CHAPTER -1

UNITS , DIMENSIONS AND VECTORS

 CHAPTER -1
UNITS , DIMENSIONS AND VECTORS

Units :
Unit is a standard adopted for measurement of any physical quantity,
agreed by all the countries in the world.

Example :

The unit of Length is kilometer or meter or centimeter or foot …

The unit of Mass is kilogram or gram or slug or pound …

The unit of Time is second or minutes or hours …

System of Units :-

There are three system of units used in different countries.

S.N System of Unit of Unit of Unit of

o Units Length Mass Time
1 CGS centimeter( gram (g) second
(Gaussian cm) (s)
System)
2* SI meter (m) kilogram( second
(System kg) (s)
International)
3 US foot (ft) slug second
Customary/ (slug) (s)
BES Units
 SI ( System International) Units:-

Basic/Fundamental units Derived units

Supplementary Units

1 Plane Angle Radian rad

2 Solid Angle Steradian sr
1. Basic / Fundamental Units :-
These units are defined in an absolute way and do not depend on the units of any
other quantity .
In this system there are seven Fundamental units and two supplementary units.

S. No. Fundamental Quantity SI Units Symbols

1 Length meter m
2 Mass kilogram kg
3 Time second s
4 Temperature kelvin K
5 Electric Current ampere A
6 Amount of substance mole mol
7 Luminous Intensity candela cd
 2. Derived Units :-
“Units of all other physical quantities other than the fundamental / basic units
that are obtained in terms of two or more basic units are called derived
units”.
They depends on the basic units.

Some are Derived

S.No. given below as an example
Quantity SI Units Symbols
1 Area Square meter m2
2 Density kilogram per meter cube kg/m3=kgm-3
3 Speed , Velocity meter per second m/s = m s-1
4 Acceleration meter per second square m/s2=m s-2
5 Force, weight, Tension newton N
6 Work , Heat, Energy, Torque joule J
7 Power watt W
8 Momentum , Impulse kg meter per second Kg ms-1
9 Frequency per second or hertz s-1 or Hz
 Dimensional Analysis:
“Dimension of a physical quantity is defined as the power to which the
fundamental /basic units of mass , length and time are raised to express that
quantity”.

The expression which indicates the dimensions of a physical quantity in terms

of basic unit is known as Dimensional equation.
 Examples

The dimensional formula of Distance = [L]

The dimensional formula of Area = [L2]

Explanation:
The dimensional formula of volume = [ L3]
Explanation:

The dimensional formula of Density=[ M L-3]

Explanation:
 The dimensional formula of Speed or Velocity =[L T-1]
 The dimension of acceleration [a]=[
 The dimension of force = ]
 The dimensional formula of Speed or Velocity =[L T-1]
Explanation:
=
 The dimension of acceleration [a]=[
Explanation:
acceleration [a]= =[
 The dimension of force = ]
Explanation:
Force = Mass × Acceleration= [M][]=]
 Dimensions of some common quantities are listed in Table.1.

SI Units Dimensional
S.No Physical Quantity Formulae
(symbols) Formulae
1 Angular Displacement Length of the Arc/radius Rad dimensionless
2 Density Density = mass/volume kg/m3 [M][L-3]
3 Work or Energy Work or Energy = F x d J [M][L2][T-2]
4 Pressure or Stress P = F/A N/m2 [M][L-1][T-2]
5 Frequency f=1/T Hz [T-1]
6 Power Power = work / time W [M][L2][T-3]
7 Momentum or Impulse P= m v kg m/s [M] [L][T-1]
8 Torque Torque = force x distance N.m. [M][L2][T-2]
Uses of dimensional analysis:-
•To check the correctness ( validity ) of a physical equation

•To obtain ( derive ) a mathematical relation of a physical quantity

Note : In order to check the validity of mathematical relation , two

points should be kept in mind:

•Two quantities having different dimensions can not be added or

subtracted,

•Both sides of an equation must have the same dimensions

(This statement is also called as Principle of Homogeneity of

Dimensions)

If an equation satisfies the above two requirements, it is dimensionally

correct.
Note : In order to check the validity of mathematical relation
, two points should be kept in mind:

•Two quantities having different dimensions can not be added or

subtracted,

•Both sides of an equation must have the same dimensions

Example 1. Check the correctness (validity) of the equation

where s = distance a = acceleration t = time

Solution:

Page No.
5
Check the correctness (validity) of the equation

where s = distance a = acceleration t = time

Solution:
Example 2. Find the dimensions of gravitational constant G

where the symbols have their usual meaning.

