NON - QUOTA

INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS 1 (PHY 1410)

SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES
Lecturer: Mr. Chileshe. A

CHAPTER 1 – UNITS & MEASUREMENTS

Objectives
 Discuss the importance of physics
 Identify fundamental quantities
 Distinguish between basic and derived quantities
 Discuss systems and units of measurement
 Understand accuracy and estimation
 Convert between unit systems
 Dimensions and dimensional analysis

1.1 Introduction
Physics is the natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through space and
time, along with related concepts such as energy and force. Physics structure is divided into the
following categories:
 Mechanics,
 Thermodynamics,
 Electromagnetism,
 Photonics,
 Relativity,
 Atomic and nuclear physics.
1.2 Units for measurement
The laws of physics are expressed in terms of physical quantities. Hence an accurate measurement
of these quantities becomes necessary and inevitable in establishing the laws of nature as revealed
by experimental observations. In order to measure a physical quantity its value is compared with
the standard of the same kind. This standard is called unit of a physical quantity. A physical
quantity is any quantity that can be measured and expressed in form of laws.
1.3 Magnitude
The number of times a standard is present in the physical quantity is known as the magnitude of
the physical quantity.

1.4 Fundamental quantities

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

A physical quantity which is independent of any other quantity is called a fundamental quantity.
The unit of a physical quantity which is independent of any other quantity is called a fundamental
unit. In mechanics, units of length, mass and time are taken as fundamental units.
1.5 Derived quantities
The physical quantities which can be derived from other physical quantities are called derived
quantities. All other quantities except the fundamental quantities are derivable. The units of
physical quantities which can be expressed in terms of fundamental units are called derived units.
For example, area, pressure, density and speed are derived quantities and their units are derived
from fundamental units. Note that some derived units have special names e.g. kg. m/s 2 is
Newton(N) and N/m2 is Pascal (Pa).
1.6 The International System of Units (SI)
S.I unit is the short name of “System International de units” which means “International system
of units”. It is a system of units for all fundamental physical quantities popularly known as the
metric system. In SI, there are seven base units. These are units of length, mass, time, electric
current, temperature, luminous intensity and amount of substance. Table 1.1 depicts these
quantities, their unit names, and their unit symbols. Many SI derived units are defined in terms of
the first three quantities of Table 1.1. For example, the SI unit for force, called the newton
(abbreviated N), is defined in terms of the base units of mass, length, and time. Thus, as we will
see from the study of Newton’s second law, the unit of force is given by:
1𝑁 = 1𝑘𝑔𝑚/𝑠2
Table 1.1 The seven independent SI base units
Quantity Unit name Unit symbol
Length Meter m
Time Second s
Mass Kilogram kg
Temperature Kelvin K
Amount of substance Mole mol
Electric Current Ampere A
Luminous Intensity Candela cd

1.7 Prefixes
An additional convenient way to deal with very small numbers in physics is to use the prefixes
listed in Table 1.2. When dealing with very large or very small numbers in physics, we use the so-
called scientific notation which employs powers of 10. Each one of these prefixes represents a
certain power of 10. Note that the most commonly used prefixes are shown in bold face type.

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

Table 1.2 Prefixes for SI units
Factor Prefix Symbol Factor Prefix Symbol
10 12 Tera- T 10-12 Pico- p
10 9 Giga- G 10-9 Nano- n
10 6 Mega- M 10-6 Micro- µ
103 kilo- k 10-3 Milli- m
1.8 Significant Figures
Significant figures are used to indicate the approximate number of digits that should be retained at
the end of a calculation.
Examples
a) 4.5 = 2 sig. fig
b) 17.4 = 3 sig. fig
c) 98.56 = 4 sig. fig
d) 1500 = 2 sig. fig
e) 0.003 = 1 sig. fig
f) 22.0 = 3 sig. fig
g) 1.005 = 4 sig. fig
h) 1.50 = 3 sig. fig
In general, a significant figure is a reliably known digit (other than a zero used to locate a decimal
point.)
Rules for Significant Figures
 All non-zero digits 1-9 are significant figures
 Zeros used to position a decimal point in numbers like 0.001 and 0.007 are not significant.
 Trailing zeros are not considered significant. e.g., the number 500 and 1000 has 1 sig. fig
 Zeros in between non-zero digits are significant. e.g. 2007 has 4 sig. fig.
 Zeros as in 1.50 are significant. e.g. 1.50 has 3 sig. fig.
Calculations Involving Significant Figures
 When multiplying/ dividing two or more quantities, the number of significant figures in the
final product/quotient is the same as the number of significant figures in the least accurate of
the factor. Least accurate means having the lowest number of significant figures.
For example, 5.6 x 6.5 = 36 and not 36.4
 When adding/subtracting numbers, the number of decimal places in the result should equal the
smallest number of decimal places of any term in the sum/difference.
For example, adding 133 + 6.45 = 139 and not 139.45
1.9 Rounding Off
 If the digit to be dropped is less than 5, then the preceding digit is left unchanged.
Example: x = 7.82 is rounded off to 7.8, again x = 3.94 is rounded off to 3.9.

