BROAD DIVISION OF

CHAPTERS

Basic Knowledge Optics:

Chapters: Mechanics:  Geometrical
 Basic  Kinematics – I Optics
Mathematics  Kinematics – II  Wave Optics
 Units and  Newton’s Laws of motion – I
Dimensions  Newton’s Laws of motion – II
 Work, Energy and Power
 Centre of Mass, Conservation of
Linear Momentum and collisions
 Rigid Body Dynamics
 Fluid Mechanics Modern Physics:
 Properties of Solids and Fluids  Photoelectric
Heat and Effect
Thermodynamics:  Gravitation
 Atomic Physics
 Thermal  Nuclear Physics
Properties of
Matter
 Kinetic Theory of
Gases and First
Law of
Oscillations and Waves:
Thermodynamics
 Linear and Angular
Simple Harmonic
Motion
 Travelling Waves Electrostatics and Current
 Sound Waves and Electricity:
Doppler Effect  Coulomb’s Law and Electric
Magnetism and  Superposition and Field
Electromagnetic Standing Waves  Electric Flux and Gauss’s
Induction: law
 Faraday’s Law  Electric Potential
and Lenz’s Law  Capacitor and capacitance
 Magnetics  Electric Current and Circuit
 Alternating  Electric Measuring
Current Instruments
 Heating Effects of Current
 Chapter-2
Units and Dimensions
Physical Quantity (or just Quantity)
A physical quantity is a physical property* of
a phenomenon, body, or substance that can
be measured and in terms of which the laws
of physics can be expressed in their
mathematical form. Examples are length,
time, work, weight, torque, stress, strain,
pressure, solid angle, plane angle, intensity,
inductance, impedance, force, etc.
? //// Explanation of above definition is
remaining, that should be done when whole
is completed.
Measurement of a Physical Quantity
To measure a physical quantity we need
some unit of that quantity. An elephant is
heavier than a goat but exactly how many
times? This question can be easily answered
if we have chosen a standard mass calling it
a unit mass. Now, if elephant and goat are
respectively 200 and 20 times the unit mass,
we know that the elephant is 10 times
heavier than the goat.
Need of Measurement
Measurement of a physical quantity is
necessary to determine its magnitude, to
compare two similar physical quantities, etc.
How to Express Measurement
In expressing qualitatively a physical quantity
*Properties which can be observed or measured without changing the composition of
matter are called physical properties. These include: appearance, colour, odour, melting
point, boiling point, density, kinetic energy, pressure, inductance, magnetic flux, etc.
we have its unit (whether fundamental or
derived) and then find that how many times
that unit (value of that unit) is contained in
the given physical quantity.
The measurement of a physical quantity is
mentioned in two parts, the first part gives its
magnitude (how many times to that of
standard value) and second part gives the
mane of the unit. Thus, suppose I have to
study for 2 hours. The numeric part 2 says
that it is 2 times the standard value of unit of
time and second part hour says that the unit
chosen here is an hour, i.e.,
Physical quantity (𝑄) = Magnitude × Unit
=𝑛×𝑢
where 𝑛 represents the numerical value and
𝑢 represents the unit. Thus, while expressing
a definite amount of physical quantity, it is
clear that as 𝑢 changes, the magnitude 𝑛 will
also change but the product 𝑛𝑢 remains
same.
1
i.e., 𝑛𝑢 = constant 𝑛 ∝ 𝑢
or 𝑛1 𝑢1 = 𝑛2 𝑢2 = constant ……………. (1.1)
i.e., the magnitude and unit of a physical
quantity are inversely proportional to each
other. Larger the unit, smaller will be the
magnitude.
Types of Physical Quantities
All the physical Quantities in nature are
mainly classified as fundamental and derived
quantities as explained below:
Fundamental Quantities (or Base Quantities)
These are listed below in the table.
Derived Quantities
All other physical quantities which can be
derived by suitable multiplication or division
physical quantities (angle = arc/radius) but
still require a unit (degree/radian/grade) to
specify it along with its numerical value.
Table: Fundamental quantities in SI system
and their units
S. Physical Name of Symbol

