DIMENSIONAL FORMULA
Thedimensional formulaof any physical quantity is the formula that tells which of the fundamental units have been used for the measurement of that physical quantity.
How is dimensional formula written for a physical quantity?
(1) The formula of the physical quantity must be written. The quantity must be on the left-hand side of the equation.
(2) All the quantities on the right-hand side of the formula must be written in terms of fundamental quantities like mass, length and time.
(3) Replace mass, length and time with M, L and T, respectively.
(4) Write the powers of the terms.
CHARACTERISTICS OF DIMENSIONS
(1) Dimensions do not depend on the system of units.
(2) Quantities with similar dimensions can be added or subtracted from each other.
(3) Dimensions can be obtained from the units of the physical quantities and vice versa.
(4) Two different quantities can have the same dimension.
(5) When two dimensions are multiplied or divided, it will form the dimension of the third quantity.
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
The dimensional formula can be used to
(1) Check the correctness of the equation.
(2) Convert the unit of the physical quantity from one system to another.
(3) Deduce the relation connecting the physical quantities.
Units and Dimensions of a Few Derived Quantities:-
|
Physical Quantity |
Unit |
Dimensional Formula |
|
Displacement |
m |
M0L1T0 |
|
Area |
m2 |
M0L2T0 |
|
Volume |
m3 |
M0L3T0 |
|
Velocity |
ms-1 |
M0L1T-1 |
|
Acceleration |
ms-2 |
M0L1T-2 |
|
Density |
Kg m-3 |
M1L-3T0 |
|
Momentum |
Kg ms-1 |
M1L1T-1 |
|
Work/Energy/Heat |
Joule (or) Kg m2/sec2 |
M1L2T-2 |
|
Power |
Watt (W) (or) Joule/sec |
M1L2T-3 |
|
Angular Velocity |
rad s-1 |
M0L0T-1 |
|
Angular Acceleration |
rad s-2 |
M0L0T-2 |
|
Moment of Inertia |
Kg m2 |
M1L2T0 |
|
Force |
Newton (or) Kg m/sec2 |
M1L1T-2 |
|
Pressure |
Newton/m (or) Kg m-1/sec2 |
M1L-1T-2 |
|
Impulse |
Newton sec (or) Kg m/sec |
M1L1T-1 |
|
Inertia |
Kg m2 |
M1L2T0 |
|
Electric Current |
Ampere (or) C/sec |
QT-1 |
|
Resistance/Impedance |
Ohm (or) Kg m2/sec C2 |
ML2T-1Q-2 |
|
EMF/Voltage/Potential |
Volt (or) Kg m2/sec2C |
ML2T-2Q-1 |
|
Permeability |
henry/m (or) Kg m/C2 |
MLQ-2 |
|
Permittivity |
Farad/m (or) sec2C2/Kgm3 |
T2Q2M-1L-3 |
|
Frequency |
Hertz (or) sec-1 |
T-1 |
|
Wavelength |
m |
L1 |
Dimensional Analysis Explained
The study of the relationship between physical quantities with the help of dimensions and units of measurement is termed dimensional analysis. Dimensional analysis is essential because it keeps the units the same, helping us perform mathematical calculations smoothly.
Unit Conversion and Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional analysis is also calledFactor Label MethodorUnit Factor Methodbecause we useconversion factorsto get the same units. To help you understand the stated better, let’s say you want to know how many metres make 3 km?
We know that 1000 metres make 1 km,
Therefore,
3 km = 3 × 1000 metres = 3000 metres
Here, the conversion factor is 1000 metres.
Using Dimensional Analysis to Check the Correctness of Physical Equation
Let’s say that you don’t remember whether
- time = speed/distance, or
- time = distance/speed
We can check this by making sure the dimensions on each side of the equations match.
Reducing both the equations to its fundamental units on each side of the equation, we get
However, it should be kept in mind that dimensional analysis cannot help you determine any dimensionlessconstantsin the equation.
PRINCIPLE OF HOMOGENEITY
According to the principle of homogeneity of dimensions, all the terms in a given physical equation must be the same.
Ex. s = ut + (½) at2
Dimensionally
[L] = [LT-1.T] + [LT-2. T2] [L] = [L] + [L]
Applications of Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional analysis is a fundamental aspect of measurement and is applied in real-life physics. We make use of dimensional analysis for three prominent reasons:
- To check the consistency of a dimensional equation
- To derive the relation between physical quantities in physical phenomena
- To change units from one system to another
Limitations of Dimensional Analysis
Some limitations of dimensional analysis are:
- It doesn’t give information about the dimensional constant or while deriving the formula, the proportionality constant cannot be found.
- 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.
- This method cannot be used if the physical quantity depends on more parameters than the number of fundamental quantities.