Grade 11

Subject-Physics

Chapter 2
UNITS AND DIMENSIONS
Learning Objective: After going through this chapter, students will be able to:
• Understand physical quantities, fundamental, and derived
• Describe different systems of units
• Define dimensions and formulate dimensional formulae
• Write dimensional equations and apply these to verify various formulations

DEFINITION OF PHYSICS AND PHYSICAL QUANTITIES:

Physics: Physics is a branch of science which deals with the study of nature and the
properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics includes heat, light, sound,
electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms.

For designing the law of physics, a scientific method is followed which includes the
verification with experiments. The physics attempts are made to measure the quantities with
the best accuracy. Thus, Physics can also be defined as the Science of Measurement.

Applied Physics is the application of Physics to help human beings solve their problems.It is
usually considered as a bridge or a connection between Physics & Engineering.

All quantities in terms of which laws of physics can be expressed and which can be measured
are called Physical Quantities.

For example- Distance, Speed, Mass, Force etc.

UNITS: FUNDAMENTAL AND DERIVED UNITS

Measurement: In our daily life, we need to express and compare the magnitude of different
quantities; this can be done only by measuring them.

Measurement is the comparison of an unknown physical quantity with a known fixed

physical quantity.
Unit:The known fixed physical quantity is called a

unit. OR

The quantity used as the standard for a measurement is called a unit.

For example: When we say that the length of the classroom is 8 meters. We compare the
length of the classroomwith a standard quantity of length called a meter.
Length of class room = 8 meter

Q = nu
 Physical Quantity = Numerical value × unit
Q = Physical Quantity
n = Numerical value
u = Standard unit
Mass of stool = 15 kg Mass =
Physical quantity 15 = Numerical
value Kg = Standard unit
This means the mass of stool is 15 times the known quantity i.e. Kg.

Characteristics of Standard Unit: A unit selected for measuring a physical quantity should
have the following properties:

(i) It should be well defined i.e. its concept should be clear.

(ii) It should not change with changes in physical conditions like temperature,
pressure, stress, etc.
(iii) It should not change with place or time.
(iv) It should be internationally accepted.

Classification of Units: Units can be classified into two categories.

● Fundamental
● Derived

Fundamental Quantity: The quantity which is independent of other physical quantities. In

mechanics, mass, length, and time are called fundamental quantities. Units of these
fundamental physical quantities are called Fundamental units.

Table of Fundamental Units

Sr. No. Name of Physical Quantity Unit Symbol

1 Length Meter m
2 Mass Kilogram Kg
3 Time Second s
4 Temperature Kelvin K
5 Electric Current Ampere A
6 Luminous Intensity Candela Cd
7 Quantity of Matter Mole mol

Derived Quantity: The quantity which is derived from the fundamental quantities e.g. area is
a derived quantity.

Area = Length × Breadth

= Length × Length
= (Length)2
 Speed=Distance/Time
=Length/Time
The units for derived quantities are called Derived Units.
SYSTEMS OF UNITS: CGS, FPS, MKS, SI
For measurement of physical quantities, the following systems are commonly used:

(i) C.G.S system: In this system, the unit of length is centimetre, the unit of mass is
gram, and the unit of time is second.
(ii) F.P.S system: In this system, the unit of length is foot, the unit of mass is pound, and
the unit of time is second.
(iii) M.K.S: In this system, the unit of length is meter, the unit of mass is kilogram, and
the unit of time is second.
(iv) S.I System: This system is an improved and extended version of the M.K.S system
of units. It is called the international unit system of units.

With the development of science & technology, the three fundamental quantities like
mass, length,& time were not sufficient as many other quantities like electric current,
heat, etc. were introduced.
Therefore, more fundamental units in addition to the units of mass, length, and time
are required.
Thus, the MKS system was modified with the addition of four other fundamental
quantities and two supplementary quantities.

Table of Fundamental Units

Sr. No. Name of Physical Quantity Unit Symbol

1 Length Metre m
2 Mass Kilogram Kg
3 Time Second s
4 Temperature Kelvin K
5 Electric Current Ampere A
6 Luminous Intensity Candela Cd
7 Quantity of Matter Mole mol

Table of Supplementary unit

Sr. No Name of Physical Quantity Unit Symbol

1 Plane angle Radian rad
2 Solid angle Steradian sr

Advantages of the S.I. system:

(i) It is a coherent system of units i.e. the derived units of a physical quantity are easily
obtained by multiplication or division of fundamental units.
(ii) It is a rational system of units i.e. it uses only one unit for one physical quantity. e.g.
It uses Joule (J) as a unit for all types of energies (heat, light, mechanical).
(iii) It is a metric system of units i.e. its multiples & submultiples can be expressed in
power of 10.
 Definition of Basic and Supplementary Units of S.I.

