TAKE UP ONE IDEA. MAKE THAT ONE IDEA IDEA.

LET THE BRAIN, MUSCLES, NERVES, E JUST LEAVE EVERY OTHER IDEA ALONE. THIS GIANT

A TO Z OF PHYSICS
YOUR LIFE VERY PART O IS THE WAY S ARE PRODU

THINK OF IT, DREAM OF IT, LIVE ON THAT F YOUR BODY, BE FULL OF THAT IDEA, AND TO SUCCESS, THAT IS WAY GREAT SPIRITUAL CED.

What are Units.

In my previous post, I explained with examples how to solve the problems in physics. To solve problems and to under stand the basics of the Physics it is very important to know what is a physical quantity, types of physical quantities.What is a unit, what are the units of different physical quantities, types of units, symbols of units. There is"one and only one" branch of science which measures a physical quantity, that branch of science is Physics. Measurements have an important role not only in physics, but also in every branch of science and everywhere in our dayto-day life. To measure physical quantities we need units. Lets try to understand necessity of measurements and "units of measurements" in Physics. The information about a physical quantity, by description of its external properties like color, taste etc is incomplete with out knowing its temperature, size (dimensions), which depends on measurement, i.e. with out measurements it is impossible to know completely about the external properties of any object. So, it becomes necessary to measure it. As we know, to measure a physical quantity we require a unit. Different physical quantities will have different units. What is unit? A standard reference of the same physical quantity is essential to measure any physical quantity. That standard which we use to measure a physical quantity is called unit.

Let me put it this way, if we want to measure length of a table, we have to select a standard length (length of our hand), and by comparing the tables length with the standard length we can measure the length of the table. If the table is 3.5 times that of standard length, i.e. length of our hand then we can write the result as length of table = 3.5 times the length of our hand or 3.5 units. In this example length of hand is taken as standard length or unit to measure the tables length. Like that we can define any convenient standard or unit to measure a physical quantity. But, if we choose a standard as in the above example which is not consistent, can not be reproduced. Because of such undefined units, errors and confusion in measurements will creep in. To avoid such confusion, instead of taking any undefined reference as a standard, well-defined and universal standards are used. Such a well-defined reference taken a standard is generally called a well defined unit or unit. Measurement of every physical quantity will have two parts, a number (n) followed by a unit (u). There fore n u = constant. Ex: If the length of a table is 1.2 meters.In this measurement number n= 1.2 and unit is meter. length (L)=n1u1 = 1.2 meters length (L)=n2u2 = 120 centimeters length (L)=n3u3= 1200 millimeters From the above data we can understand that i) we can measure a physical quantity in different units.what ever may be the unit its value is same. L = n1u1= n2u2 = n3u3 ii) If the unit chosen smaller ,the multiple number will be greater. u1>u1>u1 ==> n1<n2<n3 nu = constant ==> n1u1=n2u2 or u proportional to 1/n or n proportional to 1/u ==>n1 /n2 = u2/ u1

Generally we can use any convenient unit to measure a physical quantity depending on how much magnitude we are measuring or in which system of units we want to measure it. What kind of unit we should use? The unit i) must be accepted internationally.ii) Should be reproducible.iii) Should be invariable.iv) Should be easily available.v) Should be consistent.vi) Should be large, if the physical quantity to be measured is a big quantity. Ex: To measure larger lengths we use units like Km, mt etc, to measure large magnitude of time we use units like hour , day ,week, month , year etc. vii) Should be small if the physical quantity to be measured is small. Ex: To measure small magnitude time, we use units like millisecond, microsecond etc To measure small lengths we use units like millimeter, centimeter etc. Types of physical Quantities.: We can broadly divide the physical quantities in to two types i)Fundamental Physical quantities ii)Derived physical quantities. Fundamental physical quantities: A physical quantity which can exist independently is called Fundamental physical quantity. Ex: Length, mass and time etc. Derived physical quantities: A physical quantity which can not exist independently is called derived physical quantity. (Or) A physical quantity which is dependent or derived from any other physical quantity is called derived physical quantity. Ex : Area, volume, density, speed, acceleration, force, energy etc. Like the physical quantities, we can Divide the units in to two types. i)Fundamental units ii)derived units. Fundamental units : The units of fundamental physical quantities are called fundamental units, (or) The units which are independent or can not derived from any other unit is called fundamental unit.

Ex:Every unit of length is fundamental unit (irrespective of the system to which it belongs); millimeter, centimeter, meter, kilometer etc. Every unit of time is a fundamental physical quantity ; microsecond, millisecond, second, minute, hour, day etc. Derived units: The units of derived physical quantities are called derived units. Ex: Units of area, volume, speed, density, energy etc are derived units. Ex: Every unit of speed is a derived unit ; m/sec, cm/sec, km/hr etc. Every unit of density is a derived unit; kg/m, gr/cm etc. Every unit of acceleration is a derived unit; m/sec, cm/sec, km/hr etc. Systems of units: To measure the fundamental physical quantities Length, Mass and time we have three systems of units, they are i) C.G.S System (Metric system) ii)F.P.S System (British system) and iii)M.K.S System. In all these three systems only three physical quantities length, mass and time are considered to be fundamental quantities. But, in systems Internationale (S.I) system there are seven fundamental physical quantities. Which are i)Length ii)Mass iii)Time iv)Electric current v) Thermodynamic temperature vi)Luminous intensity vii)Quantity of substance. In addition to these two more quantities were added as supplementary physical quantities. They are i)Plane angle ii)Solid angle. Systems,Fundamental physical quantities and their units : In C.G.S system: Length (centimeter); Mass (gram); Time (second). F.P.S system :Length (foot);Mass(pound);Time (second). C.G.S system: Length (meter); Mass (kilogram); Time (second). S.I System:Length (meter); Mass (kilogram); Time (second); Electric current (ampere); Thermodynamic temperature (kelvin); Intensity of light (candela); Quantity of matter (mole). The units of suplimentary quantities are Plane angle( radian); Solid angle(Steradian).

Units in different systems.

Generally we can use any convenient unit to measure a physical quantity depending on how much magnitude we are measuring or in which system of units we want to measure it. What kind of unit we should use? The unit i) must be accepted internationally. ii) Should be reproducible. iii) Should be invariable. iv) Should be easily available. v) Should be consistent. vi) Should be large, if the physical quantity to be measured is a big quantity. Ex: To measure larger lengths we use units like Km, mt etc, to measure large magnitude of time we use units like hour , day ,week, month , year etc. vii) Should be small if the physical quantity to be measured is small. Ex: To measure small time we use units like millisecond, microsecond etc To measure small lengths we use units like millimeter, centimeter etc. Types of physical Quantities.: We can broadly divide the physical quantities in to two types i)Fundamental Physical quantities ii)Derived physical quantities. Fundamental physical quantities: A physical quantity which can exist independently is called Fundamental physical quantity. Ex: Length, mass and time etc. Derived physical quantities: A physical quantity which can not exist independently is called derived physical quantity. (Or) A physical quantity which is dependent or derived from any other physical quantity is called derived physical quantity. Ex : Area, volume, density, speed, acceleration, force, energy etc. Like the physical quantities we can divide the units in to two types. I)Fundamental units ii)derived units. Fundamental units : The units of fundamental physical quantities are called fundamental units, (or) The units which are independent or can not derived from any other unit is called fundamental unit. Ex:Every unit of length is fundamental unit (irrespective of the system to which it belongs);millimeter, centimeter, meter, kilometer etc.

