Dimensional Analysis
Akintunde
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Dayo
What is Science ?
It Studies natural events which can be observed,
measured and tested by scientific methods
Why do we study science ?
We assume that the universe is orderly,
reasonable and testable
To defined a naturally occurring cause (mechanism)
which explains why or how a natural event
(phenomenon) occurs
What is Physics……?
• Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its motion and
behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and
force.
• Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, and its
main goal is to understand how the universe behaves.
• Physics is a natural science based on experiments, measurements and
mathematical analysis with the purpose of finding quantitative physical
laws for everything from the nanoworld of the microcosmos to the
planets, solar systems and galaxies that occupy the macro-cosmos.
Branches of Physics
• Electromagnetics (Electricity and Magnetism)
• Wave and Vibration (Sounds and Oscillator)
• Optics (Light and Lenses)
• Mechanics (Kinematics and Dynamics)
• Relativity (X-ray, EM waves and Nuclear Energy)
• Thermodynamics ( Heat and Temperature)
• Quantum Physics ( study of the Submicroscopic
particles and antiparticles)
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Physics and Its Relation to Other Fields
Physics is needed in
both architecture and
engineering.
Other fields that use
physics, and make
contributions to it:
physiology, zoology,
life sciences, …
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Physics and Its Relation to Other Fields
Communication between architects and engineers is essential if disaster is
to be avoided
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Physical Measurement in Physics
The International System of Units
was established in 1960 by the 11th
General Conference on Weights
and Measures.
Universally abbreviated SI (from
the French Le Système
International d’Unités), it is the
modern metric system of
measurement used throughout the
world.
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What is a Physical Quantities?
A physical quantity is a quantity that can be measured and expressed in numbers and
units.
Fundamental quantities are physical quantities that cannot be defined in term of
other physical quantities for they have their own units.
Fundamental Unit Symbol
Quantities
Eg: Length, Mass, Time, Temperature, Length Metre L
Electric Current, Luminous Intensity and Mass Kilogram M
Substance amount Time Second T
Temperature Kelvin K
It is used as pillars for other quantities Ampere A
Electric Current
aka Derived Quantities and sometimes
Candela C
called Basic Quantities. Luminous Intensity
Mole Mol
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Amount of Substance
Units, Standards, and the SI System
Expression Unit
Physical Quantities
The derived units are unlimited as Area Length * breadth
they are formed by different Area*height
Volume
operations on the base units.
Density Mass/Volume
For derived units, the dimensions Velocity Displacement/time
are expressed in terms of the Momentum Mass *velocity
dimensions of the base units.
Acceleration velocity /time
The derived units might also be Force Mass*Acceleration
expressed with the combination of Pressure Force/Area
base and derived units Force*distance
Energy
Surface Tension Force/length
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Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional analysis is procedure by which the dimensional uniformity of any equation
may be checked
Dimensional analysis offers a method for reducing complex physical problems to the
simplest (that is, most economical) form prior to obtaining a quantitative answer.
The principal use of dimensional analysis is to deduce from a study of the dimensions of
the variables in any physical system certain limitations on the form of any possible
relationship between those variables.
Dimensions like (length, mass, time, combinations) can be treated as algebraic
quantities (add, subtract, multiply, divide) also, both sides of equation must have the
same dimensions
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Quantities Dimensions
Dimensions of a quantity are the base units that make it up; they are
generally written using square brackets.
Example: Speed = distance / time
Dimensions of speed: [L/T]
Quantities that are being added or subtracted must have the same
dimensions. In addition, a quantity calculated as the solution to a
problem should have the correct dimensions.
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Dimensional Analysis
Fundamental rules:
All terms in an equation must reduce to Quantiles Unit Dimension
identical primitive dimensions
Length Meter [L]
Dimensions can be algebraically
manipulated, e.g. L T T Mass kilogram [M]
L
Example: Time Seconds [T]
1 2 L
s at 2
T 2
L
2 T Temperature Kelvin [K]
Dimensional Analysis are used to:
Current Ampere [A]
• Check consistency of equations
• Deduce expression for physical
phenomenon 16
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Rule for solving the Rayleigh dimensional
Analysis problems
• Write out the analysed equation
• Write out the dimension of each variable given in the first equation
• Put the dimensional equation in the analysed equation format
• Open the bracket and take like term of the base
• Solve for each variable for ….(note: both sides of the equation must have the
same dimension) (It involves multiplication and division of conversion of
factors.)
