UNITS AND MEASUREMENT 08 Periods

Chapter–2: Units and Measurements

Need for measurement: Units of measurement; systems of units; SI units, fundamental and derived units.
Significant figures. Dimensions of physical quantities, dimensional analysis and its applications.

WHAT IS PHYSICS?
The word 'PHYSICS' comes from the Greek word 'FUSIS' meaning nature. Its Sanskrit equivalent is ‘BHAUTIKI' that
is used to refer to the study of the physical world. Hence,
Physics is the branch of science which is devoted to the study of nature and natural phenomena.
Thus, Physics is the most basic of all sciences.

NEED FOR MEASUREMENT

Measurement of any physical quantity involves comparison with a certain basic, arbitrarily chosen, internationally
accepted reference standard called unit. The result of a measurement of a physical quantity is expressed by a
number (or numerical measure) accompanied by a unit.
i.e., Quantity Q = numerical value × unit
Or 𝑸=𝒏×𝒖
We also know that even if we change the units, the quantity remains the same. Therefore,
𝑸 = 𝒏𝟏 𝒖𝟏 = 𝒏𝟐 𝒖𝟐
Where 𝒖𝟏 , 𝒖𝟐 are two different units of the same quantity and 𝒏𝟏 , 𝒏𝟐 are their respective numerical values.
For example, we have a rod of length 5 metre, then
Quantity Q= length, and length of rod = 5 metre.
Here, numerical value n = 5 and unit u = metre
Also, 5 metre = 500 cm
Here 𝒖𝟏 = 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒆, 𝒖𝟐 = 𝒄𝒎 and 𝒏𝟏 = 𝟓, 𝒏𝟐 = 𝟓𝟎𝟎

Although the number of physical quantities appears to be very large, we need only a limited number of units for
expressing all the physical quantities, since they are interrelated with one another. The units for the fundamental
or base quantities are called fundamental or base units. The units of all other physical quantities can be expressed
as combinations of the base units. Such units obtained for the derived quantities are called derived units. A
complete set of these units, both the base units and derived units, is known as the system of units.

FUNDAMENTAL AND DERIVED UNITS

As the number of physical quantities to be measured is very small, it is not feasible to define a separate unit for
each quantity. To simplify the things, we make use of relation between different physical quantities.
In mechanics, we treat length, mass and time as a three basic or fundamental quantities, because
• they represent our basic scientific notions.
• there is no other quantity which is simpler to them.
• length, mass and time cannot be obtained from one another.
• all other physical quantities in mechanics can be obtained from them.

The units of measurement of length, mass and time are, therefore, called fundamental units.
The units of measurement of all other physical quantities, which can be obtained from fundamental units are
called derived units.
For example:
𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒎
We know, 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅 = 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
∴ 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅 = 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
= 𝒔
= 𝒎𝒔−𝟏

∴ Unit of speed (𝒎𝒔−𝟏 ) is a derived unit.

Similarly, the units of physical quantities like density, momentum, acceleration, force etc can all be expressed in
terms of fundamental units of length, mass and time. Their units are derived units.

Choice of a standard unit

The unit chosen for measuring any physical quantity should meet the following essential requirements:
• It should be of a suitable size.
• It should be accurately defined.
• It should be easily accessible.
• It should be easily reproducible, i.e., replicas of the unit should be available easily.
• It should not change with time.
• It should not change with the changing physical conditions like temperature, pressure etc.

A body named “General conference on weights and measures” was set up and given the authority to decide the
units by international agreement.
In India, the National Bureau of Standards or National Institute of Standards and Technology decides the units.

SYSTEM OF UNITS
A system of units is a complete set of units, both fundamental and derived, for all kinds of physical quantities.
Each system is named in terms of fundamental units on which it is based. The common systems of unit used in
mechanics are given below:
1. The FPS system
It is a British engineering system of units which uses foot as the unit of length, pound as a unit of mass and
second is the unit of time.
The FPS system is losing its popularity because of inconvenient multiples involved in its conversion.
2. The CGS system
It is the Gaussian system which uses centimetre, gram and second as the three basic units for length, mass and
time respectively. It is a metric system or decimal system because multiples and submultiples of basic units
are related to the practical units by powers of 10. The drawback of CGS system is that many of the derived
units are inconveniently small.
3. The MKS system
It is based on metre, kilogram and second as the fundamental units of length, mass and time respectively. It is
a metric system or decimal system. The advantage of MKS system is that some of the derived units are of
convenient size and this system leads to electrical units in practical use.
4. The international system of units (SI)
The system of units, which is accepted internationally for measurement is abbreviated as SI. SI is the French
equivalent of International system of units. The SI is based on the following seven fundamental units and two
supplementary units.

S.No. BASIC PHYSICAL QUANTITIES FUNDAMENTAL UNIT SYMBOL

1. Mass (M) kilogram kg
2. Length (L) metre m
3. Time (T) second s
4. Temperature (𝜽) kelvin K
5. Electric Current (I) ampere A
6. Luminous Intensity (cd) candela cd
7. Quantity of matter (mol) mole mol

