UTTAM RAJ BHUSAL (URB)

KATHMANDU MODEL HIGHER SECONDARY

SCHOOL(KMC),BAGBAZAR
PHYSICS DEPARTMENT(HOD)
MAIL: guessuttam@gmail.com
ADDRESS: PHALEWAS MUNICIPILITY, PARBAT
 COURSE CONTENTS (UNITS)

 MECHANICS
 HEAT AND THERMODYNAMICS
 GEOMETRICAL OPTICS
 ELECTROSTATICS AND CAPACITORS
 MECHANICS:  GEOMETRICAL OPTICS:
a. 3(4 )LQ » 3× 4= 12 a. 1(2)LQ» 1× 4= 4
b. 3(4 )NQ »3× 4 = 12 b. 1(1)NQ» 1× 4= 4
c. 6(7 )SQ » 6 × 2= 12 c. 1(2)SQ» 1× 2= 2
Total= 36 Marks Total= 10 Marks

 HEAT AND ELECTROSTATICS AND

THERMODYNMICS: CAPACITORS:
a. 2(3)LQ» 2× 4= 8 a. 1(2)LQ» 1× 4= 4
b. 2(3)NQ»2× 4= 8 b. 1(1)NQ» 1× 3= 3
c. 2(3)SQ» 2× 2= 4 c. 1(2)SQ» 1× 2= 2
Total= 20 Marks Total= 9 Marks

 Grand Total= 75 Marks

 UNITS AND DIMENSIONS
 MEASUREMENT : It is the process of comparison of unknown
physical quantities with known physical quantities.
 UNIT: All physical quantities can be expressed in the
multiple of known or standard quantity; this known or
standard quantity is called unit.
e.g. Ampere is the unit of current in S.I system
 PHYSICAL QUANTITIES : Those quantities which can be
measured accurately are known as physical quantities .The
laws of Physics can be expressed in terms of the physical
quantities.
e.g. Force ,Acceleration ,Mass, Temperature ,Charge etc.
FUNDAMENTAL AND DERIVED QUANTITIES:
Those physical quantities which are independent of other
physical quantities are called fundamental physical quantities
.The units of those fundamental quantities are called
fundamental units.
e.g. meter is fundamental unit of length in S.I system.
Those units which can be derived from the fundamental units
are called derived units. e.g. Watt is derived unit of power.
𝑊 𝐹×𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑑
Power = = =
𝑡 𝑡 𝑡
𝑚 𝑚
Power = 𝑘𝑔 ( 2 )( )= 𝑘𝑔𝑚2 𝑠 −3 = Watt.
𝑆 𝑆
Note: mass, length, time ,temperature ,luminous intensity,
current ,amount of substance are fundamental quantities.
Area, volume ,density, speed are derived quantities.
 SYSTEM OF UNITS
There are a few system of units which are world wide accepted
in Physics. They are as follows:
i) FPS SYSTEM:
This is also known as British system of unit. In this system;
mass, length and time are measured in pound ,foot, and second
respectively.
ii) CGS SYSTEM:
It is also known as French system of unit. In this system; mass
,length and time are measured in gram, centimeter and second
respectively.
iii) MKS SYSTEM:
In this system; mass ,length and time are measured in kilogram,
meter and second respectively.
 IV) SI-SYSTEM: It is based on the seven
fundamental units of physical quantities; which are
tabulated as below:

Physical Quantities Units Symbols

Mass kilogram kg

Length meter m

Time second S

Temperature kelvin K

Luminous Intensity candela Cd

Amount of substance mole mole

Current ampere A
 In addition, there are two supplementary units.