of different powers of fundamental quantities No. quantity unit of unit

are called derived quantities. For example, if 1. Mass Kilogram 𝑘𝑔

length and time are defined as fundamental 2. Length Meter 𝑚

quantities, then speed is a derived quantity 3. Time Second 𝑠

and if time and speed are defined as 4. Temperature Kelvin 𝐾

fundamental quantities, then length is a 5. Luminous Candela 𝑐𝑑

derived quantity. Intensity

However, apart from above classification, 6. Electric Ampere 𝐴

these can also be classified as Current

Scalars 7. Amount of Mole 𝑚𝑜𝑙

Examples are length, time, work, energy, Substance

temperature, electric current, etc.
Vectors Table: Supplementary quantities in SI system
Examples are displacement, velocity, and their units
acceleration, force, momentum, etc.
S. Physical Name of Symbol
Ratio
No. quantity unit of unit
It has no unit because it is obtained by
1. Plane angle Radian 𝑟𝑎𝑑
division of two similar physical quantities
2. solid angle Steradian 𝑠𝑟
having the same unit, hence cancelling those
same units from numerator and
Physical Unit (or Unit)
denominator. e.g.,
The standard amount of a physical quantity
Relative density = Density of object/Density
chosen to measure the physical quantity of
of water at 4oC
the same kind is called unit of that quantity.
Refractive index = Velocity of light in
Any other quantity of that kind can be
air/Velocity of light in medium
expressed as a multiple of that unit of
Strain = Change in dimension/Original
measurement. For example, a length is a
dimension
physical quantity. The metre is a unit of
Angle is an exceptional physical quantity,
length that represents a definite
which though is a ratio of two similar
predetermined length. When we say 10
metres, we actually mean 10 times the
definite predetermined length called metre.
Desirable Characteristics of a Physical
Quantity
 It should be well-defined.
 It should be of convenient size, i.e.,
neither too small nor too large in
comparison with the measurable physical
quantity.
 It should not change with time.
 It should be internationally accepted.
 It should be easily accessible.
Fundamental (or Base) and Derived Units
The units defined for fundamental quantities
are called fundamental units and those
which are obtained for derived quantities
are called derived units. Every fundamental
unit chosen in any system has a name and
symbol of its unit.
Some commonly used systems for
fundamental units are as follows:
𝒄𝒈𝒔 system: It is a French system. It uses
centimetre (cm), gram (g) and second (s) as
the fundamental units of length, mass and
time respectively.
𝒇𝒑𝒔 system: It is a British system. It uses foot
(ft), pound (lb) and second (s) as the
fundamental units of length, mass and time
respectively.
𝒎𝒌𝒔 system: It is also a French system. It
uses metre (m), kilogram (kg) and second (s)
as the fundamental units of length, mass and
time respectively.
SI: It is the abbreviation as SI from its French
name “Systeme Internationale d’ Unites”,
which is equivalent to “International System
of Units” in English. It is the modernised and
extended form of mks system.
Note that:
(a) The 𝑐𝑔𝑠, 𝑚𝑘𝑠 and SI are metric or
decimal systems of units. This is
because the multiples and sub-multiples
of their basic units are related to the
practical units by power of 10.
(b) The 𝑓𝑝𝑠 system is not a metric system.
This system is not in much use these days.
Guidelines for Writing SI Units in Symbolic
form
 Small letters are used for symbols of
units.
 Symbols are not followed by full stop,
unless they appear at the end of a
sentence.
e.g., m (not m.) ; mL (not mL.)
 There is always a space between the last
digit of a number and the first letter of
the symbol. E.g., 25 kg (not 25kg) ; 6.7
km (not 6.7km) , however there is no
space in 22°C (not 22° C or 22 °C)
 The initial letter of a symbol is capital only
when the unit is named after a scientist.
 The full name of a unit is always begins
with a small latter even if it has been
named after a scientist.
 Symbols do not take plural form.
e.g., 65 g (not 65 gs) ; 15 km (not 15
kms)
SI Prefixes
These are used when magnitude of a
physical quantity is very large or very small
and when it is expressed in SI system. These
can be applied whether measurement of a
physical quantity is expressed in any of the Metre It is the SI unit of length. The distance
1
above system. travelled by light in vacuum in
299,792,458
second is called 1m.
Table: SI Prefixes Kilogram It is the SI unit of mass. The mass

