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Dimensional Analysis and Homogeneity

The document discusses base quantities in physics including their symbols and SI units. It defines derived quantities as combinations of base quantities and provides examples. It also covers prefixes used to express multiples and sub-multiples of units, and dimensional analysis to check the homogeneity of physical equations.

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Tanieka Powell
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22 views16 pages

Dimensional Analysis and Homogeneity

The document discusses base quantities in physics including their symbols and SI units. It defines derived quantities as combinations of base quantities and provides examples. It also covers prefixes used to express multiples and sub-multiples of units, and dimensional analysis to check the homogeneity of physical equations.

Uploaded by

Tanieka Powell
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Objectives

At the end of the lesson student should be


able to:
1. State the base quantities including their
symbols and S.I. units;
2. Use base quantities or units to obtain
expressions for derived quantities or
units
3. Use prefixes and their symbols to
express multiples( up to 10^9) and sub-
multiples (down to 10^-12) of units of
base and derived quantities.
4. Use base units to check homogenetity of
physical equations
Physical quantities can be classified into two groups i.e.
i. The base or fundamental quantities- these are considered to be
independent quantities. The seven of the base quantities and
their corresponding units are given in the table below
Quantity SI Unit Symbol for Symbol for unit
quantity
Mass Kilogram M kg
Length Meter L m
Time Second T s
Electric current Ampere I A
Temperature Kelvin t K
Luminous Candela Iv Cd
Intensity
Amount of Mole N mol
substance
Derived or secondary quantities
• These originate from the base quantities and are usually
combinations of the bases quantities or one base quantity raised to
some exponential power. Some examples of derived quantities and
their corresponding units are given below.
Quantity Units
Speed m/s
Momentum Kgm/s
Density Kgm/s/s/s
Area m2
Pressure N/m2 = Pa
Force N= kgms-2
Impulse Ns = kgm/s
Energy J= Nm= kgm2s2
Electric charge C= As
Units for the derived quantities are obtained from the equations that
define them. For example force = mass × acceleration, hence the unit of
force is equal to the unit of mass multiplied by the units of acceleration.

Similarly the combination of base units for energy and power can be
determined.

The Avogadro’s constant is defined as the number of atoms in 0.012kg of


the C-12 isotope. It has a numerical value of 6.02 × 10 ^23 particles.
Multiples and sub-multiples of units
Dimensional Analysis

The dimensions of a physical quantity indicate how the quantity is related to the basic quantities from its
defining equation.
For example, the momentum of a body is given by the defining equation: momentum = mass × velocity
The base unit of mass is the (kg) and the base units of velocity are (m/s).
Hence the units of momentum = unit of mass × units of velocity, and we write
(Momentum) = (mass) × (velocity)
(Momentum) = kgm/s
• An equation is said to be
dimensionally correct or
homogenous if the dimensions
(or base units) on both sides of
the equation are equivalent.
• For example, consider an
arbitrary equation given by;
• Hence the units on the left hand side are not equivalent to those on
the right side, so that the equation is NOT dimensionally correct.
• Apart from checking to see if equations are dimensionally correct,
the dimensional analysis can be used to help derive equations if
we know what quantities are involved.
• For example the speed of water waves is believed to be
independent upon three quantities:
• i. acceleration due to gravity
• ii. Wavelength
• iii. Density
• Dimensional analysis can then be used to determine the values of
x, y and z.
• On the left side of the equation, we have the units m/s.
Question
Solution
• Decide whether each of the following is dimensionally consistent.
The information you need is that V is measured in m/s, a is
measured in m/s and t is in s
• For a car moving through the air, the acceleration, a, is given by a=
Bv +Cv^2 where v is speed and B and C are constants. Determine
the units of B and C.

Common questions

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Base quantities can be used to derive expressions for other physical quantities by combining them in various ways or raising them to powers. For example, the expression for force is derived by combining mass and acceleration (force = mass × acceleration), where the unit of force is equal to the unit of mass multiplied by the units of acceleration .

Dimensional analysis can help in deriving the relationship for the speed of water waves by considering the quantities involved, such as the acceleration due to gravity, wavelength, and density. By assuming these are the independent variables, dimensional analysis can be used to find the exponents relating these quantities to the speed (m/s).

The base quantities in physics include Mass (SI unit: kilogram, symbol: M and kg), Length (SI unit: meter, symbol: L and m), Time (SI unit: second, symbol: T and s), Electric current (SI unit: ampere, symbol: I and A), Temperature (SI unit: kelvin, symbol: t and K), Luminous Intensity (SI unit: candela, symbol: Iv and Cd), and Amount of substance (SI unit: mole, symbol: N and mol).

Avogadro's constant relates to base and derived quantities by providing the number of atoms in a defined mass of the C-12 isotope. It links the macroscopic concept of mass (a base quantity) to the microscopic concept of individual atoms (a derived quantity) through its value of 6.02 × 10²³ particles .

Dimensional analysis is used to check if a physical equation is consistent by ensuring that the dimensions (or base units) on both sides of the equation are equivalent. If they are equivalent, the equation is dimensionally correct. For instance, momentum (mass × velocity) should have the same dimensions on both the left and right sides to be considered consistent .

Checking for dimensional homogeneity in physical equations involves verifying that the dimensions on both sides of an equation match, ensuring their validity and applicability in real-world scenarios. This process is significant because it confirms that equations are consistent with physical laws and can be accurately used in calculations and predictions .

In the equation a = Bv + Cv², given that a is acceleration (m/s²) and v is speed (m/s), the units of B must be consistent with 1/s, and the units of C must be consistent with 1/m to ensure the equation is dimensionally correct .

Using SI units is important because they provide a standard and consistent way to quantify and communicate measurements, allowing for clear and accurate calculations across various scientific disciplines .

Dimensional consistency ensures that derived equations maintain the same dimensions on both sides of an equation, making sure they are physically meaningful and applicable. This allows new relationships to be derived while ensuring validity according to fundamental laws .

Prefixes and their symbols can be utilized to express multiples by placing a suitable prefix like kilo (10³) for kilograms, or sub-multiples like milli (10⁻³) for milligrams, which helps in representing large or small quantities in a more concise and manageable way .

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