Every unit of time is a fundamental physical quantity ; microsecond, millisecond, second, minute, hour, day etc. Derived units: The units of derived physical quantities are called derived units. Units of area, volume, speed, density, energy etc are derived units. Ex: Every unit of speed is a derived unit ; m/sec, cm/sec, km/hr etc. Every unit of density is a derived unit; kg/m, gr/cm etc. Every unit of acceleration is a derived unit; m/sec, cm/sec, km/hr etc. Systems of units: To measure the fundamental physical quantities Length, Mass and time we have three systems of units, they are i) C.G.S System (Metric system)ii)F.P.S System (British system) and iii)M.K.S System. In all these three systems only three physical quantities length, mass and time are considered to be fundamental quantities. But, in systems International (S.I) system there are seven fundamental physical quantities. Which are i)Length ii)Mass iii)Time iv)Electric current v)Thermodynamic temperature vi)Luminous intensity vii)Quantity of substance. In addition to these two more quantities were added as supplementary physical quantities. They are i)Plane angle ii)Solid angle. Systems,Fundamental physical quantities and their units :In C.G.S system: Length (centimeter); Mass (gram); Time (second). F.P.S system :Length (foot);Mass(pound);Time (second). C.G.S system: Length (meter); Mass (kilogram); Time (second). S.I System:Length (meter); Mass (kilogram); Time (second); Electric current (ampere); Thermodynamic temperature (kelvin); Intensity of light (candela); Quantity of matter (mole). The units of suplimentary quantities are Plane angle( radian); Solid angle(Steradian).

Multiples,sub multiples of units.

Multiples and sub multiples of Units in S.I system :Depending upon the magnitudes of physical quantities we measure, we have to use different multiplication factors suitable for that particular case.Here let us see some widely used multiplication factors. Multiplication Factor Prefix deci centi milli micro nano pico femto deca hecta kilo mega giga tera peta n p f da h K M G T P symbol d c m

Special Units Of Physical Quantities.

1. Length: a) Micron( )= b) Angstrom (A) = m= m= cm cm

c) Fermi =

m=

cm m = 1.5 cm

d)Astronomical Unit (A.U) = 1.5 e)X ray unit (X.U) =

m (wave length of X-Rays) m= km

f) Light year = Distance traveled by light in one year= g ) parsec = 3.26 light years = 2.Time : m

a ) Solar day def: The time taken by earth to complete one rotation about its own axis with respect to sun is called solar day. ( Average value for all the days of one year is Mean solar day). b)Siderial day : It is 4.1min shorter than Mean solar day . c )siderial year :365.26 Mean solar day d ) Solar year = 365.24 Mean solar day e )Lear year = The year in which February month has 29 days is called leap year.It is divisible by 4. f)Lunar month :Time taken by moon to complete one rotation around earth is lunar month = 27.3 days. 3. Mass : a ) Atomic mass Unit ( a.m.u) : = 4.Pressure : a ) Atmosphere =760 mmHg = b ) Bar = 750 mmHg = c) Torr =1 mm Hg = dyne/ dyne/ = dyne/ of mass of atom = dyne/ = =133N/ = or pa. or pa. = gr = dyne/ = gr = kg. or pa.

=1333 dyne/

5.Area : Barn: this is unit of area,it is used to measure cross section of nuclei. Barn = 6.Horse Power : It is the British Unit of power =746 w.

Dimensions-Dimensional formulae.
Dimensions: Dimensions of a physical quantity are,the powers to which the fundamental units are raised to get one unit of the physical quantity. The fundamental quantities are expressed with following symbols while writing dimensional formulas of derived physical quantities. Mass [M] ; Length[L]; Time[T]; Electric current [I] ; Thermodynamic temperature [K] ;Intensity of light [cd] ; Quantity of matter [mol] . Dimensional Formula :Dimensional formula of a derived physical quantity is the expression showing powers to which different fundamental units are raised. Ex : Dimensional formula of Force F [ ]

Dimensional equation:When the dimensional formula of a physical quantity is expressed in the form of an equation by writing the physical quantity on the left hand side and the dimensional formula on the right hand side,then the resultant equation is called Dimensional equation. Ex: Dimensional equation of Energy is E = [ ].

Question : How can you derive Dimensional formula of a derived physical quantity. Ans : We can derive dimensional formula of any derived physical quantity in two ways i)Using the formula of the physical quantity : Ex: let us derive dimensional formula of Force . Force Fma ; substitute the dimensional formula of mass m [M] ; acceleration [ we get F [M][ ]; F [ ]. ]

ii) Using the units of the derived physical quantity. Ex: let us derive the dimensional formula of momentum. Unit of Momentum ( p ) [ ];

kg is unit of mass [M] ; is unit of length [L] ; sec is the unit of time [T] Substitute these dimensional formulas in above equation we get p [ ].

 Quantities having no units, can not possess dimensions: Trigonometric ratios, logarithmic functions, exponential functions, coefficient of friction, strain, poissons ratio, specific gravity, refractive index, Relative permittivity, Relative permeability. All these quantities nighter possess units nor dimensional formulas. Quantities having units, but no dimensions : Plane angle,angular displacement, solid angle.These physical quantities possess units but they does not possess dimensional formulas. Quantities having both units & dimensions : The following quantities are examples of such quantities. Area, Volume,Density, Speed, Velocity, Acceleration, Force, Energy etc. Physical Constants : These are two types i) Dimension less constants (value of these constants will be same in all systems of units): Numbers, pi, exponential functions are dimension less constants. ii)Dimensional constants(value of these constants will be different in different systems of units): Universal gravitational constant (G),planks constant (h), Boltzmanns constant (k), Universal gas constant (R), Permittivity of free space( ) , Permeability of free space ( ),Velocity of light (c). Principle of Homogeneity of dimensions: The term on both sides of a dimensional equation should have same dimensions.This is called principle of Homogeneity of dimensions. (or) Every term on both sides of a dimensional equation should have same dimensions.This is called principle of homogeneity of dimensions. Uses of Dimensional equations : dimensional equations are used i) to convert units from one system to another, ii)to check the correctness of the dimensional equations iii)to derive the expressions connecting different physical quantities.. Limitations of dimensional method: The limitations of dimensional methods are i)The value of dimensionless constants can not be calculated using dimensional methods, ii)We can not analyze the equations containing trigonometrical, exponential and logarithmic functions using method of dimensions. iii)If a physical quantity is sum or difference of two or more than two physical quantities, such physical quantities can not be derived with dimensional methods, iv)If any equation having dimensional constants like, G, R etc can not be derived using dimensional methods,

v)If any equation is involving more than three fundamental quantities in it, such expressions can not be derived using dimensional methods.

Table of Units,dimensional Formulas of physical quantities.

Fundamental Physical Quantities: S.No Fundamental Physical Quantity Mass Length Time Electric current Amount of substance Luminous intensity Temperature Formula Dimensional Formula M L T I or A N J K or S.I Unit of physical quantity kg meter sec ampere mole(mol) candela(cd) Kelvin

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Amount of matter in the object

Derived Physical Quantities: S.No Derived Physical Quantity 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. Area Volume Density Specific Gravity Frequency Angle Velocity Speed Areal velocity Acceleration Linear momentum Force Weight Moment of force/Torque/Couple Impulse Pressure Work Kinetic Energy Potential Energy Gravitational constant Gravitational field strength Gravitational Potential Force constant (k) mgh w=mg kg m/sec kg-m/ kg-m/ kg kg m/sec or Ns N/ joule joule or Pa Nm or Joule or Newton or Newton Formula [ [ [ [ [ ] ] Dimensional Formula ] ] ] No units hertz No units m/sec m/sec S.I Unit of physical quantity

24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46.

Power Moment of Inertia ( I ) Stress Strain Modulus of Elasticity Poissions Ratio Velocity gradient Coefficient of dynamic viscosity Surface Tension Angular displacement ( ) Angular velocity() Angular acceleration() Angular momentum Angular Impulse Temperature Coefficient of linear expansion() Specific heat Latent heat Entropy Thermal capacity Gas constant coefficient of thermal conductivity Pole strength I I or K = -1

W or J/sec kg N/ or Pa No units N/ or Pa

No units

kg (or) N-sec/ $latex \m^2$ (or)pascal-sec (or)poiseuille ,N/m no Units rad/sec rad/

kelvin or degree Celsius /kelvin

Am

47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68.