S.No. SUPPLEMENTARY PHYSICAL QUANTITIES SUPPLEMENTARY UNIT SYMBOL

1. Plane angle radian rad
2. Solid angle steradian sr

In addition to the fundamental units and the supplementary units, there are a large number of derived units on
this system. Some of the derived units are:
S.No. PHYSICAL QUANTITY DERIVED UNIT SYMBOL
1 Force newton N
2 Work joule J
3 Power watt W
4 Electric Potential volt V
5 Energy joule J
6 Electric Charge coulomb C
Advantages of SI
Following are the main advantages of SI over the other system of units:
• SI is a coherent system of units
A system based on a certain set of fundamental units, from which all derived units are obtained by
multiplication or division without introducing numerical factors.
• SI is a rational system of units
It assigns only one unit to a particular physical quantity. For example, joule is the unit for all types of energy.
This is not so in other system of units. For example, in mks system, mechanical energy is in joule heat energy is
in calorie and electrical energy is in watt hour.
• SI is an absolute system of units.
There are no gravitational units in the system. The use of factor ‘g’ is thus eliminated.
• SI is a metric system
The multiples and submultiples of units are expressed as powers of 10.
• In current electricity, the absolute units on the SI, like ampere (A) for current, volt (V) for potential difference,
ohm (Ω) for resistance, henry (H) for inductance, farad (F) and so on, are also the practical unit for
measurement of these quantities.

SOME IMPORTANT PRACTICAL UNITS

i. LENGTH
• In the measurement of very large distances, we use the following three units:
1. Astronomical unit (AU)
It is the average distance of the centre of the sun from the centre of the earth
𝟏 𝑨𝑼 = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟗𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟏 𝒎 = 𝟏. 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟏 𝒎

2. Light year (ly)

1 ly is the distance travelled by light in vacuum in one year.
As velocity of light in vacuum is 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 𝒎𝒔−𝟏 and 1 year = 𝟑𝟔𝟓 × 𝟐𝟒 × 𝟔𝟎 × 𝟔𝟎 second, therefore
𝟏𝒍𝒚 = 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 𝒎𝒔−𝟏 × 𝟑𝟔𝟓 × 𝟐𝟒 × 𝟔𝟎 × 𝟔𝟎 = 𝟗. 𝟒𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟓 𝒎

3. Par sec
1 parsec is the radius of a circle at the centre of which an arc of the circle, 1 AU long subtends an angle of 1
second.
As 𝟏 𝑨𝑼 = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟗𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟏 𝒎 and

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝝅
𝜽 = 𝟏 𝒔𝒆𝒄 = 𝒎𝒊𝒏 = 𝒅𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆 = × 𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒏
𝟔𝟎 𝟔𝟎 × 𝟔𝟎 𝟔𝟎 × 𝟔𝟎 𝟏𝟖𝟎

𝒍 𝟏 𝑨𝑼 𝟏.𝟒𝟗𝟔×𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟏 𝒎
Then, as 𝒓 = 𝜽 ∴ 𝟏 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒄 = 𝟏 𝒔𝒆𝒄 = 𝝅/(𝟔𝟎×𝟔𝟎×𝟏𝟖𝟎) = 𝟑. 𝟎𝟖𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝒎

𝟏 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒄 = 𝟑. 𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝒎

Relation between AU, ly and par sec

As, 𝟏 𝑨𝑼 = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟗𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟏 𝒎, 𝟏𝒍𝒚 = 𝟗. 𝟒𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟓 𝒎 and 𝟏 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒄 = 𝟑. 𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝒎

𝟏𝒍𝒚 𝟗. 𝟒𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟓
∴ = = 𝟔. 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟒
𝟏 𝑨𝑼 𝟏. 𝟒𝟗𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟏

Hence, 𝟏𝒍𝒚 = 𝟔. 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝑨𝑼

𝟏 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒄 𝟑. 𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟔

= = 𝟑. 𝟐𝟔
𝟏 𝒍𝒚 𝟗. 𝟒𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟓

Hence, 𝟏𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒄 = 𝟑. 𝟐𝟔 𝒍𝒚

Clearly, 1 par sec is bigger than 1 ly which is bigger than 1 AU.
• In the measurement of small distances, we use the following units:
1 inch = 0.0254 m 1 foot = 0.3048 m
1 yard = 0.9144m 1 mile = 1.609 × 103 m 1 nautical mile = 1.852 × 103 m
• In the measurement of very small distances, we use the following units:
𝟏 𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒏 = 𝟏 𝝁𝒎 = 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝒎
𝟏 𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒆 = 𝟏 𝒏𝒎 = 𝟏𝟎−𝟗 𝒎
𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒎 = 𝟏 Å = 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟎 𝒎
𝟏 𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒊 = 𝟏 𝒇𝒎 = 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟓 𝒎
For example: the radius of proton is 1.2 fm and the radius of hydrogen atom is 0.5 Å.

ii. MASS
• For measuring heavy masses, the units used are:
𝟏 𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈
𝟏 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈
𝟏 𝒍𝒃 = 𝟒𝟓𝟒 𝒈
The largest practical unit of mass is Chandrasekhar limit
𝟏 𝑪. 𝑺. 𝑳 = 𝟏. 𝟒 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒖𝒏

• For measuring very small mass, the unit used is

𝟏 𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 = 𝟏 𝒂. 𝒎. 𝒖 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐𝟕 𝒌𝒈
iii. TIME
• Some practical units of standard of time:
Solar day: It is the time taken by earth to complete one rotation about its axis with respect to the sun.
1 Solar day = 24 hours
Solar year: It is the time taken by Earth to complete one revolution around the sun in its orbit.
1 solar year = 365 days 6 hours
Leap year: The year which is divisible by four and in which month of February has 29 days is called a leap year.
1 leap year = 366 days
Lunar month: It is the time taken by moon to complete one revolution around the earth in its orbit.
1 lunar month = 27.3 days

