VIKAS AGARWAL

Dimensions
Dimensions of a physical quantity

The nature of a physical quantity is described by its dimensions. All the physical quantities
represented by derived units can be expressed in terms of some combination of seven base
quantities. Thus the seven base quantities are called the seven dimensions of the physical world.

Formally, dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers to which the fundamental quantities must
be raised to represent the given physical quantity.

Dimensions of a physical quantity are pretty clear once we have a look at their units (written in
terms of base units). For example, to know the dimensions of speed, focus on its unit- m/s. This unit
tells us that length has to be divided by time to get speed and hence the exponents of length (a base
quantity) and time would be +1 and -1 respectively . Thus the dimension of speed would be [LT-1].
We use square brackets to denote dimensions. To define speed , only two base quantities were
needed and hence the powers of other base quantities would be 0, which is why they do not appear
in the square brackets. Notice that the dimension of speed would have been same even if we would
have used ft/s as unit of speed or km/hour or miles/hour or anything else.

The above discussion implies that the dimensions of base quantities would be :

[L] for length, [M] for mass , [T] for time , [K ] for temperature, [A] for current, [cd] for luminous
intensity and [mol] for amount of substance.
Given below is the list of some physical quantities and their dimension. You are advised to have a
look at them and for the quantities that appear familiar to you

,
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try to work out the dimension yourself.
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There exist a set of rules regarding the dimensions which you should remember . These will enable
you to make use of dimensional analysis with minimum of difficulty.

1. All numbers are dimensionless. For example , dimension of 1 , -5 , 1.5 , 22/3 , 0.23 , 5 etc
is zero.

2. Dimension of trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions and exponential functions are

zero. For example , dimension of log 6 , sin  / 3 , e2 etc is zero.

3. Variables appearing in trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions and as exponents are

dimensionless. For example , in log x , sin y and e z , the variables x , y and z are bound to
be dimensionless for these expressions to make sense.

4. Two terms can be added or subtracted if and only if their dimension is same. For example ,
if p and q represent some physical quantity then , p + q and p- q or any other linear
combination such as 3p+4q , 7p-9q etc will make sense if and only if the dimension of p and
q are same.

There is a catch in the above mentioned rule. Note very carefully that we have asserted that
to add or subtract two variables , there dimensions must be same . We are not asserting the
converse. In fact, the converse is not true. That is , if two variables have same dimensions
then it is not necessary that we can always add them. An example would be torque and
energy. If p represents energy and q represents torque , then their dimensions would be
same,but it would be meaningless to add these two.

5. Unlike the case of addition and subtraction, two quantities can be multiplied or divided
without any regard to their dimensions.

6. The Left hand side and the Right hand side of an equation must have the same dimension for
it to be correct. This rule is same as rule 4 still we are mentioning it for the sake of
completeness. This rule is called the Principle of Homogeneity of dimensions. Again be
careful, we are saying that in a correct equation , the left hand side (LHS) and the right hand
side(RHS) must have same dimensions. But the converse is not true ,that is , an equation in
which LHS and RHS have same dimension may not be correct. A bit confusing ? Lets see an
example. Consider the two equations given below.

1
s = ut + at 2 and s = ut + at 2
2

Can you recognize the correct one? I am sure you can! Both equations satisfy the Principle of
Homogeneity but we know it that the second one is incorrect. You may have noticed in this
example the cause that renders the principle of homogeneity incapable for confirming the
verity of an equation. It’s the dimensionless constants (or variables) appearing in an
equation. Thus if an equation fails to satisfy the principle of homogeneity , it is definitely
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incorrect but if it satisfies the principle , then it may be correct or it may not be correct. To
be sure , we will have to resort to other means such as experiments or checking the
equations with known results.

USE OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

Dimensional analysis serves as a powerful tool in attempting objective questions. In many

questions, some options may be discarded on the basis of dimensions only and these gives us an
edge in attempting the problem and it is particularly helpful in making intelligent guesses when
we are falling short of time. Given the nature of competitive exams , it is advisable that you
develop a habit to check the dimensions as soon as you see some expressions. It doesn’t require
much efforts and you will notice in the course of your preparation that it helps you a great deal.
Usually when you commit a careless mistake, the dimensions don’t match and hence if you are
in habit of checking the dimensions of the answers obtained by you, you will know whether you
have made a mistake or not. Following are the three uses of dimensional analysis.

1. Checking the Dimensional Consistency of Equations

Whenever you encounter an equation, be quick to check whether the dimensions of each
term mentioned in the equation is same or not. If NOT , the equation is necessarily incorrect.
If YES , the equation MAY be correct. ( RULE 5) . Let us take an example.

Example :
1 2
Consider the equation mv = mgh ,where m is the mass of the body, v its
2
velocity, g is the acceleration due to gravity and h is the height. Check whether this
equation is dimensionally correct.

Solution :
The dimensions of LHS are [M] [L T–1 ]2 = [M] [ L2 T–2] = [M L2 T–2]
The dimensions of RHS are [M][L T–2] [L] = [M][L2 T–2] = [M L2 T–2]
The dimensions of LHS and RHS are the same and hence the equation is dimensionally
correct.