Magnetic Moment Magnetic flux Magnetic field,magnetic flux density (B) Permeability of free space Magnetic susceptibilty also called volumetric or bulk susceptibility m Electric Charge Electric potential E.M.F Electric Capacity Electric Resistance Resistivity Conductivity Permittivity Electric conductance Electric power Electrical Impedance(Z) Electrical admittance Self Inductance(L) Boltzmanns constant Stefans constant Co-efficient of friction Dielectric constant = ,N=Normal reaction It is also called relative permittivity dimension less scalar dimension less no units no units 1/Z(Reciprocal of electric impedance) 1/ m = r 1 no units Amp sec , coul Volt Volt Farad Ohm () or volt/amp Ohm mt (-m) Siemens/m farad/m Siemens (or) mhos Watt Ohm () or volt/amp Siemens (or) mhos weber/amp or Henry J/kelvin weber ; Tesla; ;J/Amp

69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74.

Plancks constant Refractive index Focal length(f) Power of a lens (P) Wave number Wave length Distance between center of the lens(mirror) to L its focus The reciprocal of the focal length of a lens in meters is called power of a lens; p=1/f No.of waves/distance Length of a wave L

J.sec (or) eV.sec no units meter diaptors

meter

units-Dimensions ( QA)
1. What is a physical quantity? Ans : Any quantity which is measurable is called physical quantity. 2. Explain the term Fundamental Physical quantity. Ans: The physical quantity which is independent or which can not be derived from any other physical quantity is called fundamental physical quantity. EX: Mass, Length and Time. 3.Explain the term Derived physical quantity.Give examples. Ans :The physical quantity which is dependent on other physical quantity or which is derived from other physical quantity is called derived physical quantity. Ex : Area, Electric charge, Magnetic field strength, power etc. 4.How many fundamental quantities are there in C.G.S; F.P.S and M.K.S systems? What are they? Ans : There are 3 fundamentals quantities in C.G.S; F.P.S and M.K.S systems, they are mass, length and time. 5.How many fundamental quantities are there in S.I systems? What are they? Ans : In S.I system 7 fundamental quantities are there,they are i) Mass ii)Length iii)Time iv)Electric current v)Intensity of light vi) Thermodynamic temperature vii) Quantity of matter. 6.How many supplementary quantities are there in S.I system? What are they?

Ans : In S.I system there are 2 supplementary quantities, they are i) Plane Angle ii) Solid Angle. 7. What are the units of length in C.G.S ; F.P.S and M.K.S systems. Ans : The units of length are cm,foot and meter respectively in C.G.S ; F.P.S and M.K.S systems . 8. what are the units of fundamental quantities in S.I system? Ans : Mass kg ; Length m ; Time sec ; Electric current Amp Thermodynamic temperature kelvin ; Intensity of light candela ; Quantity of matter mole . 9.what are the units of supplementary quantities in S.I system? Ans : Plane angle radian ; Solid angle steradian . 10. Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formula is ?

Ans : The physical quantities are i)Distance or length ii) displacement iii)wave length 11. Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formula is Ans : The physical quantities are i) speed ii) velocity 12.Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formula is Ans : The physical quantities are i)Thermal capacity ii) Entropy 13. Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formula is Ans : The physical quantities are i)Momentum ii) impulse . 14.Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formula is Ans : The physical quantities are i)force ii ) Tension iii) weight . 15.Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formula is ? ? ? ? ?

Ans : The physical quantities are i) Work ii) Energy iii) Heat iv)Moment of force Iv) Torque .

16.Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formula is

Ans : The physical quantities are i) pressure ii ) stress iii) Youngs modulus iv) Rigidity modulus v) Bulk modulus . 17.Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formula is ?

Ans : The physical quantities are i) frequency ii) Decay constant iii)Angular velocity . 18 . Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formula is ?

Ans : The physical quantities are i )angular momentum ii )Plank constant . 19. Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formula is Ans : The physical quantities are i )Force constant ii )surface tension . 20. Which physical quantity has negative dimensions in mass ? Ans : Gravitational constant (G) . 21. State few constants which have dimensions ? Ans : i) Plnaks constant (h) ii)Velocity of light in vacuum (c) iii)Permeability of free space ( space ( ) v)Universal gravitational constant (G) vi) Universal gas constant (R) vii)Boltzmann constant (k) . 22 .which physical quantities have the unit henry ? Ans : self Inductance and Mutual Inductance have the unit henry . ) iv) Permittivity of free ?

units-Dimensions ( QA)
23. What are the dimensions of electric conductivity in mass , length and current. Ans : Electric conductivity has -1,-3 and 2 dimensions in mass,length and current respectively. 24. What is the unit of electric conductivity in C.G.S and S.I systems? Ans : It has no unit in C.G.S system ; its unit in S.I system is Siemen/meter or S/m.

25.What are the uses of Dimensional methods? Ans : To convert units from one system to another. ii )To check the correctness of equations connecting physical quantities iii )To derive the expressions connecting physical quantities. 26. Which is the physical quantity whose S.I unit is Am ? Ans: Magnetic pole strength. 27. V/m or N/Coulomb are the units of . Physical quantity. Ans : These are the units of Electric field strength. 28.Name five physical quantities which neither have dimensions nor units. Ans : Refractive Index , specific gravity,susceptibility,dielectric constant, coefficient of friction. 29. If V = Xt+Y ; V is the velocity , t is time.What are the dimensional formulas of X and Y ? Ans : According to principle of homogeneity of dimensions, the dimensions of M,L and T in every term should be same. Therefore =X X= ;X and Y

30.Which physical quantities does not possess dimensions in mass ? Ans :Area,volume, velocity, acceleration,angular displacement, angular velocity, angular acceleration.

units-Dimensions ( QA)
23. What are the dimensions of electric conductivity in mass , length and current. Ans : Electric conductivity has -1,-3 and 2 dimensions in mass,length and current respectively. 24. What is the unit of electric conductivity in C.G.S and S.I systems? Ans : It has no unit in C.G.S system ; its unit in S.I system is Siemen/meter or S/m. 25.What are the uses of Dimensional methods?

Ans : To convert units from one system to another. ii )To check the correctness of equations connecting physical quantities iii )To derive the expressions connecting physical quantities. 26. Which is the physical quantity whose S.I unit is Am ? Ans: Magnetic pole strength. 27. V/m or N/Coulomb are the units of . Physical quantity. Ans : These are the units of Electric field strength. 28.Name five physical quantities which neither have dimensions nor units. Ans : Refractive Index , specific gravity,susceptibility,dielectric constant, coefficient of friction. 29. If V = Xt+Y ; V is the velocity , t is time.What are the dimensional formulas of X and Y ? Ans : According to principle of homogeneity of dimensions, the dimensions of M,L and T in every term should be same. Therefore =X X= ;X and Y

30.Which physical quantities does not possess dimensions in mass ? Ans :Area,volume, velocity, acceleration,angular displacement, angular velocity, angular acceleration.

WIKKIPEDIA NOTES: This is a list of physical quantities. The first table lists the base quantities used in the International System of Units to define the physical dimension of physical quantities for dimensional analysis. Note that the angle and solid angle are included in this list but are actually dimensionless quantities. The second table list the other physical quantities. Note :- neither the names nor the symbols used for the physical quantities are international standards. Some quantities are known as several different names such as the magnetic B-field which known as the magnetic flux density, the magnetic induction or simply as the magnetic field depending on the context. Similarly, surface tension can be denoted by either , or T. The table usually list only one name and symbol. Base quantity Symbol Description SI unit Symbol for dimension L M T extensive Comments

Length Mass Time

l m t

The one dimensional extent of an object. The amount of matter in an object. The duration of an event.

metre (m) kilogram (kg) second (s)

Electric current

Rate of flow of electrical charge. Average energy per degree of freedom of a system. Number of particles compared to the number of atoms in 0.012 kg of12C.

ampere (A)

Temperature

kelvin (K)

intensive

Amount of substance

mole (mol)

extensive

Luminous intensity

Amount of energy emitted by a light source in a candela (cd) particular direction.