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

  If the digit to be dropped is more than 5, then the preceding digit is raised by one.
Example: x = 6.87 is rounded off to 6.9, again x = 12.78 is rounded off to 12.8.
 If the digit to be dropped is 5 followed by digits other than zero, then the preceding digit is
raised by one.
Example: x = 16.351 is rounded off to 16.4, again x = 6.758 is rounded off to 6.8
 If the digit to be dropped is 5 or 5 followed by zeros, then the preceding digit is left unchanged,
if it is even.
Example: x = 3.250 becomes 3.2 on rounding off, again x = 12.650 becomes 12.6 on rounding
off.
 If the digit to be dropped is 5 or 5 followed by zeros, then the preceding digit is raised by one,
if it is odd.
Example: x = 3.750 becomes 3.8 on rounding off, again x = 16.150 becomes 16.2 on rounding
off.

1.10 Conversion of Units

Conversion of units can be done from one system to the other. For instance, conversion factors
between the S.I and U.S customary systems is as follows
1 mi = 1609 m = 1.609 km
1 m = 39.37 in = 3.281 ft
1 ft = 0.3048 m = 30.48 cm
1 in = 0.0254 m = 2.54 cm
Example
Convert 28.0 m/s to mi/s
m 1.00 mi
28.0 m/s = (28.0 s ) (1609 m) = 1.74 × 10−2 mi|s

Other Units
One light year is the distance travelled by light in one year in a vacuum.
Distance travelled = Velocity of light × 1 year
One light year = 3 x 108 m/s x 1year (in seconds)
= 3 x 108 m/s x 365.25 x 24 x 60 x 60
= 9.467 x 1015 m
One light year = 9.5 x 1015 m

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

Astronomical Unit
Astronomical unit is the mean distance from the centre of the sun to the centre of the earth.
1 Astronomical unit (AU) = 1.496 x 1011 m

1.11 Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is the analysis of the relationships between fundamental physical
quantities which are purely mechanical in nature, i.e. mass, length and time. These quantities are
represented by the letters M, L and T respectively. The letters specify only the nature of the unit
and not the magnitude. The concept of dimensionality is important in understanding physics and
in solving physics problems.
Dimensional equation
A dimensional equation is the expression which indicates the units of a physical quantity in terms
of the fundamental units. The dimensional formulae of some physical quantities are listed below.
Area = Length × Length = 𝐋 × 𝐋 = 𝐋𝟐
Volume = Length × Length × Length = 𝐋 × 𝐋 × 𝐋 = 𝐋𝟑
Mass 𝐌
Density = Volume = 𝐋𝟑 = 𝐌𝐋−𝟑
Distance 𝐌
Speed = = = 𝐌𝐓 −𝟏
Time 𝐓

Velocity 𝐋𝐓 −𝟏
Acceleration = = = 𝐋𝐓 −𝟐
Time 𝐓

Force = Mass × Acceleration = 𝐌 × 𝐋𝐓−𝟐 = 𝐌𝐋𝐓−𝟐

Force 𝐌𝐋𝐓 −𝟐
Pressure = = = 𝐌𝐋−𝟏 𝐓 −𝟐
Area 𝐋𝐳

Work = Force × distance = 𝐌𝐋𝐓−𝟐 × 𝐋 = 𝐌𝐋𝟐𝐓−𝟐

Work Done 𝐌𝐋𝟐 𝐓 −𝟐

Power = = = 𝐌𝐋𝟐 𝐓 −𝟑
Time 𝐓

Principle of homogeneity of dimensions

This principle states that we can multiply or divide physical quantities with same or different
dimensional formulae at our convenience, however, no such rule applies to addition and
subtraction, where only the like physical quantities can be added or subtracted.
In case of a relation or an equation, the dimensions of all the terms on both sides of equation must
be the same. That is, the equation must be dimensionally homogeneous.

