Units and Dimensions
Units and Dimensions
PHYSICS
The dictionary definition of physics is “the study of matter, energy, and the interaction between them”, but what
that really means is that physics is about asking fundamental questions and trying to answer them by observing
and experimenting.
Physicists ask really big questions like:
Physics doesn’t just deal with theoretical concepts. It’s applied in every sphere of human activity, including:
(i) Development of sustainable forms of energy production
(ii) Treating cancer, through radiotherapy, and diagnosing illness through various types of imaging, a all based
on physics.
(iii) Developing computer games
(iv) Design and manufacture of sports equipment
(v) Understanding and predicting earthquakes
(vi) In fact, pretty much every sector you can think of needs people with physics knowledge.
(i) The universal is far too complex to comprehend all at once. It is therefore, convenient to look at the different aspect
of the behaviour of the universe through different approaches. Each one of these leads to a simpler way of
understanding. We call each of these units as a discipline/subject of science.
(ii) Physical provides systematic answer to our queries about the physic mena on the basis of logical reasoning and
experimentation, is called the scientific method.
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PHYSICS FOR JEE MAIN & ADVANCED
Microscope
Lead Flash
Block of light
Fluorescent
Screen
+
+ Scattering
Angle
Polonium
sample Gold
foil
(Figure)
The distribution of charges proposed by Thomson in his model was tested by Ernest Rutherford in 1909 by using
subatomic projectiles to bombard a target of atoms. These projectiles, called alpha () particles, were identified as
one of the products of radioactivity.
Rutherford’s famous -particle scattering experiment is represented in the figure above. A stream of high energy
-particles from a radioactive source is directed at a thin foil (thickness-100 nm) of gold metal (having a circular
fluorescent zinc sulphide screen round it). Whenever an -particle strikes the screen, a tiny flash of light is
produced at that point.
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PHYSICAL WORLD AND UNITS & DIMENSIONS
INTRODUCTION
The quantities which can be measured by an instrument and by means of which we can describe the law of physics
are called physical quantities
CLASSIFICATION
Physical quantities can be classified on the following bases.
Physical Quantities
Classifiaction
These are the elementary quantities (in our planet) that`s why chosen as basic quantities.
In fact any set of independent quantities can be chosen as basic quantities by which all other physical quantities
can be derived.
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PHYSICS FOR JEE MAIN & ADVANCED
Can be chosen as basic quantities (on some other planet, these might also be used as basic quantities).
But
Length Area Velocity
UNITS
All physical quantities are measured w.r.t. standard magnitude of the same physical quantity and these standards
are called units e.g. meter, kilogram, second etc.
The requisites for fundamental quantities and their properties of unit :-
(i) They are well defined and suitable size.
(ii) They should be easily available and reproducible at all places.
(iii) They are independent of other fundamental quantities
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PHYSICAL WORLD AND UNITS & DIMENSIONS
8. SI PREFIXES
The magnitudes of physical quantities vary over a wide range. The CGPM recommended standard prefixes for magnitude
too large or too small to be expressed more compactly for certain powers of 10.
9. Trigonometric functions sin, cos, tanetc. and their arrangements are dimensionless.
dn y y
10. Dimensions of differential coefficients dx n x n
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PHYSICS FOR JEE MAIN & ADVANCED
SOLVED EXAMPLES
Ex.1 Which of the following sets connot enter into the list of fundamental quantities in any newly proposed system of
units ?
(A) length, mass and velocity (B) pressure, density and velocity
(C) force, velocity and time (D) force, momentum and time
Sol. For (A) Length [L], Mass [M] and velocity [LT–1] are independent.
For (B) Pressure [M1L–1T–2], density [M1L–3T0] and velocity [M0LT–1] are dependent as
1 1 2
1 3 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 0
0 1 1
Note : Like coplanar vectors, for dependent quantities, determinant of powers of M, L, T’s must be zero.
For (C) Force [MLT–2], velocity [LT–1] and time [T] are independent as
1 1 2
0 1 1 11 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0
0 0 1
momentum
For (D) Force = force, momentum and time are dependent.
