Dimension Analysis:-

The fundamental quantities, irrespective of the system of units used for their measurement
and their corresponding quantitative values, characterize different independent groups or
classes of basic physical quantities. In other words, a fundamental quantity belongs to a
class of physical quantities of its own kind only, each of them having no dependence with
other fundamental quantities. The attribute that is common to a class of physical quantities
is what is called their dimensionality.

Most physical quantities can be expressed in terms of combinations of five basic

dimensions. These are mass (M), length (L), time (T), electrical current (I), and
temperature, represented by the Greek letter theta (). These five dimensions have
been chosen as being basic because they are easy to measure in experiments. Dimensions
aren't the same as units. For example, the physical quantity, speed, may be measured in
units of meters per second, miles per hour etc.; but regardless of the units used, speed is
always a length divided a time, so we say that the dimensions of speed are length divided
by time, or simply L/T. Similarly, the dimensions of area are L 2 since area can always be
calculated as a length times a length. For example, although the area of a circle is
conventionally written as r2, we could write it as r (which is a length) r (another length).

Dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers to which the fundamental units be
raised in order to represent that quantity. A dimension deal with qualitative part of
measurement.
By international agreement a small number of physical quantities such as length, time etc.
are chosen and assigned standards. These quantities are called base quantities and their
units as base units. All other physical quantities are expressed in terms of these base
quantities. The units of these dependent quantities are called derived units.

The standard for a unit should have the following characteristics.

(a) It should be well defined.
(b) It should be invariable (should not change with time)
(c) It should be convenient to use
(d) It should be easily accessible
The 14th general conference on weights and measures (in France) picked seven quantities
as base quantities, thereby forming the International System of Units abbreviated as SI
(System de International) system.

Dimensional Formula and Dimensional Equation:Dimensional formula of a physical quantity is the formula which tells us how and which of
the fundamental units have been used for the measurement of that quantity.
An equation written in the following manner is called dimensional equation.

Area = [M0L2T0]

How to Write Dimensions of Physical Quantities:Dimensions of a physical quantity can be determined as follows:
(a) Write the formula for that quantity, with the quantity on L.H.S. of the equation.
(b) Convert all the quantities on R.H.S. into the fundamental quantities mass, length
and time.
(c) Substitute M,L, and T for mass, length and time respectively.
(d) Collect terms of M,L and T and find their resultant powers (a,b,c) which give the
dimensions of the quantity in mass, length and time respectively.

Base quantities and their units:-

The seven base quantities and their units are,

Base quantity

Unit

Symbol

Length

Meter

Mass

Kilogram

Kg

Time

Second

Sec

Electric current

Ampere

Temperature

Kelvin

Luminous intensity

Candela

Cd

Amount of substance

Mole

Mole

Derived units:We can define all the derived units in terms of base units. For example, speed is defined to
be the ratio of distance to time.
Unit of Speed = (unit of distance (length))/(unit of time)
= m/s = ms-1 (Read as meter per sec.)

SOME DERIVED SI UNITS AND THEIR SYMBOLS:Quantity

Unit

Symbol

Express in base units

Force

newton

Kg-m/sec2

Work

joules

Kg-m2/sec2

Power

watt

Kg-m2/sec3

Pressure

Pascal

Pa

Kg m-1/S2

Note:

The following conventions are adopted while writing a unit.

Even if a unit is named after a person the unit is not written capital letters. i.e. we write
joules not Joules.

For a unit named after a person the symbol is a capital letter e.g. for joules we write J
and the rest of them are in lowercase letters e.g. seconds is written as s.

The symbols of units do not have plural form i.e. 70 m not 70 ms or 10 N not 10Ns.

Not more than one solids is used i.e. all units of numerator written together before the
/ sign and all in the denominator written after that.
i.e. It is 1 ms-2 or 1 m/s-2 not 1m/s/s.

Punctuation marks are not written after the unit

e.g. 1 litre = 1000 cc not 1000 c.c.
It has to be borne in mind that SI system of units is not the only system of units
that is followed all over the world. There
are some countries (though they are
very few in number) which use different system of units. For example: the FPS
(Foot
Pound Second) system or the CGS (Centimeter Gram Second) system.

Dimensions:-

The

unit

of any derived quantity depends upon one or more fundamental units.

This dependence can be expressed with the help of dimensions of

that derived quantity. In other words, the dimensions of a physical

quantity show how its unit is related to the fundamental units.
To express dimensions, each fundamental unit is represented by a capital letter. Thus the
unit of length is denoted by L, unit of mass by M. Unit of time by T, unit of electric current by
I, unit of temperature by K and unit of luminous intensity by C.
Remember that speed will always remain distance covered per unit of time, whatever is the
system of units, so the complex quantity speed can be expressed in terms of length L and
time T. Now, we say that dimensional formula of speed is LT -2. We can relate the physical
quantities to each other (usually we express complex quantities in terms of base quantities)
by a system of dimensions.
Dimension

of

fundamental

physical

quantities

quantity

must

be

are

raised

the
to

powers

to

represent

which
the

the

given

physical quantity.