Solution:

Answer [M-1 L3 T-2]

Page No.
5
 𝒎 𝟏 𝒎𝟐
𝑭 =𝑮 𝟐
𝒓
Find the dimensions of gravitational constant G
Example 3. Show that the equation dimensionally correct.

where the symbols have their usual meaning.

V= final velocity, vo= initial velocity, a=acceleration and t=time

Solution:

Page No. 5
Example 3. Show that the equation
dimensionally correct.
Problems Page No: 13

2. Check the validity of the equation

Where
s=distance, =velocity, a=acceleration and t=time
2. Check the validity of the equation
Problems Page No: 13

3. Check the validity of the equation

Where
F=force, m= mass, v=velocity and r=radius(distance)
Problems Page No: 13

4. Check the validity of the equation

Where
E=energy m=mass v=velocity g=acceleration h=height
Problems Page No: 14
5. Find the dimension of coefficient of viscosity()=
Where
‘P’ is the pressure
‘r’ is the radius and ‘l’ is the length of the capillary tube
‘V’ is the volume of the fluid flowing per second.
 Prefixes:
prefixes are the words or letters added before SI units
such as kilo, mega, giga, milli, …etc
Prefix Symbol Multiplier
peta P 1015
for large
tera T 1012
numbers giga G 109
mega M 106
kilo k 103
Reference value 1=100
milli m 10-3
micro  10-6
for small
numbers nano n 10-9
pico p 10-12
femto f 10-15
 Classification of
Physical
Quantities

Scalar Vector

Magnitude
Magnitude Only &
Direction

Examples: Examples:
Mass, Distance, Speed, Weight, Displacement,
Work, Energy, Power, Velocity, Acceleration,
Volume, … Force, …
Vectors:
A vector quantity is represented by an arrowed line
 the length of the line represents the magnitude(size)
 the arrow indicates the direction.
Some Properties of Vectors :
(i) Equality of Two Vectors:
Two vectors A and B are equal if they have
the same magnitude and the same direction.

A
A B A A

B
B B

Note: Using this property,

any vector can be moved parallel to itself without being affected.

A
(ii) Adding Vectors :
The summing up all the vectors to find the resultant vector is called the addition
of vectors.
There are two methods of adding vectors.
(a) Graphical Method
 (b) Algebraic Method
(ii) Adding Vectors :

Using Pythagoras Theorem:

when vectors are perpendicular(90o) to each other:

𝑀𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑜𝑓 𝑡h𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑉𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑅=√ 𝐴2 +𝐵2

B
R
𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡h𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑉𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝛼=tan− 1 ( )
𝐵
𝐴
𝛼
A
Example 5.

Two forces of 4.0 N and 2.5 N act at a point, the angle between them being 90o.
Determine the value of the resultant force and its direction.
Example 5.
Two forces of 4.0 N and 2.5 N act at a point, the angle between them
being 90o. Determine the value of the resultant force and its direction.

Solution : Q

R Fy = 2.5N

O Fx = 4.0 N P

Answer: Resultant force is 4.7 N at 32o to the 4.0 N force.

Page No.
9
Problems Page No: 14

6. A particle has a displacement of 12.0 m towards east and

5.0 m towards north and 6.0 m vertically upward. Find the
magnitude of the sum of these displacements.

[Ans : 14.3 m]
Problems Page No: 14

7. Find the resultant of two forces, one 6 N due east and the
other 8 N due north.

[Ans : 10.0 N]
N e g a t i v e Ve c t o r :
A vector of same magnitude but opposite direction is called
negative vector.
A B
-A
-B

(iii) Subtraction of Vectors :

Subtraction of two vectors is simply adding a negative vector to a second vector.
𝑨− 𝑩= 𝑨+(− 𝑩)
(iv) Multiplying or Dividing a Vector by a Scalar :

Examples :
 If vector A is multiplied by the scalar number 2 , the result is 2A, is a vector with
a magnitude twice that of A, pointing in the same direction as A.

