Chapter 1 :-UNITS AND

DIMENSIONS

Physics: Physics is the branch of science, which deals with the study of nature and
properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics includes heat, light,
sound, electricity, magnetism and the structure of atoms.

UNITS: FUNDAMENTAL AND DERIVED UNITS

Measurement: In our daily life, we need to express and compare the magnitude of
different quantities; this can be done only by measuring them. Measurement is the
comparison of an unknown physical quantity with a known fixed physical quantity.

Unit: The known fixed physical quantity is called unit.

Characteristics of Standard Unit: A unit selected for measuring a physical quantity

should have the following properties
(i) It should be well defined i.e. its concept should be clear.
(ii) It should not change with change in physical conditions like temperature, pressure,
stress etc..
(iii) It should be suitable in size; neither too large nor too small.
(iv) It should not change with place or time.

Classification of Units: Units can be classified into two categories.

• Fundamental
• Derived

Fundamental Quantity:The quantity which is independent of other physical quantities.

In mechanics, mass, length and time are called fundamental quantities. Units of these
fundamental physical quantities are called Fundamental units.
e.g. Fundamental Physical Quantity Fundamental unit
Mass Kg, Gram, Pound
Length Metre, Centimetre, Foot
Time Second

Derived Quantity: The quantity which is derived from the fundamental quantities e.g.
area is a derived quantity.
Area = Length x Breadth
= Length x Length
= (Length)2
Speed =Distance / Time
=Length / Time

The units for derived quantities are called Derived Units.

Table of Fundamental Units:-

Table of Supplementary unit:-

DEFINITION OF DIMENSIONS:-
Dimensions: The powers, to which the fundamental units of mass, length and time
written as M, L and T are raised, which include their nature and not their magnitude.
For example, Area = Length x Breadth
= [ L^1 ] × [L^1 ]
= [L^2 ] = [M^0L^2T^0 ]
Power (0,2,0) of fundamental units are called dimensions of area in mass, length and
time respectively.
e.g. Density = mass/volume
= [M]/[L^3 ] = [ M^1L^-3T^0 ]
DIMENSIONAL FORMULAE AND SI UNITS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

Dimensional Formula:An expression along with power of mass, length & time which
indicates how physical quantity depends upon fundamental physical quantity.
E.g. Speed = Distance/Time
= [L1 ]/[T1 ] =[M0L 1T -1 ]
It tells us that speed depends upon L & T. It does not depends upon M.

Dimensional Equation: An equation obtained by equating the physical quantity with its
dimensional formula is called dimensional equation.
PRINCIPLE OF HOMOGENEITY OF DIMENSIONS
It states that the dimensions of all the terms on both sides of an equation must be the
same. According to the principle of homogeneity, the comparison, addition & subtraction
of all physical quantities is possible only if they are of the same nature i.e., they have
the same dimensions.

DIMENSIONAL EQUATIONS, APPLICATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL

EQUATIONS:-
Dimensional Analysis: A careful examination of the dimensions of various quantities
involved in a physical relation is called dimensional analysis. The analysis of the
dimensions of a physical quantity is of great help to us in a number of ways as
discussed under the uses of dimensional equations.
Uses of dimensional equation: The principle of homogeneity & dimensional analysis
has put to the following uses:
(i) Checking the correctness of physical equation.
(ii) To convert a physical quantity from one system of units into another.
(iii) To derive relation among various physical quantities.

1. To check the correctness of Physical relations:

According to principle of Homogeneity of dimensions a physical relation or equation is
correct, if the dimensions of all the terms on both sides of the equation are the same.If
the dimensions of even one term differs from those of others, the equation is not
correct.
Example . Check the correctness of the following formulae by dimensional analysis.
(i) 𝐹 = 𝑚v 2/r
(ii)𝑡 = 2𝜋√𝑙/𝑔
Where all the letters have their usual meanings.
Sol. 𝑭 = 𝒎𝐯 𝟐/𝐫 Dimensions of the term on L.H.S Force,
F = [M1L 1T -2 ] Dimensions of the term on R.H.S
𝒎𝐯 𝟐/𝐫 = [M1 ][L1T -1 ] 2 / [L]
=[M1L 2T -2 ]/ [L] =[M1L 1T -2 ]
The dimensions of the term on the L.H.S are equal to the dimensions of the term on
R.H.S. Therefore, the relation is correct. 10
(ii) 𝒕 = 𝟐𝝅√𝒍/𝒈 Here, Dimensions of L.H.S,
t = [T1 ] = [M0L 0T 1 ]
Dimensions of the terms on R.H.S Dimensions of (length) = [L1 ]
Dimensions of g (acc due to gravity) = [L1T -2 ]
2𝜋 being constant have no dimensions.
Hence, the dimensions of terms 2𝜋√𝑙/𝑔 on R.H.S = (L1 / L1T -2 ] )1/2
= [T1 ] = [M0L 0T 1 ]
Thus, the dimensions of the terms on both sides of the relation are the same i.e., [M0L
0T 1 ].Therefore, the relation is correct.

