PH 110

TUTORIAL SHEET 1 - 2024

MEASUREMENTS, UNITS AND DIMENSIONS

1. Write down the dimensions of the fundamental physical quantities.

2. Write down the dimensional formulas of the following physical quantities and use the to
determine the units of measurement of each;
(i) Density
(ii) Acceleration
(iii) Power
(iv) Work
(v) Momentum

3. A body in motion has the velocity v that varies with time t according to the relation
𝑣 = 𝑎𝑡 2 + 𝑏𝑡 + 𝑐

(i) Determine the dimensions of a, b and c.

(ii) State the physical quantities represented by b and c.

4. The position x of a particle depends upon time t according to the equation x = at + bt2.
Determine the dimensions and units of a and b. What are the physical quantities denoted by
a and b?
5. From the following physical quantities, which pair has the same dimensions?
(i) moment of couple and work
(ii) force and power
(iii) latent heat and specific heat
(iv) work and power
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6. Turpentine oil is flowing through a tube of length l and radius r. The pressure difference
between the two ends of the tube is P. The viscosity of the oil is given by
𝑃(𝑟 2 − 𝑥 2 )
𝜂=
4𝑣𝑙
Where v is the velocity of oil at a distance x from the axis of the tube. Determine the
dimensions of η. Write down the units of measurement of η.
7. The velocity v of a particle depends upon time t according to the relation

𝑏
𝑣 = 𝑎𝑡 +
𝑡+𝑐

What are the dimensions of a, b and c? Where possible state

the physical quantities a, b and c.
8. Use the principle of homogeneity, check the correctness of
the following equation
2𝑇𝐶𝑜𝑠∅
ℎ=
𝑟𝑑𝑔
where β is the angle of contact, d is the density of a liquid, r is the radius of the tube, g is
acceleration due to gravity, h is the height of the liquid and T is the surface tension.
𝑎
9. In the equation (𝑃 + 𝑉 2 ) (𝑉 − 𝑏) = constant, determine the units of a, b and V.

10. The square of the speed v of an object undergoing acceleration a is a variable of a function
a and the displacement S according to the expression given by
𝑣2 = 𝑘𝑎𝑚𝑆𝑛
What dimensions should k have in order for the expression to be dimensionally consistent?
11. For a vibrating spring, its period (T) depends on tension (F), its length (l) and the mass
density (mass per unit length) (𝜎). If the relation as of the form
𝑇 = 𝑘𝐹 𝑥 𝑙 𝑦 𝜎 𝑧
Where k is the dimensionless constant, use the dimensional analysis to determine
the value of x, y and z.
12. For a planet of mass M and radius R, the escape velocity of a body mass m
planet’s surface is given by

2
 2𝐺𝑀
𝑣=√
𝑅

Where G is the universal constant of gravitation given by

𝐹𝑅 2
𝐺=
𝑀𝑚

With F the gravitational force between the planet and a body.

Show that the formula for escape velocity is dimensionally consistent.

13. The velocity v of water wave depends on the wavelength λ, density of water ρ and
acceleration due to gravity g. The relationship between the physical quantities is
𝑣 = 𝑘𝜆𝑎 𝜌𝑏 𝑔𝑐
With k a dimensionless quantity. Find the values of a, b and c.
14. Check the correctness of the following equations
(a) 𝐹 = 6𝜋η𝑟𝑣 [F = force, η = viscosity, r = radius, v = velocity]
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2𝐺𝑅 2
(b) 𝑣 = (𝑀) [v = velocity, G =Universal gravitation constant, R = radius, M = Mass]
𝜋𝜂𝑟 4 𝜃
(c) 𝜏 = [ τ = torque, η = modulus of rigidity, r = radius, l = length, θ = angle of twist]
2𝑙