Example:Density of a substance is defined to be the mass contained in unit volume of the substance.
Hence, [density] = ([mass])/([volume]) = M/L 3 = ML-3
So, the dimensions of density are 1 in mass, -3 in length and 0 in time.
Hence the dimensional formula of density is written as []= ML-3T0
It is to be noted that constants such as , or trigonometric functions such as sin wt have
no units or dimensions because they are numbers, ratios which are also numbers.

While stating the dimensions of a body, only the powers of fundamental units should be
mentioned.

While starting the dimensional formula the fundamental units have to be raised through
certain powers.

The dimensional formula of a quantity represents its qualitative nature only. Therefore, it
must be enclosed inside brackets [MaLbTc].

Dimensions of a physical quantity are independent of the system of units.

Quantities having similar dimensions can be added to or subtracted from each other.

Multiplication/division of dimensions of two physical quantities (may be same or different)

results in production of dimensions of a third quantity.

Dimensions of a physical quantity can be obtained from its units and vice-versa.

Two different physical quantities may have same dimensions.

Dimensional analysis permits conversion of quantities from one system to another only
in their fundamental values. Therefore, values of n1 must be noted when the unit is
fundamental.

In case a relation contains more than one terms on either side of equation, the relation
will be correct only if all the terms involved in that relation have same dimensions.

Uses of Dimensional Analysis:Dimensional analysis has been put to following three uses:-

Limitations of Dimensional Analysis:Owing to the process of its development, the process of dimensional analysis is subjected
to the following limitations:
(a) It gives no information regarding the constant of proportionality involved in the equation.
(b) It cannot be used to derive an expression involving trigonometric functions.
(c) It cannot be used to derive an expression involving exponential functions.
(e) It cannot be used to derive an expression for a physical quantity which depends upon
factors more than three.

Question 1:Which of the following is the dimensionless quantity:

(a) force of surface tension

(b) strain

(c) stress

(d) co-efficient of viscosity

Question 2:-

Dimensions of velocity gradient are same as that of

(a) time period

(b) frequency

(c) angular acceleration

(d) acceleration

Question 3:Out of the following pairs, only one pair does not have identical dimensions. It is
(a) angular momentum and Plancks Constant
(b) moment of Inertia and moment of force
(c) work and torque
(d) impulse and momentum
Question 4:The dimension of Plancks constant is same as that of:
(a) angular momentum
(c) work

(b) linear momentum

(d) coefficient of viscosity

Question 5:If K represents kinetic energy, V velocity and T time, and these are chosen as the
fundamental units then, the units of surface tension will be:
(a) KV-2T-2

(b) K-1V-2T-1

(c) KV-1T-1

(d) KV-2T2

Q.1

Q.2

Q.3

Q.4

Q.5

Applications of Dimensions
The physical quantities those can be expressed in terms of fundamental physical quantities
are called derived physical quantities. All the physical quantities of interest can be derived
from the base quantities. The power (exponent) of base quantity that enters into the
expression of a physical quantity, is called the dimension of the quantity in that
base. Broadly speaking, dimension is the nature of a Physical quantity. Understanding of
this nature helps us in many ways.
Following are some of the applications of the theory of dimensional analysis in Physics:

(a) To find the unit of a given physical quantity in

a given system of units:By expressing a physical quantity in terms of basic quantity we find its dimensions. In the
dimensional formula replacing M, L, T by the fundamental units of the required system, we
get the unit of physical quantity. However, sometimes we assign a specific name to this
unit.
Problem 1:Find the dimension of Force.
Solution:Force is numerically equal to the product of mass and acceleration
Force = mass x acceleration
or [F] = mass x velocity/time= mass x (displacement/(time) 2) = mass x (length/(time)2)
= [M] x [LT-2] = [MLT-2]
Its unit in SI system will be Kgms -2 which is given a specific name newton (N).
Similarly, its unit in CGS system will be gmcms -2 which is called dyne.

(b) To find dimensions

coefficients:-

of

physical

constants

or

The dimension of a physical quantity is unique because it is the nature of the physical
quantity and the nature does not change. If we write any formula or equation incorporating
the given physical constant, we can find the dimensions of the required constant or coefficient.
Problem 2:Find the dimension of gravitational constant G.
Solution:From Newtons law of Gravitation, the exerted by one mass upon another is
F=G (m1 m2)/r2 or G=(Fr2)/(m1 m1 )
or [G] = [MLT-2][L2] / ([M][M]) = [M-1 L3 T-2 ]
We can find its SI unit which is m3/Kgs2.

