Physical Quantities

If a property of a physical system can be directly or indirectly measured, it is called as a physical quantity.
Measurements are used to measure these physical quantities. Any measurement has a magnitude and a
unit.
Physical quantities = Numerical part x Unit

According to the International System of Units, physical quantities are divided into three parts.They are basic
physical quantities, derived physical quantities and supplementary physical quantities.

Fundamental quantities and Units

A basic quantity cannot be derived from other physical quantities, i.e. it is independent of other physical
quantities. In the beginning, only three basic physical quantities were presented, but later on, 4 more basic
quantities were added to it. Therefore, there are 7 basic physical quantities.

Basic Quantities Unit Symbol

Length meter m
Mass kilogram kg
Time second s
Electric Current ampere A
Thermodynamic temperature kelvin K
Amount of Substance mole mol
Luminous Intensity candela cd

Charge is not a fundamental quantity. ∴ the coulomb (C), which measures charge, is also not a fundamental
unit.

Definitions of SI basic units

(It is not necessary to remember the definitions of these basic physical quantities. Presented for extra
knowledge only.)

The meter is used to measure length according to the SI system of units. Various definitions of
Meter (m) -
meter have been presented at different times. In 1983 the following definition of meter was
presented.

1
The distance light travels through a vacuum in 299792458 second is equal to the distance of one
meter.

mass (kg) - The platinum-iridium alloy cylinder at the International Authority for Weights and Measures
in Sevres, near Paris, has a mass equal to one kilogram.
kilogram

1
Second (s) - The time interval equal to 9192, 631, 770 periods of radiation emitted corresponding
to the vibration of the Caesium-133 atom is called a second.

Ampere (A) - The ampere is the constant current which, when sent through two straight parallel
conductors of infinite length, of negligibly small cross-section, placed 1 meter apart in a
vaccum, produces a force equal to 2 x 10−7 newtons per meter of length between the
two conductors.

1
Kelvin (K) - A Kelvin is defined as 273.16 th of thermodynamic temperature at the triple point
of water.

Candela (cd) - The candela is the luminous intensity produced by a surface of 1/600000 square meter
perpendicular to the surface of a solid body at the temperature of freezing platinum under
a pressure of 101 325 newtons per square meter.

Mole (mol) - A mole is the amount of substance in a system that contains the same number of
particles as there are atoms in 0.012 kg of the carbon-12 element.

Derived Quantity and Derived Units

Physical quantities that can be expressed in terms of basic physical quantities are derived quantities. The
units of measurement are called derived units. When the derived quantity is expressed in terms of the basic
quantity, its unit can be easily found.

examples:-

Derived Quantity Definition Unit

Area length x breadth 𝑚2
Volume length x breadth x height 𝑚3
Density 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑘𝑔𝑚−3
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
Velocity 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑚𝑠 −1
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Acceleration 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑚𝑠 −2
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
Force mass x acceleration 𝑘𝑔𝑚 𝑠 −2
Pressure 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑘𝑔𝑚−1 𝑠 −2 = 𝑁𝑚−2
𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

2
 Work force x displacement 𝑘𝑔𝑚2 𝑠 −2 = J
Momentum mass x velocity 𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑠 −1

Derived quantities have special names. These symbols are written in Capital letters.

Derived Quantity Name Symbol

Force Newton N ( 𝑘𝑔𝑚𝑠 −2 )
Pressure Pascal Pa ( 𝑘𝑔𝑚−1 𝑠 −2 )
Energy Joule J (𝑘𝑔𝑚2 𝑠 −2 )
Power Watt W (𝑘𝑔𝑚2 𝑠 −3 )
Frequency Hertz Hz (𝑠 −1 )
Electric charge Coulomb C (As)
Electromotive Force Volt V ( 𝑘𝑔𝑚2 𝑠 −3 𝐴−1 )
Electrical Resistance Ohm Ω (𝑘𝑔𝑚2 𝑠 −3 𝐴−2 )
Capacity Farad F ( 𝑘𝑔−1 𝑚−2 𝑠 −2 𝐴−1 )
Magnetic Flux Weber Wb ( 𝑘𝑔𝑚2 𝑠 −2 𝐴−1 )
Magnetic flux densities Tesla T ( 𝑘𝑔 𝑠 −2 𝐴−1 )

Physical quantities without units

Some physical quantities are derived as the ratio of two quantities having the same units. Therefore these
physical quantities have no units.