METRIC PREFIXES

S.No. Power of 10 Prefix Symbol S.No. Power of 10 Prefix Symbol

1 𝟏𝟎−𝟏 deci d 1 𝟏𝟎𝟏 deca da
2 𝟏𝟎−𝟐 centi c 2 𝟏𝟎𝟐 hecto h
3 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 milli m 3 𝟏𝟎𝟑 kilo k
4 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 micro 𝝁 4 𝟏𝟎𝟔 mega 𝑴
5 𝟏𝟎−𝟗 nano n 5 𝟏𝟎𝟗 giga G
6 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟎 Angstrom Å 6 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟐 tera 𝑻
7 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟐 pico p 7 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟓 peta P
8 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟓 femto f 8 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟖 exa E

CONVENTIONS FOR WRITING OF UNITS AND TEHIR SYMBOLS

1. Unit is never written with capital initial letter, even if it is named after a scientist.
For example, SI unit of force is newton.
2. For a unit named after a scientist, the symbol is a capital letter. For other units, the symbol is not a capital
letter.
For example, SI unit of force is newton (N) and Si unit of length is metre (m).
3. The units or symbols are never written in plural form.
For example, l = 10cm. ‘s’ is not added to show plural form
4. In a symbol, it is not preferred to use more than one solidus (/).
𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒆
For example, Intensity = energy per second per unit area = 𝒔𝒆𝒄 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒆𝟐 = 𝑾 𝒎−𝟐 (𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝑱/𝒔/𝒎𝟐 )
5. Full stops are not written after the symbols.
For example: 1 m = 100 cm (not c.m)
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

The dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers to which the units of base quantities are raised to represent
a derived unit of that quantity.

The seven fundamental or base units chosen in SI are called seven dimensions of the physical world. They are
denoted with [ ] brackets.
Thus, length is represented by [L], mass is represented by [M], time is represented by [T], electric current is
represented by [A], thermodynamical temperature is represented by [K], luminous intensity is represented by [cd]
and quantity of substance by [mol].

In mechanics, all the physical quantities can be written in terms of dimensions of Length [L], Mass [M] and Time
[T].
For example, Volume = length × breadth × height
∴ 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆 = [𝑳][𝑳][𝑳] = [𝑳𝟑 ]
Thus, to represent volume, we have to raise [𝑳]to the power 3. Therefore, volume is said to have three
dimensions in length.

DIMENSIONAL FORMULAE

The expression which shows how and which of the base quantities represent a physical quantity is called the
dimensional formula of the given physical quantity.
For example: the dimensional formula of velocity is [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ].

Dimensional formulae of some quantities:

𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑳/𝑻
𝟏. 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 = = = 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝑻
𝟐. 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 = 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 × 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 = [𝑴] × [𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ] = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]

𝟑. 𝑳𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒎 = 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 × 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 = [𝑴] × [𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ]

𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 [𝑴]
𝟒. 𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 = = 𝟑 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳−𝟑 𝑻𝟎 ]
𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆 [𝑳 ]

𝟓. 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒆 = 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 × 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ] × [𝑻𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ]

𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]

𝟔. 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 = = = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳−𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]
𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂 [𝑳𝟐 ]

𝟕. 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 = 𝐟𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 × 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ] × [𝑳𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]

𝟖. 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 = 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]

𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]

𝟗. 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 = = = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟑 ]
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 [𝐓]

𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]

𝟏𝟎. 𝑺𝒖𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 = = = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟐 ]
𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 [𝑳𝟏 ]

𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]

𝟏𝟏. 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 = = = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳−𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]
𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂 [𝑳𝟐 ]

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒅𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 [𝑳𝟏 ]

𝟏𝟐. 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 = = 𝟏 = 𝐧𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐬
𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 [𝑳 ]

𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 [𝑴𝟏 𝑳−𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]

𝟏𝟑. 𝑪𝒐𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 = = = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳−𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]
𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝟏
 𝑵𝒐. 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝟏 𝟏
𝟏𝟒. 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 = = = 𝟏 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟏 ]
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑻 [𝑻 ]

𝟏𝟓. 𝑾𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 = 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒗𝒆 = [𝑳𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ]

FOUR TYPES OF QUANTITIES

1. Dimensional constant:
These are the quantities whose values are constant and they possess dimensions.
For example, velocity of light in vacuum, universal gravitational constant, universal gas constant, Boltzmann
constant, Planck’s constant.
2. Dimensional variables:
These are the qualities whose values are variable and they possess dimensions.
For example, area, volume, density, velocity, acceleration, force.
3. Dimensionless constants:
These are the quantities whose values are constant but they do not possess dimensions.
For example, pure numbers 1,2,3,4…, mathematical constants 𝝅 and e etc.
4. Dimensionless variables:
These are the qualities whose values are variable and they do not possess dimensions.
For example, angle, strain, specific gravity etc.

USES OF DIMENSIONAL EQUATIONS:

i. Conversion of one system of units into another.

ii. Checking the correctness of various formulae.
iii. Derivation of formulae.

i. CONVERSION OF ONE SYSTEM OF UNITS INTO ANOTHER

The magnitude of a physical quantity remains the same, whatever be the system of its measurement. Therefore,
𝑸 = 𝒏𝟏 𝒖𝟏 = 𝒏𝟐 𝒖𝟐
Here, 𝒖𝟏 and 𝒖𝟐 are the two units of measurement of the quantity Q and 𝒏𝟏 , 𝒏𝟐 are their respective numerical
values.
Suppose 𝑴𝟏 , 𝑳𝟏 , 𝑻𝟏 are the fundamental units of length, mass and time in one system and 𝑴𝟐 , 𝑳𝟐 , 𝑻𝟐 are the
fundamental units of length, mass and time in another system, a,b,c are the respective dimensions of the quantity
in both systems. Then,
𝒖𝟏 = [𝑴𝒂𝟏 𝑳𝒃𝟏 𝑻𝒄𝟏 ] 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝟐 = [𝑴𝒂𝟐 𝑳𝒃𝟐 𝑻𝒄𝟐 ]