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

Applications of dimensional analysis
1.Convert a physical quantity from one system of unit to another:
Given a value of G in cgs system is 6.67 x 10-8 dyne cm2 g-2. Calculate its value in SI units.
In cgs system In SI system
Gcgs = 6.67 x 10-8 G =?
M1 = 1 kg M2 = 1 kg
L1 = 1 m L2 = 1 m
T1 = 1 s T2 = 1 s

The dimensional formula for gravitational constant is [M-1L3T-2]

In cgs system, dimensional formula for G is [M1x L1y T1z]
In SI system, dimensional formula for G is [M2x L2y T2z]
Here x = −1, y = 3, z = −2
G = Gcgs [M1/M2]x [L1/L2] y (T1/T2] z = 6.67 x 10-8 [1 g/1 kg]-1 [1 cm/1 m]3 [1 s/1 s]-2
= 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2

2.Check the dimensional correctness of a given equation:

Let us take the equation of motion, s = ut + ½ at2
Applying dimensions on both sides,
[L] = [LT-1] [T] + [LT-2] [T2]

(𝟏⁄𝟐 is a constant having no dimensions)

[L] = [L] + [L]

As the dimensions on both sides are the same, the equation is dimensionally correct.
3. To establish the relationship between the physical quantities in an equation:
Let us find an expression for the time period T of a simple pendulum. The time period T may
depend upon, mass m of the bob, length l of the pendulum, and acceleration due to gravity g at the
place where the pendulum is suspended.
Tα mx ly g z
T = kmx ly g z _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (1)
Where k is a dimensionless constant of proportionality. Rewriting equation (1) with dimensions,
[T1] = [Mx] [Ly] [Tz]
Comparing the powers of M, L and T on both sides

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

 x = 0, y + z = 0 and −2z = 1
Solving for x, y and z, x = 0, y = ½ and z = –½
From eq. (1), T = k m0 l1/2 g-1/2

𝑙
𝑇=𝑘√
𝑔

Experimentally the value of k is determined to be 2π.

𝑙
𝑇 = 2𝜋 √
𝑔

Limitations of dimensional analysis

 Dimension does not depend on the magnitude.
 The numerical constants having no dimensions cannot be deduced by method of dimensional
analysis.
 This method is applicable only if the relation is of product type. It fails in the case of exponentials
and trigonometric relations.
 This method is not suitable if the physical quantity depends on more than three other quantities.
 Quite often, it is difficult to guess the parameters on which the physical quantity depends.

Exercise
1) Use dimensional analysis to check to check the correctness of the equation
𝒗 = 𝒖 + 𝒂𝒕
where 𝑣 and u are the final and initial velocities respectively, 𝑎 is the acceleration, and 𝑡 is the time
interval
2) A particle moves with a constant speed v in a circular orbit of radius r, see the figure below.
Given that the acceleration 𝑎 of the particle depends on the velocity v of the particle and the
orbital radius r, use dimensional analysis to derive an equation that relates 𝑎, v and r.

1.12 Accuracy and errors in measurements

For all measuring instruments, there is a limit up to which measurements can be taken accurately.
This is called the least count of the measuring instrument. For example, it is 0.1cm for an ordinary
meter scale, it is 0.01cm for a Vernier callipers and 0.001cm for an ordinary micrometre screw
gauge. When we take measurements using various measuring instruments, various types of errors
may creep into the observations.

