Dimensional Analysis

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Introduction to Units and Dimensions

Every measurement has two parts. The first is a number (n), and the next is a unit (u). Q
= nu. For example, the length of an object = 40 cm. The number expressing the
magnitude of a physical quantity is inversely proportional to the unit selected.

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If n1 and n2 are the numerical values of a physical quantity corresponding to the units u1
and u2, then n1u1 = n2u2. For example, 2.8 m = 280 cm; 6.2 kg = 6200 g.

Table of Contents

Fundamental and Derived Quantities

The quantities that are independent of other quantities are called fundamental
quantities. The units that are used to measure these fundamental quantities are
called fundamental units. There are four systems of units, namely CGS, MKS,
FPS and SI.
The quantities that are derived using the fundamental quantities are called derived
quantities. The units that are used to measure these derived quantities are called
derived units.

Fundamental and supplementary physical quantities in the SI system

Fundamental System of Units

Quantity

CGS MKS FPS

Length centimeter meter foot

Mass gram kilogram pound

Time second second second

Physical Quantity Unit Symbol

Length meter m

Mass kilogram kg

Time second s

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 Electric current ampere A

Thermodynamic temperature kelvin K

Intensity of light candela cd

Quantity of substance mole mol

Supplementary Quantities

Plane angle Radian rad

Solid angle Steradian sr

Most SI units are used in scientific research. SI is a coherent system of units.

A coherent system of units is one in which the units of derived quantities are obtained as
multiples or submultiples of certain basic units. The SI system is a comprehensive,
coherent and rationalised MKS. The ampere system (RMKSA system) was devised by
Prof. Giorgi.

1. Meter: A meter is equal to 1650763.73 times the wavelength of the light emitted in a
vacuum due to the electronic transition from 2p10 state to 5d5 state in Krypton-86.
But in 1983, the 17th General Assembly of Weights and Measures adopted a new
definition for the meter in terms of the velocity of light. According to this definition, a
meter is defined as the distance travelled by light in a vacuum during a time interval
of 1/299, 792, 458 of a second.
2. Kilogram: The mass of a cylinder of platinum-iridium alloy kept in the International
Bureau of Weights and Measures preserved at Serves near Paris is called one
kilogram.
3. Second: The duration of 9192631770 periods of radiation corresponding to the
transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of cesium-133 atoms
is called one second.
4. Ampere: The current which, when flowing in each of two parallel conductors of
infinite length and negligible cross-section and placed one meter apart in vacuum,
causes each conductor to experience a force of 2 × 10-7 newtons per meter of
length is known as one ampere.
5. Kelvin: The fraction of 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple
point of water is called Kelvin.
6. Candela: The luminous intensity in the perpendicular direction of a surface of a
black body of area 1/600000 m2 at the temperature of solidifying platinum under a
pressure of 101325 Nm-2 is known as one candela.
7. Mole: The amount of a substance of a system which contains as many elementary
entities as there are atoms in 12 × 10-3 kg of carbon-12 is known as one mole.
8. Radian: The angle made by an arc of the circle equivalent to its radius at the centre
is known as a radian. 1 radian = 57o17l45ll.

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 9. Steradian: The angle subtended at the centre by one square meter area of the
surface of a sphere of radius one meter is known as steradian.

Some Important Conclusions

Angstrom is the unit of length used to measure the wavelength of light. 1 Å = 10-10
m.
Fermi is the unit of length used to measure nuclear distances. 1 Fermi = 10-15
meter.
A light year is the unit of length for measuring astronomical distances.
Light year = distance travelled by light in 1 year = 9.4605 × 1015 m.
Astronomical unit = Mean distance between the sun and earth = 1.5 × 1011 m.
Parsec = 3.26 light years = 3.084×1016 m.
Barn is the unit of area for measuring scattering cross-section of collisions. 1 barn =
10-28 m2.
Chronometer and metronome are time-measuring instruments. The quantity having
the same unit in all the systems of units is time.