𝒏𝟏 𝒖𝟏 [𝑴𝒂𝟏 𝑳𝒃𝟏 𝑻𝒄𝟏 ]

∴ 𝒏𝟐 = 𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝟐 = 𝒏𝟏
𝒖𝟐 [𝑴𝒂𝟐 𝑳𝒃𝟐 𝑻𝒄𝟐 ]

𝑴𝟏 𝒂 𝑳𝟏 𝒃 𝑻𝟏 𝒄
𝒏𝟐 = 𝒏𝟏 [ ] [ ] [ ]
𝑴𝟐 𝑳𝟐 𝑻𝟐
Knowing the values of (𝑴𝟏 , 𝑳𝟏 , 𝑻𝟏 ), (𝑴𝟐 , 𝑳𝟐 , 𝑻𝟐 ) and 𝒏𝟏 , we can find the value of 𝒏𝟐 .

Example 1: Convert 1 Newton into dyne

Newton is the SI unit of force and dyne is the C.G.S unit of force
The dimensional formula of Force is [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]
Here, 𝒏𝟏 = 𝟏, 𝑴𝟏 = 𝟏 𝒌𝒈, 𝑳𝟏 = 𝟏 𝒎, 𝑻𝟏 = 𝟏𝒔, 𝑴𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒈, 𝑳𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒄𝒎, 𝑻𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒔, 𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝒃 = 𝟏, 𝒄 = −𝟐

𝟏 𝒌𝒈 𝟏 𝟏 𝒎 𝟏 𝟏 𝒔 −𝟐 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝒈 𝟏 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒄𝒎 𝟏 𝟏 𝒔 −𝟐
∴ 𝒏𝟐 = 𝟏 [ ] [ ] [ ] 𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝟐 = [ ] [ ] [ ]
𝟏𝒈 𝟏 𝒄𝒎 𝟏𝒔 𝟏𝒈 𝟏 𝒄𝒎 𝟏𝒔

𝒏𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 = 𝟏𝟎𝟓

∴ 𝟏 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒕𝒐𝒏 = 𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝒅𝒚𝒏𝒆

Example 2: Convert 1 Joule into erg
Joule is the SI unit of Energy and erg is the C.G.S unit of Energy
The dimensional formula of Energy is [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]
Here, 𝒏𝟏 = 𝟏, 𝑴𝟏 = 𝟏 𝒌𝒈, 𝑳𝟏 = 𝟏 𝒎, 𝑻𝟏 = 𝟏𝒔, 𝑴𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒈, 𝑳𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒄𝒎, 𝑻𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒔, 𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝒃 = 𝟐, 𝒄 = −𝟐

𝟏 𝒌𝒈 𝟏 𝟏 𝒎 𝟐 𝟏 𝒔 −𝟐 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝒈 𝟏 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒄𝒎 𝟐 𝟏 𝒔 −𝟐
∴ 𝒏𝟐 = 𝟏 [ ] [ ] [ ] 𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝟐 = [ ] [ ] [ ]
𝟏𝒈 𝟏 𝒄𝒎 𝟏𝒔 𝟏𝒈 𝟏 𝒄𝒎 𝟏𝒔

𝒏𝟐 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 = 𝟏𝟎𝟕

∴ 𝟏 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒆 = 𝟏𝟎𝟕 𝒆𝒓𝒈

Example 3: Convert 1 erg into joule
erg is the C.G.S unit of Energy and Joule is the SI unit of Energy.
The dimensional formula of Energy is [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]
Here, 𝒏𝟏 = 𝟏, 𝑴𝟏 = 𝟏 𝒈, 𝑳𝟏 = 𝟏 𝒄𝒎, 𝑻𝟏 = 𝟏𝒔, 𝑴𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒌𝒈, 𝑳𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒎, 𝑻𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒔, 𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝒃 = 𝟐, 𝒄 = −𝟐

𝟏 𝒈 𝟏 𝟏 𝐜𝒎 𝟐 𝟏 𝒔 −𝟐 𝟏 𝒈 𝟏 𝟏 𝒄𝒎 𝟐 𝟏 𝒔 −𝟐
∴ 𝒏𝟐 = 𝟏 [ ] [ ] [ ] 𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝟐 = [ ] [ ] [ ]
𝟏 𝐤𝒈 𝟏𝒎 𝟏𝒔 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒈 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒄𝒎 𝟏𝒔
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒏𝟐 = × = = 𝟏𝟎−𝟕
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
∴ 𝟏 𝒆𝒓𝒈 = 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒆
Example 4: Convert 1 dyne into Newton
dyne is the C.G.S unit of force and Newton is the SI unit of force.
The dimensional formula of Force is [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]
Here, 𝒏𝟏 = 𝟏, 𝑴𝟏 = 𝟏 𝒈, 𝑳𝟏 = 𝟏 𝒄𝒎, 𝑻𝟏 = 𝟏𝒔, 𝑴𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒌𝒈, 𝑳𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒎, 𝑻𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒔, 𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝒃 = 𝟏, 𝒄 = −𝟐

𝟏 𝒈 𝟏 𝟏 𝐜𝒎 𝟏 𝟏 𝒔 −𝟐 𝟏 𝒈 𝟏 𝟏 𝒄𝒎 𝟏 𝟏 𝒔 −𝟐
∴ 𝒏𝟐 = 𝟏 [ ] [ ] [ ] 𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝟐 = [ ] [ ] [ ]
𝟏 𝐤𝒈 𝟏𝒎 𝟏𝒔 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝒈 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒄𝒎 𝟏𝒔
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒏𝟐 = × = = 𝟏𝟎−𝟓
𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
∴ 𝟏 𝒅𝒚𝒏𝒆 = 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒕𝒐𝒏
ii. CHECKING THE CORRECTNESS OF FORMULAE

Quantities having different dimensions cannot be added or subtracted. For example, mass cannot be added to
time, velocity cannot be added to length etc. This is known as principle of homogeneity of dimensions. According
to this principle,

Only that formula is correct, in which the dimensions of various fundamental units on one side of the relation are
equal to their respective dimensions on the other side of the relation.