time
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PHYSICS FOR JEE MAIN & ADVANCED
ac
8. If F = ax + bt2 + c where F is force, x is distance and t is time. Then what is dimension of ?
bt 2
(A) ML2T 2 (B) MLT 2 (C) M 0 L0T 0 (D) MLT 1
10. The frequency of oscillation of an object of mass m suspended by end of spring of force constant K is given by f =
CmxKy ,where C is dimension less constant. The value of x and y are :
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
(A) x ,y (B) x , y (C) x ,y (D) x , y
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
11. Which of the following physical quantities do not have the same dimensions
(A) Pressure, Youngs modulus, stress (B) Electromotive force, voltage, potential
(C) Heat, work Energy (D) Electric dipole, electric field, flux
12. Out of the following pair, which one does NOT have identical dimensions is
(A) angular momentum and Planck`s constant (B) impulse and momentum
(C) moment of inertia and moment of a force (D) work and torque
13. If force, time and velocity are treated as fundamental quantities then dimensional formula of energy will be
(A) [FTV] (B) [FT2V] (C) [FTV2] (D) [FT2V2]
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PHYSICS FOR JEE MAIN & ADVANCED
h
1. A parameter a is given by (here = stefan`s constant, h = Planck`s constant , = absolute temperature) then
4
2 2
weber Ω Farad
(A) Dimension of ‘a’ will be L2T 2 (B) Unit of ‘a’ may be m2 s2 (C) Unit of ‘a’ may be
Tesla
Ri
(D) Dimension of ‘a’ will be equal to dimension of where R = gas constant, i = Electrical current, m = magnetic flux
m
2. Choose the correct statement(s) :
(A) All quantities may be represented dimensionally in terms of the base quantities.
(B) A base quantities cannot be represented dimensionally in terms of the rest of the base quantities.
(C) The dimension of a base quantity in other base quantities is always zero.
(D) The dimension of a derived quantity is never zero in any base quantity.
3. Choose the correct statement(s) :
(A) A dimensionally correct equation may be correct. (B) A dimensionally correct equation may be incorrect.
(C) A dimensionally incorrect equation may be correct (D) A dimensionally incorrect equation must be incorrect.
4. If the unit of length be double then the numerical value of the universal gravitation constant G will become (with
respect to present value)
(A) Double (B) Half (C) 8 times (D) 1/8 times
5. A dimensionless quantity
(A) Never has a unit (B) Always has a unit (C) May have a unit (D) Does not exist
6. When a wave transverses in a medium, the displacement of a particle located at distance x at time t is given by
y = a sin(bt – cx) where a, b and c are constants of the wave. The dimension of b/c are same as that of :
(A) Wave velocity (B) Wavelength (C) Wave amplitude (D) Wave frequency
1 2
7. The Bernoulli`s equation is given by P v h g k . where P = pressure, = density, v = speed, h = height of
2
the liquid column, g = acceleration due to gravity and k is constant. The dimensional formula for k is same as that for:
(A) Velocity gradient (B) Pressure gradient (C) Modulus of elasticity (D) Thrust
8. Two quantities A and B are related by A/B = m where m is linear mass density and A is force. The dimensions of B
will be same as that of -
(A) Pressure (B) Work (C) Momentum (D) Latent heat
9. A physical quantity x can be dimensionally represented in terms of M, L and T that is x = Ma Lb and Tc . The quantity
time-
(A) May be dimensionally represented in term of x, M and L if c 0
(B) May be dimensionally represented in term of x, M and L if c = 0
(C) May be dimensionally represented in term of x, M and L if irrespective of value of c
(D) Can never be dimensionally represented in term of x, M and L
10. If the velocity of light c, gravitational constant G and Planck`s constant h be taken as fundamental units the
dimension of mass in the new system will be -
32 12 12
(A) c1 2 h1 2 G1 2 (B) c1 2 h1 2G 1 2 (C) c h G (D) c 5 2 h1 2G1 2
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PHYSICS FOR JEE MAIN & ADVANCED
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PHYSICS FOR JEE MAIN & ADVANCED
1. The intensity of X-rays decreases exponentially according to the law l l0 e x , where l0 is the initial intensity of
X-rays and I is the intensity after it penetrates a distance x through lead. If µ be the absorption coefficient , then find
the dimensional formula for µ.
2. If the velocity of light (c), gravitational constant (G) and the Planck`s constant (h) are selected as the fundamental
units, find the dimensional formulae for mass, length and time in this new system of units.
3. The frequency of vibration of a string depends on the length L between the nodes, the tension F in the string and
its mass per unit length m. Guess the expression for its frequency from dimensional analysis.
4. Find the dimensions of Planck`s constant h from the equation E = hv where E is the energy and v is the frequency.
5. Find the dimensions of
(a) the specific heat capacity c, (b) the coefficient of linear expansion and (c) the gas constant R.
Some of the equations involving these quantities are Q = mc T2 T1 lt l0 1 T2 T1 and PV = nRT..
(where Q = heat energy, m = mass, T1 and T2 = temperature, lt = length at temperature toC , l0 = length at temperature
0 oC, P = pressure, V = volume , n = mole)
6. A particle is in a unidirectional potential field where the potential energy (U) of a particle depends on the
x-coordinate given by U x = k(1 – cosax) and k and a are constants. Find the physical dimensions of a and k.