Power of 10 Prefix Symbol of a cylinder made of platinum-iridium alloy

kept at international Bureau of weight and
18 𝑒𝑥𝑎 𝐸
measures is defined as 1kg.
15 𝑝𝑒𝑡𝑎 𝑃
Second It is the SI unit of time. Cesium-133
12 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎 𝑇
atom emits electromagnetic radiation of
9 𝑔𝑖𝑔𝑎 𝐺
several wavelengths. A particular radiation is
6 𝑚𝑒𝑔𝑎 𝑀
selected which corresponds to the transition
3 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑜 𝑘
between the two hyperfine levels of the
2 ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜 ℎ
ground state of Cs-133. The time duration in
1 𝑑𝑒𝑘𝑎 𝑑𝑎
9,192,631,770 time periods of the selected
-1 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑖 𝑑
transition is defined as 1s.
-2 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖 𝑐
Ampere It is the SI unit of electric current. It
-3 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖 𝑚
is the current which when flows through two
-6 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜 𝜇
infinitely long straight conductors of
-9 𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑜 𝑛
negligible cross-section placed at a distance
-12 𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑜 𝑝
of one metre in vacuum produces a force of
-15 𝑓𝑒𝑚𝑡𝑜 𝑓
2 × 10-7 Nm-1 between them.
-18 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑜 𝑎
Kelvin It is the SI unit of temperature. The
Whenever these are used, the prefix is 1
fraction of of the thermodynamic
273.16
written before the name of the unit and
temperature of triple point of water is called
respective symbol is written before the
1K. The triple point of water is the
symbol of the unit.
temperature at which ice, water and water
Examples:
vapour co-exist.
1 meghaohm = 1MΩ = 106Ω
Mole It is the SI unit of amount of substance.
1milliampere = 1mA = 10-3A
The amount of substance that contains as
1microvolt = 1μV = 10-6V
many elementary particles (atoms, molecules
1kilometre = 1km = 103m
or ions) as there are number of atoms in
1decagram = 1da g = 10g
0.012kg of carbon-12 is called a mole. This
1nanosecond = 1ns = 10-9s
number (number of atoms in 0.012kg of
1centimetre = 1cm = 10-2m
carbon-12) is called Avogadro constant and
1picofarad = 1pF = 10-12F
its value available is 6.022 × 1023.
The seven basic SI units are defined as
follows:
Candela It is the SI unit of luminous intensity. 1 light year = Speed of light in vacuum ×
It is luminous intensity in a perpendicular 1 year
1 light year = 3 × 108ms-1 × 365.25 × 24
1
direction of a surface of m2 of a black
600,000
body at the temperature of freezing × 60 × 60 s

platinum under a pressure of 1.013 × 105 ∴ 1 light year = 1ly = 9.467 × 1015m

Nm-2.  Astronomical unit: It is defined as the

The two supplementary SI units are defined mean distance of the earth from the sum.

as follows: It is used in astronomy to measure distances

Radian of planets.

It is the SI unit of plane angle. It is defined as 1 astronomical unit = 1AU = 1.496 × 1011m

the plane angle subtended at the centre of a  Parsec (Parallactic Second): It is the

circle by an arc equal in length to the radius largest practical unit of distance used in

of the circle. astronomy. It is defined as the distance at

𝑎𝑟𝑐 𝑙 which an arc of length 1 astronomical unit
𝜃 (in radians) = = 𝑟
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 subtends an angle of 1 second of arc.
Steradian 𝑙
As 𝜃=
It is the SI unit of solid/angle . It is defined as 𝑟