Derived quantity (Mass) Density (volume density) (Radioactive) Activity (Radioactive) Dose Absorbed dose rate Acceleration Angular acceleration Angular momentum Angular

Symbol A D

Description The amount of mass per unit volume of a three dimensional object.

SI units kg m3

Dimension M L3 T1 L2 T2 L2 T3 L T2 T2 M L2 T1 T1

Comments intensive extensive

Number of particles decaying per becquerel (Bq = unit time. s1) Amount of energy absorbed by biological tissue from ionizing radiation per unit mass. Absorbed dose received per unit of time. gray (unit) (Gy = m2s2) Gy s1 m s2 rad s2 kg m2 s1

a L or

Rate of change of the speed or velocity of an object. Rate of change in angular speed or velocity. Measure of the extent and direction and object rotates about a reference point.

vector

conserved quantity, pseudovector scalar or

The angle incremented in a plane rad s1

Derived quantity speed (orangular velocity) Area Area density Capacitance Catalytic activity Catalytic activity concentration Chemical potential Current density

Symbol

Description by a segment connecting an object and a reference point.

SI units

Dimension

Comments pseudovector

A A C

The two dimensional extent of an 2 m object. The amount of mass per unit kg m2 area of a two dimensional object. Measure for the amount of stored farad (F = charge for a given potential. A2 s4 kg1m2) Change in reaction rate due to presence of a catalyst. Change in reaction rate due to presence of a catalyst per unit volume of the system. katal (kat = mol s1) kat m3

L2 M L2 I2 T4 M1 L2 N T1 N L3 T1 M L2 T2 N1 I L2 intensive

The amount of energy needed to J mol1 add a particle to a system. Amount of electric current flowing through a surface. A m2

Dose equivalent

Measure for the received amount of radiation adjusted for the sievert (Sv = effect of different types of radiant m2 s2) on biological tissue. Measure for the resistance of an incompressible fluid to stress. Amount of electric charge. Amount of electric charge per unit volume. Strength of the electric displacement. Strength of the electric field. The amount of work required to bring a unit charge into an Pa s coulomb (C = A s) C m3 C m2 V m1 volt (V = kg m2 A1 s3)

L2 T2

Dynamic Viscosity Electric Charge Electric charge density Electric displacement Electric field strength Electric potential

Q Q D E V

M L1 T1 IT I T L3 I T L2 M L T3 I1 L2 M T3 I1 extensive, conserved quantity intensive vector field vector field scalar

Derived quantity Electrical conductance Electrical resistance

Symbol

Description electric field from infinity.

SI units

Dimension

Comments

G R

Meausure for how easily current siemens (S = flows through a material. A2 s3kg1 m2) The degree to which an object ohm ( = kg opposes the passage of an electric 2 2 3 m A s ) current. The capacity of a body or system joule (J = kg to do work. m2 s2) Amount of energy per unit volume. Measure for the amount of available states for a system. J m3 J K1

L2 M1 T3 I2 L2 M T3 I2

scalar scalar extensive, scalar, conserved quantity intensive extensive, scalar vector

Energy Energy density Entropy Force Frequency Half-life Heat

E E S F f t1/2 Q

ML T

M L1 T2 M L2 T2 1 M L T2 T1 T M L2 T2

The cause of acceleration, acting newton (N = kg on an object. m s2) The number of times something happens in a period of time. hertz (Hz =s1)

The time needed for a quantity to s decay to half its original value. Amount of energy transferred between systems due to temperature difference. J

Heat capacity Heat flux density Illuminance Impedance Impulse

Cp Q Ev Z p

Amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a system J K1 by one degree. Amount of heat flowing through a surface per unit area. W m2

M L2 T2 1 M T3 J L2 L2 M T3 I2 M L T1

extensive

Total luminous flux incident to a lux (lx = cd sr surface per unit area. m2) Measure for the resistance of an electrical circuit against an alternating current. The cause of a change in ohm ( = kg m2 A2s3) kg m s1

complex scalar vector

Derived quantity

Symbol

Description momentum, acting on an object. The factor by which the speed of light is reduce in a medium. Measure for the amount of magnetic flux generated for a certain current run through a circuit. Power of electromagnetic radiation flowing through a surface per unit area. Amount of mass per unit length of a one dimensional object. Perceived power of a light source. Strength of a magnetic field in a material. Measure of quantity of magnetism, taking account of the strength and the extent of a magnetic field. Measure for the strength of the magnetic field.

SI units

Dimension

Comments

Index of refraction

1 henry (H = kg m2 A2s2)

intensive

Inductance

M L2 T2 I2

Irradiance Linear density Luminous flux (orluminous power) Magnetic field strength Magnetic flux

E l F H

W m2

M T2 M L1

lumen (lm = cd sr) A m1 weber (Wb = kg m2 A1s2) tesla (T = kg A1 s2)

J I L1 vector field

M L2 T2 I1

scalar pseudovector field vector field intensive intensive intensive intensive

Magnetic flux density Magnetization Mass fraction Mean lifetime Molar concentration Molar energy

B M x C

M T2 I1 I L1 1 T N L3 M L2 T2 N1

Amount of magnetic moment per A m1 unit volume. Mass of a substance as a fraction kg/kg of the total mass. Average time needed for a particle to decay. Amount of substance per unit volume. Amount of energy present is a system per unit amount of substance. s mol m3 J mol1

Derived quantity Molar entropy Molar heat capacity Moment of inertia Momentum

Symbol

Description Amount of entropy present in a system per unit amount of substance.

SI units J K1 mol1 J K1 mol1 kg m2 Ns

Dimension

Comments

M L2 T2 1 N1 intensive M L2 T2 N1 M L2 M L T1 intensive tensor vector, extensive

c I p

Heat capacity of a material per unit amount of substance. Inertia of an object with respect to angular acceleration. Product of an object's mass and velocity. Measure for how the magnetization of material is affected by the application of an external magnetic field.

Permeability

H m1

M L1 I2

intensive

Permittivity

Measure for how the polarization of a material is affected by the F m1 application of an external electric field. Measure of a change in direction radian (rad) or orientation. The rate of change in energy over watt (W) time. Amount of force per unit area. Power of emitted electromagnetic radiation per solid angle and per projected source area. Power of emitted electromagnetic radiation per solid angle. Measure for speed of a chemical reaction. Measure of the size of an object as projected on a sphere. pascal (Pa = kg m1s2) W m2 sr1

I2 M1 L2 T4

intensive

Plane angle Power Pressure

P p

1 M L2 T3 M L1 T2 extensive intensive

Radiance

M T3

Radiant intensity Reaction rate Solid angle

I r

W sr1 mol m3 s1 steradian (sr)

M L2 T3 N L3 T1 1

scalar intensive

Derived quantity Specific energy Specific heat capacity Specific volume Speed

Symbol

Description Amount of energy present per unit mass.

SI units J kg1 J kg1 K1 m3 kg1

Dimension L2 T2 L2 T2 1 L3 M1 L T1

Comments intensive intensive intensive scalar

c v v

Heat capacity per unit mass. The volume occupied by a unit mass of material (reciprocal of density).

Rate of change of the position of m s1 an object. Intrinsic property of particles, roughly to be interpreted as the intrinsic angular momentum of the particle. Amount of force exerted per surface area. Amount of work needed to change the surface of a liquid by a unit surface area. kg m2 s1

Spin

M L2 T1 2-tensor. (or scalar)

Stress Surface tension Thermal conductivity Torque (moment of force) Velocity Volume Wavelength Wavenumber Weight Work

Pa N m1 or J m2

M L1 T2 M T2 M L T3 1

Measure for the ease with which W m1 K1 a material conducts heat. Product of a force and the perpendicular distance of the Nm force from the point about which it is exerted. Speed of an object in a chosen direction. The three dimensional extent of an object. m s1 m3

intensive

M L2 T2

pseudovector

v V k w W

L T1 L3 L L1 M L T2 M L2 T2

vector extensive

Distance between repeating units m of a propagating wave. Reciprocal of the wavelength. Amount of gravitation force exerted on an object. Energy dissipated by a force m1 newton (N = kg m s2) joule (J = kg

scalar

Derived quantity

Symbol

Description moving over a distance, scalar product of the force and the movement vector.