1. Meter(m): The meter is the length of the path travelled by light in a vacuum during a time
interval of 1/299 792 458 of a second.

2. Kilogram (Kg): The kilogram is the mass of the platinum-iridium prototype which was
approved by the Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures, held in Paris in 1889, and kept
by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures.

3. Second (s): The second is the duration of 9192631770 periods of radiation corresponding
to the transition between two hyperfine levels of the ground state of Cesium-133 atoms.

4. Ampere (A): The ampere is the intensity of a constant current which, if maintained in two
straight parallel conductors of infinite length, of negligible circular cross-section, and placed
1 meter apart in vacuum, would produce between these conductors a force equal to 2 × 10-7
Newton per meter of length.

5. Kelvin (K): Kelvin is the fraction 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple
point of water.

6. Candela (Cd): The candela is the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source that
emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 x 1012 hertz and that has a radiant intensity
in that direction of 1/683 watt per Steradian.

7. Mole (mol): The mole is the amount of substance of a system which contains as many
elementary entities as there are atoms in 0.012 kilograms of Carbon-12.

Supplementary units:

1. Radian (rad): It is a supplementary unit of plane angle. It is the plane angle subtended
at the centre of a circle by an arc of the circle equal to the radius of the circle. It is
denoted by 𝜃.
𝜃 = l / r; 𝑙 is the length of the arc and 𝑟 is the radius of the circle
2. Steradian (Sr): It is a supplementary unit of solid angle. It is the angle subtended at
the centre of a sphere by a surface area of the sphere having a magnitude equal to the
square of the radius of the sphere. It is denoted by Ω.

Ω = ∆s / r2

SOME IMPORTANT ABBREVIATIONS:

Symbol Prefix Multiplier Symbol Prefix Multiplier

D Deci 10-1 da deca 101
c centi h hecto 102
m milli 10-2 k kilo 103
µ micro M mega 106
10-3
n nano G giga 109
10-6
10-9
 P Pico 10-12 T tera 1012
f Femt P Pecta
a atto 10-15 E exa 1015
10-18 1018

Some Important Units of Length:

(i) 1 micron=10–6 m=10–4 cm

(ii) 1 angstrom=1Å = 10–10 m = 10–8 cm
(iii) 1 fermi=1 fm = 10–15 m
(iv) 1 Light year=1 ly = 9.46 x 1015m
(v) 1 Parsec=1pc = 3.26 light year

Some conversion factors of mass:

1 Kilogram = 2.2046 pound

1 Pound = 453.6 gram

1 kilogram = 1000 gram

1 milligram = 1/1000 gram = 10-3gram
1 centigram = 1/100 gram = 10-2 gram
1 decigram = 1/10 gram
1 quintal = 100 kg
1 metric ton = 1000 kilogram

DEFINITION OF DIMENSIONS:
Dimensions:The powers, to which the fundamental units of mass, length, and time written as
M, L, and T are raised, which include their nature and not their magnitude.
For example: Area = Length x Breadth
= [ L1] × [L1] = [L2] = [M0L2T0]
The power (0,2,0) of fundamental units are called dimensions of the area in mass, length,
and time respectively.
e.g. Density = mass/volume
= [M]/[L3]
= [ M1L-3T0]

DIMENSIONAL FORMULAE AND SI UNITS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES:

Dimensional Formula: An expression along with the power of mass, length,& time
which indicates how physical quantity depends upon fundamental physical quantity.
e.g. Speed=Distance/Time
= [L1]/[T1] =[M0L1T-1]

It tells us that speed depends upon L & T. It does not depend upon M.

Dimensional Equation:An equation obtained by equating the physical quantity with its
dimensional formula is called a dimensional equation.

