Dimensions of Physical Quantities
Definition
 Dimensions of physical quantities means
expressing them in terms of fundamental
quantities by raising them to certain powers
 Dimensions are always expressed in [] brackets
Some Examples
 Dimension of Length is [L]
 Dimension of Time is [T]
 Dimension of Mass is [M]
 By using dimensions we can express any derived
quantity in terms of fundamental quantities
Rules for writing Dimensions
 Always write dimensions in [ ] bracket
 The powers are simply raised to zero if the
physical quantity is independent of a fundamental
quantity
 Consider velocity which is rate of change of
displacement with respect to time, its dimension
will be [LT-1]
 Plane angle and solid angle are dimensionless
quantities
Benefits of using dimensions
 We can easily convert derived quantities in terms
of fundamental quantities
 Dimensions are used in dimensional analysis
where we predict formulae of certain quantities
and their dependence on physical quantities
 For example, if temperature of a body depends
on mass and length of the body, we can easily
derive a formula for that
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Dimensions of Physical Quantities | Physics

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Definition  Dimensions ofphysical quantities means expressing them in terms of fundamental quantities by raising them to certain powers  Dimensions are always expressed in [] brackets
  • 3.
    Some Examples  Dimensionof Length is [L]  Dimension of Time is [T]  Dimension of Mass is [M]  By using dimensions we can express any derived quantity in terms of fundamental quantities
  • 4.
    Rules for writingDimensions  Always write dimensions in [ ] bracket  The powers are simply raised to zero if the physical quantity is independent of a fundamental quantity  Consider velocity which is rate of change of displacement with respect to time, its dimension will be [LT-1]  Plane angle and solid angle are dimensionless quantities
  • 5.
    Benefits of usingdimensions  We can easily convert derived quantities in terms of fundamental quantities  Dimensions are used in dimensional analysis where we predict formulae of certain quantities and their dependence on physical quantities  For example, if temperature of a body depends on mass and length of the body, we can easily derive a formula for that
  • 6.
    Hey Friend, This wasjust a summary on Dimensions of Physical Quantities. For more detailed information on this topic, please type the link given below or copy it from the description of this PPT and open it in a new browser window. www.askiitians.com/iit-jee-physics/general- physics/dimensions-of-physical-quantities/