SI units m2 s2)

Dimension

Comments

Units and Dimensionality Basic, Mechanical and Electrical units and conversions Physics equations for Mechanical and Electrical quantities
Contents Physical Quantities and their Associated Dimensions Basic Physical Quantities Mechanical Physical Quantities Electrical Physical Quantities The Algebra of Dimensionality Conversion Between Systems of Units Definitions of Fundamental Units Definitions of Derived Units

 Units Conversion Constants Physical Constants Physics Equations

Just need a numeric conversion from one unit to another: click below
www.easyunitsconverter.com Physical Quantities and Their Associated Dimensions
Errors can occur in writing equations to solve problems in classical physics. Many of these errors can be prevented by performing a dimensionality check on the equations. All physical quantities have a fundamental dimension that is independent of the units of measurement. The basic physical dimensions are: length, mass, time, electrical charge, temperature and luminous intensity. There are a number of systems of units for measuring physical dimensions. The MKS system is based on meter, kilogram, second measurement. The CGS system is based on centimeter, gram, second measurement. The English system is based on feet, pound, second measurement. A few physical dimensions and the associated measurement unit in these three systems are : Physical Quantity Dimension length mass time force energy Unit System CGS centimeter gram second dyne erg

MKS meter kilogram second newton joule

English feet pound mass second poundal B.t.u.

The checking of a physical equation has two aspects. The first is to check the dimensionality. The dimensionality is independent of the unit system. The second is to check that a consistent system of units is used in the equation. An example of a dimensionality check is using the basic equation F=ma to determine that force has the dimension mass x length / time squared, then check if F=mv2 /r is dimensionally correct. The check is performed by expanding the dimensions, e.g. mass x (length/time) x (length/time) / length.

Combining terms and reducing yields mass x length / time squared. This agrees with the dimensions expected for force from the basic equation F=ma. As expected, centripetal force has the same dimensionality as the force from Newton's second law of motion. The table below is organized to present the physical quantity name with associated information. The second column is one of the typical symbols used for the physical quantity. The third column is the dimension of the physical quantity expressed in terms of the fundamental dimensions. The fourth column is the name of the unit in the MKS measurement system. The fifth column is the typical MKS unit equation. An independent table presents conversion factors from the MKS measurement system to other measurement systems. Physics developed over a period of many years by many people from a variety of disciplines. Thus, there is ambiguity and duplication of symbols.

Basic Physical Quantities

PHYSICAL QUANTITY _________________ length mass time electric charge luminous intensity temperature angle SYMBOL ______ s m t q I T theta DIMENSION _________ L M T Q C K none MEASUREMENT UNIT ________________ meter kilogram second coulomb candle kelvin radians UNIT EQUATION ______________ m Kg sec c cd
o

none

Mechanical Physical Quantities (derived)

PHYSICAL QUANTITY _________________ area volume velocity angular velocity SYMBOL ______ A V v DIMENSION _________ L2 L3 L/T 1/T MEASUREMENT UNIT ________________ square meter stere meter per second UNIT EQUATION ______________ m2 m3 m/sec

radians per second sec-1

acceleration angular acceleration force energy work heat torque power density specific gravity pressure elastic modulus bulk modulus stress strain momentum impulse inertia (linear) moment of inertia luminous flux illumination

a F E W Q T P SG P E K p p I I E

L/T2 1/T2 ML/T2 ML2/T2

meter per square second radians per square second newton joule " " newton meter watt kilogram per cubic meter

m/sec2 1/sec2 Kg m/sec2 Kg m2 /sec2

ML2/T2 ML2/T3 M/L3

Kg m2 /sec2 joule/sec Kg/m3

ratio of density to density of water SG times 1000 Kg/m3 is &rho M/LT2 newton per sq m square meter M/LT2 (pressure) M/LT2 (pressure) newton per sq m newton per sq m dimensionless Kg m/sec Kg m/sec Kg m2/sec Kg m2 cd sr cd sr/m2 Kg/m sec2 Kg/m sec2 Kg/m sec2

none (L'-L)/L ML/T ML/T ML2/T ML2 C C/L2

newton second newton second joule second kilogram meter sq lumen (4Pi candle for point source) lumen per square meter

entropy volume rate of flow dynamic viscosity kinematic viscosity / specific weight

S Q

ML2/T2 K L3/T M/LT L2/T M/L2 T2

joule per degree cubic meter per second newton second per square meter square meter per second newton per cubic meter

Kg m2 /sec2 oK m3 /sec Kg/m sec m2 /sec Kg/m2 sec2

Electrical Physical Quantities (derived)

PHYSICAL QUANTITY _________________ electric current emf,voltage,potential electric resistance conductivity capacitance inductance current density SYMBOL ______ I E R sigma C L J DIMENSION _________ Q/T 2 2 ML /T Q 2 2 ML /TQ 2 3 TQ /ML 2 2 2 T Q /ML 2 2 ML /Q 2 Q/TL 3 charge density magnetic flux, magnetic induction rho B Q/L M/TQ coulomb per cubic meter weber per square meter c/m Kq/sec c ampere per square meter c/sec m 3 MEASUREMENT UNIT ________________ ampere volt ohm mho per meter farad henry UNIT EQUATION ______________ c/sec 2 2 Kg m /sec c 2 2 Kg m /sec c 2 3 sec c /Kg m 2 2 2 sec c /Kg m 2 2 Kg m /c 2

magnetic intensity magnetic vector potential electric field intensity

H A E

Q/LT ML/TQ 2 ML/T Q 2

ampere per meter weber/meter

c/m sec Kg m/sec c

2 volt/meter or Kg m/sec c newton per coulomb 2 coulomb per square meter c/m 2 henry per meter farad per meter Kg m/c 2 2 3 sec c /Kg m -1 -1

electric displacement

Q/L 2

permeability permittivity, dielectric constant frequency angular frequency wave length

mu epsi

ML/Q 2 2 3 T Q /ML

f omega lambda

Pi/T 1/T L

hertz

sec

radians per second sec meters m

The Algebra of Dimensionality

The dimension of any physical quantity can be written as La Mb Tc Qd Ce Kf

where a,b,c,d,e and f are integers such as -4, -3, -2 , -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and L is length, M is mass, T is time, Q is charge, C is luminous intensity and K is temperature. An exponent of zero means the dimension does not apply to the physical quantity. The normal rules of algebra for exponents apply for combining dimensions. In order to add or subtract two physical quantities the quantities must have the same dimension. The resulting physical quantity has the same dimensions. Physical quantities with the same dimension in different systems of units can be added or subtracted by multiplying one of the quantities by a units conversion factor to obtain compatible units. The multiplication of two physical quantities results in a new physical quantity that has the sum of the exponents of the dimensions of the initial

two quantities. The division of one physical quantity by another results in a new physical quantity that has the dimension of the exponents of the first quantity minus the exponents of the second quantity. Taking the square root of a physical quantity results in a new physical quantity having a dimension with exponents half of the initial dimension. Raising a physical quantity to a power results in a new physical quantity having a dimension with the exponents multiplied by the power. e.g. v has dimension L/T then v2 has dimension L2/T2 or L2 T-2

The derivative of a physical quantity with respect to another physical quantity results in a new physical quantity with the exponents of the first dimension minus the exponents of the other dimension. e.g. v has dimension L/T, t has dimension T, then dv/dt has dimension L/T2 of acceleration

The integral of a physical quantity over the range of another physical quantity results in a new physical quantity that has a dimension with the sum of the exponents of the two quantities. e.g. v has dimension L/T, t has dimension T, then integral v dt has dimension L

Conversion Between Systems of Units

This section is organized to be consistent with the discussion of physical quantities and equations of physics. The definition of the six fundamental units of physical quantities is presented for the MKS system of units. The definition of some derived units is then presented in the MKS system. The definitions in other systems of units follow the MKS definitions. This is followed by a table of conversion factors between the MKS system and other systems of units. The MKS system based on the meter, kilogram second was augmented to allow force and energy from electrical quantities to be measured in one rationalized system of units. The system was proposed by Giorgi in 1904. It was adopted by

the IEC in 1935 to take effect on January 1, 1940. The electrical to mechanical conversion was chosen to be based on the permeability of free space to be -7 4Pi x 10 henry per meter.