the solid angle subtended at the centre of a

𝑙
sphere by a surface of the sphere equal in ∴ 𝑟=
𝜃
area to that of a square, having each side
equal to the radius of the sphere. 1 AU 1.496×1011 m
1 Parsec = = 1 π = 3.08 ×
surface area 1" × rad
Ω (in steradian) = 3600 180
radius2 1016m
Some Commonly Used Practical Units
(a) For measuring small distances:
∴ 1Parsec = 3.08 × 1016m = 3.26 ly
 Fermi: It is the small practical unit of
distance used for measuring nuclear (c) For measuring areas:
sizes. It is also called femtometre.  Barn: It is used for very small areas, such
1 fermi = 1fm = 10-15m as nuclear cross sections.
 Angstrom: It is used to express 1barn = 10-28m2
wavelength of light.  Acre: It is used for measuring large areas.
1 angstrom = 1Å = 10-10m 1 acre = 4047m2
 Micron: It is the shorthand notation of  Hectare: It is also used for measuring
writing micrometre. large areas.
1 micron = 1μm = 10-6m 1 hectare = 104m2
(b) For measuring large distances: (d) For measuring large masses:
 Light year: It is the distance travelled by  1 tonne or 1 metric ton = 1000kg
light in vacuum in one year.  1 quintal = 100kg
 1 slug = 14.57kg
 1 pound = 1lb = 0.4536kg
 1 chandra Shekher limit = 1 CSL = 1.4
times the mass of the sun
CSL is the largest practical unit of mass.
(e) For measuring very small masses:
1
 Atomic mass unit: It is defined as th of
12
the mass of one atom of
6C.
12
1 atomic mass unit = 1 amu = 1u = 1.66 ×
10-27kg
The mass of a proton or a neutron is the
order of one amu.
(f) For measuring time:
 Solar day: It is the time taken by the earth
to complete one rotation about its own
axis w.r.t the sun.
 Sedrial day: It is the time taken by the
earth to complete one rotation about its
own axis w.r.t a distant star.
 Solar year: It is the time taken by the
earth to complete one revolution around
the sun in its orbit.
1 solar year = 365.25 average solar days
= 366.25 sedrial days
 Tropical year: The year in which there is
total solar eclipse is called tropical year.
 Leap year: The year in which is divisible
by 4 and in which the month of February
has 29 days is called a leap year.
 Lunar month: It is the time taken by the
moon to complete one revolution around
the earth in its orbit.
1 lunar month = 27.3 days
 Shake: It is the smallest practical unit of
time.
1 shake = 10-8s
(g) For measuring pressure:
 1 bar = 1 atmospheric pressure =
105pascal(Pa)
 1 millibar = 100Pa
 1 torr = 1 mm of Hg column
 1 atmospheric pressure = 1 bar = 760
mm of Hg column = 760 torr
Dimensions of a Derived Quantity (or
Dimensional Analysis)
When a derived quantity is expressed in
terms of fundamental quantities, it is written
as a product of different powers of the
fundamental quantities. The powers to which
fundamental quantities must be raised in
order to express the given physical quantity
are called dimensions in that base quantity.
For example,
force = mass × acceleration
velocity
= mass ×
time
= mass ×
length/time
time
= mass × length × (time)-2
Thus, dimensions of force are 1 in mass, 1 in
length and -2 in time. The dimensions in all
other base quantities are zero. Note that in
this type of dimension calculation of a
physical quantity the magnitude of is not
considered. Also note that the change in
velocity, average velocity, initial velocity, final
velocity, speed all are equivalent in this
discussion, since each one is length/time and
have the same dimensions in length and
time. For convenience the base quantities
are assigned symbols as follows:
length = L, mass = M, time = T, electric
current = A, temperature = T, luminous
intensity = cd, amount of substance = mol.
S. Derived Formula of derived quantity Dimensional Formula SI unit
No. Quantity

The physical quantity that is expressed in
terms of different dimension powers of base
quantity now can be written by using the
respective symbol of base quantity, along
with enclosing outer square brackets. Such
an expression for a physical quantity is called
formula of that derived quantity. Thus, the
dimension formula of force is MLT-2. The two
versions given below are equivalent:
(a) The dimension formula of force is MLT-2.
(b) The dimensions of force are 1 in mass, 1
in length and -2 in time.
 Mechanical Quantities
1. Area length × breadth L×L=L2=[M0L2T0] m2
2. Volume length × breadth × height L×L×L =L3=[M0L3T0] m3
mass
3. Density M
= [ML-3T0] kgm-3
volume L3

4. Speed or velocity distance L

= [M0LT-1] ms-1
time T
5. Acceleration change in velocity LT−1
= LT-2 = [M0LT-2] ms-2
time T

6. Momentum mass × velocity M × LT-1 = [MLT-1] kg ms-1

7. Force mass × acceleration M × LT-2 = [MLT-2] N or kg ms-2
8 Work force × distance MLT-2 × L = [ML2T-2] J or kg m2s-2
9. Energy capacity to do work = [ML2T-2] J
amount of work = work
10. Power work ML2 T−2
= [ML2T-3] W or kg m2s-3
time T
11. Pressure force MLT−2
= [ML-1T-2] Pa or Nm-2
area L2
12. Torque force × perpendicular MLT-2 × L = [ML2T-2] Nm
distance
13. Gravitational force × (distance)2 MLT−2 L2
= [M-1L3T-2] Nm2kg-2
mass × mass M×M
constant ‘G’
14. Impulse force × time MLT-2 × T = [MLT-1] Ns
15. Stress force MLT−2
= [ML-1T-2] Nm-2
area L2

16. Strain change in dimension [M0L0T0] (dimensionless) _

original dimension
17. Coefficient of stress ML−1 T−2 Nm-2
= [ML-1T-2]
strain 1
elasticity
18. Surface tension force MLT−2
= MT-2 = [ML0T-2] Nm-1
length L