Example 1: Check the dimensional consistency of the following equations

i. 𝒗 = 𝒖 + 𝒂𝒕 𝟏
ii. 𝒔 = 𝒖𝒕 + 𝟐 𝒂𝒕𝟐 iii. 𝒗𝟐 − 𝒖𝟐 = 𝟐𝒂𝒔
i. 𝒗 = 𝒖 + 𝒂𝒕

L.H.S:

Dimension of 𝒗 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ]

R.H.S:

Dimension of 𝒖 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ] Dimension of 𝒂 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ] Dimension of 𝒕 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ]

Dimension of 𝒖 + 𝒂𝒕 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ] + [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ][𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ] + [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐+𝟏 ]

= [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ] + [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ]

As, L.H.S = R.H.S dimensionally, the formula is correct

𝟏
ii. 𝒔 = 𝒖𝒕 + 𝟐 𝒂𝒕𝟐

L.H.S:

Dimension of 𝒔 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ]

R.H.S:

Dimension of 𝒖 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ] Dimension of 𝒂 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ] Dimension of 𝒕 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ]

𝟏 𝟐
Dimension of 𝒖𝒕 + 𝟐 𝒂𝒕𝟐 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ][𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ] + [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ][𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ]

= [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏+𝟏 ] + [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ][𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟐 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ] + [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐+𝟐 ]

= [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ] + [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ]

As, L.H.S = R.H.S dimensionally, the formula is correct

iii. 𝒗𝟐 − 𝒖𝟐 = 𝟐𝒂𝒔

L.H.S:
𝟐
Dimension of 𝒗𝟐 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]
𝟐
Dimension of 𝒖𝟐 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]

Dimension of 𝒗𝟐 − 𝒖𝟐 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ] + [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]

R.H.S:

Dimension of 𝒂 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ] Dimension of 𝒔 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ]

Dimension of 𝟐𝒂𝒔 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ][𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏+𝟏 𝑻−𝟐+𝟎 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]

As, L.H.S = R.H.S dimensionally, the formula is correct.

𝟏
Example 2: Let us consider an equation 𝟐 𝒎𝒗𝟐 = 𝒎𝒈𝒉, where m is the mass of the body, 𝒗 its velocity, g is
acceleration due to gravity and h is the height. Check whether this equation is dimensionally correct.

L.H.S :

Dimension of 𝒎 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟎 ]
𝟐
Dimension of 𝒗𝟐 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]
𝟏
Dimension of 𝟐 𝒎𝒗𝟐 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟎 ][𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ] = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]

R.H.S

Dimension of 𝒎 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟎 ]
Dimension of g= [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]
Dimension of 𝒉 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ]
Dimension of 𝒎𝒈𝒉 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟎 ][𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ][𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ] = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏+𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ] = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟐 ]
As, L.H.S = R.H.S dimensionally, the formula is correct.
iii. DERIVATION OF FORMULAE

Using the principle of homogeneity, the formula of a physical quantity can be derived if the factors on which the
physical quantity depends are known.

Example 1: The period of revolution of a planet around the sun depends upon

i. radius of orbit (r) ii. Mass of the Sun (M) iii. Gravitational constant (G)

Let 𝑻 ∝ 𝒓𝒂 𝑴𝒃 𝑮𝒄

𝒐𝒓 𝑻 = 𝑲𝒓𝒂 𝑴𝒃 𝑮𝒄 … … 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊 , where K is a dimensionless constant of proportionality.

Dimensions of 𝑻 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ]

Dimensions of 𝒓 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ]

Dimensions of 𝑴 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟎 ]

Dimensions of 𝑮 = [𝑴−𝟏 𝑳𝟑 𝑻−𝟐 ]

Writing the dimensions on either side of equation above, we get

𝒂 𝒃 𝒄
[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ] [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟎 ] [𝑴−𝟏 𝑳𝟑 𝑻−𝟐 ]

[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝐚 𝑻𝟎 ][𝑴𝐛 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟎 ][𝑴−𝐜 𝑳𝟑𝒄 𝑻−𝟐𝐜 ]

[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝒃−𝒄 𝑳𝐚+𝟑𝐜 𝑻−𝟐𝒄 ]

Applying the principle of homogeneity of dimensions, we get

𝒃−𝒄=𝟎 … . . 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊𝒊
𝒂 + 𝟑𝒄 = 𝟎 … … . 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊𝒊𝒊
𝟏
−𝟐𝒄 = 𝟏, 𝒐𝒓 𝒄 = −
𝟐
𝟏
Using the value of 𝒄 = − 𝟐 in eq. ii & iii, we get

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒃 − (− ) = 𝟎, 𝒃 + = 𝟎, 𝒃 = −
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝟏 𝟑 𝟑
𝒂 + 𝟑 (− ) = 𝟎, 𝒂 − = 𝟎 ,𝒂 =
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝟑 𝟏 𝟏
Using 𝒂 = 𝟐 , 𝒃 = − 𝟐 & 𝒄 = − 𝟐 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒒 𝒊, 𝒘𝒆 𝒈𝒆𝒕

