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PHYS 102 Questions On Dimensional Analysis 2024 - 014114
PHYS 102 Questions On Dimensional Analysis 2024 - 014114
PHYS 102 Questions On Dimensional Analysis 2024 - 014114
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PHYS 102: Physics For Computer Scientist
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PHYS 102: Physics For Computer Scientist
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PHYS 102: Physics For Computer Scientist
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PHYS 102: Physics For Computer Scientist
Answer: Given,
c = 3 x 1010 cm/sec
G = 6.67 x 108 dyn cm2/gm2
h = 6.6 x 10-27 erg sec
Putting respective dimensions,
Dimension formula for c = [M0L1T-1] = 3 x 1010 cm/sec …. (I)
Dimensions of G = [M-1L3T-2] = 6.67 x 108 dyn cm2/gm2 …(II)
Dimensions of h = [M1L2T-1] = 6.6 x 10-27 erg sec …(III)
(Note: Applying newton’s law of gravitation, you can find dimensions of G i.e. G = Fr2/(mM)
Similarly, Planck’s Constant (h) = Energy / frequency)
To get M, multiply eqn-I and III and divide by eqn.-II,
⇒ [M0L1T-1].[M1L2T-1].[M1L-3T2]
= ( 3 x 1010 cm/sec).( 6.6 x 10-27 erg sec)/ 6.67 x 108 dyn cm2/gm2
⇒[M2] = 2.968 x 10-9
⇒[M] = 0.5448 x 10-4 gm
or 1gm = [M]/0.5448 x 10-4 = 1.835 x 10-4 unit of mass
To obtain length [L], eqn.-II x eqn-III / cube of eqn.-I i.e.
[M-1L3T-2].[M1L2T-1].[M0L-3T3]
= (6.67 x 108 dyn cm2/gm2 ).( 6.6 x 10-27erg sec)/(3 x 1010 cm/sec)3
⇒ [L2] = 1.6304 x 10-65 cm2
⇒ [L] = 0.4038 x 10-32 cm
or 1cm = [L]/ 0.4038 x 10-32 = 2.47 x 10-32unit of length
In eqn-I, [M0L1T-1] = 3 x 1010 cm/sec
⇒ [T] = [L] ÷ 3 x 1010cm/s
⇒ [T] = 0.4038 x 10-32 cm ÷ 3 x 1010cm/s = 0.1345 x 10-42 s
or 1s = [T]/0.1345 x 10-42 s = 7.42 x 1042 unit of time
Q 21: A student while doing an experiment finds that the velocity of an object varies with time and
it can be expressed as equation:
v = Xt2 + Yt +Z .
If units of v and t are expressed in terms of SI units, determine the units of constants X, Y and Z in
the given equation.
Answer: Given, v = Xt2 + Yt +Z
Dimensions of velocity v = [M0L1T-1]
Applying applying principle of homogeneity in dimensions, terms must have same dimension.
[v] = [Xt2] + [Yt] + [Z]
∴ [v] = [Xt2]
⇒ [X] = [v] /[t2] = [M0L1T-1] / [M0L0T2] = [M0L1T-3] ….(i)
Similarly, [v] = [Yt]
⇒ [Y] = [v] / [t] = [M0L1T-1]/ [M0L0T-1] = [M0L1T-2] …(ii)
Similarly, [v]= [Z]
[Z] = [M0L1T-1] …(iii)
⇒ Unit of X = m-s-3
⇒ Unit of Y = m-s-2
⇒ Unit of Z = m-s-1
Q.22: Express Capacitance in terms of dimensions of fundamental quantities i.e. Mass (M),
Length(L), Time(T) and Ampere(A)
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PHYS 102: Physics For Computer Scientist
Answer: Capacitance(C) is defined as the ability of a electric body to store electric charge.
