Physics
Date: 16/07/2024
Units And Dimensions
● Physical Quantities-
A certain quantity possessed by a system can be measured directly or
indirectly
● Three types of physical quantities-
1. With a magnitude- refractive index
2. With a magnitude and a direction- speed
3. with a unit, direction and magnitude-
● Fundamental Physical Quantities-
Quantity SI Unit Symbol Dimenson
Length Metre m L
Mass Kilogram kg M
Time Seconds s T
Thermodynamic Temperature Kelvin K θ
Amount of substance Mole mol Naur 😂
Electric current Ampere A I
Luminous intensity Candela cd Naur 😂
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● Derived Physical quantities
Physical quantities formed by combining two or more fundamental physical
quantities.
Ex:kgms -1, m3 etc.
● SI Prefixes
● Checking the Accuracy of an equation using dimension
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Example 1:-
Dimensional analysis is a method used to check the consistency of physical equations
by comparing the dimensions on both sides of the equation. Let's apply this method to
the famous equation E=mc2.
Step-by-Step Analysis:
1. Identify the dimensions of each term:
Energy (E): The dimension of energy is given by the product of mass,
length squared, and time to the power of −2.
[E]=ML2T-2
Mass (m): The dimension of mass is simply:
[m]=M
Speed of Light (ccc): The speed of light has dimensions of length per
time.
[c]=LT-1
2. Calculate the dimension of mc2mc^2mc2:
Since c is the speed of light, we need to square it:
[c2]=(LT-1)2=L2T-2
Now, multiply the dimensions of mass and the square of the speed of
light:
[mc2] =[m][c2]
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=M⋅L2T-2
=ML2T-2
3. Compare the dimensions:
○ The left side of the equation EEE has dimensions:
[E]= ML2T-2
○ The right side of the equation mc2 has dimensions:
[mc2]=ML2T-2
Conclusion:
Since the dimensions on both sides of the equation are the same:
[E]=[mc2]=ML2T-2
The equation E=mc2 is dimensionally consistent. This suggests that the equation is
likely to be correct in terms of its dimensional formulation.
Example 2:-
Checking the correctness of the equation s=ut+1/2at2 using dimensional analysis
method.
To check the correctness of the equation s=ut+1/2at2 using dimensional analysis, we
need to ensure that the dimensions on both sides of the equation match.
Let's break down the equation and analyze the dimensions of each term.
1. s: This represents displacement, which has the dimension of length [L].
2. u: This represents initial velocity, which has the dimension of length per time
[LT-1].
3. t: This represents time, which has the dimension of [T].
4. a: This represents acceleration, which has the dimension of length per time
squared [LT-2].
Now, let's check each term on the right-hand side of the equation:
First term: ut
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● Dimension of u is [LT-1]
● Dimension of t is [T]
Multiplying these together:
[LT-1]×[T] = [LT−1]×[T]
=[L]
Second term: 1/2at2
The factor 12\frac{1}{2}21is dimensionless.
● Dimension of a is [LT-2]
● Dimension of t2 is [T2]
Multiplying these together:
[LT-2]×[T2]=[LT-2] [T2]
= [LT-2] [T2]
=[L]
Left-hand side: s
● Dimension of s is [L]
Since both terms on the right-hand side have the dimension [L] and the left-hand side
also has the dimension [L], the dimensions on both sides of the equation match.
Therefore, the equation s=ut+1/2at2 is dimensionally correct.
● Building equations using dimensional analysis involves using the principle that physical
quantities must have the same dimensions on both sides of an equation. Here's a
step-by-step guide on how to construct equations using dimensional analysis:
Step-by-Step Guide
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1. Identify Relevant Physical Quantities:
○ Determine the physical quantities involved in the problem and their
respective dimensions.
2. List the Dimensions:
○ Write down the dimensions of each physical quantity using fundamental
units (mass [M], length [L], time [T], electric current [I], thermodynamic
temperature [Θ], amount of substance [N], luminous intensity [J]).
3. Formulate the Dimensional Equation:
○ Combine the physical quantities to form a dimensionally consistent
equation. This often involves multiplying and dividing quantities to ensure
the dimensions match.
Example: Period of a Simple Pendulum
Let's derive an equation for the period T of a simple pendulum. The period T depends on
the length of the pendulum l and the acceleration due to gravity g(10ms-1).
1. Identify Relevant Quantities:
○ Period T: Dimension [T]
○ Length l: Dimension [L]
○ Acceleration due to gravity g: Dimension [LT-1]
2. List the Dimensions:
○ [T]
○ [L]
○ [LT-2]
3. Formulate the Dimensional Equation:
○ Assume the period T is proportional to some power of l and g: T∝lagb
○ Write the dimensional equation:
[T]=[L]a[LbT-2b]
4. Solve for the Exponents:
○ Expand the dimensions:
[T] = [L]a+b[T]-2b
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○ Equate the dimensions on both sides:
[T]1 = [L]a+b[T]-2b
○ This gives two equations:
1=a+b (for L)
1=−2b ⟹ (for T)
○ Solving these equations:
1=−2b ⟹ b=-1/2
4. Formulate the Final Equation:
○ Substitute a and b into the proportionality:
1 −1
T∝l 2 g 2
Write the equation with a proportionality constant k:
𝑙
T=k 𝑔
5. Include the Proportionality Constant (if known):
○ For a simple pendulum, the proportionality constant k is 2π, giving the
well-known equation:
𝑙
T=2π 𝑔
Key Points
● Dimensional Consistency: Ensure the dimensions on both sides of the equation
are the same.
● Proportionality: Use proportionality constants where necessary.
● Fundamental Units: Work with fundamental units to simplify the process.
Dimensional analysis is a powerful tool for deriving equations and checking the
correctness of physical relationships.
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