1. (2) 2. (4) 3. (3) 4. (4) 5.
(3)
6. (4) 7. (4) 8. (3) 9. (3) 10. (4)
11. (2) 12. (4) 13. (2) 14. (4) 15. (4)
16. (3) 17. (2) 18. (4) 19. (3) 20. (4)
21. (2) 22. (4) 23. (1) 24. (2) 25. (2)
26. (4) 27. (4) 28. (4) 29. (1) 36. (3)
ANSWER KEY: 31. (4) 32. (2) 33. (2) 34. (1) 35. (2)
36. (4) 37. (1) 38, (3) 39. (1) 40. (4)
41. (2) 42. (4) 43. (4) 44. (3) 45. (4)
46. (4) 47. (1) 48. (4) 49. (4) 50. (4)
51. (4) 52. (4) 53, (4)
SOME MORE PROBLEMS:
(A)
𝛼
In the relation 𝑃 = 𝛽 𝑒 −𝛼𝑍/𝐾𝑒 , 𝑃 is the pressure, 𝑍 is the distance, 𝐾 is the Boltzmann constant
and 𝛼 is the temperature. The dimensional formula of 𝛽 will be:
(1) [𝑀0 𝐿2 𝑇 0 ]
(2) [𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇1 ]
(3) [𝑀1 𝐿0 𝑇 −1 ]
(4) [𝑀0 𝐿2 𝑇 −1 ]
(B)
𝑎
The van der Waals' equation of state for some gases can be expressed as: (𝑃 + 2 ) (𝑉 − 𝑏) =
𝑉
𝑅𝑇
where 𝑃 is the pressure, 𝑉 is the molar volume, and 𝑇 is the absolute temperature of the
given sample of gas and 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑅 are constants. Q1 to Q4 are Connected to the Vander
walls equation
1 The dimensions of 𝑎 are
(1) 𝑀𝐿5 𝑇 −2
(2) 𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2
(3) 𝐿3
(4) 𝐿6
2 The dimensions of constant 𝑏 are
(1) 𝑀𝐿5 𝑇 −2
(2) 𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2
(3) 𝐿3
(4) 𝐿6
3 Which of the following does not have the same dimensional formula as that for 𝑅𝑇 ?
(1) 𝑃𝑉
(2) Pb
𝑎
(3)
𝑉2
𝑎𝑏
(4) 𝑉 2
4 The dimensional representation of 𝑎𝑏/𝑅𝑇 is
(1) 𝑀𝐿5 𝑇 −2
(2) 𝑀0 𝐿3 𝑇 0
(3) 𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2
(4) None of these
𝑥
5 If 𝑦 = 𝑎3 sin−1 (𝑏 − 1), where 𝑦 is in metre. Then,
1
(1) the dimensions of 𝑎 is [𝑀0 𝐿3 𝑇 0 ]
𝑥
(2) the unit of sin−1 ( − 1) is radian
𝑏
(3) the dimensions of 𝑥 are same as those of 𝑏
(4) the unit of 𝑎 is metre
𝐶
6 The speed of a particle depends on the time 𝑡 as 𝑣 = √𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝑡 + 𝐷+𝑡: Then,
(1) 𝐴 represents distance (2) 𝐵 represents acceleration
(3) 𝐶 represents distance (4) 𝐷 represents time
LIMITATION OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
Although dimensional analysis is very useful, it cannot lead us too far due to the following
reasons:
1 If dimensions are given, physical quantity may not be unique as many physical
quantities have same dimensions. For example, if the dimensional formula of a
physical quantity is [𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −2 ], it may be work or energy or torque.
2 Numerical constant having no dimensions [𝐾] such as (1/2),1,2𝜋, etc., cannot be
deduced by the methods of dimensions.
3 The method of dimensions cannot be used to derive relations other than the product
of power functions. For example,
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + (1/2)𝑎𝑡 2 , or 𝑦 = 𝑎sin 𝜔𝑡
cannot be derived by using this theory (try if you can). However, the dimensional correctness
of these can be checked:
4. The method of dimensions cannot be applied to derive formula if in mechanics a physical
quantity depends on more than three physical quantities as then there will be less number (=
3) of equations than the unknowns (> 3). However, still, we can check the correctness of the
given equation dimensionally. For example, 𝑇 = 2𝜋√1/𝑚𝑔𝑙 cannot be derived by theory of
dimensions but its dimensional correctness can be checked.
5. Even if a physical quantity depends on three physical quantities, out of which two have
same dimensions, the formula cannot be derived by the theory of dimensions, e.g., formula
for the frequency of a tuning fork 𝑓 = (𝑑/𝐿2 ) 𝑣 cannot be derived by the theory of dimensions
but can be checked.