EXERCISE # 3

dimensions and S.I. units of constants A1 and

Part-A Subjective Type Questions A2 ?
Sol. V = A1 cos A2t
Q.1 If a composite physical quantity in terms of
moment of inertia I, force F, velocity v, work Dimensions of A1 = dimensions of V
W and length L is defined as , So S.I. unit of A1 = m/sec
Q = (IFv2 /WL3), Dimensions of A2t = Dimensions of angle
find the dimensions of Q and identify it.
A2T1 = M0L0T0
Sol. Q = IFv2/WL3
A2 = T–1
M1L2 . M1L1T �2 L2 T �2
= So S.I. unit of A2 = /sec or rad sec –1
M1L2 T � 2 L3
= M1L0T–2 Q.4 Taking force, length and time to be the
Q may be surface tension or force constant. The fundamental quantities find the dimension of-
physical quantity will not be unique. (A) density (B) pressure
(C) momentum (D) energy
Q.2 Check whether the following equations are Sol.
dimensionally correct. Density � � FxLyTz (put dimensions of F,L,T & �)
dx 1 x P � FxLyTz (put dimensions of F,L,T & P)
(a) �
a2 � x2 a
= sin–1 , where x and a
a
Pressure
momentum p � FxLyTz (put dimensions of F,L,T & p)
stand for distances.
energy E � FxLyTz (put dimensions of F,L,T & E)
1 mg�
(b) � = , and equate power on both the sides.
2� I
where I = moment of inertia & � is length Q.5 The SI and C.G.S. units of energy are joule
dx 1 �x� and erg respectively. How many ergs are
Sol. (a)
�2
a �x 2
= sin–1 � �
a �a� equal to one joule ?
a b c
Put dimensions of quantities on L.H.S. & R.H.S. �M � � L1 � � T1 �
Sol. n2 = n1 � 1 � � � � �
we get L.H.S. is dimensionless but R.H.S. has � M2 � � L2 � � T2 �
dimensions L–1 so this equation is incorrect. n1 = 1 J, M1 = 1 kg, L1 = 1 m, T1 = 1 sec
1 2 �2
1 mg� �103 gm � �10 2 cm � �1sec �
(b) � = n2 = 1 � � � �
2� I �1sec �
� gm � � cm � � �
1 M1L1T �2 L1
= n2 = 10 7 erg
2� M1L2
so 1 J = 107 erg
1 1
�=
2� T
Dimensions of � is also T–1 Q.6 Young’s modulus of steel is 19 x 1010 N/m2.
So L.H.S. = R.H.S. Express it in dyne/ cm2. Here dyne is the
C.G.S. unit of force
Hence this equation is correct.
a b c
�M � �L � �T �
Sol. n2 = n1 � 1 � � 1 � � 1 � Y = M1L–1T–2
Q.3 The speed of a particle as a function of time is � M 2 � � L 2 � � T2 �
1 �1 �2
represented by V = A1 cos A2t. What are the �1000 � �100 � � sec �
= 19 × 10 10 � � � � � sec �
� 1 � � 1 � � �
Sri Chaitanya Junior College UNITS & DIMENSION 7
 = 19 × 1011 dyne/cm2 KE = KI �2