⇒ Also Read: List of All SI Units

MACRO Prefixes MICRO Prefixes

Kilo (K) 103 milli (m) 10-3

Mega (M) 106 (μ) 10-6

Giga (G) 109 nano (n) 10-9

Tera (T) 1012 pico (p) 10-12

Peta (P) 1015 femto (f)10-15

Exa (E) 1018 atto (a) 10-18

Zetta (Z) 1021 zepto (z) 10-21

Yotta (y) 1024 yocto (y) 10-24

Note: The following are not used in the SI system.

deca 101 deci 10-1

hecta 102 centi 10-2

How to Write Units of Physical Quantities?

1. Full names of the units, even when they are named after a scientist, should not be
written with a capital letter. For example, newton, watt, ampere, meter

2. The unit should be written either in full or in agreed symbols only

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3. Units do not take the plural form. For example, 10 kg but not 10 kgs, 20 w but not 20
ws

4. No full stop or punctuation mark should be used within or at the end of symbols for
units. For example, 10 W but not 10 W.

What Are Dimensions?

Dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers to which the fundamental units are
raised to obtain one unit of that quantity.

Dimensional analysis is the practice of checking relations between physical quantities by

identifying the dimensions of the physical quantities. These dimensions are independent
of the numerical multiples and constants, and all the quantities in the world can be
expressed as a function of the fundamental dimensions.

Read More: Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional Formula
The expression showing the powers to which the fundamental units are to be raised to
obtain one unit of a derived quantity is called the dimensional formula of that quantity.

If Q is the unit of a derived quantity represented by Q = MaLbTc, then MaLbTc is called the
dimensional formula, and the exponents a, b, and c are called dimensions.

What Are Dimensional Constants?

The physical quantities with dimensions and a fixed value are called dimensional
constants. For example, gravitational constant (G), Planck’s constant (h), universal gas
constant (R), velocity of light in a vacuum (C), etc.

What Are Dimensionless Quantities?

Dimensionless quantities are those which do not have dimensions but have a fixed value.

Dimensionless quantities without units: Pure numbers, π, e, sin θ, cos θ, tan θ

etc.
Dimensionless quantities with units: Angular displacement – radian, Joule’s
constant – joule/calorie, etc.

What Are Dimensional Variables?

Dimensional variables are those physical quantities which have dimensions and do not
have a fixed value. For example, velocity, acceleration, force, work, power, etc.

What Are the Dimensionless Variables?

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Dimensionless variables are those physical quantities which do not have dimensions and
do not have a fixed value. For example, specific gravity, refractive index, the coefficient of
friction, Poisson’s ratio, etc.

Law of Homogeneity of Dimensions

1. In any correct equation representing the relation between physical quantities, the
dimensions of all the terms must be the same on both sides. Terms separated by ‘+’
or ‘–’ must have the same dimensions.
2. A physical quantity Q has dimensions a, b and c in length (L), mass (M) and time
(T), respectively, and n1 is its numerical value in a system in which the fundamental
units are L1, M1 and T1 and n2 is the numerical value in another system in which the
fundamental units are L2, M2 and T2, respectively, then

n2=n1[L1L2]a[M1M2]b[T1T2]c

Limitations of Dimensional Analysis

1. Dimensionless quantities cannot be determined by this method. Also, the constant
of proportionality cannot be determined by this method. They can be found either by
experiment (or) by theory.
2. This method does not apply to trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions.
3. This method will be difficult in the case of physical quantities, which are dependent
upon more than three physical quantities.
4. In some cases, the constant of proportionality also possesses dimensions. In such
cases, we cannot use this system.
5. If one side of the equation contains the addition or subtraction of physical quantities,
we cannot use this method to derive the expression.