𝟏
𝟑
−
𝟏
−
𝟏 𝒓𝟑×𝟐 𝒓𝟑
𝑻=𝑲 𝒓𝟐 𝑴 𝟐 𝑮 𝟐 𝒐𝒓 𝑻=𝑲 𝟏 𝟏 𝒐𝒓 𝑻=𝑲√
𝑴𝑮
𝑴𝟐 𝑮 𝟐

Example 2: The frequency (𝝂) of an oscillating drop may depend upon radius (𝒓) of the drop, density (𝝆) of liquid
and the surface tension (s) of the liquid. Deduce the formula dimensionally.
Let 𝝂 ∝ 𝒓𝒂 𝝆𝒃 𝑺𝒄

𝒐𝒓 𝝂 = 𝑲 𝒓𝒂 𝝆𝒃 𝑺𝒄 … … 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊 , where K is a dimensionless constant of proportionality.

Dimensions of 𝝂 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟏 ]

Dimensions of 𝒓 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ]
Dimensions of 𝝆 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳−𝟑 𝑻𝟎 ]

Dimensions of 𝑺 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟐 ]

Writing the dimensions on either side of equation above, we get

𝒂 𝒃 𝒄
[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ] [𝑴𝟏 𝑳−𝟑 𝑻𝟎 ] [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟐 ]

[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝐚 𝑻𝟎 ][𝑴𝐛 𝑳−𝟑𝐛 𝑻𝟎 ][𝑴𝐜 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟐𝐜 ]

[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝒃+𝒄 𝑳𝐚−𝟑𝐛 𝑻−𝟐𝒄 ]

Applying the principle of homogeneity of dimensions, we get

𝒃+𝒄=𝟎 … . . 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊𝒊
𝒂 − 𝟑𝒃 = 𝟎 … … . 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊𝒊𝒊
𝟏
−𝟐𝒄 = −𝟏, 𝒐𝒓 𝒄 =
𝟐
𝟏
Using the value of 𝒄 = − 𝟐 in eq. ii & iii, we get

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒃 + ( ) = 𝟎, 𝒃 + = 𝟎, 𝒃 = −
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝟏 𝟑 𝟑
𝒂 − 𝟑 (− ) = 𝟎, 𝒂 + = 𝟎 ,𝒂 = −
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝟑 𝟏 𝟏
Using 𝒂 = − , 𝒃 = − & 𝒄 = 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒒 𝒊, 𝒘𝒆 𝒈𝒆𝒕
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝟏
−
𝟑
−
𝟏 𝟏 𝑺𝟐 𝑺
𝝂=𝑲𝒓 𝟐 𝝆 𝟐 𝑺𝟐 𝒐𝒓 𝝂=𝑲 𝟑 𝟏 𝒐𝒓 𝝂=𝑲 √ 𝟑
𝒓 𝝆
𝒓𝟐 𝝆𝟐

Example 3: Using dimensional analysis, derive the formula for time period of simple pendulum given that time
period depends upon mass of bob, length of pendulum and acceleration due to gravity.
Let 𝑻 ∝ 𝒎𝒂 𝒍𝒃 𝒈𝒄

𝒐𝒓 𝑻 = 𝑲 𝒎𝒂 𝒍𝒃 𝒈𝒄 … … 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊 , where K is a dimensionless constant of proportionality.

Dimensions of 𝑻 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ]

Dimensions of 𝒎 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟎 ]

Dimensions of 𝒍 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ]

Dimensions of 𝒈 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]

Writing the dimensions on either side of equation above, we get

𝒂 𝒃 𝒄
[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟎 ] [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ] [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]

[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝐚 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟎 ][𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝐛 𝑻𝟎 ][𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝒄 𝑻−𝟐𝐜 ]

[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝒂 𝑳𝐛+𝐜 𝑻−𝟐𝒄 ]

Applying the principle of homogeneity of dimensions, we get

𝒂=𝟎 … . . 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊𝒊
𝒃+𝒄=𝟎 … . . 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊𝒊𝒊
 −𝟐𝒄 = 𝟏 … … . 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊𝒗
𝟏
−𝟐𝒄 = 𝟏, 𝒐𝒓 𝒄 = −
𝟐
𝟏
Using the value of 𝒄 = − 𝟐 in eq. ii & iii, we get

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒃 + (− ) = 𝟎, 𝒃 − = 𝟎, 𝒃 =
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝟏 𝟏
Using 𝒂 = 𝟎, 𝒃 = & 𝒄 = − 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒒 𝒊, 𝒘𝒆 𝒈𝒆𝒕
𝟐 𝟐
𝟏
𝟏 𝟏 𝒍𝟐 𝒍
𝑻=𝑲 𝒎𝟎 𝒍𝟐 𝒈`−𝟐 𝒐𝒓 𝑻=𝑲 𝟏 𝒐𝒓 𝑻=𝑲 √
𝒈
𝒈𝟐

Example 4: The frequency 𝝂 of vibration of a stretched string depends upon (i) its length (l) (ii) its mass per unit
length (m) and (iii) the Tension (T) in the string. Obtain an expression for frequency 𝝂 by using method of
dimensions.
Let 𝝂 ∝ 𝒍𝒂 𝒎𝒃 𝑻𝒄

𝒐𝒓 𝝂 = 𝑲 𝒎𝒂 𝒍𝒃 𝒈𝒄 … … 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊 , where K is a dimensionless constant of proportionality.

