Dimensions

&Dimensional
Analysis
Peter Huruma Mammba
Department of General Studies
DODOMA POLYTECHNIC OF ENERGY AND EARTH RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (MADINI INSTITUTE) –
DODOMA
What is dimension?
 Is a physical property which describes a
way any physical quantity is related to
fundamental physical quantities

 E.g. dimension of velocity is 1 in length

and -1 in time.
What is dimensional analysis?

 Is the analysis of the relationships

between different physical quantities by
identifying their fundamental dimensions
such as length, mass, time.
 Physical quantity
 Is a physical property of a phenomenon,
body

or substances that can be quantified

by measurement.

 Can be expressed as the combination of

Types of physical quantity
 There are two main types of physical
quantity which are:-

1. Fundamental (primary/ basic) physical

quantities

2. Derived (secondary) physical quantities

Fundamental Physical Quantity

 Fundamental quantities are the quantities

which cannot be expressed in terms of any
other physical quantity.

 E.g. Mass, length, Time, Temperature,

Intensity of light, Electric Current,
etc.
 Derived physical quantities

 These are quantities whose definitions aer

based on other physical quantities (base
quantities).

 E.g.Pressure ( 𝑲𝒈𝒎−𝟏𝒔−𝟐 ),
speed −𝟏
(𝒎𝒔 ),Young modulus (𝑲𝒈𝒎−𝟏𝒔−𝟐).
Other examples of Derived quantity
 Unit
 Unit is the reference used as the standard
measurement of a physical quantity.

 The unit in which the fundamental quantities

are measured are called fundamental unit and
the units used to measure derived quantities
are called derived units.
System of unit
 G.S. system – It is the centimeter gram
second system which are units of length,
mass and time.

 P.S. system – it is foot pound second

system. Britishers used this system.
System of unit…
 K.S. System – it is metre kilogram second
system. European countries like France use
this system.

 S.I. System – It is the international system

of unit. It is universally accepted and has
seven fundamental units.
 Law of dimensional
analysis (principle of
homogeneity)
 State that “The equation is dimensionally
correct if the dimensions on the left hand
side of the equation are equal to the
dimensions on the right hand side of the
equation, if not the equation is not
dimensionally correct”.
Checking a Result
1
v  gh2 v  gh
2

L L 2 L L

T T2 L 
T2
3
L L
T
LL L
T  T2 
T T
 Terms do not  Terms match, this could
match be a valid formula.
Dimensional formulas of physical quantities
Four category of physical quantities

I. Dimensional variables

II. Dimensionless variables

III. Dimensional constant

IV. Dimensionless constant

Dimensional variables

DIMENSIONLESS VARIABLES

Those physical quantities which have

neither dimensions nor fixed value.

 E.g.. Specific gravity, strain,

angle, etc.
DIMENSIONAL CONSTANT

Those physical quantities which

possess dimensions and have fixed
value.

 E.g. Gravitational contact, planks

constant, velocity of light, etc.
Dimensionless constant

Those quantities which do not

possess dimensions but have fixed
value.

 E.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, π, e, etc.
 Uses of dimension equations

 To check the correctness of the physical

relation.
 To recapitulate a forgotten formula.
 To derive the relationship
between different physical quantities.
Uses of dimension equations…

 To convert one system of

unit to another.
 To find the dimensions of constant in a
given relation.
Limitations
 Dimensional only checks the
analysis units.

 Numeric factors have no units and can’t

be tested.
gh
v is also valid. v  gh  is not valid.
3 4
Limitations...
 Dimension analysis cannot be used ot
derive the exact form of a physical
relation if the physical quantity depends
upon more than three physical quantities
(M,L & T).
 Limitations...
 Dimension analysis can not be used to derive
the relation involving trigonometrical and
exponential function.