Some Important Conversions

1 bar = 106 dyne/cm2 = 105 Nm-2 = 105 pascal
76 cm of Hg = 1.013×106 dyne/cm2 = 1.013×105 pascal = 1.013 bar.
1 toricelli or torr = 1 mm of Hg = 1.333×103 dyne/cm2 = 1.333 millibar.
1 kmph = 5/18 ms-1
1 dyne = 10-5 N,
1 H.P = 746 watt
1 kilowatt hour = 36×105 J
1 kgwt = g newton
1 calorie = 4.2 joule
1 electron volt = 1.602×10-19 joule
1 erg = 10-7 joule

Some Important Physical Constants

Velocity of light in vacuum (c) = 3 × 108 ms-1
Velocity of sound in air at STP = 331 ms-1

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 Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.81 ms-2
Avogadro number (N) = 6.023 × 1023/mol
Density of water at 4oC = 1000 kgm-3 or 1 g/cc.
Absolute zero = -273.15oC or 0 K
Atomic mass unit = 1.66 × 10-27 kg
Quantum of charge (e) = 1.602 × 10-19 C
Stefan’s constant = 5.67 × 10–8 W/m2/K4
Boltzmann’s constant (K) = 1.381 × 10-23 JK-1
One atmosphere = 76 cm Hg = 1.013 × 105 Pa
Mechanical equivalent of heat (J) = 4.186 J/cal
Planck’s constant (h) = 6.626 × 10-34 Js
Universal gas constant (R) = 8.314 J/mol–K
Permeability of free space (μ0) = 4π × 10-7 Hm-1
Permittivity of free space (ε0) = 8.854 × 10-12 Fm-1
The density of air at S.T.P. = 1.293 kg m-3
Universal gravitational constant = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2kg-2

Derived SI units with Special Names

Physical Quantity SI Unit Symbol

Frequency hertz Hz

Energy joule J

Force newton N

Power watt W

Pressure pascal Pa

Electric charge or coulomb C

quantity of electricity

Electric potential difference and emf volt V

Electric resistance ohm Ω

Electric conductance siemen S

Electric capacitance farad F

Magnetic flux weber Wb

Inductance henry H

Magnetic flux density tesla T

Illumination lux Lx

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Luminous flux lumen Lm

Dimensional Formulas for Physical Quantities

Physical Quantity Unit Dimensional

Formula

Acceleration or acceleration due to gravity ms–2 LT–2

Angle (arc/radius) rad MoLoTo

Angular displacement rad MoloTo

Angular frequency (angular rads–1 T–1

displacement/time)

Angular impulse (torque x time) Nms ML2T–1

Angular momentum (Iω) kgm2s–1 ML2T–1

Angular velocity (angle/time) rads–1 T–1

Area (length x breadth) m2 L2

Boltzmann’s constant JK–1 ML2T–2θ–1

Bulk modulus Nm–2, Pa M1L–1T–2

(ΔP.VΔV)

Calorific value Jkg–1 L2T–2

o –1
Coefficient of linear or areal or volume C or K–1 θ–1
expansion

Coefficient of surface tension (force/length) Nm–1 or Jm–2 MT–2

Coefficient of thermal conductivity Wm–1K–1 MLT–3θ–1

Coefficient of viscosity poise ML–1T–1

(F=ηAdvdx)

Compressibility (1/bulk modulus) Pa–1, m2N–2 M–1LT2

Density (mass/volume) kgm–3 ML–3

Displacement, wavelength, focal length m L

Electric capacitance (charge/potential) CV–1, farad M–1L–2T4I2

Electric conductance (1/resistance) Ohm–1 or mho or M–1L–2T3I2

siemen

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Electric conductivity (1/resistivity) siemen/metre or M–1L–3T3I2
Sm–1

Electric charge or quantity of electric charge coulomb IT

(current x time)

Electric current ampere I

Electric dipole moment (charge x distance) Cm LTI

Electric field strength or intensity of electric NC–1, Vm–1 MLT–3I–1

field (force/charge)

Electric resistance ohm ML2T–3I–2

(potentialdifferencecurrent)

Emf (or) electric potential (work/charge) volt ML2T–3I–1

Energy (capacity to do work) joule ML2T–2

Energy density Jm–3 ML–1T–2

(energyvolume)

Entropy Jθ–1 ML2T–2θ–1

(ΔS=ΔQ/T)

Force (mass x acceleration) newton (N) MLT–2

Force constant or spring constant Nm–1 MT–2

(force/extension)

