Application of math and science

in Technology
Sheet 1
Dr. Ahmed Samy

- Simultaneous equations by substitution, and by elimination

- I ndices
- Application (dimensional analysis)
1. A body is moving in a straight line with an initial velocity v0 and an acceleration
a. After time t, its velocity v is given by: v = v0 + at, check the correctness of this
equation.
Solution
Finding the dimensions of both sides of the equation and if the LHS and RHS have
the same dimensions, the equation is correct.
w.r.t the LHS: [ v] = L T −1
w.r.t the RHS: [ v 0 ] = L T −1
[at ] = (L T −2 )(T ) = L T −1
i.e. [LHS] = [RHS] and the equation is correct.

2. The speed of waves in shallow water depends only on the acceleration due to
gravity; g, and on the water depth h. Which of the following formulas for the
wave speed v could be correct?
1
a) v= gh 2 ; or b) v = gh
2
Solution
a) LHS: [ v] = L T −1
1 2  −2 2 3 −2
RHS:  2 gh  = L T ⋅ L = L T
 
1
As clear, the dimensions of both sides are not the same, and v= gh 2 is not
2
correct.
b) v = gh
LHS: [ v] = L T −1

( ) (
[ gh ] = L T − 2 2 (L)2 = L2 T − 2 2 = L T −1)
1 1 1
RHS:
The dimensions of both sides are the same and so v = gh could be correct.
Application of math and science
in Technology
Sheet 1
Dr. Ahmed Samy
3. How does the frequency f of a simple pendulum depend on the mass m, the length
 of the string, and the acceleration due to gravity g?

Solution
Let us assume that:
f = K mx y gz
where K is a dimensionless constant and x,y, and z are to be determined.
LHS: [f ] = T −1
RHS: [ ] ( )z
K m x  y g z = M x Ly L T − 2 = M x Ly + z T − 2z
Since the dimensions of both sides must be the same, it follows that:
T −1 = M x Ly + z T −2z
or M 0 L0 T −1 = M x Ly + z T −2z

Equating the powers of each dimension on either side of the equation, we obtain:
w.r.t T: –2z = –1
w.r.t L: y+z = 0
w.r.t M: x = 0
From the above equations we obtain:
1 1
x = 0, y=− , and z= ,
2 2
1 1
−
x y z 0
thus: f = Km  g = Km  2 g2

g
f =K


4. The wavelength λ associated with a moving particle depends on its mass m,

h
velocity of motion v, and Planck’s constant h. Show that λ∝ .
mv
Solution
Let λ ∝ m x v y h z or λ = K mx vy hz
Where K is a dimensionless constant and x,y, and z are to be determined. Writing
this equation in dimensional form we obtain:
[λ] = K m x v y h z
( )(
L = M x Ly T − y M L2 T −1
z
)
Application of math and science
in Technology
Sheet 1
Dr. Ahmed Samy
or M 0 L1 T 0 = M x + z Ly + 2z T − y − z

From the principle of homogeneity:

x+z=0
y + 2z = 1
–y – z = 0
Solving these equations we obtain:
x = –1, y = –1, and z = +1
h
Thus λ = K m x v y h z = K m −1 v −1 h1 = K
mv
h
or λ∝ .
mv

5. Obtain by the method of dimensional analysis an expression for the surface

tension of a liquid rising in a capillary tube. Assume that the surface tension
depends on mass, pressure, and radius of the tube. (The constant K = ½ )
Solution
Assume that surface tension = K mx Py rz writing this equation in dimensional form:
[surface tension ] = [K m x P y r z ]

or M L T −2
L
(
= M x M L−1 T − 2 )y Lz
i.e. M T −2 = M x + y L− y + z T −2 y

From the principle of homogeneity, we have:

x+y=1
–y + z = 0
–2y = –2
Solving these equation we obtain:
x = 0, y = 1, and z=1
∴ surface tension = K m0 P1 r1 = K P r
1
If K= and P = hρg we can write:
2
hρgr
surface tension =
2
Application of math and science
in Technology
Sheet 1
Dr. Ahmed Samy
6. Consider a string of length  and mass m stretched under a tension T. If a
transverse mechanical wave is propagating along it which velocity v, how does v
depends on  , m, and T.
Solution
Let v = K  x m y T z
where K is a dimensionless constant. Writing the dimensions of both sides:
(
L T −1 = Lx M y MLT − 2
z
)
or
L1 M 0 T −1 = Lx + z M y + z T −2z

Thus, equating the powers of each dimension on either side of the dimensional
equation, we obtain:
x+z=1
y+z=0
–2z = –1
From these equations:
1 1 1
z=− , y=− , and z=
2 2 2
Thus:
v = K  x m y T z = K 1 2 m −1 2 T1 2
T T T
=K =K =K
m m µ
 

m
where µ= is the mass per unit length.


7. The gravitational force between two masses m1 and m2 separated by a distance r

is given by:
m1 m 2
F=G
r2
where G is the gravitational constant. Find the dimensions of G.
Solution
The dimensions of both sides are as follows:
[LHS] = [F] = MLT −2
Application of math and science
in Technology
Sheet 1
Dr. Ahmed Samy
[RHS] = G m1m 2
2 
= [G ]
MM
2
= [G ] L−2 M 2 .
 r  L
−2
∴ [G ] = MLT
−2 2
= M −1L3T −2
L M

8. The magnitude of the force of attraction or repulsion between two point charges
q1 and q2 separated by a distance r is given by:
q q
F=K 1 2
r2
where K is the constant of proportionality. Find the dimensions of K.
Solution
From point of view of dimensions, we can write:
[F] = K q1 2q 2 
 r 
MLT − 2 = [K ] = [K ]L− 2 Q 2
QQ
or
2
L
−2
Thus [K ] = MLT
−2 2
= M L3 T − 2 Q − 2
L Q

9. A planet moves round the sun in circular orbit. The time period of revolution T
of the planet depends on (i) the radius of the orbit R, (ii) the mass of the sun M,
and (iii) the gravitational constant G. Show dimensionally that T 2 ∝ R 3 .
Solution
Let us assume that T = K R x My Gz . Writing this equation in dimensional form:
[T] = [K R x M y G z ]
(
T = Lx M y M −1 L3 T − 2 )z
= Lx + 3z M y − z T − 2z

From the principle of homogeneity, we have:

x + 3z = 0
y–z=0
–2z = 1
From these equations:
Application of math and science
in Technology
Sheet 1
Dr. Ahmed Samy
1 1 3
z=− , y=z=− , and x = −3z =
2 2 2
Thus:
T = K R 3 2 M −1 2 G −1 2

squaring both sides:

T 2 = K 2 R 3 M −1 G −1
As a result we can write: T2 ∝ R3 .

10. Show that dimensionally (i) the Newton and (ii) Kg.m/s2 represent the same
physical quantity.
Solution
As the Newton (N) is the unit of force, thus from point of view of dimensions, we
have:
[Newton ] = [Force] = MLT −2
The dimensions of the Kg.m/s2 are:
[Kg.m / s ]= ML
2
T
= MLT
2
−2

From above it is clear that both units represents the same physical quantity.