 Dimensional analysis does not

whethera physical quantity indicate is
vector. scalar or
 Example


1
 Solution
 𝑣∝ 𝑟
𝜌
𝜂 𝐹
𝑜
𝑟
𝑐
𝑒 = 𝑀𝐿𝑇−2
 𝒓𝒂𝝆𝒃𝜼 𝒄……
𝒗= 𝒌 𝐴
𝑟𝑒
𝑎 = 𝐿2
(i)
 But; 𝐷
𝑖𝑠
𝑡𝑎
𝑛𝑐
𝑒 𝐿 𝑉
𝑒
𝑙
𝑜
𝑐
𝑖
𝑡𝑦
 𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑣 = 𝑉
𝑒
𝑙
𝑜
𝑐
𝑖
𝑡𝑦𝑔
𝑟
𝑎
𝑑𝑖
𝑒
𝑛𝑡
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑇 𝐿𝑒𝑛
𝑔ℎ𝑡
= =
= 𝑳𝑻−𝟏 …..(ii)
𝐿𝑇−
 𝑅
𝑎𝑑
𝑖𝑢
𝑠 =𝑳 1
= 𝑇−1
𝐿
….(iii)
𝑚𝑎 𝑠 𝑀
 𝐷
𝑠𝑖
𝑒
𝑡𝑛 = 𝐿3
𝑣
𝑜𝑙𝑢
𝑚𝑒 𝑀𝐿𝑇 −2
= =
= 𝑴𝑳−𝟑….(iv) 𝑉𝑖
𝑡
𝑖
𝑠
𝑠
𝑦𝑜
𝑐
𝐹𝑜𝑟
𝑐
𝑒
𝐿2𝑇−1
 𝑉
𝑖
𝑠
𝑐
𝑜
𝑠
𝑖
𝑡𝑦 = 𝐴
𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑉
𝑒
𝑙𝑜
𝑐
𝑖𝑡
𝑦𝑔𝑟
𝑎𝑑
𝑖𝑒
𝑛𝑡
= 𝑴𝑳−𝟏𝑻−𝟏….(v)
 Solution…
 Substitute equation ii, iii, iv & v
𝐿= 𝐿𝑎𝐿−3𝑏𝐿−1𝑐
into equation i;
1 =𝑎− 3𝑏− 1𝑐
 𝑳𝑻−𝟏=k 𝑳 𝑎 𝑴𝑳−𝟑 𝑏 𝑐 But; c = 1 & b = -1
𝑴𝑳−𝟏𝑻−𝟏
1 = 𝑎+ 3 − 1
𝑇−1 = 𝑇−1𝑐
𝒂= −𝟏….viii
∴ c = 1……vi

𝑀0 = 𝑀𝑏𝑀𝑐

𝑀0 = 𝑀𝑏+𝑐

0= b + c; but c
=1
 Solution…
 Substitute equation vi, vii& viii into
equation i;
𝑣= 𝑘𝑟−1𝜌−1𝜂1

𝜂
∴𝑣
𝑟𝜌
=𝑘
 Example 2
 A gas bubble from an explosion under water
is found to oscillate with a period T, which is
proportional to 𝑷𝒙, 𝝆𝒚 and 𝝐𝒛 where P is
pressure, 𝝆is the density and 𝝐is the energy of
explosion. Find the units of the constant of
proportionality.
 Solution
 𝑇 ∝ 𝑃𝑥𝜌𝑦𝜖𝑧 𝐹
𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑀𝐿𝑇−2
 𝑟𝑒
𝑢
𝑠
𝑟𝑠
𝑃 =
𝒙 𝒚 𝒛 𝐴𝑟
𝑒𝑎 𝐿2
 𝑻 = 𝒌𝑷 =
= 𝑴𝑳−𝟏𝑻−𝟐….(v)
𝝆 𝝐 ….(i)
But;  Substitute equation ii, iii,
 𝑇𝑖
𝑚𝑒= vi &v into equation i;
𝑻…..(ii)
𝑚𝑎𝑠 𝑀 𝒙 𝒚
 𝐷
𝑠
𝑖
𝑒𝑡
𝑛 = 𝐿3
 𝑻= 𝒌𝑴𝑳−𝟏𝑻−𝟐 𝑴𝑳−𝟑 𝑴𝑳𝟐𝑻−𝟐
𝒛
..vi
𝑣𝑜
𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
= 𝑇𝑇1𝑇=

= 𝑴𝑳−𝟑….(iii) 𝟏= −𝟐𝒙+ 𝟎
𝒚− 𝟐𝒛… a
−
2
𝑇𝑥 0𝑦 −2𝑧
 𝐸
𝑛𝑒
𝑟𝑔
𝑦 = 𝑚
𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑣
𝑒
𝑙
𝑜
𝑐
𝑖
𝑡
𝑦2

= 𝑴𝑳𝟐𝑻−𝟐….(iv)
 Solution…
 From quadratic
 𝑀0 = 𝑀1𝑥 𝑀1𝑦𝑀1𝑧 equations x, y & z;
−𝟐𝒙+ 𝟎𝒚− 𝟐 𝒙= 𝟏
𝑀0 = 𝑀1𝑥+1𝑦+1𝑧
𝟏𝒙+ 𝟏𝒚+ 𝟏 𝒛= 𝟎
−𝟏𝒙− 𝟑𝒚+ 𝟐 𝒛= 𝟎
0= 𝟏
𝒙+ 𝟏
𝒚+ 𝟏𝒛…b
5
 0 = 𝐿−1𝑥𝐿−3𝑦𝐿2𝑧
𝐿 𝑥= − 6 =
−0.83333
0 = 𝐿−1𝑥−3𝑦+2𝑧
𝐿