Frequency (1/period) Hz T–1

Gravitational potential (work/mass) Jkg–1 L2T–2

Heat (energy) J or calorie ML2T–2

Illumination (Illuminance) lux (lumen/metre2) MT–3

Impulse (force x time) Ns or kgms–1 MLT–1

Inductance (L) henry (H) ML2T–2I–2

(energy=12LI2)

or
coefficient of self-induction

Intensity of gravitational field (F/m) Nkg–1 L1T–2

Intensity of magnetization (I) Am–1 L–1I

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Joule’s constant or mechanical equivalent of Jcal–1 MoLoTo
heat

Latent heat (Q = mL) Jkg–1 MoL2T–2

Linear density (mass per unit length) kgm–1 ML–1

Luminous flux lumen or (Js–1) ML2T–3

Magnetic dipole moment Am2 L2I

Magnetic flux (magnetic induction x area) weber (Wb) ML2T–2I–1

Magnetic induction (F = Bil) NI–1m–1 or T MT–2I–1

Magnetic pole strength (unit: ampere–meter) Am LI

Modulus of elasticity (stress/strain) Nm–2, Pa ML–1T–2

Moment of inertia (mass x radius2) kgm2 ML2

Momentum (mass x velocity) kgms–1 MLT–1

Permeability of free space Hm–1 or NA–2 MLT–2I–2

(μo=4πFd2m1m2)

Permittivity of free space Fm–1 or C2N–1m–2 M–1L–3T4I2

(εo=Q1Q24πFd2)

Planck’s constant (energy/frequency) Js ML2T–1

Poisson’s ratio (lateral strain/longitudinal –– MoLoTo

strain)

Power (work/time) Js–1 or watt (W) ML2T–3

Pressure (force/area) Nm–2 or Pa ML–1T–2

o –1
Pressure coefficient or volume coefficient C or θ–1 θ–1

Pressure head m MoLTo

Radioactivity disintegrations per MoLoT–1

second

Ratio of specific heats –– MoLoTo

Refractive index –– MoLoTo

Resistivity or specific resistance Ω ML3T–3I–2

–m

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Specific conductance or conductivity siemen/metre or M–1L–3T3I2
(1/specific resistance) Sm–1

Specific entropy (1/entropy) KJ–1 M–1L–2T2θ

Specific gravity (density of the –– MoLoTo

substance/density of water)

Specific heat (Q = mst) Jkg–1θ–1 MoL2T–2θ–1

Specific volume (1/density) m3kg–1 M–1L3

Speed (distance/time) ms–1 LT–1

Stefan’s constant Wm–2θ–4 MLoT–3θ–4

(heatenergyareaxtimextemperature4)

Strain (change in dimension/original –– MoLoTo

dimension)

Stress (restoring force/area) Nm–2 or Pa ML–1T–2

Surface energy density (energy/area) Jm–2 MT–2

o
Temperature C or θ MoLoToθ
o
Temperature gradient Cm–1 or θm–1 MoL–1Toθ
(change in temperaturedistance)

Thermal capacity (mass x specific heat) Jθ–1 ML2T–2θ–1

Time period second T

Torque or moment of force (force x distance) Nm ML2T–2

Universal gas constant (work/temperature) Jmol–1θ–1 ML2T–2θ–1

Universal gravitational constant Nm2kg–2 M–1L3T–2

(F=G.m1m2d2)

Velocity (displacement/time) ms–1 LT–1

Velocity gradient (dv/dx) s–1 T–1

Volume (length x breadth x height) m3 L3

Water equivalent kg MLoTo

Work (force x displacement) J ML2T–2

Quantities Having the Same Dimensional Formula

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 1. Impulse and momentum.
2. Work, torque, the moment of force, energy.
3. Angular momentum, Planck’s constant, rotational impulse.
4. Stress, pressure, modulus of elasticity, energy density.
5. Force constant, surface tension, surface energy.
6. Angular velocity, frequency, velocity gradient.
7. Gravitational potential, latent heat.
8. Thermal capacity, entropy, universal gas constant and Boltzmann’s constant.
9. Force, thrust.
10. Power, luminous flux.