Q.7 The heat produced in a wire carrying an Q.10 The refractive index (µ) of water in an
electric current depends on the current, the experiment is recorded as 1.29, 1.33, 1.34,
resistance and the time, Assuming that the 1.31, 1.33 and 1.36 respectively. Determine
dependence is of the product of powers type, (i) mean value of refractive index
guess an equation between these quantities (ii) mean absolute error
using, dimensional analysis. The dimensional (iii) relative error and the percentage error
Sol. (i) mean value of refractive index
formula of resistance is ML2�–2T–3 and heat is
1.29 � 1.33 � 1.34 � 1.31 � 1.33 � 1.36
a form of energy. = = 1.33
6
Sol. H � Ix Ry tz
(ii) absolute errors in measurement are
H = k Ix Ry tz = 1.33 – 1.29 = 0.04
I0M1L2T–2 = K [ I ]x [M1L2T–3I–2 ]y [ T1 ]z 1.33 – 1.33 = 0
I0M1L2T– 2 = K MyL2yT– 3y + z Ix – 2y 1.33 – 1.34 = –0.01
On comparing powers of M, L, T & I on both 1.33 – 1.31 = 0.02
sides we get 1.33 – 1.33 = 0
1.33 – 1.36 = –0.03
x = 2, y = 1, z = 1
mean absolute error
Put values of x, y, z in relation
0.04 � 0 � 0.01 � 0.02 � 0 � 0.03 0.1
H = K I2 Rt = = = 0.02
6 6
0.02
Q.8 The frequency of vibration of a string (iii) relative error = = 0.015
1.33
depends on the length L between the nodes,
0.02
the tension F in the string and its mass per Percentage error = × 100 = 1.5%
1.33
unit length M. Guess the expression for its
Q.11 The position of a particle at any time is given
frequency from dimensional analysis.
v
�M�
z by, s(t) = 0 (1 – e–at), where a > 0 and v0 are
Sol. ��� Lx Fy � � a
�L� constants. What are the dimensions of a and v0 ?
M0L0T–1 = K [L]x [M1L1T–2]y [M1L–1]z V0
= K My + z Lx + y – z T–2y Sol. s(t) = (1 – e–at)
a
y = 1/2, z = 1/2, x = – 1 Dimension of at = M0L0T0 (because exponent
has no dimension)
K F
�= a = T–1
L M
V
Dimensions of 0 = Dimension of s(t)
a
Q.9 The kinetic energy K of a rotating body
V0 = L1T–1
depends on its moment of inertia � and its
angular speed �. Assuming the relation to be Q.12 Test if following equation are dimensionally
K = ��a�b where � is a dimensionless correct, where symbols have their usual
constant, find a and b. M� of the sphere about meaning –
its diameter is 2/5 Mr2. 2S cos � p
Sol. K = ��Ia �b (a) h = (b) v =
�rg �
M1L2T–2 = � [M1L2]a [T–1] b
�pr 4 t 1 mg�
= MaL2a T–b (c) v = (d) n =
8�� 2� I
On comparing powers of M, L & T, we get
a = 1, b = 2
Sri Chaitanya Junior College UNITS & DIMENSION 8
 where h = height, S = Surface tension, (iii) the pressure gradient (P/�). Deduce by
� = density, p = pressure, V = volume, method of dimension the formula for the
� = coefficient of viscosity, � = frequency volume of liquid flowing per second.
and I = moment of inertia� �P�
z
Sol. Q ���x ry � �
2S cos � ���
Sol. (a) H =
�rg
M0L3T–1 = k[ M1L–1T–1 ]x [L1 ]y [ M1L–2T–2 ]z
S = M1L0T–2
On comparing powers of M, L & T
� = M1L–3
r = L1 x = –1, y = 4, z = 1
g = L1T–2 Q = k� –1r4
P
p �
(b) v =
� k Pr 4
Q=
F ��
p= = M1L–1T–2
A
� = M1L–3
Q.15 Using dimensional analysis show that de
�pr 4 t Broglie wavelength �, associated with a
(c) v =
8�� particle of mass m moving with velocity v is
p = M1L–1T–2 h
given by ����
r = L1, t = T1 mv
� = M1L–1T–1 where h is Planck’s constant.
h
� = M1L–3 Sol. ��=�
mv
1 mgh Dimensions of ��= L1
(d) n =
2� I
M1L2 T –1
m = M1, g = L1T–2 Dimensions of R.H.S. = = L1
M1L1T –1
h = L1, I = M1L2
h
On checking dimensions of LHS and RHS of each So ��=� is correct
mv
equation we get equation (a), (b), (c) & (d) all are
correct.
Q.16 A calorie is a unit of heat energy and it equals
Q.13 The distance covered by a particle in time t is about 4.2 J where 1 J = 1 kg m2s –2. Suppose,
given by x = a + bt + ct2 + dt3, find the we employ a system of units in which unit of
dimensions of a, b, c & d. mass equals � kg, the unit of length equals �
Sol. x = a + bt + ct2 + dt3 m, and unit of time is � sec. Show that a
Dimensions of a = dimensions of x calorie has a magnitude of 4.2 �–1� –2�2; in
= L1 terms of the new units.
Dimensions of bt = L1
Sol. Calorie = [ M1L2T–2 ] & we know that general
b = L1T–1
dimensional formula is MaLbTc on comparing
Dimensions of ct2 = L1
a = 1, b = 2, c = – 2
c = L1T–2 1 2 �2
Dimensions of Dt3 = L1 � 1kg � � 1m � � 1s �
n2 = 4.2 � � � � � �
D = L1T–3 � �kg � � �m � � � s �
= 4.2 �–1� –2�2
Q.14 The volume of liquid flowing per second Q
through a tube depends upon (i) coefficient of Q.17 Assuming that the largest mass that can be
viscosity of fluid ��, (ii) radius of the tube r, moved by a flowing river depends on velocity
Sri Chaitanya Junior College UNITS & DIMENSION 9
 of flow, density of river water and on
acceleration due to gravity, show that the Q.19 The value of a is -
mass varies as the sixth power of velocity of (A) 1/2 (B) –3/4
flow.
(C) –5/6 (D) –2
Sol. M � vx �y gz
Sol. [C] a = – 5/6�
M1L0T0 = k[ L1T–1 ]x [ M1L–3 ]y [ L1T–2 ]z
On comparing powers of M, L & T, we get Q.20 The time period T is directly proportional to -
y=1
(A) P (B) E
x + 2z = 0
x – 3y + z = 0 (C) d (D) none of these

x = 6, z = 3 Sol.[C] T � d and E�
M = k v6�1g3
Q.21 The time period T is directly proportional to -
Q.18 The density of a sphere is measured by (A) E1/3 (B) density (d)
measuring the mass and diameter. If it is (C) P (D) none of these
known that the maximum percentage errors in 1
Sol.[A] T � �
the measurement are 2% and 3% then what is p
the maximum percentage error in the
measurement of density.
m m
Sol. �= =
V 4
�r 3
3
�� �m 3�r
× 100 = × 100 + × 100
� m r
=2+3×3
= 11%