∴ Capacitance (C) = Total Charge(q) / potential difference between two plates (V)
= Coulomb/ Volt
∵ Volt = Work done (W)/ Charge(q) = Joule/Coulomb
⇒ Capacitance (C) = Charge(q)2/ Work(W)
∵ Charge (q) = Current (I) × Time(t)
Dimension of [q] = [AT] ———– (I)
Dimension of Work = Force × distance = [MLT-2][L] = [ML2T-2] ——— (II)
Putting values of I and II,
[C] = ([AT])2/ [ML2T-2] = [M-1L-2T2+2A2] = [M-1L-2T4A2]
Physical Quantities having the same dimensional formula:
a. impulse and momentum.
b. force, thrust.
c. work, energy, torque, moment of force, energy
d. angular momentum, Planck’s constant, rotational impulse
e. force constant, surface tension, surface energy.
f. stress, pressure, modulus of elasticity.
g. angular velocity, frequency, velocity gradient
h. latent heat, gravitational potential.
i. thermal capacity, entropy, universal gas constant and Boltzmann’s constant.
j. power, luminous flux.
Q.23: If Force (F), velocity (V) and acceleration (A) are taken as the fundamental units instead of
mass, length and time, express pressure and impulse in terms of F, V and A.
Answer: We know that Force = mass ✕ acceleration
⇒ mass = FA-1
and length = velocity ✕ time = velocity ✕ velocity ÷ acceleration = V2A-1
and time = VA-1
∵ Pressure = Force ÷ Area = F ÷ (V2A-1)2 = FV-4A2
Impulse = Force ✕ time = FVA-1
Additional questions
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PHYS 102: Physics For Computer Scientist
7. With clear steps, find the dimension of: Area, Volume, Density, Pressure, Acceleration and Force.
8. What are the applications of dimensional analysis?
9. Young’s Modulus is defined as the ratio of longitudinal stress to longitudinal strain. Starting with the
definition:
(i) Show that the units for young’s Modulus are same as for Pressure
(ii) Use dimensional analysis to determine the fundamental physical quantities of Young’s Modulus.
𝑎
10. In the gas equation, (P+𝑉 2)×(V −b)=RT , find the dimensions of the constants a and b. Note: P represent
pressure, V represent volume, T represent temperature and R is universal gas constant.
11. List five examples of dimensional constants (A part from Planck's constant and universal gravitational
constant) and dimensional variables. Hence perform dimensional analysis for Planck's constant and
universal gravitational constant.
12. State the limitations of dimensional analysis.
13. What is the dimensional analysis of kinetic energy?
14. Define the principle of homogeneity of dimensions. On What principle is it based?
15. A book with many printing errors contains four different formulas for the displacement y of a particle
undergoing a certain periodic motion:
(a) y = a sin 2π t/T
(b) y = a sin vt
(c) y = (a/T) sin t/a
(d) y = (a 2) (sin 2πt / T + cos 2πt / T ) (a = maximum displacement of the particle, v = speed of the particle.
T = time-period of motion). Rule out the wrong formulas on dimensional grounds. Note: dimensions
of T = Dimension of t.
16. A man walking briskly in rain with speed v must slant his umbrella forward making an angle θ with the
vertical. A student derives the following relation between θ and v : tan θ = v and checks that the relation
has a correct limit: as v → 0, θ →0, as expected. (We are assuming there is no strong wind and that
the rain falls vertically for a stationary man). Do you think this relation can be correct ?
17. Hooke’s law states that the force, F, in a spring extended by a length x is given by F = −kx. According
to Newton’s second law F = ma, where m is the mass and a is the acceleration. Calculate the dimension
of the spring constant k.
18. A student while doing an experiment finds that the velocity of an object varies with time and it can be
expressed as equation:
v = Xt2+ Yt +Z . If units of v and t are expressed in terms of SI units, determine the units of constants X, Y
and Z in the given equation.
19. List physical quantities that have the same dimensional formula.
20. The period, t, of a vibrating wire depends on its tension force F, its length, l, and it's mass per unit
length 𝜎. Assuming that the relationship is of the form: 𝑡 = 𝑘 𝐹 𝛼 𝑙 𝛽 𝜎 𝛾 , where k is a dimensionless
constant. Use dimensional analysis to determine the value of 𝛼, 𝛽 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛾
21. In a particle accelerator operating at power P, a charged sphere of radius r and density 𝜌 has its speed
30𝜋 𝑟 3 𝑢2 𝜌
increased from u to 2u over a distance x. A student derived this formula: 𝑥= 9𝑃
i) Write down the dimension for pressure and density
ii) Show that this formula is not dimensionally consistent
iii) Given that there is only one error in this formula for x, obtain the correct formula
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