APPLICATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL FORMULA

1. To convert a physical quantity from one system of units

to other:

This is based on the fact that magnitude of a physical

quantity remains same whatever system is used for
measurement.

Magnitude = numeric value (n) × unit (u) = constant

n1u1 = n2u2

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APPLICATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL FORMULA
So if a quantity is represented by [Ma Lb Tc] then :

n1 = numerical value in I system

n2 = numerical value in II system
M1 = unit of mass in I system
M2 = unit of mass in II system
L1 = unit of length in I system
L2 = unit of length in II system
T1 = unit of time in I system
T2 = unit of time in II system

42
 EXAMPLES

Ex. Convert 1 newton (SI unit) into dyne

(CGS unit).

43
 EXAMPLES

Ex. Convert 0.5 gm/cm2 to SI System.

44
 EXAMPLES

Ex. Convert 1J to a system where unit of

mass, length and time are 100gm, 20m
and 10s respectively.

45
APPLICATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL FORMULA
2. To check the dimensional correctness of a given physical
relation:
If in a given relation, terms on both the sides have the
same dimensions, then the relation is dimensionally
correct.
This is known as the Principle of Homogeneity of
Dimensions.

A Dimensionally Correct equation may be

Physically Incorrect

46
 EXAMPLES

Ex. Check the dimensional correctness of:

P = rgh

47
 EXAMPLES

Ex. Check the dimensional correctness of:

KE = 3mv2

48
APPLICATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL FORMULA
3. To derive relationship between different physical
quantities:

If independent quantities are known then relations

amongst the quantities can be calculated using the
principle of homogeneity.

Can be used only for the Product

49
 EXAMPLES

Ex. Position (x) of a particle depends on

acceleration (a) and time (t). Find its relation.

50
 EXAMPLES

Ex. It is known that the time of revolution T of a

satellite around the earth depends on the universal
gravitational constant G, the mass of the earth M, and
the radius of the circular orbit R. Obtain an expression
for T.

51
 EXAMPLES

Ex. If work (W), acceleration (A) and time(T)

are taken as fundamental quantities, then
dimensions of length is ?

52
 EXAMPLES

Ex. If pressure (P), velocity (V) and time(T) are

taken as base quantity. Find dimension of
force

53
LIMITATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
1. In Mechanics the formula for a physical quantity
depending on more than three physical quantities cannot be
derived. It can only be checked.

2.This method can be used only if the dependency is of

multiplication type.

3.The formulae containing exponential, trigonometrical and

logarithmic functions cannot be derived using this method.

4.Formulae containing more than one term which are added

or subtracted like s= ut + (½)at2 also cannot be derived.

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LIMITATIONS OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

5.The relation derived from this method gives no information

about the dimensionless constants.

6.If dimensions are given, physical quantity may not be

unique as many physical quantities have the same
dimensions.

7.It gives no information whether a physical quantity is a

scalar or a vector.

55
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES OR DIGITS
Any meaningful value have 3 types of information associated
with it:

1. the magnitude of the variable being measured.

2. its units.
3. an estimate of its uncertainty.

56
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES OR DIGITS
Significant Figures or Digits

• Significant figures (SF) in a measurement are the figures or

digits that are known with certainity plus one that is
uncertain (i.e. Last digit).

• Significant figures in a measured value of a physical quantity

tell the number of digits in which we have confidence.

• Larger the number of significant figures obtained in a

measurement, greater is its accuracy and vice versa.

57
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES OR DIGITS
Rules to find out the number of significant figures
RULE - 1
All the non-zero digits are significant
1936

RULE - 2
All the zeros between two non-zero digits are significant.
10508

RULE - 3
All the zeros to left of first non-zero digit are not significant.
00108

58
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES OR DIGITS
Rules to find out the number of significant figures
RULE - 4
If the number is less than 1, zeros on right of decimal point
but to the left of the first non-zero digit are not significant.
0.002308
RULE - 5
The trailing zeros (zeros to the right of the last non-zero digit)
in a number with a decimal point are significant.
1.580

59
60
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES OR DIGITS
Rules to find out the number of significant figures
RULE - 6
The trailing zeros in a number without a decimal point may
not be significant.
7800

RULE - 7

The trailing zeros in a number without a decimal point will be

significant if there’s a unit with the numerical value.
7800m

61
 ROUNDING OFF
To represent the result of any computation containing more
than one uncertain digit, it is rounded off to appropriate
number of significant figures.

RULE - 1 : If the digit to be rounded off is more than

5, then preceding digit is increased by one.

RULE - 2 : If the digit to be rounded off is less than 5,

then the preceding digit is left unchanged.

RULE - 3 : If the digit to be rounded off is 5 then the

preceding digit is increased by one if it is
odd and is left unchanged if it is even.

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 EXAMPLES

Ex. Round off to Four Significant Digits :

(a) 7.1082
(b) 65.837
(c) 33.1251
(d) 33.1351
(e) 33.125
(f) 33.135
(g) 33.1250
(f) 33.1350

63