Definition of Fundamental Units

Meter, fundamental unit of length, defined as the distance between two o specified lines on a specific bar of platinum-iridium at 0 C at standard atmospheric pressure supported at two neutral points 0.285 meter from the center of the bar. The bar is kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures near Paris France. Centimeter, cgs unit of length, defined as 1/100 meter. Feet, English unit of length, defined as 0.3048 meter in U.S. Inch, English unit of length, defined as 0.00254 meter in U.S. -10 Angstrom, unit of length, defined as 10 meter.

Kilogram, fundamental unit of mass, defined as the mass of a specific cylinder of platinum - iridium kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. Gram, cgs unit of mass, defined as 1/1000 kilogram. Pound, English unit of mass, the avoirdupois pound is defined to be 0.4535924277 kilogram in the U.S. The apothecary or troy pound is 5760/7000 of the avoirdupois pound. Second, fundamental unit of time, defined as one 86,400th part of a mean solar day. Presently measured by an atomic clock based on the rate of nuclear decay. Coulomb, fundamental unit of charge, defined as the charge required to obtain one newton of force between two such charges at a distance of one

meter. Candle, fundamental unit of luminous intensity, defined as the source intensity of 1/60 centimeter square opening of the standard light source of a glowing cavity with temperature equal to that of solidifying platinum. A point source of one candle radiates one lumen per steradian. Kelvin, fundamental unit of temperature, defined as zero where the molecular activity of gases cease. The scale is based on zero degrees centigrade (Celsius) for the freezing point of water and 100 degrees centigrade at the boiling point of water. Zero degrees centigrade is 273.16 Kelvin. Radians, fundamental unit of angle, defined as the angle formed by a length of circular arc being equal to the radius creating the arc.

Definition of Derived Units

Newton, unit of force, defined as the force required to accelerate a mass of 1 kilogram at 1 meter per second per second when acting continuously. Dyne, cgs unit of force, defined as the force required to accelerate a mass -5 of 1 gram at at 1 centimeter per second per second. One dyne is 10 newton. Poundal, English unit of force, defined as the force required to accelerate a mass of 1 pound at 1 foot per second per second. One poundal is -10 7.23300 10 newton. A poundal based on earth's gravitation is 32.174 pounds avoirdupois. Joule, unit of energy, defined as work done by 1 newton acting through a distance of one meter. (equivalent to one watt expended in one second.) Erg, cgs unit of energy, defined as work done by 1 dyne acting through a -7 distance of one centimeter. One erg is 10 joule. Kilogram calorie, large calorie, unit of energy, is the heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water 1 degree centigrade at a

stated temperature. i.e. Kg Cal(22 C). The mean kilogram calorie is defined as 1/100 of the heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water o o from 0 C to 100 C. The small calorie is the gram calorie equal to 1/1000 of a large calorie. One mean kilogram calorie is 0.000238889 joule . British thermal unit, B.t.u , unit of energy, the heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit at a stated o temperature. i.e. B.t.u.(39 F). The mean British thermal unit is defined as 1/180 of the heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water from o o 32 F to 212 F. One mean B.t.u. is 0.00009480 joule. Mole, kilogram molecule, is the number of kilograms of a substance that corresponds to its molecular weight divided by 1000. In the cgs system of units a mole, gram molecule, is the number of grams of a substance that corresponds to its molecular weight. The mass of a single molecule in kilograms is the kilogram molecule divided by Avogadro's number. For atoms the molecular weight is the atomic weight. Steradian, sr, is the ratio of the area of the intercepted surface of a sphere to the radius of the sphere squared. 4Pi steradians means the total area of the sphere is intercepted. Watt, unit of power, defined as work done at a constant rate of one joule per second. Horsepower ( mechanical ), English unit of power, defined as work done at a rate of 550 foot-pounds per second. One mechanical horsepower is 745.705 watt. Horsepower ( electrical ), English unit of power, by definition exactly 760 watt. Ampere, unit of electric current, defined as the current that will flow through a circuit with a resistance of one ohm when one volt is applied. The international standard is defined as the current which will deposit silver at a rate of 0.00111800 gram per second. One international ampere is about 0.999835 absolute ampere. International electrical units are based on physical standards whose specifications are slightly in error. Instruments made after January 1, 1948 are calibrated in absolute units.

Notes:

The singular form of units is used with the exception of foot and feet. Proper names appearing in units and constants are not capitalized.

References: Conversion Factors and Tables by Zimmerman and Lavine Electric and Magnetic Fields by Stephen Attwood Elements of Physics by Shortley and Williams

UNITS CONVERSION CONSTANTS

to get MKS units from other units value in MKS units = value in other units x constant length meter = angstrom x 1.0E-10 meter = mil x 0.254E-4 meter = centimeter x 0.01 meter = inch x 0.0254 meter = feet x 0.3048 meter = yard x 0.9144018288 meter = fathom x 1.8288036 meter = rod x 5.0292099 meter = chain(surveyor) x 20.12 meter = chain(engineer) x 30.48006 meter = furlong x 0.2011684E+3 meter = mile(statute) x 1.6093472E+3 meter = mile(nautical) x 1.8532487E+3 angstrom = meter x 1.0E10 mil = meter x 39370.07874 centimeter = meter x 100 inch = meter x 39.37007874 feet = meter x 3.280839895 yard = meter x 1.0936111 fathom = meter x rod = meter x 0.19883839 chain(surveyor) = meter x 66 ft chain(engineer) = meter x 100 ft furlong = meter x 0.49709597E-2 mile(statute) = meter x 0.6213699E-3 mile(nautical) = meter x 0.539593E-3 * to get other units from MKS units value in other units = value in MKS units x constant

meter = league(land) x 4.82804E+3 meter = league(marine) x 5.5596E+3 meter = light year x 9.459936E+15

league(land) = meter x league(marine) = meter x light year = meter x

mass kilogram = gram x 0.001 kilogram = grain(troy) x 0.6480E-4 gram = kilogram x 1000 grain(troy) = kilogram x 15432

kilogram = pennyweight(troy) x 1.5552E-3 pennyweight(troy) = kilogram x 643 pennyweight(troy) = grains * 24 kilogram = carat(troy) x 0.2E-3 kilogram = scruple x 1.296E-3 kilogram = dram(avdp) x 1.772E-3 kilogram = ounce(avdp) x 0.02834952 kilogram = ounce(troy) x 0.031103481 kilogram = pound(troy) x 0.37324177 kilogram = pound(avdp) x 0.45359244 kilogram = ton(short) x 907.18486 kilogram = ton(long) x 1016.047 kilogram = ton(metric) x 1000 carat(troy) = kilogram * 5000 carat(troy) = grains * 324 scruple = kilogram x 771.6 dram(avdp) = kilogram x 564.334 ounce(avdp) = kilogram x 35.27 ounce(troy) = kilogram x 32.15 pound(troy) = kilogram x 2.6792285 pound(avdp) = kilogram x 2.204622341 ton(short) = kilogram x 1.102311E-3 ton(short) = 2000 pounds(avdp) ton(long) = kilogram x 0.9842064E-3 ton(metric) = kilogram x 0.001 * *

time second = minute x 60 second = hour x 3600 second = day x 86400 minute = second * 0.0166667 hour = second * 2.777778E-4 day = second * 1.1574E-5

second = fortnight x 1.2096E+6 second = month x 2.6298E+6 second = year x 31.557E+6

fortnight = second * 0.82672E-6 month = second * 0.380257E-6 year = second * 0.031688E-6