The dimensional equation of area, density,& velocity are given below:

Area = [M0L2T0]

Density = [M1L-3T0]

Velocity = [M0L1T-1]

Dimensional formula SI& CGS unit of Physical Quantities:

Sr. Physical Quantity Formula Dimensions Name of S.I unit

No.
1 Force Mass × acceleration [M1L1T-2] Newton (N)
2 Work Force × distance [M1L2T-2] Joule (J)
3 Power Work/time [M1L2T-3] Watt (W)
4 Energy (all forms) Stored work [M1L2T-2] Joule (J)
5 Pressure, Stress Force/area [M11L1-1T-1-2] Nm-2 -1
6 Momentum Mass × velocity [M L T ] Kgms
7 Moment of force Force × distance [M1L2T-2] Nm
8 Impulse Force × time [M1L1T-1] Ns
9 Strain Change in dimension [M0L0T0] No unit
/ Original dimension
10 Modulus of Stress / Strain [M1L-1T-2] Nm-2
elasticity
11 Surface energy Energy / Area [M1L0T-2] Joule/m2
12 Surface Tension Force / Length [M1L0T-2] N/m
13 Coefficient of Force × Distance/ [M1L-1T-1] N/m2
viscosity Area × Velocity
14 Moment of inertia Mass × (radius of [M1L2T0] Kg-m2
gyration)2
15 Angular Velocity Angle/time [M0L0T-1] Rad.per sec
16 Frequency 1/Time period [M0L0T-1] Hertz
17 Area Length × Breadth [M0L2T0] Metre2
18 Volume Length × breadth × [M0L3T0] Metre3
Height
 19 Density Mass/ volume [M1L-3T0] Kg/m3
20 Speed or velocity Distance/ time [M0L1T-1] m/s
21 Acceleration Velocity/time [M0L1T-2] m/s2
22 Pressure Force/area [M1L-1T-2] N/m2

Classification of Physical Quantity: Physical quantity has been classified into the following
four categories on the basis of dimensional analysis:
1. Dimensional Constant: These are the physical quantities which possess dimensions and
have constant (fixed) values.
e.g. Planck’s constant, gas constant, universal gravitational constant etc.
2. Dimensional Variable: These are the physical quantities which possess dimensions and do
not have fixed values.
e.g. velocity, acceleration, force, etc.
3.DimensionlessConstant: These are the physical quantities which do not possess
dimensions but have constant (fixed) values.
e.g. e,𝜋, 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 1,2,3,4,5 etc.
4. Dimensionless Variable: These are the physical quantities which do not possess
dimensions and have variable values.
e.g. angle, strain, specific gravity, etc.

Example.1 Derive the dimensional formula of the following Quantity & write down their
dimensions.
(i) Density (ii) Power

(iii) Coefficient of viscosity (iv) Angle

Sol. (i) Density = mass/volume
=[M]/[L3] = [M1L-3T0]
(ii) Power = Work/Time
=Force x Distance/Time
=[M1L1T-2] x [L]/[T]
=[M1L2T-3]
Force x
(iii) Coefficient of viscosity =
Distan
ce
Area x
Velocit
y

Mass x Acceleration x Distance x time

length x length x Displacement

=[M] x [LT-2] x [L] [T]/[L2] x [L]

 =[M1L-1T-1]
(iv) Angle = arc (length)/radius (length)
= [L]/[L]
=[M0L0T0] = no dimension
 Example.2 Explain which of the following pair of physical quantities have the same
dimension:

(i) Work & Power (ii) Stress & Pressure (iii) Momentum & Impulse

Sol. (i) Dimension of work = force x distance = [M1L2T-2]

Dimension of power = work / time = [M1L2T-3]

Work and Power have not the same dimensions.

(ii) Dimension of stress = force / area = [M1L1T-2]/[L2] = [M1L-1T-2]

Dimension of pressure = force / area = [M1L1T-2]/[L2] = [M1L-1T-2]

Stress and pressure have the same dimension.

(iii)Dimension of momentum = mass x velocity= [M1L1T-1]

Dimension of impulse = force x time =[M1L1T-1]

Momentum and impulse have the same dimension.

PRINCIPLE OF HOMOGENEITY OF DIMENSIONS

It states that the dimensions of all the terms on both sides of an equation must be the
same. According to the principle of homogeneity, the comparison, addition,& subtraction of
all physical quantities is possible only if they are of the same nature i.e., they have the same
dimensions.
If the power of M, L, and T on two sides of the given equation are the same, then the
physical equation is correct otherwise not. Therefore, this principle is very helpful to check
the correctness of a physical equation.

