Dimensional Analysis

Chapter 2
 Systems of Units
Section 2.3
Physical Quantity Unit Abbreviation
Kilogram
Mass kg
Gram (CGS)
Meter
Length m
Centimeter (CGS)
Time Second s

Temperature Kelvin K

Amount of substance Mole mol

Electric Current Ampere A

Luminous intensity Candela cd

 Derived Units
Quantity Unit Symbol Equivalent in Terms of
Base Units

Volume liter L 0.001 m3

1000 cm3

Force newton (SI) N 1 kg ∙ m/s2

dyne (CGS) 1 g ∙ cm/s2

Pressure pascal (SI) Pa 1 N/m2

Energy, work joule (SI) J 1 N ∙ m = 1 kg ∙ m2/s2

erg (CGS) 1 dyne∙cm = 1 g∙cm2/s2
gram-calorie cal 4.184 J = 4.184 kg ∙ m2/s2
Power watt W 1 J/s = 1 kg ∙ m2/s2
 Section 2.2
Dimensional Analysis
 Utilizes conversion factors in order to convert
between units of one thing to units of
something else
• Examples of conversion factors:
 1 foot = 12 inches
 2.54 cm = 1 inch
 Example
 How many centimeters are  42.4 cm
in 1.39 feet?
Hint: 1 in = 2.54 cm

See Sample Exercise 1.9

(Pg. 25)
 Conversions Involving More than One Unit
 The speed of sound in air at sea  760 mile/hr
level is 340 m/s. Express this
speed in miles per hour.
 Hint: 1 mile = 1.6093 km

 See Sample Exercise 1.10 (Pg.

26) and Useful Conversion
Factors and Relationships (Inside
back cover)
 Conversions Involving Cubed Units
 Express a density of 8.4 8400 kg/m3
g/cm3 in terms of SI base OR
units (kg/m3). 8.4 x 103 kg/m3

See Sample Exercise 1.11

(pg. 27-28)
 Combination
Carry out the following 1.5 x 10-4 lbm/hr ∙ ft3
conversion:

0.04 g/min ∙ m3 to lbm/hr ∙

ft3
 For Super Duper Fun
In 1916 Nusselt derived a theoretical relation for predicting the coefficient of
heat transfer between a pure saturated vapor and a colder surface:
1/ 4
 k  g  3 2
h  0.943 
 LT 
where h = mean heat transfer coefficient, Btu/(hr)(ft2)(ºF)
k = thermal conductivity, Btu/(hr)(ft)(ºF)
 = density, lb/ft3
g = acceleration of gravity, 4.17 x 108 ft/(hr)2
 = enthalpy change, Btu/lb
L = length of tube, ft
 = viscosity, lbm/(hr)(ft)
T= temperature difference, ºF
What are the units of the constant, 0.943?
 Assignments
 Complete the following questions at the end of
Chapter 2:
 2.1, 2.2, 2.6, 2.8, 2.11