What is Physics?
It is a scientific study of natural Phenomena,
properties of matter and energy and their
interaction with one another.
Physics- comes from Latin word Physica meaning
the science of natural things.
Experimental observation and quantitative
measurement.
It deals with subatomic particle, stars, galaxies etc.
Goal of
X-ray invention/CT -scan, signal transmission
System of measurements
SI System: Extended form of MKS system
including other physical quantities
List of seven fundamental quantities
Supplementary quantity
Besides these seven physical quantity there are two more quantity:
plane angle (radian) and solid angle(steradian)
Physical quantity
Dimension, dimensional equation and dimensional formula
The powers that has to be raised on the fundamental quantity
which are used to express the given quantity.
eg
[a] = [M0L1T-2]
Here, 0, 1 and -2 in term of mass, length and time are
dimensions.
[M0L1T-2] dimensional formula of acceleration.
[a]= [M0L1T-2] dimensional equation
Applications of dimensional formula
To check the consistency/correctness of a
dimensional equation or formula
To derive the relation between physical quantities in
physical phenomena
To change quantity from one system of unit to
another
To find the dimensional formula of constant
quantity
1. Correctness of Physical formula
Evaluate the homogeneity of the equation, when the rate flow of a liquid has a
coefficient of viscosity η through a capillary tube of length ‘l’ and radius ‘a’ under
pressure head ‘p’ given as
From (1) and (2), we have [L.H.S] = [R.H.S]
Hence, by the principle of homogeneity, the given equation is homogenous.
Q. Check the correctness of the physical
equation v2 = u2 + 2as2.
2. To establish the physical relation between variables
Q. The speed of waves, v, on a string depends its
mass m, length l, and tension T? We can solve this
problem using dimensional analysis.
3. Convert given physical quantity from one system to the another
1. Convert 10N into dynes
2. Convert 10x105 erg into joules
3. Find the value of 60 Joules per minute on a system
which, has 10cm, 100g and 1 minute as
fundamental units.
4. To find the dimensional formula of constant quantity
Principle of homogeneity is used to find the dimensional formula
1. S = A + Bt + Ct2
Where A, B and C are constants, t-time and s-distance.
LHS = [S] = [M0L1T0]
Ist term of RHS = [A] = [M0L1T0]
2nd term of RHS = [Bt] = [M0L1T0]
Or [B] = [M0L1T-1]
And 3rd term of RHS = [Ct2] = [M0L1T0]
Or [C] = [M0L1T-2]
Q. 1. Y = ASinwt + BCoskt
Where A and B are constants
w-angular velocity and k-wave vector.
k2 l
Q. 2. t = 2π g
Where t-time period, k-constant l-length and g-acceleration
due to gravity
Limitations of Dimensional Analysis
Some limitations of dimensional analysis are:
It doesn’t give information about the
dimensional constant.
The formula containing trigonometric function,
exponential functions, logarithmic function, etc.
cannot be derived.
It gives no information about whether a physical
quantity is a scalar or vector.
It cannot establish relation between more than
three variables.
Exercises
1. If 500 g be the unit of mass, 60 s the unit of time and the
acceleration due to gravity (980cm/s2) be the unit of
acceleration, find what will be the new unit of energy?
2. Assuming that the mass m of the larhest stone that can be
moved by a flowing river depends upon the velocity v, the
density d and acceleration due to gravity g, show that m varies
with sixth power of the velocity of flow.
3. In Van-derwaal’s equation,
(P + a/V2) (V-b) = RT, where P be the pressure, V be the volume, T
be the temperature and R be the gas constant. What are
dimensions of constants a and b?
Practice questions
Q. 1. Taking force, length and time to be fundamental
quantities, find the dimensions of i) pressure ii)
density.
Q.2. Is a dimensionally correct equation necessarily be
a correct physical relation? What about the
dimensionally wrong equation?
Q. 3. Dimensional analysis can not be used to establish
relation between more than three physical variable.
Explain. Why?
Types of Physical Quantity
Dimensionless variables
Dimensional
Angle, specific gravity,
variables
Refractive index Dimensional Work,
Dimensionless constant energy etc
constant G, h Planck’s
1,2 3,e, π etc constant
State of body and energy
Moving objects
Rest or at equilibrium
Moving object
without considering Moving object considering
causes of motion causes of motion