Plane Angle radian rad

Solid Angle Steradian sr

Advantages of S.I System:

i) It is coherent system : All derived units can be expressed in terms of certain
fundamental units e.g. the unit of force is obtained when unit of mass is multiplied by
unit of acceleration.
ii) It is rational system :This system uses the same unit of measurement for all forms of a
physical quantity e.g. All forms of energy(Heat energy, Light energy, sound energy)
have same unit i.e. joule.
iii) It is decimal system(Metric system):This is because multiplies and submultiples of
their basic units are related to the practical units by the power of 10.Numerical values
are expressed in terms of decimal or power of 10.
iv) It is highly useful in theoretical and experimental works.
 Dimensions
• Dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers to be raised to the
fundamental quantities mass, length and time in order to represent the
physical quantity.
• Dimensions of force:
• 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 = 𝑚𝑎 = 𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 ∴ Dimensions of Force are 1 in mass,1 in length
and -2 in time.
• Dimensions of work:
• Work =F×d = 𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 [𝐿1 ] = [𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −2]
∴Dimensions of work are 1 in mass, 2 in length and -2 in time.
• Notes:
• i) The formula of a physical quantity may be different in different cases but
the dimensions remain same. E.g. Area of square = 𝑙 2 and Area of circle =
𝜋𝑟 2 but the dimensions is same i.e. [𝑀0 𝐿2 𝑇 0 ]
• ii) Different physical quantities may have same dimensions e.g. work,
energy and torque have same dimensions. Impulse and momentum have
same dimensions.
• iii)The dimensions of physical quantities are independent of system of units.
 Dimensional Formula

It is a mathematical way of representing a physical

quantity in terms of fundamental quantities along with
their dimensions. It shows how and which
fundamental quantities are involved in the given
physical quantity.
E.g. Dimensional formula for force is 𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 .
Dimensional formula for workdone is [𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −2 ].
Note: Same dimensional formula does not mean same
physical quantity.
 Dimensional Equation
If all the physical quantities in any physical equation
are replaced by their corresponding dimensional
formulae, then the expression thus obtained is called
dimensional equation.
1
E.g. 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2
Or, 𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 0 = 𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 −1 𝑇 + 𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 𝑇 2
∴ 𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 0 = 𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 0 + 𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 0
1
[Here, the term is dimensionless]
2
Which is the required dimensional equation for the
1
physical equation 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2 .
2
 Principle of Homogeneity