Example: A physical relation must be dimensionally homogeneous, i.e., all the terms on both
sides of the equation must have the same dimensions.

In the equation, S = ut + ½ at2

The length (S) has been equated to velocity (u) & time (t), which at first seems to be
meaningless, but if this equation is dimensionally homogeneous, i.e., the dimensions of all the
terms on both sides are the same, then it has physical meaning.
Now, the dimensions of various quantities in the

equationare: Distance, S = [L1]

Velocity, u = [L1T-1]
Time, t = [T1]
 Acceleration, a = [L1T-2]
½ is a constant and has no dimensions.
Thus, the dimensions of the term on L.H.S. is S=[L1] and
the Dimensions of terms on R.H.S.
ut + ½ at2 = [L1T-1] [T1] + [L1T-2] [T2] = [L1] + [L1]
Here, the dimensions of all the terms on both sides of the equation are the same.
Therefore, the equation is dimensionally homogeneous.

DIMENSIONAL EQUATIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS:

Dimensional Analysis: A careful examination of the dimensions of various quantities

involved in a physical relation is called dimensional analysis. The analysis of the dimensions
of a physical quantity is of great help to us in a number of ways as discussed under the uses
of dimensional equations.

Uses of dimensional equation: The principle of homogeneity & dimensional analysis has
been put to the following uses:

(i) Checking the correctness of the physical equation.

(ii) To convert a physical quantity from one system of units into another.
(iii) To derive relation among various physical quantities.
1. To check the correctness of Physical relations: According to the principle of
Homogeneity of dimensions a physical relation or equation is correct, if the dimensions of
all the terms on both sides of the equation are the same. If the dimensions of even one term
differ from those of others, the equation is not correct.

Example 3. Check the correctness of the following formulae by dimensional analysis.

(i) 𝐹 = 𝑚v2/r (ii)𝑡 = 2𝜋√𝑙/𝑔

Where all the letters have their usual meanings.

Sol. 𝑭 = 𝒎𝐯𝟐/𝐫
Dimensions of the term on L.H.S
Force, F = [M1L1T-2]
Dimensions of the term on R.H.S
𝒎𝐯𝟐/𝐫 = [M1][L1T-1]2 / [L]
=[M1L2T-2]/ [L]
=[M1L1T-2]

The dimensions of the term on the L.H.S are equal to the dimensions of the term on
R.H.S. Therefore, the relation is correct.
(ii) 𝒕 = 𝟐𝝅√𝒍/𝒈
Here, Dimensions of L.H.S, t = [T1] = [M0L0T1]

Dimensions of the terms on R.H.S

Dimensions of (length) = [L1]

Dimensions of g (acc due to gravity) = [L1T-2]

2𝜋 being constant have no dimensions.

Hence, the dimensions of terms 2𝜋√𝑙/𝑔 on R.H.S

= (L1/ L1T-2] )1/2 = [T1] = [M0L0T1]
Thus, the dimensions of the terms on both sides of the relation are the same i.e.,
[M0L0T1].Therefore, the relation is correct.

Example 4. Check the correctness of the following equation on the basis of dimensional
analysis, 𝑉 = √𝐸. Here V is the velocity of sound, E is the elasticity, and d is the density
𝑑
of the medium.

Sol. Here, Dimensions of the term on L.H.S

V =[M0L1T-1]
Dimensions of elasticity, E = [M1L-1T-2]
& Dimensions of density, d = [M1L-3T0]
Therefore, Dimensions of the terms on R.H.S
𝑬 1 -1 -2 1 -1 -2 1/2 0 1 -1
√ = [M L T/MLT] = [M L T ]
𝒅
Thus, the dimensions on both sides are the same, therefore the equation is correct.

Example 5. Using the Principle of Homogeneity of dimensions, check the correctness of

the equation, h = 2Td/rgCos𝜃.

Sol. The given formula is, h = 2Td/rgCos𝜃.

Dimensions of term on L.H.S
Height (h) = [M0L1T0]

Dimensions of terms on R.H.S

T= surface tension = [M1L0T-2]

D= density = [M1L-3T0]
r =radius = [M0L1T0]
g=acc.due to gravity = [M0L1T-2]
Cos𝜃 = [M0L0T0]= no dimensions
So,
Dimensions of 2Td/rgCos𝜃 = [M1L0T-2] x [M1L-3T0] / [M0L1T0] x [M0L1T-2]
= [M2L-5T0]
 Dimensions of terms on L.H.S. are not equal to dimensions on R.H.S. Hence, formula is
not correct.