electric charge

coulomb = electron charge x 6.2425E+20 coulomb = faraday x 0.01439 coulomb = ampere hours x 2.77778E-4

electron charge = coulomb x 1.60193E-19 faraday = coulomb x 96.480 ampere hours = coulomb x 3600

temperature o o o o o o K = ( F - 32) * 5/9 + 273.16 o o

K =

C + 273.16

C =

K - 273.16 o C = ( F - 32) * 5/9

o F = ( K - 273.16) x 1.8 + 32.0 o o F = C * 9/5 + 32 angle

radian = second(angular) x 4.84814E-6 radian = minute(angular) x 0.000290888 radian = degree(angular) x 0.017453293 radian = revolution x 6.2831853 radian = bam x

second(angular) = radian x 0.20626E+6 minute(angular) = radian x 3437.75 degree(angular) = radian x 57.2957795 revolution = radian x 0.159154943

area square meter = square centimeter x 1.0E-4 square meter = square inch x 6.4516E-4 square meter = square feet x 0.09290341 square meter = square yard x 0.83613 square meter = square mile(statute) x 2.589998E+6 square meter = acre x 4046.873 square meter = circular mil x 0.506709E-6 square meter = hectare x 1.0E+4 square meter = township x 93.24E+6 square meter = barn x 1.0E-28 volume cubic meter = cubic centimeter x 1.0E-6 cubic centimeter = cubic meter x 1.0E+6 cubic meter = cubic inch x 0.163871E-4 cubic meter = cubic feet x 0.028317 cubic meter = cubic yard x 0.76456 cubic meter = cubic mile(statute) x x 4.168205E+9 cubic meter = liter x 0.001 cubic inch = cubic meter x 61023.74 cubic feet = cubic meter x 35.31466 cubic yard = cubic meter x 1.30795 cubic mile(statute) = cubic meter x 0.23991E-9 liter = cubic meter x 1000 square centimeter = square meter x 10,000 square inch = square meter x 1550 square feet = square meter x 10.76387 square yard = square meter x 1.19598 square mile(statute) = square meter x 0.368E-6 acre = square meter x 0.0002471 circular mil = square meter x 1.97352E+6 hectare = square meter x 1.0E-4 township = square meter x 1.0725E-8 barn = square meter x 1.0E+28

cubic meter = fluid ounce x 0.295737E-4 fluid ounce = cubic meter x 0.33814E+7

cubic meter = cup x 0.236589E-3 cubic meter = pint(liquid) x 0.4731798E-3 cubic meter = quart(liquid) x 9.4625E-4 cubic meter = gallon x 0.003785 cubic meter = barrel x 6.28981 cubic meter = pint(dry) x 5.50625E-4 cubic meter = quart(dry) x 2.75313E-4 cubic meter = peck x 8.81E-3 cubic meter = bushel x 0.03524 cubic meter = keg x (less than 10 gal) cubic meter = cord x 3.625 barrel = gallon x 31.5 (food)

cup = cubic meter x 42267 pint(liquid) = cubic meter x 21113.4 quart(liquid) = cubic meter x 1056.8 gallon = cubic meter x 264.2 barrel = cubic meter x 0.1589873 pint(dry) = cubic meter x 1816.118 quart(dry) = cubic meter x 908.059 quart(dry) = pint(dry) x 0.5 peck = cubic meter x 113.507 peck = quart(dry) x 0.125 bushel = cubic meter x 28.3768 bushel = peck x 0.25

x 42 (petroleum) velocity

meter per second = centimeters per second x 100.0 meter per second = kilometer per hour x 0.001 meter per second = inches per second x 39.37 meter per second = feet per second x 3.28083 meter per second = miles per second x 17322.6 meter per second = inches per minute x 0.6562 meter per second = feet per minute x 0.05468 meter per second = miles per hour x 2.2369 meter per second = knots x 1.9438

acceleration meter per second squared = centimeter per second squared x 100.0 meter per second squared = feet per second squared x 3.28083 meter per second squared = miles per hour squared x 2.2369

force

newton = dyne x 1.0E-5 newton = poundal x 7.233 newton = pound force x 7.233/32.17 x 0.2248 energy joule = watt second joule = erg x 1.0E-7 joule = gram calorie x 0.238889E-6 joule = calorie x 1/0.238889 joule = foot pounds x 1.356 joule = kilowatt hour x 3.6E+6 joule = watt hour x 1/0.0027 joule = horsepower hours x 2.684E+6 joule = BTU x 1/0.00094 joule = therm x 1/9.478E-9 g

dyne = newton x 1.0E5 poundal = newton x 0.138 pound force = newton X 1/0.2248

watt = joule per second erg = joule / 1.0E-7

calorie = joule x 0.239 foot pounds = joule x 0.7376 kilowatt hour = joule/(60*60*1000) watt hour = joule x 0.00027

BTU = joule x 0.00094 therm = joule x 9.478E-9

power watt = volt ampere x 1 watt = calorie per second x 1/0.2390 watt = joule per hour x 1/3600 watt = erg per second x E-7 watt = kilogram calorie per second x watt = kilogram calorie per minute x watt = horsepower(mechanical) x 1/745.705 watt = horsepower(electrical) x 1/760 watt = horsepower(metric) 1.014 ? 33,520 Btu per hour horsepower(electrical) = watt x 760 calorie per second = watt x 0.2390 joule per hour = watt x 3600 erg per second = joule x E+7

watt = horsepower(boiler) x 9.804E+3 watt = B.t.u per minute x 17.57 watt = B.t.u per hour x 17.57*60

watt = foot pound per minute x 0.2260E-3 watt = foot pound per second x 1.356

33000 HP

550 HP

density kilogram per cubic meter = pound per cubic foot x 16.018 ? pressure

pascal = newton per square meter x 1 pascal = Kg force per square meter x 1/0.10197 pascal = pound force per square foot x 1/0.020885 pascal = pound force per square inch x 1/0.145038E-3

pascal = ton per square foot x 10.4E-6 pascal = atmosphere(standard) x 1E-5 pascal = inch of water x 0.004 pascal = inches of mercury x 1/0.296E-3 pascal = millimeters of mercury x 0.0075 pascal = bar x 1/1.0E-5 pascal = millibar x 1/0.01 pascal = torr x 0.0075 torque newton meter = foot pound x flow rate cubic meter per second = gallon per minute x 0.6309E-8 cubic meter per second = cubic feet per minute x 0.4719E-3 specific heat, entropy o o bar = pascal x 1.0E-5 millibar = pascal x 0.01

joule per kilogram

K = B.t.u. per pound

F x 4.187E+3

dynamic viscosity poise = dyne second per square centimeter kinematic viscosity stoke = square centimeter per second

electric current ampere = abampere x 10 ampere = statampere x 0.333333E-9 magnetic flux B magnetic induction magnetomotive force magnetic field strength H dielectric constant permittivity constant rotation rate radians per second = revolutions per second x radians per second = revolutions per minute x

PHYSICAL CONSTANTS
There are a number of physical constants that are used in equations to solve problems in physics. Errors may occur because the dimensionality and/or units of the physical constant are not known. The table below presents some physical constants with their typical symbol, dimension, nominal value and unit of measure in the MKS system. PHYSICAL CONSTANT _________________ air density, normal conditions SYMBOL ______ rho DIMENSION _________ M/L 3 MKS VALUE _________ 1.293 UNIT ____ Kg/m 3

air molecule, mass

4.81E-26

Kg

air molecule, kilogram molecular weight

0.028952

Kg/mole

atmospheric pressure Avogadro's number molecules in a mole based on 12g of carbon-12 Boltzmann's constant same units as entropy electron volt

A N

M/LT none

1.01325 6.023E+23

newton/m

molecules in a mole o joule/ K

2 2 ML /T K 2 2 ML /T 3 2 2 ML /T Q

1.380E-23

1.60210E-10

joule 2 2 nt m/coulomb m/farad coulomb Kg coulomb/mole o joule/ K

electrostatic constant reciprocal permittivity elementary charge electron mass faraday