According to principle of homogeneity,the dimensions

of each term on left hand side of any equation should
be equal to the dimensions of each term on right hand
side. E.g. In the equation; v = u + at, all the terms ‘v’,
‘u’ and ‘at’ have same dimensions.
Note: All physically correct equations are
dimensionally correct but converse may not be true.
E.g. In the equation, 𝐹 = 5𝑚𝑎,the dimensions of left
side are equal to the dimensions of right side but the
equation is not correct physically.
 Classification of physical quantities on
the basis of Dimensional Analysis.
i)Dimensional Variables: Those physical quantities which have
dimensions but don’t have fixed values are known as
dimensional variables. E.g. velocity ,acceleration etc.
ii)Dimensional Constants: Those physical quantities which have
dimensions and have fixed values are called dimensional
constants. E.g. G=6.67×10−11 𝑁𝑚2 𝑘𝑔−2 ,Speed of light in
vacuum(C)= 3 × 108 𝑚/𝑠 etc.
iii)Dimensionless Variables: Those physical quantities which
have neither dimensions nor fixed values are called
𝐴𝑟𝑐 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
dimensionless variables. E.g. angle= ,strain, relative
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠
density, refractive index etc.
iv)Dimensionless Constants: Those physical quantities which
don’t have dimensions but have fixed values are dimensionless
constants. E.g. e , 𝜋 ,1 ,2 ,3 ,4 etc.
 Applications of Dimensional Analysis
1. To find dimensions of a constant in the given equation:
E.g.(i) Universal Gravitational Constant(G):
We have, from Newton’s law of gravitation;
𝐺𝑚1 𝑚2
𝐹=
𝑟2
𝐹𝑟 2
or, 𝐺 =
𝑚1 𝑚2
Dimensionally, we can write;
𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 𝐿2
𝐺 = = 𝑀−1 𝐿3 𝑇 −2
𝑀2
Therefore, the dimensions of G are ‘-1’ in mass, ‘3’ in
length and ‘-2’ in time.
(ii) Potential Difference or Voltage:
We have;
Power(P)= IV
𝑃
Or,𝑉 =
𝐼
Dimensionally, we have;
𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −3
[V] = = [M1 L2 T −3 A−1 ]
𝐴
Similarly, For Resistance(R):
We have; 𝑃 = 𝐼2 𝑅
𝑃
or, 𝑅 =
𝐼2
Dimensionally, we have;
𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −3 1 2 −3 −2
𝑅 = 2
= [𝑀 𝐿 𝑇 𝐴 ]
𝐴
(iii) Specific Heat Capacity(S):
We have; 𝑄 = 𝑚𝑆∆𝜃
𝑄
Or, 𝑆 =
𝑚∆𝜃
Dimensionally, we have;
𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −2
𝑆 = = [𝑀0 𝐿2 𝑇 −2 𝐾 −1 ]
𝑀 𝐾
(iv) Universal Gas Constant(R):
We have; the ideal gas equation is
𝑃𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇
Where, P is pressure, V is volume, n is number of moles and T is
absolute temperature.
𝑃𝑉
𝑜𝑟, 𝑅 =
𝑛𝑇
Dimensionally, we have;
𝑀1 𝐿−1 𝑇 −2 𝐿3
𝑅 = = [𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −2 𝑀𝑜𝑙 −1 𝐾 −1 ]
𝑀𝑜𝑙 𝐾
(v) Velocity of a particle in time ‘t’ is given by;
𝐵
𝑣 =𝐴+
(𝐶−𝑡)
Find dimensions A, B and C.
From principle of homogeneity, we have;
𝑣 = 𝐴 = [𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 −1 ]
Also, [C]=[t]=[𝑇1 ]
𝐵
And, = [𝑣]
𝐶−𝑡
𝐵
Or, = [𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 −1 ]
𝑇
∴ 𝐵 = 𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 −1 𝑇 = [𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 0 ]
 2.To check correctness of the given
equation:
E.g.(i) Check the correctness of the equation;
𝑚
𝑡 = 2π where; t is time period, m is mass and
𝑘
k is force per unit extension (Force constant).
We have; Dimensional formula for L.H.S.=[𝑇 1 ]
𝑀1
Dimensional formula for R.H.S.= = [𝑇 2 ] = 𝑇 1
𝑀1 𝑇 −2
𝐹 𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2
Where, 𝑘 = = = [𝑀1 𝑇 −2 ]
𝑙 𝐿1
As the dimensions of left side are equal to the dimensions of the
right side, the given equation is dimensionally correct.
(ii) Check the correctness of the formula;
1 1
𝐹×𝑆 = 𝑚𝑣 2
− 𝑚𝑢2Where the symbols have
2 2
their usual meanings.
Here, dimensional formula for L.S.
=[𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 ][𝐿1 ]=[𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −2 ]
1
Dimensional formula for 𝑚𝑣 2 = 𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −2
2
1
[∵ is dimensionless]
2
1
Similarly, dimensional formula for 𝑚𝑢2 = 𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −2
2
As the dimensions of left side are equal to the
dimensions of the right side, the given equation is
dimensionally correct.
(iii) A student writes formula for escape velocity as;
2𝐺𝑅
𝑣= ;where R is radius of earth and M is mass
𝑀
of earth. Check the correctness of the formula.
Here, dimensional formula for L.S.= [𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 −1 ]
1
𝑀−1 𝐿3 𝑇 −2 𝐿1 2
Dimensional formula for R.S.=
𝑀1
1
= 𝑀−2 𝐿4 𝑇 −2 2

