Dimensional Analysis:

For analysing dimensions of any physical quantity, we must obey the following
rules:

1. In any given equation every term in an expression must have the same
dimension, i.e., addition or subtracting quantities of different dimensions
are not allowed.
2. In an expression, the dimension of any fundamental physical quantity on
both sides of the equation must be the same.
3. Expressions within standard mathematical functions like trigonometric
functions, logarithmic or exponential functions in an equation are always
dimensionless. Such functions are pure numbers and are therefore do not
have any dimensions.

Dimensions of Physical Quantities:

In mechanics, all the physical quantities can be written in terms of the

dimensions [L], [M] and [T]. For example, the volume occupied by an object is
expressed as the product of length, breadth and height, or three lengths. Hence
the dimensions of volume are

[L] × [L] × [L] = [L]3 = [L3]

As the volume is independent of mass and time, it is said to possess zero

dimension in mass (M°], zero dimension in time [T°] and three dimensions in
length. Note that in this type of representation, the magnitudes are not
considered.

Dimensional formulae and dimensional equations:

 ★ The expression which shows how and which of the base quantities
represent the dimensions of a physical quantity is called the dimensional
formula of the given physical quantity. For example, the dimensional
formula of the volume is [M°L3T°]
★ An equation obtained by equating a physical quantity with its
dimensional formula is called the dimensional equation of the physical
quantity. For example, the dimensional equation of volume [V] is [M0
L3T0].

Dimensions of Unknown Quantities:

Let’s say, we have unknown quantity acceleration which is defined as the rate of
change of velocity, i.e.
𝑑𝑣 𝑣
Acceleration (a) = 𝑑𝑡
or 𝑡

𝑥
Since velocity (v) = 𝑡

𝑥
Therefore, acceleration (a) = 2
𝑡

𝐿
Thus, the dimensional formula of acceleration = 2 = [M0L1T-2]
𝑇

Dimensional analysis and its applications:

★ Checking the Dimensional Consistency of Equations

○ If an equation fails this consistency test, it is proved wrong, but if it
passes, it is not proved right.
○ Thus, a dimensionally correct equation need not be actually an
exact (correct) equation, but a dimensionally wrong (incorrect) or
inconsistent equation must be wrong.
★ Deducing Relations among the Physical Quantities
Points to Remember

Physical Symbol Dimension Measurement Unit

Quantity

Area A L² Square meter m²

Volume V L³ Cubic meter m³

Velocity v L/T Meter per second m/sec

Angular velocity ω T⁻¹ Radians per second 1/sec

Acceleration a LT⁻² Meter per square m/sec²

second

Angular α T⁻² Radians per square 1/sec²

acceleration second

Force F MLT⁻² Newton kg m/sec²

Energy E ML²T⁻² Joule kg m²/sec²

Work W ML²T⁻² Joule kg m²/sec²

Heat Q ML²T⁻² Joule kg m²/sec²

Torque τ ML²T⁻² Newton meter kg m²/sec²

Power P ML²T⁻³ Watt & Joule/sec kg m²/sec³

Density D or ρ ML⁻³ Kilogram per cubic kg/m³

meter
 Pressure P ML⁻¹T⁻² Newton per square kg/m⁻¹/sec²
meter

Impulse J MLT⁻¹ Newton second kg m/sec

Inertia I ML² Kilogram square kg m²

meter

Luminous flux f C (4Pi candle for a cd sr

point source)

Illumination E CL⁻² Lumen per square cd sr/m²

meter

Entropy S ML²T⁻²K⁻¹ Joule per degree kg m²/sec² K

Volume rate of Q L³T⁻¹ Cubic meter per m³/sec

flow second

Kinematic n L²T⁻¹ Square meter m²/sec

viscosity

Dynamic m ML⁻¹T⁻¹ Newton second per kg/m sec

viscosity square meter
S.N Quantities Dimensions

1. Strain, refractive index, relative density, angle, solid angle, [M⁰ L⁰ T⁰]
phase, distance gradient, relative permeability, relative
permittivity, angle of contact, Reynolds number, coefficient
of friction, mechanical equivalent of heat, electric
susceptibility, etc.

2. Mass and inertia [M¹ L⁰ T⁰]

3. Momentum and impulse [M¹ L¹ T⁻¹]

4. Thrust, force, weight, tension, energy gradient [M¹ L¹ T⁻²]

5. Pressure, stress, Young’s modulus, bulk modulus, shear [M¹ L⁻¹ T⁻²]
modulus, modulus of rigidity, energy density

6. Angular momentum and Planck's constant (h) [M¹ L² T⁻¹]

7. Acceleration (g) and gravitational field intensity [M⁰ L¹ T⁻²]

8. Surface tension, free surface energy (energy per unit area), [M¹ L⁰ T⁻²]
force gradient, spring constant

9. Latent heat capacity and gravitational potential [M⁰ L² T⁻²]

10. Thermal capacity, Boltzmann constant, entropy [M L² T⁻²

K⁻¹]
Quantities with similar dimensions

Physical Quantity Unit Physical Quantity Unit

Angular acceleration rad s⁻² Frequency hertz

Moment of inertia kg∙m² Resistance kg m² A⁻² s⁻³

Self-inductance Henry Surface tension newton/m

Magnetic flux Weber Universal gas constant joule K⁻¹ mol⁻¹

Pole strength A∙m Dipole moment Coulomb∙mete

r

Viscosity Poise Stefan constant watt m⁻² K⁻⁴

Reactance Ohm Permittivity of free space Coulomb²/N∙m

(ε₀) ²

Specific heat J/kg°C Permeability of free space Weber/A∙m

(μ₀)

Strength of magnetic Newton Planck’s constant joule∙sec

field A⁻¹ m⁻¹

Astronomical distance Parsec Entropy J/K

Some Fundamental Constant

Quantity Value

Gravitational constant (G) 6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N m² kg⁻²

Speed of light in vacuum (c) 3 × 10⁸ m/s

Permeability of vacuum (μ₀) 4π × 10⁻⁷ H m⁻¹

Permittivity of vacuum (ε₀) 8.85 × 10⁻¹² F m⁻¹

Planck constant (h) 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J s

Atomic mass unit (amu) 1.66 × 10⁻²⁷ kg

Energy equivalent of 1 amu 931.5 MeV

Electron rest mass (mₑ) 9.1 × 10⁻³¹ kg = 0.511 MeV

Avogadro constant (Nₐ) 6.02 × 10²³ mol⁻¹

 Faraday constant (F) 9.648 × 10⁴ C mol⁻¹

Stefan-Boltzmann constant (σ) 5.67 × 10⁻⁸ W m⁻² K⁻⁴

Wien constant (b) 2.89 × 10⁻³ mK

Rydberg constant (R∞) 1.097 × 10⁷ m⁻¹

Triple point for water 273.16 K (0.01°C)

Molar volume of ideal gas (NTP) 22.4 L = 22.4 × 10⁻³ m³ mol⁻¹