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

Types of errors
The following are various types of errors which may affect the results of measurements.
a) Constant error
If errors in a series of observations taken with an instrument are same, the error is said to be a
constant error.
b) Systematic error
Errors which come to existence by the virtue of certain definite rule are called systematic errors.
These errors are due to known causes. This type of error can be eliminated detecting the source of
error and the rule governing the error. Systematic errors can be classified into four main groups.
These are instrumental error, personal error, error due to imperfection and error due to external
causes.
c) Random (or accidental) error
Errors which occur in a random manner and cannot be associated with a systematic cause are called
random errors. These errors are due to irregular causes.
d) Gross error
Gross errors are due to the carelessness on the part of the observer. No correction can be applied
for them. Gross errors arise because of neglecting the source the source of error, reading the
instrument incorrectly and the improper recording of the reading.
Errors of measurements
The measured value of a quantity is always somewhat different from its actual value, or true value.
This difference in the true of a quantity is called error of measurement.
a) Absolute error
Absolute error in the measurement of a physical quantity is the magnitude of the difference
between the true value and the measured value of the quantity.
Let a physical quantity be measured n times. Let the measured values be 𝑎1, 𝑎2, 𝑎3, …. 𝑎𝑛. The
arithmetic mean of these values is
𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑛
𝑎𝑚 =
𝑛
Usually, 𝑎𝒎 is taken as the true value of the quantity, if the same is unknown otherwise.
By definition, absolute errors in the measured values of the quantity are
Δ𝑎1 = 𝑎𝒎 − 𝑎1
Δ𝑎2 = 𝑎𝒎 − 𝑎2
Δ𝑎3 = 𝑎𝒎 − 𝑎3
……………….
Δ𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝒎 − 𝑎𝑛
The absolute errors may be positive in certain cases and negative in certain other cases.

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

b) Mean absolute error
It is the arithmetic mean of the magnitudes of absolute errors in all measurements of the quantity.
It is represented by Δ𝑎. Thus
̅̅̅̅| = |𝛥𝑎1 |+|𝛥𝑎2 |+|𝛥𝑎3 |+⋯ |𝛥𝑎𝑛 |
|𝛥𝑎
𝑛

Hence the final result of measurement may be written as 𝑎 = 𝑎𝒎 ± ̅̅̅̅

𝛥𝑎
̅̅̅̅) and (𝑎𝒎 + 𝛥𝑎
This implies that any measurement of the quantity is likely to lie between (𝑎𝒎 - 𝛥𝑎 ̅̅̅̅)

c) Relative error or Fractional error

It is defined as the ratio of mean absolute error to the true value. It is given by;

Mean absolute error ̅̅̅̅

𝛥𝑎
Relative error = =𝑎
True value 𝑚

d) Percent error
It is the relative error expressed as a percentage.

Mean absolute error ̅̅̅̅

𝛥𝑎
Percent error = × 100% = 𝑎 × 100%
True value 𝑚

Combination of errors
The following rules are followed in combining errors to get the maximum possible error.
a) Error in a sum of the quantities
Suppose 𝑥 = 𝑎 + 𝑏
Let Δ𝑎 = absolute error in measurement of 𝑎
Δ𝑏 = absolute error in measurement of 𝑏
Δ𝑥 = absolute error in calculation of 𝑥 i.e. sum of 𝑎 and 𝑏

The maximum possible error in 𝑥 is Δ𝑥 = ± (Δ𝑎 + Δ𝑏)

The relative error is therefore given by
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑎 + 𝛥𝑏
=
𝑥 𝑎+𝑏
The percent error is
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑎 + 𝛥𝑏
× 100% = ( ) × 100%
𝑥 𝑎+𝑏
b) Error in a difference of the quantities
Suppose 𝑥 = 𝑎 – 𝑏
The maximum possible error in 𝑥 is Δ𝑥 = ± (Δ𝑎 + Δ𝑏)