= [𝑀−1 𝐿2 𝑇 −1 ]
As the dimensions of L.S. are not equal to dimensions
of right side, the given equation is not dimensionally
correct.
 3. To derive different physical relations:
E.g.(i) Expression for Kinetic Energy:
Suppose, the kinetic energy of a body depends on its
mass(m) and velocity(v).
Let, 𝐾. 𝐸. α 𝑚𝑎 …….(1)
And 𝐾. 𝐸. α 𝑣 𝑏 ……(2) ;where ‘a’ and ‘b’ are constants
whose dimensions are to be determined.
Combining equations (1) and (2), we get;
K.E.α 𝑚𝑎 𝑣 𝑏
or, K.E.= k 𝑚𝑎 𝑣 𝑏 ……..(3); where k is dimensionless
constant.
Dimensionally, equation(3) can be written as;
𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −2 = 𝑀 𝑎 𝐿1 𝑇 −1 𝑏
Or, 𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −2 =[𝑀𝑎 𝐿𝑏 𝑇 −𝑏 ]
Equating the powers of similar quantities, we get,
a=1 and b= 2
Therefore, equation(3) becomes;
𝐾. 𝐸. = 𝑘𝑚1 𝑣 2
∴ 𝐾. 𝐸. = 𝑘𝑚𝑣 2
This is expression for Kinetic Energy. The dimensional
analysis could not determine the valve of k.
1
Experimentally, k= .
2
1
∴ 𝐾. 𝐸. = 𝑚𝑣 2
2
(ii) Time period of simple pendulum:
Suppose, the time period of simple pendulum depends
on mass of bob of the pendulum(m), effective length of
the pendulum(L) and acceleration due to gravity(g).
Let, 𝑇 ∝ 𝑚𝑎 , 𝑇 ∝ 𝐿𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇 ∝ 𝑔𝑐
Where, a ,b & c are constants to be determined.
Combining, we get;
𝑇 ∝ 𝑚𝑎 𝐿𝑏 𝑔𝑐
Or, 𝑇 = 𝑘𝑚𝑎 𝐿𝑏 𝑔𝑐 ……..(1) ;where k is dimensionless
constant.
Dimensionally, equation (1) can be written as;
𝑀0 𝐿𝑂 𝑇1 = 𝑀𝑎 𝐿𝑏 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 𝑐
Or, 𝑀0 𝐿𝑂 𝑇1 = 𝑀𝑎 𝐿𝑏+𝑐 𝑇 −2𝑐 … … . (2)
Equating the powers of similar quantities, we get;
a=0, b + c=0 and -2c=1
1 1
Or, a=0, 𝑐 = − and b=
2 2
Then the equation (1) becomes:
1 1
0 2 −2
𝑇= 𝑘𝑚 𝐿 𝑔
𝐿
∴𝑇=𝑘
𝑔
This is required expression for the time period of
simple pendulum. The dimensional analysis could not
determine the value of k. Experimentally, k=2π.
(iii) The frequency of vibration ‘f’ of a stretched string
depends upon length of the string ‘L’, tension applied
in the string ‘T’ and mass per unit length ‘µ’ of the
string. Find the expression for the frequency by the
method of dimensions.
𝑘 𝑇
Answer: 𝑓 =
𝐿 µ
 4.To convert the values of physical
quantities from a system of unit to another.
A physical quantity X can be expressed as;
𝑋 = 𝑛𝑢 ; where ‘n’ is numerical value of X and ‘u’ is unit of X.
If 𝑛1 and 𝑛2 are numerical values of X & 𝑢1 and 𝑢2 are units
of X in the two systems respectively, then we can write;
𝑋 = 𝑛1 𝑢1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑋 = 𝑛2 𝑢2
∴ 𝑛1 𝑢1 =𝑛2 𝑢2 ……(1)
Let X has dimensional formula [𝑀𝑎 𝐿𝑏 𝑇 𝑐 ] .Let the fundamental
units be 𝑀1 , 𝐿1 & 𝑇1 in the first system and 𝑀2 , 𝐿2 & 𝑇2 in
second system. Then, the equation (1) becomes;
𝑛1 𝑀1𝑎 𝐿𝑏1 𝑇1𝑐 = 𝑛2 𝑀2𝑎 𝐿𝑏2 𝑇2𝑐
𝑀1 𝑎 𝐿1 𝑏 𝑇1 𝑐
∴ 𝑛2 = 𝑛1 …….(2)
𝑀2 𝐿2 𝑇2
This formula is used to convert the value of a physical quantity
from one system of unit to another.
E.g.(i) Convert one joule into erg.
Joule and erg are units of energy in S.I. system and
C.G.S system respectively.
Dimensional formula for Energy is 𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −2
∴ 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 = −2

Given or First System(S.I) New or Second System(C.G.S)

𝑛1 = 1 𝑛2 = ?