(c) To convert a physical quantity from one system

of units to another:This is based on the fact that for a given physical quantity, magnitude x unit = constant
So, when unit changes, magnitude will also change.
Problem 3:Convert one Newton into dyne.
Solution:Dimensional formula for Newton = [MLT-2]

Or 1 N = 1 Kg m/s2 ; But 1 kg = 103 g and 1 m = 102 cm

Therefore 1 N = ((103 g)(102 cm))/s2 = 105 g cm/s2 = 105 dyne

(d) To check the dimensional correctness of a given

physical relation:This is based on the principle that the dimensions of the terms on both sides on an equation
must be same. This is known as the principle of homogeneity. If the dimensions of the
terms on both sides are same, the equation is dimensionally correct, otherwise not.
Caution: It is not necessary that a dimensionally correct equation is also physically correct
but a physically correct equation has to be dimensionally correct.
Problem 4:Consider the formula, T=2(l/g)
Where T is the time period of oscillation of a simple pendulum in a simple harmonic motion,
l and g are the length of the pendulum and gravitational constants respectively. Check this
formula, whether it is correct or not, using the concept of dimension.
Solution:As we know [g] = [LT-2]
Therefore [T] = (([L])/([LT-2])) = [T] s
Thus the above equation is dimensionally correct (homogenous) and later you will come to
know that it is physically also correct.
_________________________________________________________________________
___________________________
Problem

5:-

Consider the formula s=ut -1/3 at2. Check this formula whether it is correct or not, using the
concept of dimension.
Solution:Dimensionally
[L] = [LT-1] [T] [LT-2] [T2]
=> [L] = [L] [L]
In this case also the formula is dimensionally correct but, you know that it is physically
incorrect as the correct formula is given by
S = ut + at2

(e)

As a research tool to derive new relations:-

One of the aims of scientific research is to discover new laws relating different physical
quantities. The theory of dimensions (in the light of principal of homogeneity) provides us
with a powerful tool of research in the preliminary stages of investigation [It must be again

emphasized that mere dimensional correctness of an equation does not ensure its physical
correctness

Functions of dimensionless variables are dimensionless.

Dimensionless functions must have dimensionless arguments.

Using dimensional analysis we cannot find the value of dimensionless constant.

We cannot derive the relation containing exponential and trigonometric functions.

It cannot inform that whether a quantity is scalar or vector.

It cannot find the exact nature of plus or minus, connecting two or more terms in formula.

The relation containing more than three physical quantities cannot be derived using
dimensional analysis.

Limitations of the theory of dimensions:The limitations are as follows:(i) If dimensions are given, physical quantity may not be unique as many physical quantities
have the same dimension. For example, if the dimensional formula of a physical quantity is
[ML2T-2] it may be work or energy or even moment of force.
(ii) Numerical constants, having no dimensions, cannot be deduced by using the concepts
of dimensions.
(iii) The method of dimensions cannot be used to derive relations other than product of
power functions. Again, expressions containing trigonometric or logarithmic functions also
cannot be derived using dimensional analysis, e.g.
s = ut + 1/3 at2

or y = a sin cot

or

P= P0exp[(Mgh)/RT]

cannot be derived. However, their dimensional correctness can be verified.

(iv) If a physical quantity depends on more than three physical quantities, method of
dimensions cannot be used to derive its formula. For such equations, only the dimensional
correctness can be checked. For example, the time period of a physical pendulum of
moment of inertia I, mass m and length l is given by the following equation.
T = 2(I/mgl) (I is known as the moment of Inertia with dimensions of [ML 2] through
dimensional analysis), though we can still check the dimensional correctness of the
equation (Try to check it as an exercise).

(v) Even if a physical quantity depends on three Physical quantities, out of which two have
the same dimensions, the formula cannot be derived by theory of dimensions, and only its
correctness can be checked e.g. we cannot derive the equation.

Question 1:If force, time and velocity are treated as fundamental quantities then dimensional formula of
energy will be,
(a) [FTV]

(b) [FT2V]

(c) [FTV2]

(d) [FT2V2]

Question 2:Which one of the following physical quantities do not have the same dimensions.
(a) Pressure, Youngs Modulus, Stress

(b) Electromotive Force, Voltage, Potential

(c) Heat, Work, Energy

(d) Electric Dipole, Electric Field, Flux

Question 3:The pairs having same dimensional formula(a) Angular Momentum, Torque
(b) Torque, Work
(c) Planks Constant, Boltzmanns Constant
(d) Gas Constant, Pressure
Question 4:If F = ax + bt2 + c where F is force, x is distance and t is time. Then what is dimension of
axc/bt2?
(a) [ML2T-2]

(b) [MLT-2]

(c) [M0L0T0]

(d) [MLT-1]

Question 5:The dimensional formula for angular momentum is,

(a) [ML2T-2]

(b) [ML2T-1]

(c) [MLT-1]

(d) [M0L2T-2]

Q.1

Q.2

Q.3

Q.4

Q.5