Dimensions of 𝝂 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟏 ]

Dimensions of 𝒍 = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ]

Dimensions of 𝒎 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳−𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ]

Dimensions of 𝑻 = [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]

Writing the dimensions on either side of equation above, we get

𝒂 𝒃 𝒄
[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ] [𝑴𝟏 𝑳−𝟏 𝑻𝟎 ] [𝑴𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑻−𝟐 ]

[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝐚 𝑻𝟎 ][𝑴𝐛 𝑳−𝐛 𝑻𝟎 ][𝑴𝐜 𝑳𝒄 𝑻−𝟐𝐜 ]

[𝑴𝟎 𝑳𝟎 𝑻−𝟏 ] = [𝑴𝒃+𝒄 𝑳𝐚−𝐛+𝐜 𝑻−𝟐𝒄 ]

Applying the principle of homogeneity of dimensions, we get

𝒃+𝒄=𝟎 … . . 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊𝒊
𝒂−𝒃+𝒄 = 𝟎 … … . 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊𝒊𝒊
𝟏
−𝟐𝒄 = −𝟏, 𝒐𝒓 𝒄 = 𝟐 … … … 𝒆𝒒. 𝒊𝒗
𝟏
Using the value of 𝒄 = − 𝟐 in eq. ii & iii, we get

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒃 + ( ) = 𝟎, 𝒃 + = 𝟎, 𝒃 = −
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝒂 − (− ) + = 𝟎, 𝒂 + + = 𝟎 , 𝒂 + 𝟏 = 𝟎 𝒐𝒓 𝒂 = −𝟏
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
𝟏 𝟏
Using 𝒂 = −𝟏, 𝒃 = − 𝟐 & 𝒄 = 𝟐 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒒 𝒊, 𝒘𝒆 𝒈𝒆𝒕
𝟏
𝟏 𝟏 𝑻𝟐 𝟏 𝑻
𝝂=𝑲 𝒎−𝟏 𝒍−𝟐 𝑻𝟐 𝒐𝒓 𝝂=𝑲 𝟏 𝒐𝒓 𝝂=𝑲 √
𝒎 𝒍
𝒎𝒍𝟐
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES

The digits that are known reliably plus the first uncertain digit are known as significant figures.
Larger the number of significant figures in a measurement, higher is the accuracy of measurement and vice-versa.
RULES FOR COUNTING SIGNIFICANT FIGURES:

RULE 1: All non-zero digits are significant.

For example:
i. 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟐𝟑𝟒 has four significant figures.
ii. 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟖𝟗 has three significant figures.

RULE 2: All zeroes between two non-zero digits are significant no matter where the decimal point is or not.
For example:
i. 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟕 has four significant figures.
ii. 𝒙 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟖𝟎𝟗 has five significant figures.

RULE 3: If the number is less that 1, the zero(s) on the right of decimal point and to the left of first non-zero digit
are not significant.
For example:
i. 𝒙 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓𝟕𝟎𝟒 has four significant figures as the zeroes before 5 are not significant but the zero between 7 and
4 is significant.
ii. 𝒙 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟔𝟒 has three significant figures as the zero before 1 is not significant.

RULE 4: In a number without a decimal point, the terminal or trailing zeroes are not significant.
For example:
i. 𝒙 = 𝟑𝟐𝟏𝟎 m has 3 significant figures as the zero after 1 or the trailing zero is not significant.
ii. 𝒙 = 𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎 g has 1 significant figure as the zeroes after 5 or the trailing zeroes are not significant.

RULE 5: However, in a number with decimal point, the trailing zeroes are significant.
For example:
i. 𝒙 = 𝟑. 𝟓𝟎𝟎 has 4 significant figures.
ii. 𝒙 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟓𝟎𝟎 has 3 significant figures as the zeroes before 5 are not significant but the zeroes after 5 are
significant.

RULE 6: Change of units does not change the number of significant figures in a measurement.
For example:
i. 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟓𝟔. 𝟎𝟒 cm has 5 significant figures. In different units, the same length can be written as 𝒙 = 𝟐. 𝟓𝟔𝟎𝟒 m,
𝒙 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟓𝟔𝟎𝟒 km, 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟓𝟔𝟎. 𝟒 mm, 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟓𝟔𝟎𝟒𝟎𝟎 𝝁m. And 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟓𝟔𝟎𝟒𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 nm. All these numbers have 5
significant figures.

RULE 7: The digit 0 conventionally put on the left of a decimal for a number less than 1 is never significant.
For example:
i. 𝒙 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟒𝟖 has only 3 significant figures

RULE 8: The multiplying or dividing factors, which are neither rounded numbers nor numbers representing
measured values, are exact. They have infinite number of significant figures as per the situation.
For example:
Perimeter of a rectangle= 𝟐 (𝒍 + 𝒃). Here, 2 is an exact number. It can be written as 2.0,2.00,2.000 and it has
infinite number of significant figures.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS (2016-2025)
LONG ANSWER TYPE (5 marks)

SHORT ANSWER TYPE (3 marks)