𝑀1 =1 Kg 𝑀2 = 1 g

𝐿1 = 1 m 𝐿2 = 1 cm

𝑇1 = 1S 𝑇2 = 1S
We have;
𝑀1 𝑎 𝐿1 𝑏 𝑇1 𝑐
𝑛2 = 𝑛1
𝑀2 𝐿2 𝑇2

1𝑘𝑔 1 1𝑚 2 1𝑠 −2
or, 𝑛2 = 1
1𝑔 1𝑐𝑚 1𝑠

1000𝑔 1 100𝑐𝑚 2 1𝑠 −2
or, 𝑛2 = 1
1𝑔 1𝑐𝑚 1𝑠
1 2
or, 𝑛2 = 1 1000 100 (1)
∴ 𝑛2 = 107
∴ 1 joule = 107 erg
(ii) The value of universal gravitational constant in
CGS- system is 6.67 × 10−8 𝐷𝑦𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑚2 𝑔−2 .
Calculate its value in SI − system.
Answer:. 6.67 × 10−11 𝑁𝑚2 𝑘𝑔−2
(iii) Find the value of 60 Joule/minute on a system
which has 100 g, 10 cm and 1 minute as fundamental
units.
Solution: Here, Joule/minute is the unit of power. The
dimensional formula for power is 𝑀1 𝐿2 𝑇 −3 .
∴ 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 = −3
We have; 60 Joule/minute =1 Joule/second
Given System ( S.I. System ) New System

𝑛1 = 1 𝑛2 =?

𝑀1 = 1 𝑘𝑔 𝑀2 = 100 𝑔

𝐿1 = 1 𝑚 𝐿2 = 10 𝑐𝑚

𝑇1 = 1 𝑆 𝑇2 = 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒
We have;
𝑀1 𝑎 𝐿1 𝑏 𝑇1 𝑐
𝑛2 = 𝑛1
𝑀2 𝐿2 𝑇2

1 𝑘𝑔 1 1𝑚 2 1𝑆 −3
or, 𝑛2 = 1
100𝑔 10𝑐𝑚 1𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒

1000𝑔 1 100cm 2 1S −3
or, 𝑛2 = 1
100𝑔 10cm 60S
1 2 3
or, 𝑛2 = 1 10 10 60
or, 𝑛2 = 2.16 × 108
∴ 60 Joule/minute= 2.16 × 108 in new system.
 Limitations of Dimensional Analysis
 It does not give information about dimensionless
constant.
 It does not give any information about scalars and
vectors.
 The exact form of a physical equation can not be
derived if there are more than one term (part) in the
equation.
 We can not derive the relations involving trigonometric,
logarithmic and exponential functions.
 The exact formula for a physical quantity can not be
derived if the physical quantity depends on more than
three factors having dimensions.
 Practice Questions
(a) Find the dimensions of a and b in the given relation;
𝐹 = 𝑎 𝑥 +𝑏𝑡 2 ; where F=force ,x=distance, t=time.
Solution: Dimensionally, we can write;
1
𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 = 𝑏[𝑇 2 ]𝑎[𝐿2 ] +
From principle of homogeneity,we have ;
1
𝑎[𝐿 ] = 𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2
2

𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 1
∴ a= 1 = [𝑀1 𝐿 𝑇 −2 ]
2
[𝐿 2 ]
Similarly; 𝑏[𝑇 2 ] = 𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2
𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2
∴ b= =[𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −4 ]
[𝑇 2 ]
(b) Find the dimensional formula of constants a and b
in the following relation (Vander Wall’s equation of
𝑎
state); (𝑃 + 2 )(V-b) = RT
𝑉
Where, P is pressure, V is volume, R is universal gas
constant and T is absolute temperature.
Solution: From principle of homogeneity, we have;
𝑎
𝑃 = [ 2]
𝑉
2
Or, 𝑎 = 𝑃 𝑉
∴ 𝑎 = 𝑀1 𝐿−1 𝑇 −2 𝐿6 = [𝑀1 𝐿5 𝑇 −2 ]
Similarly, 𝑏 = 𝑉 = [𝑀0 𝐿3 𝑇 0 ]
 𝑏
(C) In the equation; µ = 𝑎 + ; µ is refractive index
λ2
and λ is wavelength of light. Find dimensions of
constants a and b.
Solution: From principle of homogeneity, we have;
µ = 𝑎 = 𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0 [As µ is dimensionless]
𝑏
Similarly, µ = 2
λ
2
∴ 𝑏 = µ λ = 𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0 𝐿2 = [𝑀0 𝐿2 𝑇 0 ]
(d) Taking force, length and time as fundamental
quantities, find dimensional formula for (i) density
(ii) mass.
Solution: 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒, 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 ρ = 𝐹 𝑎 𝐿𝑏 𝑇 𝑐 … (1)
Where, a, b and c are constants to be determined.
Dimensionally, equation(1) can be written as;
𝑀1 𝐿−3 𝑇 0 = 𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 𝑎 𝐿 𝑏 𝑇 𝑐
or, 𝑀1 𝐿−3 𝑇 0 = 𝑀𝑎 𝐿𝑎+𝑏 𝑇 −2𝑎+𝑐
Equating the powers of similar quantities, we get;
a=1, a + b=-3 and -2a+c=0
0r, a=1, b=-4 and c=2
∴ Dimensional formula for density is ρ = [𝐹1 𝐿−4 𝑇 2 ]
Again, suppose mass [m]= [𝐹 𝑎 𝐿𝑏 𝑇 𝑐 ]
Dimensionally, we can write;
𝑀1 𝐿0 𝑇 0 = 𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 𝑎 𝐿 𝑏
𝑇 𝑐