• Replace the solve value of each variable into the equation
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Class Work Samples
Question: For examples we can use Step 3: Put the dimensional equation in the
dimensional analysis to check the analysed equation format
correctness of the SHM where T is the Dimensionally,
period of a simple pendulum, l is the length
of the string and g is the acceleration due to Step 4: Open the bracket and take like term of the base
gravity.
Solutions: Comparing the powers on both side
Step 1: Write out the analysed equation
Step 5: Solve for each variable for x, y, z
Let where k is a constant and x and y are
to be determined.
From eq 2,
Step 2:Write out the dimension of each Step 6: Substitute for x and y in the equation
variable given in the first equation
Time =T, Length = , and Acceleration due
to gravity =
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Class Work Samples
Question: Use dimensional analysis of determine
Step 4: Open the bracket and take like term of
the value of y in the relation where v is the
the base
velocity, T is the tension is the length and is the
mass.
Comparing the powers on both side
Solution: Step 1: Write out the analysed equation
where k is a constant and x and y are to be Step 5: Solve for each variable for x, y, z
determined.
Step 2:Write out the dimension of each variable
given in the first equation
Step 6: Substitute for x and y in the equation
Step 3: Put the dimensional equation in the
analysed equation format
Dimensionally,
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Class Work Samples
Question: A sphere, mass of radius falling vertically
through air of density , at a place where attains a
steady velocity of . If the retarding force on the sphere
is given by , where k is non dimensional coefficient, Step 4: Open the bracket and take like term of
use dimensional analysis method to determine x, y, z the base
value and also solve for F?
Comparing the powers on both side
Solution: Step 1: Write out the analysed equation
where k is a constant and x and y are to be Step 5: Solve for each variable for x, y, z
determined. 2
Step 2:Write out the dimension of each variable
given in the first equation
Step 6: Substitute for x and y in the equation
Step 3: Put the dimensional equation in the
analysed equation format Finall we can use the formular to solve for F
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Show by Rayleigh method that the resistance force R to the motion
of a sphere of diameter D moving with a uniform velocity V
through a fluid having density and viscosity may be expressed as
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Quiz for Break
• Newton’s law of gravity states that the gravitational force between two masses, m1
and m2, separated by a distance r is given by . What are the dimensions of G? (a)
(b) (c) (d)
• The coefficient of thermal expansion, of a metal bar of length ` whose length L
expands by ∆L when its temperature increases by ∆T is given by . What are the
dimensions of α? (a) (b) (c) (d)
• The position of a mass at the end of a spring is found as a function of time to be
Select the dimensions of A and ω. (a) (b)
(c) (d)
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Quiz for Break
• Find , using dimensional analysis, the relation between the frequency f of the
vibration of a string and mass per unit length its tension T and its length. Hint:
• Experiment shows that the viscous force F on a spherical body of radius r moving
with angular velocity through a fluid of viscosity if where k is a dimensionless
constant. Using dimensional analysis method, determine the value of a, b, c
• The period T of a loading spring oscillator depends on its mass m and spring
constant k as follows: where x and y are the integers and c is a dimensionless
constant. Find the value of x and y.
You Have just 30 minutes to solve and submit
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Using the Rayleigh Methods to find the following:
By dimensional analysis show that the torque T on a shaft of diameter d, revolving at a speed N in
a fluid of viscous and mass density is given by the expression
Hint:
Let us consider the flow of liquid through a circular orifice discharging freely into the atmosphere
under a constant head. Let be the discharge passing through the orifice of diameter d, under a
constant head and be the mass density and let the dynamic viscosity of the liquid discharged
through the orifice and and the acceleration due to gravity .
The analyzed equation
Hint:
The discharge of a centrifugal pump is dependent on the mass density of fluid, pump speed N
(rpm), diameter of impeller, pressure of fluid, and viscosity of fluid.
The analyzed equation
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