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Dimensions and Unit Systems

units

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24 views3 pages

Dimensions and Unit Systems

units

Uploaded by

Kodzuki
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Dimensions and Unit Systems

Dimensions are the coordinates of physical perception. Some of the dimensions that we usually encounter
are time (t), length (L), mass (m) and temperature (T) are called the primary dimensions. Other physical quantities
have dimensions that can be stated in terms of the primary dimensions. Other physical quantities have dimensions
that can be stated in terms of the primary dimensions.
Examples;
𝐿
Velocity – length/time [ 𝑡 ]

𝐿
Acceleration – length/time2 [𝑡 2 ]

𝑚
Density – mass/length3 [𝐿3 ]

𝑚𝐿
Force which can be derived from Newton’s Law as mass x acceleration, is mass·length/time 2 [ 𝑡 2 ]

𝑚
Pressure or force per unit area, is mass/(length·time2) [𝐿𝑡 2 ]

Dimensional Homogeneity
All equations involving physical quantities must be dimensionally homogeneous. This principle of
homogeneity of dimensions can be used;
1. to check whether an equation has been correctly formed
2. to establish the required form of an equation relating a number of variables
3. to analyse experimental results

Checking equations for dimensional homogeneity is an important step in problem solving.


1. Terms that are equated, added or subtracted must have the same dimensions
2. If a term in an equation is a product of physical quantities, dimensions of each of those quantities must combine
and/or cancel out to yield dimensions that are consistent with all other terms in the equation
3. Exponents and the arguments of transcendental functions must be dimensionless
4. Quantities that are raised to a power that is not a whole number must be dimensionless

Units – are specified magnitudes of dimensions that are used in measurement.

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