Below are such quantities.

1. Relative density
2. Relative humidity
3. Relative permittivity (dielectric constant
4. Coefficient of friction
5. Refractive index
6. Efficiency
7. Strain

Supplementary quantities

Two supplementary physical quantities and two supplementary units to measure them are presented below.

Supplementary quantity Supplementary unit symbol

Angle in plane radian rad

Solid Angle steradian sr

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 1m

1m
radian (rad) - Used to measure plane angles.

The plane angle subtended at the center by an arc segment equal to 1m on the
circumference of a circle of radius 1m is 1 radian.

steradian (Sr) - Used to measure solid angles.

A steradian is the solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere with a radius of 1
m by an area of 1 m2 .

Use of submultiples and multiples

Suffixes are used to denote multiples or submultiples of SI units. Smaller terms can be written as a convenient value
using submultiples. Large terms can be easily written using multiples.

Submultiple Prefix Symbol

10−2 centi c
10−3 Milli m
10−6 micro µ
10−9 nano n
10−12 pico p
10−15 femto f
10−18 atto a

Multiple Prefix Symbol

103 kilo K
106 Mega M
109 giga G
1012 tera T
1015 peta P
1018 exa E

Exercise 01
1) The distance from city A to city B is 6.4 km. What is the distance in m between the two cities?

..........................................................................................................................................................................

4
2) The diameter of a coin is 25mm. What is that length in m?

.................................................................................................................... 25mm
3) A capacitor takes 100μs to charge. What is the time in seconds?
..............................................................................................................................................
4) The wavelength of an electromagnetic wave is 4000 nm. Express that value in m.
4000nm
.........................................................................................................

5) The current flowing through a conductor is 100 mA. What is that value in A?

......................................................................................................................................................................................

6) How much is an area of 4 𝑘𝑚2 in 𝑚2 ? ................................................................................................................

Methods of Expressing the SI Units

1. When a unit is presented in the name of a scientist, its initial letter should be an English capital
letter.
[ example:- K, A, Pa, Hz ]

2. Symbols for units do not take plural forms.

[example:- Its 5 kg not 5kgs. ]

3. Prefixes should always be written before the main unit.

[example:- Its kg not gk.]

4. There should be no gap between the main unit and the prefixes.
[example:- Its kg not k g.]

5. The same prefix is not used more than once.

[example:- Its pF not μμF . ]

6. A space must be left between the numeric value and the unit.
[example:- Its 5 kg not 5kg. ]

7. When writing a product of several units, a space must be left between the units.
[example:- Its N m not Nm. ]

Note :- The following non-SI units are also sometimes used.

i. Light years are also used to measure very large distances. A light year is the distance light travels in a
year.

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 Light Year = 3 x 108 x 60 x 60 x 24 x 365.25m

ii. To measure small lengths,

0 0
(a) Angstrom (A) is used. 1A =10−10 m
(b) Micron 1 = 1μ m = 10−6 m = 104 A0
(c) Bar 1 = 105 𝑁𝑚−2 = 105 Pascal

iii. Kilowatt hours (kWh) are used to measure electrical energy.

1 kWh = 1000 x 3600 = 36 x 105 J

General Features of The Units

1) Units cannot be added. 3) Units can be multiplied.

When added together, the same unit is obtained. example:- 5 kg x 2 ms −2 = = 10N

example:- 15 cm + 5 cm = 20 cm
4) Units can be divided..
2) Units cannot be subtracted. 20 m2
example:- 4m
=5m
When subtracted together,the same unit is obtained.

example:- 20 kg - 2 kg = 18 kg

5) The units on the left-hand side of a correct equation are the same as the units on the right-hand side.
example: - P = hρg
units of P = units of (hρg)

6) Some quantities have no units. example:- relative density, refractive index, coefficient of friction

𝑛𝑜.𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
7) Some numbers have partial units. example:- frequency =
1
= = 𝑠 −1
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑠

8) If a correct equation has addition or subtraction terms, their units must be the same. Also, the units
on the left hand side and the right hand side should be the same.
example:- i) P = Q + R ii) x = y - z
Q units = P units = R units y units = x units = z units
𝐶
iii) A = B + 𝐷
𝐶
B units = A units = units
𝐷
9) In a number, an expression has no units for the sin value and the cos value. example: - There are
no units for sin θ.
Y = sin ( A + λt) Here sin (A + λt ) have no units. ∴ y also doesn’t have units.