Example 6. Check the accuracy of the following relations:

(i) E = mgh + ½ mv2; (ii) v3-u2 =

2as2. Sol. (i) E = mgh + ½

mv2

Here, the dimensions of the term on L.H.S.

Energy, E = [M1L2T-2]
Dimensions of the terms on R.H.S,
Dimensions of the term, mgh = [M] ×[LT-2] × [L] = [M1L2T-2]
Dimensions of the term, ½ mv2= [M] × [LT-1]2= [M1L2T-2]

Thus, dimensions of all the terms on both sides of the relation are the same, therefore, the
relation is correct.

(ii) The given relation is,

v3-u2= 2as2

Dimensions of the terms on L.H.S

v3 = [M0] × [LT-1]3= [M0L3T-3]

u2 = [M0] × [LT-1]2= [M0L2T-2]

Dimensions of the terms on R.H.S

2as2 = [M0] × [LT-2] ×[L]2 = [M0L3T-2]

Substituting the dimensions in the relations, v3-u2 =

2as2 We get, [M0L3T-3] -

[M0L2T-2] = [M0L3T-2]

The dimensions of all the terms on both sides are not the same; therefore, the relation is
not correct.

Example 7. The velocity of a particle is given in terms of time t by the equation

v = At + b/t+c

What are the dimensions of a, b, and c?

Sol. Dimensional formula for L.H.S
V = [L1T-1]
In the R.H.S dimensional formula of At
[T]= [L1T-1]
 A =[LT-1] / [T-1] = [L1T-2]
t +c = time, c has dimensions of time and hence is added in t.
Dimensions of t + c is [T]
Now, b/t+c=v
b = v(t + c) = [LT-1] [T] = [L]
There dimensions of a= [L1T-2], Dimensions of b = [L] and that of c = [T]

Example 8. In the gas equation (P + a/v2) (v – b) = RT, where T is the absolute

temperature, P is pressure, and v is the volume of gas. What are the dimensions of a and
b?

Sol. Like quantities are added or subtracted from each other i.e.,
(P + a/v2) has dimensions of pressure = [ML-1T-2]
Hence, a/v2 will be dimensions of pressure = [ML-1T-2]
a = [ML-1T-2] [volume]2= [ML-1T-2] [L3]2
a = [ML-1T-2] [L6]= [ML5T-2]
Dimensions of a = [ML5T-2]
(v – b) have dimensions of volume i.e.,
b will have dimensions of volume i.e., [L3]
or [M0L3T0]

2. To convert a physical quantity from one system of units into another.

Physical quantity can be expressed as
Q = nu
Let n1u1 represent the numerical value and unit of a physical quantity in one system and
n2u2 in the other system.
If for a physical quantity Q;M1L1T1be the fundamental unit in one system, and M2L2T2 be
the fundamental unit of the other system and dimensions in mass, length, and time in
each system can be respectively a,b,c.

u1 = [ M1aL1bT1c]
and u2 = [ M2aL2bT2c]
as we know
n1u1 = n2u2
n2 =n1u1/u2
n =n ⎡ ⎣ M a LbTc ⎤ ⎦ 2 1 1 11
⎡ ⎣ M a LbTc ⎤ ⎦
2
22
⎡ ⎤
⎛M ⎞a ⎛L ⎞b ⎛T ⎞c

n =n ⎢ ⎥
2 1 ⎜1⎟⎜1⎟⎜1⎟
 M L T
⎢ ⎣ ⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ 2 ⎠⎥ ⎦
While applying the above relations, the system of unitsisthe first system in which the
numerical value of the physical quantity is given and the other as the second system.
 Thus, knowing [M1L1T1], [M2L2T2] a, b, c and n1, we can calculate n2.

Example 9. Convert a force of 1 Newton to dyne.