Applications of Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is very important when dealing with physical quantities. In this
section, we will learn about some applications of dimensional analysis.

Fourier laid down the foundations of dimensional analysis. The dimensional formulas are
used to:

1. Verify the correctness of a physical equation.

2. Derive a relationship between physical quantities.
3. Converting the units of a physical quantity from one system to another system.

Checking the Dimensional Consistency

As we know, only similar physical quantities can be added or subtracted. Thus, two
quantities having different dimensions cannot be added together. For example, we cannot
add mass and force or electric potential and resistance.

For any given equation, the principle of homogeneity of dimensions is used to check the
correctness and consistency of the equation. The dimensions of each component on
either side of the sign of equality are checked, and if they are not the same, the equation
is considered wrong.

Let us consider the equation given below,

The dimensions of the LHS and the RHS are calculated

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As we can see, the dimensions of the LHS and the RHS are the same. Hence, the
equation is consistent.

Deducing the Relation among Physical Quantities

Dimensional analysis is also used to deduce the relation between two or more physical
quantities. If we know the degree of dependence of a physical quantity on another, that is,
the degree to which one quantity changes with the change in another, we can use the
principle of consistency of two expressions to find the equation relating to these two
quantities. This can be understood more easily through the following illustration.

Example: Derive the formula for centripetal force F acting on a particle moving in a
uniform circle.

As we know, the centripetal force acting on a particle moving in a uniform circle depends
on its mass m, velocity v and the radius r of the circle. Hence, we can write

F = ma vb rc

Writing the dimensions of these quantities,

As per the principle of homogeneity, we can write,

a = 1, b + c = 1 and b = 2

Solving the above three equations, we get, a = 1, b = 2 and c = -1.

Hence, the centripetal force F can be represented as,

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Frequently Asked Questions on Units and Dimensions

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Q1

What is the meaning of dimension in Physics?

It is an expression that relates derived quantities to fundamental quantities. But it is not
related to the magnitude of the derived quantity.

Q2

What is the dimension of force?

We know that, F = ma —– (1)
Mass is a fundamental quantity, but acceleration is a derived quantity and can be
represented in terms of fundamental quantities.
a = [LT−2] —– (2)
Using (1) and (2),
F = [MLT−2] This is the dimension of force.

Q3

What is dimensional analysis?

Dimensional analysis is based on the principle that two quantities can be compared only if
they have the same dimensions. For example, I can compare kinetic energy with potential
energy and say they are equal, or one is greater than another because they have the
same dimension. But I cannot compare kinetic energy with force or acceleration as their
dimensions are different.

Q4

How do you demonstrate dimensional analysis with an example?

Suppose I have the following equation,

F = Ea.Vb. Tc
Where, F = Force; E = Energy; V = Velocity; M = Mass
We need to find the value of a, b and c.
Following are the dimensions of the given quantities,
F = [MLT−2], E = [ML2T−2], V = [LT−1] According to dimensional analysis, the dimension of
RHS should be equal to LHS; hence,
[MLT−2] = [ML2T−2]a . [LT−1]b. [T]c
[MLT−2] = [Ma L2a+b T−2a−b+c] Now, we have three equations,
a=1
2a+b = 1
−2a − b + c = −2
Solving the three equations, we get,
a = 1, b = −1 and c = −1.

Q5

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What is meant by a unit?

The standard quantity with which a physical quantity of the same kind is compared is
called a unit.

Q6

Why are mass, length, and time chosen as fundamental or base quantities
in mechanics?

This is because mass, length and time are independent of each other. All the other
quantities in mechanics can be expressed in terms of mass, length and time.

Q7

Define significant figures.

Significant figures are those digits in a number known with certainty plus one more
uncertain number.

Q8

Define dimensions.

The dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers to which the fundamental quantities
are raised to represent that physical quantity.

Put your understanding of this concept to test by answering a few MCQs. Click ‘Start
Quiz’ to begin!

Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button

Check your score and answers at the end of the quiz

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