6
 10) An exponent (power) of a number has no units. example: - e λt Here the λt product has no units.
11) Log values in a certain quantity have no units.
example: - y = log x Here, x does not have units. Since Log x does not have units y does not have
units either.

Exercise 02
1) In F = ma, if F is the force, m is the mass, what are the units of a?
2) In S = ut, if S is the displacement and t is time, what are the units of u?
3) In P = hρg, if P is the pressure, ρ is density and g is acceleration, what are the units of h?
𝐺𝑚1 𝑚2
4) In 𝐹 = , if F is the Force, m1, m2 are masses and r is the distance between the masses, what
𝑟2
are the units of G?
5) In 𝐹 = 6𝜋𝜂𝑎𝑣, if F is force, a is radius and v is velocity what are the units of η?
𝑌𝐴𝑒
6) In F = , if F is force, A is cross-sectional area, e is the length increased and l is the initial
𝐼
length, what are the units of Y?

1 𝑄1 𝑄2
7) In 𝐹 = 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 2
, if F is force; Q1,Q2 are charges and r is the distance between charges, what are the
units of 𝜀.

8) In 𝑄 = 𝑚𝑠𝜃, if Q is the amount of heat, m is mass and θ is the change in temperature, what are the
units of s?

𝑉 𝜋 𝑎4 𝑃
9) In 𝑡 = 8 𝐾𝐿
, if V is the volume, t is time, a is radius, P is pressure and L is length, what are the units
of K? (Rate of flow of heat)

𝐾𝐴(𝜃1 −𝜃2 )
10) In 𝐻 = 𝑙
, if H is the rate of flow of heat, A is the cross-sectional area and (𝜃1 − 𝜃2 )is the
temperature difference and l is the length, find the units of K.

11) In 𝐹 = 𝐵𝐼𝑙 sin 𝜃, F is force, 𝐼 is the current and 𝑙 is the length and θ is and angle. What are the units
of B?
12) In 𝑉 = 𝐾1 + 𝐾2 𝑡, V is the velocity, t is time. What are the units of K1 and K2?
13) In 𝑉 = 𝐾1 + 𝐾2 𝑆, V is velocity, S is displacement. What are the units of 𝐾1 and 𝐾2 ?
14) In 𝐾1 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝐾2 𝑎, if u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration, t is the time, what are the units of
𝐾1 and 𝐾2 ?
15) In 𝑆 = 𝑉𝑙 2 − 𝐾1 , if S is the displacement, V is the velocity and 𝑙 is length, find the units of 𝐾1 and
𝐾2 .
16) In 𝑋 = 𝑃 + 𝑄𝑡, if X is the displacement and t is time what are the units of P/Q?
𝑉
17) In (𝑃 − 𝑎) (𝑉 − 𝑏 ) = 𝑛𝑅𝑇, if P is the Pressure, V is volume, is temperature and n is the number of
moles and R is the gas constant, find the units of a,b.
2𝑇
18) 𝐻𝜌𝑔 = 𝑟
, h is height, ρ is density, g is acceleration, r is radius. Find the units of T.
19) The energy of a photon is given by E= hf. E= Energy, f= Frequency. Units of h?

7
Answers

1) 𝑚𝑠 −2 6) 𝑁𝑚−2 11) 𝑁𝐴−1 𝑚−1 16) s

2) 𝑚𝑠 −1 7) 𝐶 2 𝑚−2 𝑁 −1 12) 𝑚𝑠 −1 𝑚𝑠 −2 17) 𝑁𝑚−2, no units
3) m 8) 𝐽 𝑘𝑔−1 𝑘 −1 13) 𝑚𝑠 −1 𝑠 −1 18) 𝑁𝑚−1 , ඒකක න ොමැත.
4) 𝑁𝑚2 𝑘𝑔−2 9) 𝑁𝑠𝑚−2 14) 𝑚. 𝑠 2 19) JS
5) 𝑁𝑠 𝑚−2 10) 𝑊𝑚−1 𝑘 −1 15) 𝑚2 𝑠 −2 𝑚𝑠 −2

Dimensions and Dimensional Analysis

The symbolic methodology of representing the way any physical quantity is related to the fundamental
quantities is known as the dimensions of that physical quantity. That is, Dimensions of any physical quantity
can be represented in the form of fundamental quantities.