Sol. To convert the force from the MKS system to the CGS system, we need the
equation Q=n1u1=n2u2

=
Thus n2
n
1
u
1

2
u
Here n1 =1, u1=1N, u2=dyne

⎡ ⎣ M L T −2⎤ ⎦
n =n 111

2
2 1
⎡ ⎣ M L 2T2 −2⎤ ⎦

⎛M ⎞⎛L ⎞⎛T ⎞−2

n =n 1 1 1
2 1 ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟

M L T
⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛kg ⎞⎛m ⎞⎛s ⎞−2

n =n
2 1⎜gm⎟⎜cm ⎟⎜
s⎟

⎛ 1000gm ⎞⎛ 100cm ⎞⎛s ⎞−2
n2 =n1 ⎜ gm
⎟⎜ cm ⎟⎜s ⎟

⎝ ⎠⎝ ⎠⎝⎠

nn2= 1(1000)(100)

n = 2105

Thus 1N=105dynes.

Example 10: Convert work of 1 erg into Joule.

Sol: Here we need to convert work from the CGS system to the MKS
system. Thus, in the equation
n1u1 = n2 u2

n1=1
u1=erg (CGS unit of work)
u2= joule (SI unit of work)
 n =n1u1
2
2 u
M L2T −2
n2 =n1 1 1 1
22 2 M
⎞ ⎛T ⎞−2
L2T 2
⎛M ⎞⎛L
2

n =n 1 1 1
2 1 ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟

M L T
⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ 2 ⎠

⎛gm ⎞⎛cm ⎞2⎛s ⎞−2

n =n 2 1
kg m
⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟⎜⎟
s
⎝ ⎠⎝ ⎠⎝⎠

⎛ gm ⎞⎛cm ⎞2⎛s ⎞−2

n2 =n1 ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟

1000gm 
100cm 
s
 n = 21(10−3)(10−2 )2n = 10
2 −7

Thus, 1 erg= 10−7Joule.

Limitations of Dimensional Equation:The method of dimensions has the following limitations:

1. It does not help us to find the value of dimensionless constants involved in various
physical relations. The values of such constants have to be determined by some
experiments or mathematical investigations.
2. This method fails to derive a formulafor a physical quantity which depends upon more
than three factors because only three equations are obtained by comparing the powers of
M, L, and T.
3. It fails to derive relations of quantities involving exponential and trigonometric functions.
4. The method cannot be directly applied to derive relations which contain more than one
term on one side or both sides of the equation, such as v= u + at or s = ut + ½ at2 etc.
However, such relations can be derived indirectly.
5. A dimensionally correct relation may not be a true physical relation because dimensional
equality is not sufficient for the correctness of a given physical relation.

******

EXERCISES

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. [ML-1T-2] is the dimensional formula of:
(A) Force
(B) Coefficient of friction
(C) Modulus of elasticity
(D) Energy.

2. 105 Fermi is equal to:

(A) 1 meter
(B) 100 Micron
(C) 1 Angstrom
(D) 1 mm

3. rad/sec is the unit of:

(A) Angular displacement
(B) Angular velocity
(C) Angular acceleration
(D) Angular momentum
4. What is the unit for measuring the amplitude of a sound?
 (A) Decibel
(B) Coulomb
(C) Hum
(D) Cycles

5. The displacement of particles moving along x-axis with respect to time is x=at+bt2-ct3.
The dimension of c is:
(A) LT-2
(B) T-3
(C) LT-3
(D) T-3

Short Answer Questions:

1. Define Physics.
2. What do you mean by physical quantity?
3. Differentiate between fundamental unit and derived unit.
4. Write the full form of the following system of units:
(i) CGS (ii) FPS (iii) MKS
5. Write the definition of Dimensions.
6. What is the suitable unit for measuring the distance between the sun and the earth?
7. Write the dimensional formula of the following physical quantity:
(i) Momentum (ii) Power (iii) Surface Tension (iv) Strain
8. What is the principle of Homogeneity of Dimensions?
9. Write the S.I & C.G.S units of the following physical quantities:
(a) Force (b) Work
10. What are the uses of dimensions?

Long Answer Questions:

1. Check the correctness of the relation 𝜆 = h /mv; where𝜆is wavelength, h- Planck’s

constant, m is mass of the particle, and v - velocity of the particle.
2. Explain the different types of systems of units.
3. Check the correctness of the following relation by using the method of dimensions:
(i) v = u + at
(ii) F = mv / r2
(iii) v2 – u2 = 2as
4. What are the limitations of Dimensional analysis?
5. Convert an acceleration of 100 m/s2 into km/hr2.

Answers to multiple choice questions:

1 (C) 2 (C) 3 (B) 4 (A) 5 (C)