2. Deducing Relation among the Physical Quantities

The method of dimensions is sometimes used to deduce relation among physical quantities.
This method has its limited utility but nonetheless it provides a very simple way to discover
relation which could otherwise have been discovered with much effort. The method that we
are going to discuss currently finds profound application in the field of Fluid Mechanics and
Aerodynamics. Let us now discuss the method.

Suppose we know it by experiments that a given physical quantity say p depends on three
other physical quantities such as x, y and z. but , unfortunately we do not know the exact
relation between p.x.y and z. By the method of dimensions, we assert that p may be
expressed as
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p = xaybzc

Now equate the exponents of dimensions from either side. This will give you three
equations in a,b and c. Solving these equations , we can get the values of a,b and c
and thus we will obtain the relation between p.x.y and z. Lets us understand this by an
example.

Example :

Consider a simple pendulum, having a bob attached to a string, that oscillates under the
action of the force of gravity. Suppose that the period of oscillation of the simple
pendulum depends on its length (l), mass of the bob (m) and acceleration due to
gravity (g). Derive the expression for its time period using method of dimensions.

Solution:

We start by assuming that the time period T is related to mass, length and acceleration
due to gravity as

T = kma g bl c , where is a dimensionless constant.

LHS has dimensions of time and therefore , LHS dimensions would be [M0L0T1].
RHS dimensions will be [M1L0T0]a [M0L1T-2]b [M0L1T0]c = [MaLb+cT-2b].

Comparing the exponents , we get a = 0 , b + c = 0 . −2b = 1

1 1
On solving the above equations , we get the values as a = 0 , b = − and c = .
2 2

l
Thus the sought relation is T = k . Dimensional analysis cannot give us the value of
g
the dimensionless constant k. It can be known by experiments.

This method has its own limitations. First one, it can only be used to determine relation
where one of the physical quantity is expressed as product of some powers of other physical
quantities. This method will not be able to give relations such as
1
s = ut + at 2 or q = Qe−t / RC
2

Secondly , there exist a limit on the number of physical quantities , the relation among
which can be determined by this method. We shall not go into the details of how that limit is
determined. As of now, you can rest assured that you shall not be given more than four
different physical quantities at a time and you can follow the above example in all such
cases . For details regarding the mentioned limit, you will have to know about Buckingham
 theorem.

(3) To convert a physical quantity from one system to the other

The measure of a physical quantity is nu = constant
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If a physical quantity X has dimensional formula [MaLbTc] and if (derived) units of that physical
quantity in two systems are [M 1a Lb1 T1c ] and [M 2a Lb2 T2c ] respectively and n1 and n2 be the
numerical values in the two systems respectively, then n1 [u1 ] = n 2 [u 2 ]
 n1 [M 1a Lb1 T1c ] = n 2 [M 2a Lb2 T2c ]
a b c
 M 1   L1   T1 
 n 2 = n1      
 M 2   L 2   T2 
where M1, L1 and T1 are fundamental units of mass, length and time in the first (known)
system and M2, L2 and T2 are fundamental units of mass, length and time in the second
(unknown) system. Thus knowing the values of fundamental units in two systems and
numerical value in one system, the numerical value in other system may be evaluated.

Example :

Convert Newton into Dyne.

Solution:
The Newton is the S.I. unit of force and has dimensional formula [MLT–2].
So 1 N = 1 kg-m/ sec2
1 1
a b
 M 1   L1   T1 
c 1 1
 kg   m   sec 
−2  10 3 gm   10 2 cm   sec  −2
By using n 2 = n1       = 1       = 1      = 10
5

 M 2   L 2   T2   gm   cm   sec   gm   cm   sec 

 1 N = 105 Dyne

Example:

Convert gravitational constant (G) from C.G.S. to M.K.S. system

Solution:
The value of G in C.G.S. system is 6.67  10–8 C.G.S. units while its dimensional formula is [M–
1L3T–2]

So G = 6.67  10–8 cm3/g s2

a b c −1 −2
 M 1   L1   T1  −8  gm 
3
 cm   sec 
By using n 2 = n1       = 6.67  10    m   sec 
 2  2  2
M L T  kg     
−1 −2
 gm   cm   sec 
3
= 6 .67  10 −8  3   2   
 10 gm   10 cm   sec 

= 6 . 67  10 −11

 G = 6.67  10–11 M.K.S. units

Points to remember:
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Here is a list of some general points that you should remember. You may be unfamiliar with
a number of physical quantities and units that have been mentioned below but nonetheless,
you need to cram up these points . As we shall progress through the curriculum, you will
encounter these quantities and units and you will learn about them. I expect you to be able
to recall these points at that time be able to verify the same.

1. It is not necessary that all physical quantities must have dimensions. There exist a
number of physical quantities that are dimensionless. For example, strain, specific
gravity , refractive index, dielectric constant , relative permeability, plane angle , solid
angle etc

2. If a quantity is dimensionless , then it does not mean that it would be unitless. For
example, plane angle is a dimensionless quantity but it’s unit is radians. Similarly , solid
angle is a dimensionless quantity but it’s unit is steradians.

3. There exist different physical quantities that have same dimensions. Remember the
following examples.
a. Torque and Energy
b. Stress and Pressure
c. Moduli of Elasticity and Pressure