Here, the dimensions of quantities related to mechanics is studied. That is, the dimensions of length, mass and
time. The dimensions of length, mass and time are represented by L, M, T respectively. Other than these other
fundamental quantities have dimensions as well. These dimensions aren’t discussed. If a question requires
these dimensions they will be given along with the question.

[ Length ] = L
[ Mass ] = M
[ Time ] = T
[ Temperature ] = θ or K
[ Electric Current ] = A

Features of dimensions

1. Dimensions cannot be added or subtracted. If added or subtracted the same dimension is resulted.
Ex: i) L – L = L ii) 𝐿𝑇 −1 + 𝐿𝑇 −1 = 𝐿𝑇 −1
2. Dimensions can be divided and multiplied.
3. In a correct equation the left-hand side dimensions will be equal to the right-hand side dimensions.
4. In a correct equation, if additions or subtractions exist, their dimensions will be equal.
Ex: - i) P = Q + R ii) x = y -z
[Q] = [R] = [P] [y] = [z] = [x]

5. Numerical values do not have dimensions.

Ex: - π = (22/7)
6. If a physical quantity has dimensions that quantity will have units.
7. Even though some physical quantities have units they might not have dimensions.
Ex: - Angles
8. The power of some number will not have units or dimensions.
Ex: - 10𝑥 ; Here, x does not have units or dimensions.
ℎ 𝑥𝑡 ; Here, xt does not have dimensions but x and t can have dimensions.
9. Trigonometric ratios of some angle does not have dimensions.
Ex: - sin θ, cos θ, tan θ does not have dimensions or units.
10. Log values of a number or an expression does not have units or dimensions.

8
 Ex :- y=x log (a+bt) here, a+bt does not have units or dimensions. Further, log(a+bt) does not have
dimensions either. It is a numeric value.
11. The dimensions of all physical quantities below have dimensions of 𝑇 −1 or 𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 −1.
Frequency, Angular frequency (the units of it is rev 𝑠 −1 ), Angular speed, Velocity gradient.
12. The physical quantities below do not have dimensions.
Angle, Cubic Angle, Strain, Relative Density, Refractive Index, Relative Permittivity.
13. Work, Energy, Moment, Heat has equal dimensions.
14. Dimensions of Momentum = Dimensions of impulse.
15. Light years, Wavelength have the dimensions of length.

Exercise 03
Write down the dimensions of the following physical quantities.

1 [Area] = [Length x Width] 2 [Volume] = [Length x Width x Height]

.............................................................. ....................................................................
............................................................... ......................................................................

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
3 [Velocity] = ( 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
) 4 [Acceleration] = ( 𝑇𝐼𝑚𝑒
)
𝐿
= = 𝐿𝑇 −1 ...................................................................
𝑇
= 𝑀 𝐿 𝐿 0 1 −1
or 𝐿𝑇 −1 .....................................................................

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠
5 [Force] = [Mass x Acceleration] 6 [Density] = [𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒]

............................................................................. ......................................................................
............................................................................. ........................................................................

𝑉 𝜋 𝑎4 𝑃
7 In 𝑡 = 8 𝐾𝐿
, V is volume, t is time, a is radius, P is pressure and l is length. Dimensions of K?
...............................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................................

𝐾𝐴(𝜃1 −𝜃2 )
8 In 𝐻 = 𝑙
, H is the rate of flow of heat, A is thhe cross-sectional area, ( 𝜃1 − 𝜃2 ) is the
difference in temperature, l is the length. Find the dimensions of K. (Take the dimensions of temperature as
θ)
.................................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................................

9
 9 N= 𝑁0 𝑒 −𝜆𝑡 Here N, 𝑁0 represents the number of atoms, t represents time and e is a numerical value.
Dimensions of λ?
..................................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................................

𝐼
10 L = 10 log 𝐼 Here, I and I0 are intensities of sound. Dimensions of L?
0

....................................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................................

11 y = k1 sin k2t Here y and t represent displacement and time. Find the dimensions of k1 and k2.

.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................

𝐾
12 I = c log ( 𝑙 ) , 𝑙 represents displacement, c represents velocity. What are the dimensions of K and I?
.........................................................................................................................................................................................