19. Surface energy work ML2 T−2

= MT-2 = [ML0T-2] Jm-2
area L2

20. Coefficient of force × distance MLT−2 ×L

= [ML-1T-1] Nm-2 s
area × velocity L2 ×LT−1
viscosity or Pa s
arc L
21. Angle = 1 = [M0L0T0] Rad
radius L
(dimensionless)
rad s-1
angle 1
22. Angular velocity = T-1 = [M0L0T-1]
time T

23. Angular angular velocity T−1

= T-2 = [M0L0T-2] rad s-2
time T
Acceleration
24. Moment of mass × (distance)2 ML2 = [ML2T0] kg m2
inertia
25. Radius of Distance L = [M0LT0] M
gyration
26. Angular mass × velocity × radius M × LT-1 × L = [ML2T-1] kg m2s-1
momentum
27. Trigonometric length L
_
= 1 = [M0L0T0]
length L
ratios (dimensionless)
(sinθ,cosθ,tanθ)
28. Time period Time T = [M0L0T] S
1 1 -1
29. Frequency = T-1 = [M0L0T-1] s or
time period T
Hz
energy ML2 T−2
30. Planck’s constant = [ML2T-1] Js
frequency T−1
‘h’
31. Relative density density of substance ML−3 _
= 1 = [M0L0T0]
density of water at 4℃ ML−3
(dimensionless)
32. Velocity gradient velocity LT−1
= T-1 = [M0L0T-1] s-1
distance L
pressure
33. Pressure gradient ML−1 T−2
= [ML-2T-2] Pa m-1
distance L

34. Force constant force MLT−2

= MT-2 = [ML0T-2] Nm-1
displacement L
Thermal Quantities
35. Heat or Enthalpy Energy [ML2T-2] J
36. Specific heat heat ML2 T−2
= [M0L2T-2K-1] J kg-1 K-1
mass × temperature M×K
37. Latent heat heat ML2 T−2
= [M0L2T-2] J kg-1
mass M

38. Thermal heat × distance ML2 T−2 ×L

= [MLT-3K-1] Js-1m-1K-1
area × temperature × time L2 ×K×T
conductivity
39. Entropy heat ML2 T−2
= [ML2T-2K-1] JK-1
temperature K
40. Universal gas 𝑃𝑉 ML−1 T−2 ×L3
= [ML2T-2K- J mol-1 K-1
𝑛𝑇 mol×K
constant 1
mol-1]
energy
41. Boltzmann’s ML2 T−2
= [ML2T-2K-1] JK-1
temperature K
constant
energy
42. Stefan’s constant ML2 T−2
= [ML0T-3K-4] Js-1 m-2 K-4
area × time × (temperature)4 L2 ×T×K4
 energy
43. Solar constant ML2 T−2
= [ML0T-3] Js-1 m-2
area × time L2 ×T
44. Mechanical 𝑊 ML2 T−2 _
𝐽= = [M0L0T0]
𝐻 ML2 T−2
equivalent of (dimensionless)
heat
Electrical Quantities
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
Note that: Limitation of this method
𝑎𝑡2 is the same
1
(a) The dimensional formula of a derived Note that the dimension of 2
quantity is generally written in MLT as that of 𝑎𝑡2. Pure numbers are
form i.e., first mass then length and dimensionless. Dimension does not depend
then time but this is not a compulsion. on the magnitude. Due to this reason the
(b) In physics, while finding area we use equation 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡2 is also dimensionally
length × breadth unlike in correct. Thus, a dimensionally correct
mathematics where we have different equation need to be actually correct but a
formulas for different figures. dimensionally wrong equation must be
Applications of Dimensional Analysis wrong.
Following are the three main uses of B. Conversion of Units
dimensional analysis If 𝑢1 and 𝑢2 are the units of measurement
A. Homogeneity of Dimensions in an of a physical quantity 𝑄 and 𝑛1 and 𝑛2 are
Equation (or Principle of Homogeneity of the corresponding numerical values, then
Dimensions) from equation (1.1) we get the following
According to this principle, an equation will 𝑛1 𝑢1 = 𝑛2 𝑢2
be dimensionally correct if the dimensions of Let M1 , L1 and T1 be the sizes of fundamental
all the terms occurring on both sides of the units of mass, length and time in one system
equation are same. If the dimensions of all and M2, L2 and T2 be the corresponding units
the terms are not same, the equation must in another system. If the dimensional formula
be wrong. This principle is based on the fact of quantity 𝑄 be MaLbTc, then
that only the physical quantities of the same 𝑢1 = M1a Lb1 T1c
kind can be added, subtracted or compared. and 𝑢2 = M2a Lb2 T2c
Thus, velocity can be added to velocity but ∴ 𝑛1 [M1a Lb1 T1c ] = 𝑛2 [M2a Lb2 T2c ]
not to force. Let us check the equation, M1 a L1 b T1 c
1
or 𝑛2 = 𝑛1 [ ] [ ] [ ]
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡2 M2 L2 T2
This equation can be used to find the
dimension of 𝑠 = L = [M0LT0]
numerical value in the second or new system
dimension of 𝑢𝑡 = velocity × time =
length of units.
× time = length = L = [M0LT0]
time for example, let us convert one joule into
1 2
dimension of 𝑎𝑡 = acceleration ×
2 erg.
2 velocity 2 length/time
(time) = × (time) = Joule is SI unit of energy and erg is the 𝑐𝑔𝑠
time time
×(time)2 = length = L = [M0LT0] unit of energy. Dimensional formula of
Thus the equation is correct as far as the energy is [ML2T-2].
dimensions are concerned. ∴ 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 2, 𝑐 = −2
 SI cgs 𝑎+𝑐=0
M1 = 1kg = 1000 M2 = 1g and 𝑏=0
L1 = 1m = 100cm L2 = 1 −2𝑐 =1
1 1
T1 = 1s T2 = 1s giving 𝑎 = , 𝑏 = 0 and 𝑐 = −
2 2
𝑛2 = 1(joule) 𝑛2 = ? (erg) putting these values in equation (1.2)
𝑙
M1 a L1 b T1 c 𝑡 =𝑘 √ ………….(1.3)
𝑛2 = 𝑛1 [ ] [ ] [ ] 𝑔
M2 L2 T2
1000 1 100 2 1 −2
Thus, by dimensional analysis we can deduce
=1 [ ] [ ] [ ]
1 1 1 that the time period of a simple pendulum is
=1× 103
× 104
independent of its mass, is proportional to
= 107
∴ 1 Joule = 107erg. the square root of the length of the