8.987E+9

e m f

Q M L/T 2 2 ML /T K

1.6021892E-19 9.1066E-31 9.648456E+4

gas constant of a mole Avogadro * Boltzmann

8.3144

2 gravity (earth) hydrogen atom mass g m h L/T M 9.80665 1.6734E-27 m/sec Kg

hydrogen atom kilogram atomic weight

1.0079E-3

Kg/mole

impedance of free space

Z 0

2 2 ML /TQ

120Pi

ohm

mechanical equivalent of heat

none

4186.05

joule/ Kg calorie

permittivity (vacuum)

epsi

2 2 3 T Q /ML

8.854E-12

farad/meter

permeability (vacuum)

mu 0

ML/Q

4Pi E-7

henry/meter

Pi, ratio of circumference to diameter Planck's constant speed of light (vacuum) speed of sound (air)

Pi

none 2 ML /T L/T L/T 2 2 L /MT 3 3

3.14159265

radians

h c s

6.624E-34 2.99792458E+8 331.45

joule second meter/second meter/second 2 2 nt m /Kg 3 Kg/m lb/cu-ft 3 Kg/m lb/cu-ft

universal gravitational constant density of fresh water definition density of sea water approx

6.6720E-12

rho rho

M/L M/L

1000.0 62.43 1025.0 64.00

Note: some constants are related to combinations of other constants : electrostatic constant = 1/ 4Pi permittivity (vacuum) speed of light = 1/ sqrt( permittivity x permeability ) impedance of free space Z = sqrt( permeability / permittivity ) 0

PHYSICS EQUATIONS

SOME EQUATIONS OF PHYSICS F = m a force equals mass times acceleration, Newton's second law of motion

2 F = m v /r

force equals mass times velocity squared over radius, centripetal force of a mass traveling in a circle 2

F = G m

m /s 1 2

gravitational force between mass

and mass at distance s 1 2 with universal gravitational constant G 2 earth

g = G m earth

/r

acceleration due to gravity on earth

2 F = k Q Q /s 1 2 electrical force between charge 1 and charge 2 at distance s with electrostatic constant k . If there is a dielectric then multiply by the non dimensional dielectric constant. F = 1/2Pi mu I I /s electrical force between two parallel wires carrying currents I and I with a spacing s with permeability 1 2 mu. This is the force for one meter of wire length.

2 F = B H s electrical force in a magnetic field equals the magnetic flux times the magnetic intensity applied to an area 2 electrical force in an electric field equals the electric field intensity times the electric displacement applied to an area s = v t v = a t distance equals velocity times time (linear) velocity equals acceleration times time (linear)

F = E D s

s = s

2 + v t + 1/2 a t 0 0 linear distance equals initial distance plus initial velocity times time plus one half acceleration times time squared 2 0 + 2as) the final velocity equals the square root of the initial velocity squared plus two times the acceleration times the distance traveled the critical velocity for any object to orbit at a distance s from the source of gravitational field g

v f

= sqrt( v

= sqrt( s g )

vf1 = ((m1-m2)/(m1+m2))*v1 + ((2*m2)/(m1+m2))*v2 vf2 = ((m2-m1)/(m1+m2))*v2 + ((2*m1)/(m1+m2))*v1 final velocities of an elastic collision of body with mass m1 and velocity v1 hitting a body with mass m2 and velocity v2. Kinetic energy conserved. vf = (m1*v1 +m2*v2)/(m1+m2) final velocity of an inelastic collision of body with mass m1 and velocity v1 hitting and sticking to a body with mass m2 and velocity v2. Kinetic energy is not conserved but is converted.

theta = omega t omega = alpha t

angle equals angular velocity times time (rotational) angular velocity equals angular acceleration times time (rotational)

theta = theta

2 + omega t + 1/2 alpha t 0 0 angular rotation equals initial angle plus initial angular velocity times time plus one half angular acceleration times time squared + 2 alpha * angle) the final angular velocity equals the square root of the initial angular velocity squared time twice the angular acceleration times the angle traveled 2 moment of inertia, about an axis, integral from 0 to mass of radius squared times incremental mass torque equals moment of inertia times angular acceleration angular momentum equals moment of inertia times angular velocity 2 kinetic energy equals one half moment of inertia times angular velocity squared power equals moment of inertia times angular acceleration times angular velocity work equals moment of inertia times angular acceleration times angle traveled voltage equals current through a resistor times the resistance

w f

= sqrt(w

2 0

I = mass*radius T = I alpha L = I omega

E = 1/2 I omega

P = I alpha omega W = I alpha theta E = I R I = C (E 2

- E )/(t - t ) 1 2 1 the current through a capacitor equals the capacitance times the change in voltage over the change in time actually an integral of current divided by C

E = I * time / C

one amp for one scecond charges one farad to one volt E = L (I 2 - I )/(t - t ) 1 2 1 the voltage across an inductor equals the inductance times the change in current over the change in time actually a derivative of voltage divided by L one volt change in one second causes a current of one amp in a 1 henry inductor the capacitance in farad of a parallel plate capacitor equals the permittivity times the area divided by the spacing. L = n mu r (ln 8r/d - 7/4) the inductance in henry of n turns of wire with diameter d closely wrapped in a coil of radius r with permeability mu is approximately given by this equation. the magnetic intensity at the center of a current loop equals 1/2 the current divided by the radius of the loop B = mu H D = epsi E P = E I P = F s 2 E = m c E = I omega 2 E = 1/2 m v E = m g s E = 1/2 B H V kinetic energy of a mass traveling at a velocity potential energy of a mass in a gravitational field at a height s energy of a magnetic field in the volume V with magnetic flux B and magnetic intensity H. This is usually an energy from converting a mass to energy ( c = speed of light) energy of rotation, Inertia times rotational velocity the magnetic flux equals the permeability times the magnetic intensity the electric displacement equals the permittivity times the electric field intensity power equals an electrical potential causing a current power equals a force applied over a distance

I = E * time / L

C = epsi

A/s

H = 1/2 I / r

integral of an incremental volume times B times H in the incremental volume. E = 1/2 D E V energy of an electric field in the volume V with electric displacement D and electric field intensity E. This is usually an integral of an incremental volume times D times E in the incremental volume. energy stored in a capacitor with capacitance C having a voltage V energy stored in an inductor with inductance L having a current I torque equals the force applied at radius s torque equals the rotational inertia times the angular acceleration ideal gas law rms These relations are for one mole (kilogram molecule) of an ideal gas at an absolute pressure P, volume V, gas constant R, Avogadro's number Na, Boltzmann's constant k, temperature T in Kelvin, gas molecule mass m, root mean square speed of the molecules v in meters per second. Each section of the equation rms represents energy in joule. P V = n R T for n moles of the gas. With sigma being density, P = sigma R T / M where M = mass/n

E = 1/2 C V

E = 1/2 L I

T = F s T = I alpha

2 E = P V = R T = Na k T = 1/3 N m v

2 2 P + 1/2 rho v + rho g z = P + 1/2 rho v + rho g z 1 1 1 2 2 2 This equation relates pressure P, velocity v and relative height z for a non compressible fluid in a pipe, observed at location 1 and location 2. rho is the density of the fluid and g is the gravitational constant. 2 L = C L rho v A / 2 the lift force equals the dimensionless coefficient of

lift times the air density times the velocity squared times the surface area divided by 2. 2 D = C D rho v A / 2 the drag force equals the dimensionless coefficient of drag times the air density times the velocity squared times the surface area divided by 2. nu = mu / rho the kinematic viscosity equals the dynamic viscosity over the density in a fluid the power, P, required to drive a volume rate of flow, Q, from pressure p to pressure p . 1 1 degrees centigrade equals Kelvin minus 273.16 o o F = ( K -273.16) x 9/5 + 32 degrees Fahrenheit as a function of Kelvin

P = Q (p - p ) 1 2 o o

C =

K - 273.16

Go to top Last updated 5/11/10