between physical
quantities
(iv) Scaling and studying of models.
Limitations of Dimensional Analysis
 (i) By this method the value of dimensionless
constant cannot be calculated.
(ii) By this method the equation containing
trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic terms
cannot be analyzed.
(iii) If a physical quantity in mechanics depends on
more than three factors, then relation among them
cannot be established because we can have only
three equations by equalizing the powers of M, L
and T.
(iv) It doesn’t tell whether the quantity is vector or
scalar.