C. Deducing Relation among the Physical pendulum and is inversely proportional to

Quantities the square root of the acceleration due to

Sometimes dimensions can be used to gravity at the place of observation.

deduce a relation between the physical Limitations of this method

quantities. If one knows the quantities on Although dimensional analysis is very useful

which a particular physical quantity depends in deducing in certain relations, it cannot

and if one guesses that this dependence is lead us too far. First of all, we have to know

of product type, method of dimension may the quantities on which a particular physical

be helpful in the derivation of the relation. quantity depends. Even then the method

Taking an example, suppose we have to works only if the dependence is of the

derive the expression for the time period of product type. For example, the distance

a bob, attached to a string, which oscillates travelled by a uniformly accelerated particle

under the action of the force of gravity. depends on the initial velocity 𝑢, the

Thus, the time period may depend on the acceleration 𝑎 and the time 𝑡. But the

length of the string, the mass of the bob and method of dimensions cannot lead us to

the acceleration due to gravity. We assume correct expression for 𝑠 because the

that the dependence of time period on these expression is not of product type. It is equal

quantities is of product type, that is, to the sum of two terms as

1
𝑡 = 𝑘𝑙 𝑎 𝑚𝑏 𝑔𝑐 …………. (1.2) 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡2.

where 𝑘 is a dimensionless constant and 𝑎, 𝑏 Secondly, the numerical constants having no

and 𝑐 are exponents which we want to dimensions cannot be deduced by the

evaluate. Taking the dimensions of both method of dimensions. In the example of

sides, time period of a simple pendulum, an

T = LaMb (LT-2)c = La+cMbT-2c unknown constant 𝑘 remains in the equation

Since the dimensions on both sides must be (1.3). One has to know from somewhere else

identical, we have that this constant is 2𝜋.

Thirdly, the method works only if there are
as many equations available as there are
unknowns. In mechanical quantities, only
three base quantities length, mass and time
enter. So, dimensions of these three may be
equated in the guessed relation giving at
most three equations in the exponents. If a
particular quantity (in mechanics) depends
on more than three quantities we shall have
more unknowns and less equations. The
exponent cannot be determined uniquely in
such a case. Similar constraints are present
for electrical or other nonmechanical
quantities.