𝟎= −𝟏𝒙− 𝟑
𝒚+ 𝟐
𝒛…c 𝑦= 1 2 = 0.5
 Solution…
 Type equation here.Substitute the value
of x, y and z into equation vi;
1 1
−5 6
𝑻 = 𝒌𝑴𝑳−𝟏𝑻−𝟐 𝑴𝑳−𝟑 𝑴𝑳𝟐𝑻−𝟐
2 3

𝑘 𝑇1
= 𝑀 −5 +1 +1
6
5 −3 +5
2 3𝐿 6 2 3𝑇
5 −2
3

∴ 𝒌= 𝟏no unit 3(hence shown)

 Example 3
Δ𝑣
 If the viscous force F is defined by 𝐹 = Δ𝐿
𝜂𝐴
where 𝜂is the coefficient of viscosity, A is the
Δ𝑣
cross sectional area is the velocity
Δ𝐿
and
gradient. Find the dimensions and units of
𝜼.
 Solution
Δ𝑣
 𝐹= 𝐷
𝑖
𝑠
𝑡𝑎
𝑛
𝑐
𝑒
𝜂
𝐴  𝑡𝑖𝑐
𝑒
𝑙𝑜
𝑣
Δ𝐿 𝑇
𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝐹Δ𝐿 =
 𝜂= …(i) 𝐿
𝐴Δ𝑣 =
𝑇
But;
= 𝑳𝑻−𝟏 …..
𝐹
𝑜
𝑟
𝑐
𝑒 = 𝑴𝑳𝑻−𝟐... (ii) (iv)

𝐴
𝑟
𝑒
𝑎 = 𝑳𝟐…(iii) 𝐿
𝑒𝑛𝑔
ℎ𝑡 = 𝑳….
(v)
 Solution…
 Substituteequation i , iii, iv
& v into equation i, we get;

𝑴𝑳𝑻−𝟐
𝜂 𝑳
= 𝑳𝟐 𝑻−𝟏
𝑳
∴ 𝜂= 𝑴𝑳−𝟏𝑻−𝟏(Dimension)

∴ 𝜂= Kg𝑚−1𝑠−1 (Unit)
 Example 4
 While moving through liquid at speed, v a
spherical body experiences a retarding force
given by 𝑭= 𝒌𝑹𝒙𝝆𝒚𝒗𝒛. Where k is constant,
𝝆is density of liquid and R is radius of the
body. Determine the numerical values of x, y
and z by the method of dimension.
 Solution
 𝑭=  Substitute the dimensions of
𝒌𝑹𝒙𝝆𝒚𝒗𝒛…..(i) equation ii, iii, iv & v
But; equation
into i;
 𝐹
𝑜𝑟
𝑐
𝑒= 𝒚 𝒛
𝑴𝑳𝑻−𝟐…(ii)  𝑴𝑳𝑻−𝟐= 𝒌𝑳 𝒙 𝑴𝑳−𝟑 𝑻−𝟏
𝑳
 𝑅
𝑎𝑑
𝑖𝑢
𝑠= 𝑚𝑎𝑠
𝑠𝑳…. 𝑀  𝑀1= 𝑀𝑦
 𝐷𝑠
𝑖
𝑒
𝑡𝑛 = 𝐿3
∴ 𝑦= 1
(iii) 𝑣𝑜
𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 − −1𝑧
=  𝑇
= 𝑴𝑳−𝟑….(iv) 2
=𝑇 −2 =
−1𝑧
 𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑣 𝐷
𝑖
𝑠𝑡𝑎
𝑛
𝑐𝑒
=𝑇
𝐿
 ∴ 𝑧= 2
= 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
1 =𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 =
𝐿 1𝑥 −3𝑦 1𝑧 𝐿1𝑥−3𝑦+1𝑧
= 𝑳𝑻−𝟏 …..(v) 1 = 1𝑥− 3 + 2; ∴ 𝑥=
2
∴ 𝒙= ,
𝟐 𝒚= 𝟏
 Question 1
 The equation below is called
Bernoulli's equation which is applied to
fluid flow and it 𝟏
is stated that 𝑷+ 𝝆𝒈𝒉 + 𝝆𝒗𝟐 = 𝒌.
𝟐
Where
P = pressure, h = height, 𝝆 = Density, v =
velocity, g = acceleration due to the gravity
and k = constant. Show that K = 1
 Question 2
 The stress between two planes
of molecules
in a moving liquid is given by 𝝈= 𝜼𝒗.𝒙Where
v is the velocity difference
between the
planes, x is their distance apart and 𝜼 is a
constant for a liquid. Show that the
dimensions of 𝜼are 𝑴𝑳−𝟏𝑻−𝟏
 Question 3
 The velocity of wave of wavelength 𝜆 on hte
surface of a pool of liquid whose surface
tension and density are 𝛾 and 𝜌 respectively is
given by
2𝛾𝜋 𝜆
𝑔
𝑣
+ =
2 . Where g is the acceleration
due
2𝜋 𝜆
𝜌

to the gravity. Show that the equation