Example. Check the correctness of the following equation on the basis of dimensional
analysis,
𝑉 = √ 𝐸 𝑑 . Here V is the velocity of sound, E is the elasticity and d
is the density of the medium.

Sol. Here, Dimensions of the term on L.H.S V =[M0L 1T -1 ]

Dimensions of elasticity, E = [M1L -1T -2 ]
Dimensions of density, d = [M1L -3T 0 ]
Therefore, Dimensions of the terms on R.H.S √ 𝑬 𝒅 = [M1L -1T -2 / M1L -1T -2 ] ½
= [M0L 1T -1 ]
Thus, dimensions on both sides are the same, therefore the equation is correct.

Example. Using Principle of Homogeneity of dimensions, check the correctness of

equation,
h = 2Td /rgCos𝜃.

Sol. The given formula is, h = 2Td /rgCos𝜃.

Dimensions of term on L.H.S Height (h) = [M0L 1T 0 ]
Dimensions of terms on R.H.S
T= surface tension = [M1L 0T -2 ]
D= density = [M1L -3T 0 ]
r =radius = [M0L 1T 0 ]
g=acc.due to gravity = [M0L 1T -2 ]
Cos𝜃 = [M0L 0T 0 ]= no dimensions
So,
Dimensions of 2Td/rgCos𝜃 = [M1L 0T -2 ] x [M1L -3T 0 ] / [M0L 1T 0 ] x [M0L 1T -2 ]
= [M2L -5T 0 ] 11
Dimensions of terms on L.H.S are not equal to dimensions on R.H.S.
Hence, formula is not correct.

Example 6. Check the accuracy of the following relations:

(i) E = mgh + ½ mv2 ;
(ii) v3 -u 2 = 2as2 .

Sol. (i) E = mgh + ½ mv2 Here,dimensions of the term on L.H.S.

Energy, E = [M1L 2T -2 ] Dimensions of the terms on R.H.S,
Dimensions of the term, mgh = [M] ×[LT-2 ] × [L] = [M1L 2T -2 ]
Dimensions of the term, ½ mv2= [M] × [LT-1 ] 2= [M1L 2T -2 ]
Thus, dimensions of all the terms on both sides of the relation are the same, therefore,
the relation is correct.
(ii) The given relation is, v 3 -u 2= 2as2
Dimensions of the terms on L.H.S v 3 = [M0 ] × [LT-1 ] 3= [M0L 3T -3 ]
u 2 = [M0 ] × [LT-1 ] 2= [M0L 2T -2 ]
Dimensions of the terms on R.H.S 2as2 = [M0 ] × [LT-2 ] ×[L]2 = [M0L 3T -2 ]
Substituting the dimensions in the relations, v 3 -u 2 = 2as2
We get, [M0L 3T -3 ] - [M0L 2T -2 ] = [M0L 3T -2 ]
The dimensions of all the terms on both sides are not same; therefore, the relation is not
correct.

Don’t Take this notes as for your exam but read it as your knowledge
basis

Limitations of Dimensional Equation: The method of dimensions has the following

limitations:
1. It does not help us to find the value of dimensionless constants involved in various
physical relations. The values, of such constants have to be determined by some
experiments or mathematical investigations.
2. This method fails to derive formula of a physical quantity which depends upon more
than three factors. Because only three equations are obtained by comparing the powers
of M, L and T.
3. It fails to derive relations of quantities involving exponential and trigonometric
functions.
4. The method cannot be directly applied to derive relations which contain more than
one terms on one side or both sides of the equation, such as v= u + at or s = ut + ½ at2
etc. However, such relations can be derived indirectly.
5. A dimensionally correct relation may not be true physical relation because the
dimensional equality is not sufficient for the correctness of a given physical relation.