13 In y = asin θx , a represents displacement. Find the dimensions of θ, x and y.

........................................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................................................

14 In F = BIℓ sin θ F represents force, I represent electric current, ℓ is the length. Find the dimensions of
B.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................

Exercise 04

01) An expression for the distance (s) travelled by a vehicle travelling at a speed (v) in a time (t) can
be obtained by using dimensional analysis. Here, its given that s only depends on v and t.
∴ S ∝ 𝑣 𝑥 𝑡𝑦
F = 𝑘𝑣 𝑥 𝑡 𝑦 K- Dimensionless constant. By equaling the powers of L X = 1
Dimensional Analysis By equaling the powers of T y - x = 0
[S] = [K] [𝑣 𝑥 ] [𝑡 𝑦 ] y-1 = 0
−1 𝑦
L = (𝐿𝑇 )X 𝑇 y=1
L = 𝐿𝑥 𝑇 −𝑥 𝑇 𝑦 ∴ S = 𝑘𝑣 1 x 𝑡1
L = 𝐿𝑋 𝑇 𝑌−𝑋 K = 1 is given ∴ S = vt

10
02) The spring constant of a light spring is K. [K] = 𝑀𝑇 −2. When a mass m is fixed to the spring
and the mass is pulled down and released the mass m oscillates. The oscillation frequency of the
mass is f. The relationship between them is given by f = 𝑐𝑚 𝑥 𝑘 𝑦 . Here, c is a dimensionless
constant.
Find the values of x and y.
[f] = [𝑐𝑚 𝑥 𝑘 𝑦 ] By equaling the powers of T -2y = - 1 y = 1/2
−1
𝑇 = 𝑀 𝑥 (𝑀𝑇 −2 ) y By equaling the powers of M x + y = 0

𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 −1 = 𝑀 𝑋 𝑀𝑌 𝑇 −2𝑌 x+½ = 0
m
𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 −1 = 𝑀 𝑋+𝑦 𝑇 −2𝑦 x = -1/2

03) If t is the periodic time of an air bubble oscillating in a liquid, an expression for t is given by
𝑡 = −𝑝𝑎 𝑑𝑏 𝐸 𝑐 . Here p is pressure, d is the density of the gas and E is the energy. Find the
values of a, b, and c
[t] = [𝑝𝑎 ] [𝑑 𝑏 ] [𝐸 𝑐 ]
T = (𝑀𝐿−1 𝑇 −2 )a (𝑀𝐿−3)b (𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −2)c

𝑀°𝐿°𝑇 = 𝑀(𝑎+𝑏+𝑐) 𝐿(−𝑎−3𝑏−2𝑐) 𝑇 (−2𝑎−2𝑐)

By solving (1), (2)and(3)

−5 1 1
By comparing the powers of M 𝑎+𝑏+ 𝑐 = 0 (1) a= 6
, b=2 ,c=3

By comparing the powers of L −𝑎 − 3𝑏 − 2𝑐 = 0 (2)

By comparing the powers of T −2𝑎 − 2𝑐 = 1 (3)

04) F is the force required for a mass (m) to travel at a velocity v in a path of radius r. Obtain an
expression for force F using dimensional analysis in terms of the above quantities.(consider the
proportionality constant k = 1)
(F = 𝑚𝑣 2/ r)

05) Find the relationship the physical quantities velocity(v), force (F), and time (t) have with Energy
(e).Consider the proportionality constant k=1. (E = VFt)

06) The displacement S of an object travelling in 𝑎 acceleration in time 𝑡 is found to be depending 𝑎

and 𝑡. Derive an expression for S using dimensional analysis. Consider the proportionality
constant as k. [S = kat2]

07) The oscillation time period t of a hanging small liquid droplet is found to be depending on the
radius of the droplet(r) , the density of the liquid(d) and the surface tension(s).The dimensions of
s is 𝑀𝑇 −2.If the proportionality constant is, find an expression for time t.

11
(Limits of Dimensional Analysis)

1. Cannot find values of constants.

2. It’s hard to show equation of the relationship between one physical quantity and more than
3 other physical quantities.
3. An equation where there are addition and difference of terms cannot be determined.
4. Equations with trigonometric identities cannot be determined with the use of dimensional
analysis.
5. Equations with constants with dimensions cannot be determined. (eg -𝐹 = 𝐺 𝑚1 𝑚2 / 𝑟 2)

12