7. Consider a planet of mass (m), revolving round the sun. The time period (T) of revolution of the planet depends
upon the radius of the orbit (r), mass of the sun (M) and the gravitational constant(G). Using dimensional analysis,
verify Kepler`s third law of planetary motion.
8. The distance moved by a particle in time from centre of ring under the influence of its gravity is given by x = asin t
where a and are constants. If is found to depend on the radius of the ring (r), its mass (m) and universal
gravitation constant (G), find using dimensional analysis an expression for in terms of r, m and G..
1 mgl
9. Test if following equation is dimensionally correct v where ,v = frequency, I = moment of inertia,
2 I
m = mass, = length, g = acc. due to gravity..
10. The resistance force arising due to pressure difference at the front and rear sides of a body in a fluid stream depends
upon the density of the fluid, the velocity of flow and the maximum area of cross-section perpendicular to the flow.
Show that the force varies as the square of the velocity.
11. A sphere of incompressible liquid is distorted from the spherical form and released. Deduce by the method of
dimensions an expression for the period of its subsequent oscillations assuming that the only forces which need to
be considered arise from its own surface tension.
12. Laplace correct Newton`s calculation for the velocity of sound. Laplace said that speed of sound in a solid medium
depends upon the coefficient of elasticity of the medium under adiabatic conditions (E) and the density of the
E
medium (). Prove that v k
13. Test the following equations are dimensionally correct :
(d) f mg
4
RT
(a) s = rgh / cos (b) v (c) V Pr t
M0 I
where h = height, S = surface tension, v = speed of sound, = density, P = pressure, V = volume, = coefficient
of viscosity, f = frequency and I = moment of inertia.
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PHYSICAL WORLD AND UNITS & DIMENSIONS
1
3. Dimensions of where symbols have their usual meaning are - [AIEEE-2003]
0 0
6. Which of the following units denotes the dimensions ML2/Q2, where Q denotes the electric charge ?
[AIEEE-2006]
2 2
(A) H/m (B) Weber (Wb) (C) Wb/m (D) Henry (H)
8. Let 0 denotes the dimensional formula of the permittivity of vacuum, If M = mass, L = length, T = time and
A = electric current, then : [JEE-MAIN-2013]
(A) 0 M L T A (B) 0 M L T A
1 3 2 1 3 4 2
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PHYSICAL WORLD AND UNITS & DIMENSIONS
MOCK TEST
2. In a system of units if force (F), acceleration (A) and time (T) are taken as fundamental units, then the dimensional
formula of energy is :
(A) FA2T (B) FAT2 (C) FA2T3 (D) FAT
E2
4. has the dimensions (E = electric flux, 0 = permeability of free space)
0
(A) [M2L3T–2A2] (B) [MLT–4] (C) [ML3T–2] (D) [M–1L2TA–2]
a a t2
6. The dimensions of in the equation P = where P is pressure, x is distance and t is time are :
b bx
(A) [M2LT–3] (B) [MT ]–2
(C) [ML3T–1] (D) [ML–3]
dt t
7. In the equation 2at t 2
= ax sin–1 1
a
The value of x is :
(A) 1 (B) – 1 (C) 0 (D) 2
h
8. The dimensions of the quantity c where is :
2
(A) [ML2T–1] (B) [MLT–1] (C) [ML3T–2] (D) [ML3T–1]
9. A particle of mass m is executing oscillations about the origin on the x-axis. Its potential energy is U(x) = K|x|3, where
K is a positive constant. If the amplitude of oscillation is a, then its time period T is :
1
(A) proportional to (B) independent of a (C) proportional to a (D) proportional to a3/2
a
10. In the formula X = 3YZ2, X and Z have dimensions of capacitance and magnetic induction respectively. What are the
dimensions of Y in MKSQ system ?
(A) [M–3L–1T3Q4] (B) [M–3L–2T4Q4] (C) [M–2L–2T4Q4] (D) [M–3L–2T3Q1]
1
11. The dimensions of E2 ( 0 : permittivity of free space ; E : electric field) is :
2
(A) [MLT–1] (B) [ML–1T–2] (C) [MLT–2] (D) [ML2T–1]
Z
12. In the relation P = e k
P is pressure, Z is distance, k is Boltzmann constant and is the temperature. The dimensional formula of will be:
(A) [M0L2T0] (B) [M1L2T1] (C) [M1L0T–1] (D) [M0L2T–1]
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11th Class Modules Chapter Details