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

The relative error is therefore given by
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑎 + 𝛥𝑏
=
𝑥 𝑎−𝑏
The percent error is
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑎 + 𝛥𝑏
× 100% = ( ) × 100%
𝑥 𝑎−𝑏
c) Error in a product of quantities
Suppose 𝑥 = 𝑎 × 𝑏 = 𝑎𝑏
The maximum possible error in 𝑥 is given by
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑎 𝛥𝑏
= +
𝑥 𝑎 𝑏
Then,
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑎 𝛥𝑏
× 100% = ( 𝑎 + )× 100%
𝑥 𝑏

d) Error in division of quantities

𝑎
Suppose 𝑥 = 𝑏

The maximum possible relative error in 𝑥 is given by

𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑎 𝛥𝑏
= +
𝑥 𝑎 𝑏
Then,
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑎 𝛥𝑏
× 100% = ( 𝑎 + )× 100%
𝑥 𝑏

e) Error in a quantity raised to some power

𝑎𝑙 𝑏 𝑚
Suppose 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑛

The maximum possible relative error in 𝑥 is given by

𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑎 𝛥𝑏 𝛥𝑐
= 𝑙( )+𝑚( )+𝑛( )
𝑥 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
Then,
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑎 𝛥𝑏 𝛥𝑐
× 100% = 𝑙 ( ) × 100% + 𝑚 ( ) × 100% + 𝑛 ( ) × 100%
𝑥 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

1.13 Density and Atomic Mass
The fundamental property of any substance is its density 𝜌 (Greek letter 𝜌 (rho)). It is defined as
mass 𝑚 per unit volume 𝑉.
𝑚
𝜌= 𝑉

For example, copper has a density of 8.93 g/cm3 or 8.93 x 103 kg/m3. This means that piece of
copper of volume 1 cm3 has mass 8.93 g or that a piece of copper of volume 1 m3 has mass 8.93 x
103 kg
The difference in density is due in part to the difference in atomic weights. For example, the atomic
weight of lead is 207(density = 11.3 g/cm3) and that of aluminium is 27. The ratio of atomic
weights 207 ⁄ 27 = 7.67 is different from the ratio of densities, 11.3 ⁄ 2.70 = 4.19. This discrepancy
is due to the differences in atomic spacing and atomic arrangements in their crystal structures.
All ordinary matter consists of atoms while atoms are made up of electrons and a nucleus (made
up of protons and neutrons). Practically all the mass of an atom is contained in the nucleus. The
nuclear masses are measured relative to the mass of the atom of the carbon-12 (12C) isotope (6
protons and 6 neutrons).
The mass of 12C is defined to be exactly 12 atomic mass units (u), where
1𝑢 = 1.6605402 × 10−27 𝑘𝑔
In these units, the proton and neutron have masses of 1u. Precisely,
𝑚𝑝 = 1.0073 𝑢
𝑚𝑛 = 1.0087 𝑢
The mass of the nucleus of 27Al is approximately 27u, for example. In all cases the mass of the
nucleus is slightly less than the combined mass of the protons and neutrons that make the nucleus.
This mass difference is responsible for fission and fusion processes.
One mole of an element contains an Avogadro’s number NA of molecules of the substance.
Avogadro’s number NA is defined so that one mole of 12C atoms has mass of 12g, where
𝑁𝐴 = 6.02 × 1023 molecules/mole
One mole of Al has a mass of 27g and one mole of Pb, a mass of 207g. The number of atoms in
each of these two species is the Avogadro’s number.
Therefore, the mass per atom m is
Atomic weight
𝑚=
NA
For example, the mass of Al atom is
27g/mol
𝑚𝐴𝑙 = 6.02 ×1023 atoms/mole = 4.5 × 10−23 𝑔/𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚

Note that

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

 1𝑢 = 𝑁𝐴−1𝑔

Problems
1. A solid cube of aluminium (density 2.7 g/cm3) has a volume of 0.2cm3. How many atoms are
contained in the cube?
2. 5.74 g of a substance occupies a volume 1.2 cm3. Give the density of the substance to correct
significant figures.
3. The volume of a wallet is 8.560 cm3. Convert this value to m3.
4. The radius of an atom is 0.5𝐴̇. What is the total atomic volume in m3 of a mole of hydrogen
atom?
1 angstrom unit (𝐴̇) = 10-10m.
5. An American football field is 100 yards long. How many inches are 20 American football
fields?
6. How many square millimetre blocks could sit in a square meter?
7. There is a cube shaped barrel whose interior is 2 meters on each side. How many mL of water
could this barrel hold?
8. The strongest hurricane wind ever measured was 345 km/hr. How fast is this in ft/s?
9. A section of the land has an area of 1 square mile and contains 640 acres. How many square
meters are there in one acre? (1 mi = 5280ft; 1m2 = 10.76ft2).
10. A laser light beamed at moon takes 2.56 seconds to return after reflection from the moon. What
is the radius of the lunar orbit around the earth?
11. An astronomical unit (AU) is the average distance of the earth from the sun, approximately
150,000,000 km. The speed of light is about 3 × 108 𝑚/𝑠. Express the speed of light in terms of
astronomical units per minute.
12. If the unit of force is 100 N, unit of length is 10 m and unit of time is 100 s. What is the unit of
mass in this system of units?
13. In a submarine equipped with ‘sonar’, the time delay between generation of probe wave and
reception of its echo after reflection from enemy submarine is 77 seconds. What is the distance
of the enemy submarine? Speed of sound in water = 1450 m/s.
14. A unit of area, often used in measuring land areas, is the hectare, defined as 104 m2. An open
pit coal mine excavates 75 hectares of land, down to a depth of 26 m, each year. What volume
of earth, in cubic kilometres, is removed during this time?
15. A 12-hour-dial clock happens to gain 0.5 min each day. After setting the clock to the correct
time at 12:00 noon, how many days must one wait until it again indicates the correct time?
16. A person on a diet loses 2 kg per week. Find the average rate of mass loss in milligrams every:
day, hour, minute, and second.
17. Density is defined as mass per unit volume. The density of iron is 7.87 kg/m 3, and the mass of
an iron atom is 9.27×10−26 kg. If atoms are cubical and tightly packed,
a) What is the volume of an iron atom?
b) What is the distance between the centres of two adjacent atoms?

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe

18. How many grams of copper are required to make a hollow spherical shell with an inner
radius of 5.70 cm and an outer radius of 5.75 cm? Density of copper = 8.93 g/cm3.
19. Estimate how many raindrops fall on a 1-acre plot during a 1-in. rainfall?
20. The diameter of a wire is measured 0.236 cm with the help of a screw gauge. The least
count is 0.001 cm. Calculate the possible percentage error in the measurement.
21. The sides of a rectangle are (10.5 ± 0.2) cm and (5.2 ± 0.1) cm. Calculate its perimeter with
error limits.
22. If displacement of a body 𝑠 = (200 ± 5) 𝑚 and time taken by it 𝑡 = (20 ± 0.2) 𝑠, then find
the percentage error in the calculation of velocity.
23. physical quantity 𝑋 is related to four measurable quantities 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and 𝑑 as follows:
5
𝑎2 𝑏 3 (√𝑐)
𝑋=
𝑑2
Given that the percentage error in the measurement of the quantities 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and 𝑑 are 1%, 2%, 3%
and 4% respectively. What is the percentage error in quantity 𝑋? If the value of 𝑋 calculated on
the basis of the above relation is 2.76312, to what value should you round off the result?
24. If 𝑥 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑡 + 𝑐𝑡2, where 𝑥 is in meters and 𝑡 in seconds, what is the unit of 𝑐?
25. The volume of a liquid flowing out per second of a pipe of length 𝑙 and radius 𝑟 is written
by a student as
𝜋 𝑃𝑟 4
𝑣=
8 𝜂𝑙
Where 𝑃, is the pressure difference between the two ends of the pipe and 𝜂 is the coefficient of
viscosity of the liquid. Prove that the equation is dimensionally consistent.
26. The velocity 𝑣 of a particle varies with time 𝑡 according to the relation 𝑣 = 𝑎𝑡2 + 𝑏𝑡 + 𝑐.
Find the dimensions of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐.
27. The square of the speed of an object undergoing a uniform acceleration 𝑎 is some function
of 𝑎 and the displacement 𝑠, according to the expression given by:
𝑣 2 = 𝑘𝑎𝑚 𝑠 𝑛
where k is a dimensionless constant. Show by dimensional analysis that this expression is satisfied
only if m = n =1.
28. The displacement 𝑥 of a particle in x-axis depends on the acceleration 𝑎 of the particle and
the time 𝑡. Derive the relationship between 𝑥, 𝑎 and 𝑡.

END OF CHAPTER 1

Compiled by Mr. A. Chileshe