1. The frequency (𝝂) of an oscillating drop may depend upon radius (𝒓) of the drop, density (𝝆) of liquid and
the surface tension (s) of the liquid. Deduce the formula dimensionally.
2. What are the limitations of dimensional analysis?
𝒍
3. Check the correctness of the relation 𝒕 = 𝟐𝝅√𝒈, where ‘t’ is the time period, ‘l’ is the length of simple
pendulum, and ‘g’ is acceleration due to gravity.
𝒎𝒗𝟐
4. Check the correctness of the relation 𝑭 = using dimensional analysis.
𝒓
5. Convert an energy of one joule into ergs.
6. Test the correctness of the following equations:
(a) 𝒗𝟐 − 𝒖𝟐 = 𝟐𝒂𝒔
𝟏
(b) 𝒔 = 𝒖𝒕 + 𝟐 𝒂𝒕𝟐
7. Using dimensional analysis, derive the formula for time period of simple pendulum given that time period
depends upon mass of bob, length of pendulum and acceleration due to gravity.
8. The frequency 𝝂 of vibration of a stretched string depends upon (i) its length (l) (ii) its mass per unit length
(m) and (iii) the Tension (T) in the string. Obtain an expression for frequency 𝝂 by using method of
dimensions.
9. Find the dimensions of Planck’s constant. If its value in CGS system is 𝟔. 𝟔𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐𝟕 erg-sec. What will be
its value on MKS system?
10.

VERY SHORT ANSWER (2 marks)

𝝅 𝑷𝒓𝟒
1. The volume of a liquid flowing out per second of a pipe of length (l) and radius ® is written as 𝑽 =
𝟖 𝜼𝒍
where (P) is pressure difference between two ends of pipe and (𝜼) is the coefficient of viscosity of the
liquid. Check the correctness of the above equation on the basis of dimension.
2. In the gas equation:
𝒂
(𝑷 + 𝟐 ) (𝑽 − 𝒃) = 𝑹𝑻
𝑽
Where P, V, R, T represent pressure, volume, universal gas constant and absolute temperature. Find
𝒂
dimension of 𝒃.
3. What are the dimensions of a and b in the relation:
𝒃 − 𝒙𝟐
𝑬= ,
𝒂𝒕
where E, x, t represents Energy, distance and time respectively.
4. What is the dimensional formula for
a. Pressure b. Planck’s constant
5. Which of the following length measured is most accurate and why?
a. 2.0 cm b. 2.00 cm c. 2.000 cm
6. What is the dimensional formula for
a. Torque b. Modulus of rigidity
7. The mass of a body is measured by two persons and is 4.2 kg and 4.24 kg. which is more accurate and
why?
8. What is the dimensional formula for
a. Angular momentum b. Specific heat
9. Find the number of significant figures in
a. 0.0003 b. 3.401
10. What is a light year? Express it in metres.
11. What is the difference between angstrom unit and astronomical unit?
𝟏
12. The rotational kinetic energy of a body is given by 𝟐 𝑰𝝎𝟐 . Use this equation to obtain the dimensions of I.
 13. The value of Stefan’s constant is 𝒂 = 𝟓. 𝟔𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟖 𝑱𝒔−𝟏 𝑲−𝟒 𝒎−𝟐 . Find its values in CGS system.

OBJECTIVES (1 mark)

1. What is meant by ‘Point object in Physics’?

2. Give the dimensions of :
(a) Velocity Gradient
(b) Angular Momentum
3. Give the dimensions of :
(a) Gravitational constant
(b) Strain
4. Give the dimensions of :
(a) Torque
(b) Impulse
5. The number of significant figures in 23.023 is :
a) 2 c) 4
b) 3 d) 5
6. Planck’s constant has the same dimensions as that of
a) Energy c) Frequency
b) Momentum d) Angular momentum
𝟐
7. A force F is given by 𝑭 = 𝒂𝒕 + 𝒃𝒕 , where (t) is time. What are the dimensions of a and b?
a) 𝑴𝑳𝑻−𝟑 and 𝑴𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟒 c) 𝑴𝑳𝑻−𝟏 and 𝑴𝑳𝑻𝟎
b) 𝑴𝑳𝑻−𝟑 and 𝑴𝑳𝑻−𝟒 d) 𝑴𝑳𝑻−𝟒 and 𝑴𝑳𝑻−𝟏
8. Which of the following is not the unit of surface tension?
a) 𝑵/𝒎 c) 𝒌𝒈/𝒔𝟐
𝟐
b) 𝑱/𝒎 d) 𝑵/𝒎𝟐
9. The numbers 2.745 and 2.735 on rounding off to 3 significant figures will give:
a) 2.75 and 2.74 c) 2.75 and 2.73
b) 2.74 and 2.73 d) 2.74 and 2.74
10. Which two of the following four physical quantities have the same dimensions?
i) Energy density iii) Dielectric constant
ii) Refractive index iv) Young’s modulus

a) (ii) and (iv) c) (i) and (iii)

b) (iii) and (iv) d) (i) and (iv)
𝟐𝟕
11. The number of significant figures in 𝟐. 𝟔𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎 kg is :
a) 1 c) 4
b) 3 d) 5
12. The physical quantities not having same dimensions are:
a) Momentum and Planck’s constant c) Speed and √𝑷/𝝆
b) Speed and (𝝁𝟎 𝝐𝟎 )−𝟏/𝟐 d) Surface tension and spring constant
13. The number of significant figures in 0.2370 is :
a) 1 c) 4
b) 3 d) 5
−𝟒
14. The number of significant numbers in 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟑 or 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎 is :
a) 1 c) 3
b) 2 d) 4
15. Which of the following does not have the dimensions of force?
a) Potential gradient c) Weight
b) Energy gradient d) Rate of change in linear momentum
16. A system has basic dimensions as density (d), velocity (v) and area (A), then dimensional representation of
force in this system is :
a) (A v2 d) c) (A v d2)
2
b) (A v d) d) (A2 v2 d)