Part-B Passage based objective questions

Passage (Q. 19 to 21)
The surface of sea-bed is identical to that of land
in all respects i.e. there are valleys, mountain’s,
volcanoes, plains etc, only difference being there
is water in place of air on land. There are often
explosions is active volcanoes on sea-bed and
suppose a small bubble is formed due to one such
explosion and it oscillates with time period T such
that T � PadbEc where P is pressure, d is density
of water and E is total energy of explosion

Sri Chaitanya Junior College UNITS & DIMENSION 10

 EXERCISE # 4
z � Distance
Old IIT-JEE Objective type questions
Dimension of � is - [IIT-2004]
�V
Q.1 A quantity X is given by �0L where �0 is (A) M0 L 0 T0 (B) M–1L 1T2
�t
(C) M0L2T0 (D) ML–1T–2
permittivity of free space, L is length, �V is a
potential difference and �t is a time interval. �z
Sol.[C] Dimensions of = M0L0T0
K B�
The dimensional formula for x is same as that
of- [IIT-2001] � = M1L1T–2
(A) resistance (B) charge �
(C) voltage (D) current Dimension of = Dimension of P
�
Sol.[A,D]
Torque and work have dimension = ML2T–2 � M1L1T �2
�= = 1 �1 � 2
Light year & wavelength have dimension = L P ML T
= M0L2T0
Q.2 A cube has a side 1.2 × 10 –2m. Its volume Q.5 Which of the following physical quantities do
will be recorded as - [IIT-2003] not have the same dimensions ? [IIT-2005]
–6
(A) 1.728 × 10 m 3 (B) 1.72 × 10–6m3
(A) Pressure, Young’s modulus, stress
(C) 1.7 × 10–6 m3 (D) .72 × 10 –6 m3
(B) Electromotive force, voltage, potential
Sol.[C] Volume of cube = �3 = (1.2 × 10–2 m)3
= 1.7 × 10 –6 m3 (C) Heat, Work, Energy
(D) Electric dipole, electric field, flux
Q.3 A wire is of mass (0.3 ± .003) gm. The radius F
Sol.[A] P = = M1L–1T–2,
is (0.5 ± 0.005) cm and length is (6 ± .06) cm. A
The maximum percentage error in density is - Stress F/A
Y= = = M1L–1T–2,
[IIT-2004] Strain �� / �
(A) 3% (B) 4% (C) 8% (D) 16% Stress = F/A = M1L–1T–2
M 0.3 So option (A) is correct
Sol.[B] � = = = 0.0636
V �(0.5) 2 � 6
�� �M �r �� Passage for [Link].6 & 7
× 100 = × 100 + 2 × 100 + × 100
� M r � A dense collection of equal number of
0.003 0.005 0.06 electrons and positive ions is called neutral
= × 100 + 2 × × 100 + × 100
0.3 0.5 6 plasma. Certain solids containing fixed
= 4% positive ions surrounded by free electrons can
be treated as neutral plasma. Let 'N' be the
� � �z � number density of free electrons, each of
Q.4 P= exp �� � ��
� � K B� � mass 'm'. When the electrons are subjected to
an electric field, they are displaced relatively
��� Temperature
away from the heavy positive ions. If the
P � Pressure electric field becomes zero, the electrons
KB � Boltzmann constant begin to oscillate about the positive ions with
a natural angular frequency '�p', which is
Sri Chaitanya Junior College UNITS & DIMENSION 11
 called the plasma frequency. To sustain the e2 � e2 � � N� 3 �
� � � � �
2
� �
oscillations, a time varying electric field 4�� 0 � 3 � m� � � �3 �
� 0� � �
needs to be applied that has an angular
frequency �, where a part of the energy is Ne 2
�= �
absorbed and a part of it is reflected. As � m� 0

approaches �p, all the free electrons are set to �

resonance together and all the energy is Q.7 Estimate the wavelength at which plasma
reflected. This is the explanation of high reflection will occur for metal having the
reflectivity of metals. [IIT-2011] density of electrons N � 4 × 10 27 m–3. Take
�0 = 10 –11 and m � 10 –30, where these
Q.6 Taking the electronic charge as 'e' and the quantities are in proper SI unit-
permittivity as '�0', use dimensional analysis (A) 800 nm (B) 600 nm
to determine the correct expression for �p. (C) 300 nm (D) 200 nm
Sol.[B]
Ne mε0 c = �f
(A) (B)
mε0 Ne
2� c Ne2
�p = � = =
Ne 2 mε0 � m� 0
(C) (D)
mε0 Ne 2 m� 0 2�c m� 0
� � 2�c 2
�
Ne e N
e2
Sol.(C) F = m�2� �
4�� 0 � 2 2 � 3.14 � 3 � 108 (10�30 )(10�11 )
=
1.6 � 10�19 4 � 1027
–9
= 589 × 10 m � 600 nm

Sri Chaitanya Junior College UNITS & DIMENSION 12

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