The dimensional formula

The objectives:
By the end of this session the student should be :
1. Define the dimensional formula.
2. Derive the dimensional formula of the
physical quantities.
3. Verify the validity of the equation if it is
correct or not.
The dimensional formula:
It is the formula that express the derived physical quantities
in terms of fundamental physical quantities
(mass, length, time).

[A]= M ±a L ±b T ±c
M: mass L: length T: time

Student book page (8)

Student book page (8)
Examples :

1. Area = Length x Width

Unit = m2
A = L x L = L2

2. Volume = Length x Width x height

Vol = L x L x L = L 3 Unit = m3

Student book page (9)

Examples :

3. Velocity = displacement/ time = Length / Time

V = L / T=LT-1 Unit = m/S

4. Density = Mass / Volume

ρ= M/L = ML
3 -3 Unit = Kg/m3

Student book page (9)

Examples :

5. Acceleration = change in velocity/ time

a = LT-1 / T = LT-2 Unit = m/S 2

6. Force = Acceleration X mass

2
-2
F= LT X M = MLT -2 Unit = Kgm/S
=Newton (N)
Student book page (9)
Examples :

7. Work = Force X displacement

W = MLT-2 X L = ML2T-2 Unit = Kg m /S 2 2

= Joule
8. Pressure = force / Area
-1 2
-2 2
F= MLT / L = ML T-1 -2 Unit = Kgm /S

Student book page (8)

The dimensional formula of some physical quantities:

Student book page (9)

Notes:
• If the physical quantity (M, L, T) is not present in the
formula, it is expressed as M0 or L0 or T0

• To add or subtract the physical quantity, they must be

the same (units and kind).

• We can multiply and divide any quantities with different

formula and units.

• Any number have no dimensions.

Student book page (9)
The dimensional formula:
The importance of dimensional formula :
used to verify the validity of a physical relation when
applying the dimensional analysis and found that the
dimension of both sides are the same.
- If the dimensional formula of the L.H.S ≠ R.H.S:
so the relation is wrong .
- If the dimensional formula of the L.H.S = R.H.S:
so the relation may be correct.
Student book page (9)
Student book page (9)
Student book page (10)
Use the dimensional formula to verify the following laws:

1. Work = force X displacement

L.H.S =
R.H.S =
L.H.S = R.H.S ,So the relation may be correct.
Use the dimensional formula to verify the following laws:

2. Volume =
L.H.S =
R.H.S =

L.H.S ≠R.H.S ,So the relation is wrong.

Use the dimensional formula to verify the following laws:

3. F = , where (m) is the object mass and (a) is the

acceleration of its motion.
L.H.S =
R.H.S =

L.H.S ≠R.H.S ,So the relation is wrong.

The answer:

Student book page (10)

Student book page (10)