Answer: 𝑚 = [𝐹1 𝐿−1 𝑇 2 ]

(e) The velocity of a particle in time ‘t’ is given as;
−𝑏𝑡 2
𝑣 = 𝑎𝑒 . Find dimensions of a and b.
−𝑏𝑡 2
Solution: Here, 𝑒 is dimensionless.
From principle of homogeneity;
𝑣 = 𝑎 = [𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 −1 ]
Again; the power ‘𝑏𝑡 2 ’ is dimensionless.
∴ 𝑏𝑡 2 = [𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0 ]
𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0
or, 𝑏 = = [𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 −2 ]
𝑇2
(f) Force acting on a body is given by;
𝐹 = 𝐴𝐶𝑜𝑠𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶𝑆𝑖𝑛𝐷𝑡 ; where, ‘x’ is displacement
and ‘t’ is time. Find dimensions of A, B, C and D.
Solution: From principle of homogeneity, we have;
𝐹 = 𝐴 = 𝐶 = [𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −2 ]
[ 𝐴𝑠 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝐵𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝐷𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠]
Again, 𝐵𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠.
∴ 𝐵𝑥 = 𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷𝑡 = 𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0
𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0 𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0
𝑜𝑟, 𝐵 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷 =
𝐿1 𝑇1
∴ 𝐵 = 𝑀0 𝐿−1 𝑇 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷 = [𝑀 𝐿 𝑇 0 0 −1
]
(g) The position ‘x’ of a particle at time ‘t’ is given by;
𝑏
𝑥= (1 − 𝑒 𝑎𝑡 ). Find the dimensions of ‘a’ and ‘b’.
𝑎
Solution: The term ‘at’ is dimensionless.
𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0 0 0 −1
∴ 𝑎 = 1
= 𝑀 𝐿 𝑇 .
𝑇
Again, from principle of homogeneity;
𝑏
𝑥 =
𝑎
∴ 𝑏 = 𝐿1 𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 −1 = [𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 −1 ]
(h) Acceleration of a particle is given by;
𝑎 = 𝐵𝐿𝑜𝑔 𝑝𝑞 , where; p is linear momentum.
Find dimensions of B and q.
Solution: From principle of homogeneity;
𝑎 = 𝐵 = 𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 −2
[𝐴𝑠 𝐿𝑜𝑔 𝑝𝑞 𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠]
Again, 𝑝𝑞 = 𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0
𝑀0 𝐿0 𝑇 0
∴ 𝑞 = = [𝑀−1 𝐿−1 𝑇1 ]
𝑀1 𝐿1 𝑇 −1
(i) The displacement of a particle is given by;
𝑦 = 𝐴𝑆𝑖𝑛(𝑘𝑥 − 𝑤𝑡),where x is distance and t is time.
𝑤
Find dimensions of A and .
𝑘
Solution: From principle of homogeneity;
𝑦 = 𝐴 = 𝑀0 𝐿1 𝑇 0
[𝐴𝑠 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑥 − 𝑤𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠]
Again, 𝑘𝑥 = 𝑤𝑡
𝑥 𝑤
𝑜𝑟, =
𝑡 𝑘
𝑤 𝐿1
∴ = 1 = [𝐿1 𝑇 −1 ]
𝑘 𝑇