A 2A
2 =
x
 If multiplied by a scalar – 2 , the result is – 2 A, is a vector with a magnitude twice
that of A, pointing in the direction opposite A (because of the negative sign)

A -2A
-2 x =
 If vector A is divided by the scalar number 2 , the result is ½ A, is a vector with a
magnitude half that of A, pointing in the same direction as A.
A ½A
½x =
Components of a Vector or Resolution of a vector:
Any vector can be resolved into a pair of perpendicular vectors.
The vector A in the rectangular coordinate system as shown below in Figure is resolved
into two perpendicular vectors Ax parallel to x-axis and Ay parallel to y-axis.

Horizontal component of a vector A is Ax = A Cos 

Vertical component of a vector A is Ay = A Sin 

Magnitude of a vector A, A =  ( Ax2 + Ay2 )

Direction of vector A with the x axis is measured in radians  = tan-1( Ay / Ax )

The components of a vector in different
quadrants
Example 6: Page no.12
Determine by calculation and drawing , the resolved forces Fx and Fy of
the 80.0 N force at angle 40o with x-axis.

Solution :
By calculation (Algebraic method):
Example 7: page no 13
Find the horizontal and vertical components of the 100.0 m displacement of a superman
who flies from the top of a tall building along the path shown in Figure below.

Fig. 3.10, p. 62

Slide 9
Solution :

The triangle formed by the displacement and its components is shown in fig.(b)
above.

Horizontal component of the displacement (Ax) = 100.0 x cos (-30o) = 86.6 m

Vertical component of the displacement (Ay ) = 100.0 x sin (-30o) = - 50.0 m

Problems Page No: 14
9. One of the regular components of a velocity of 100 km/h is 50
km/h. Find the other component.

[Ans: 87.0 kmh-1]

 Problems Page No: 14
10. An airplane takes off at an angle of 30o to the horizontal. If
the component of its velocity along the horizontal is 250 km/h,
What is its actual velocity?
Also find the vertical component of its velocity.

[Ans : 288.7 kmh-1, 144.4 kmh-1]

 Problems Page No: 14
11. A vector has an x-component of -25 units and a y-
component of 40 units. Find the magnitude and direction of
this vector.

[Ans; 47.2 units, 122o ]

 Learning Activities

1. Speed and velocity has the same dimensions. (True)

2. [MLT-1] are the dimensions of force and weight. (False)

3. SI unit of force and weight is same i.e. Newton. (True)

4. Second (s) is the unit of time in all the three systems of unit. (True)

5. Radian is a unit of length. (False)

6.The angle between the two vectors of magnitude 8 units and 6 units, when the
resultant is 10 units is 90o. (True)

7. The resultant of the two forces of 3 N and 4 N at 90o is 2 N. (False)

8. The vector addition holds true for any two vectors. (False)
 Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which is a derived unit?

A. mass
B. time
C. ampere
D. Watt (D)

2. Which is a not a unit of length?

A. radian
B. angstrom
C. light year
D. micron
(A)

3. The dimensions of light year are

A. [LT-1]
B. [T]
C. [L]
D. [MT-2]
(C)
4. Which is not a unit of energy
A. Watt-second
B. kg m s-1
C. Joule
D. Newton-meter
(B)
5. The dimensions of calorie are
A. [ML2T-2]
B. [MLT-2]
C. [ML-1T-1]
D. [MoLoTo]
(A)
6. Which is a scalar quantity?
A. Electric current
B. Acceleration
C. Linear momentum
D. Force (A)

7. Two equal forces act along north and east directions. The resultant of these forces
must be along
A. west
B. south
C. south- west
D. north- east (D)
Topics to be excluded.

Chapter-1:

Page-2: Topic: 1.1.2 Definition of meter, kilogram and second.

Page-6 Example 4
Page 13: Problem No 1
Page 14: Problem No 6 and 8
The End