Units and Dimensions - Dimensional Formula

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.
If n  and n  are the numerical values of a physical quantity corresponding to the units u  and u , then n u =
1 2 1 2 1 1 

n u . For Example, 2.8 m = 280 cm; 6.2 kg = 6200 g.

2 2

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 C.G.S, M.K.S, F.P.S, 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 SI system:

System of units
Fundamental
Quantity
C.G.S. M.K.S. F.P.S.

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

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. SI system is a comprehensive, coherent and rationalized M.K.S. Ampere
system (RMKSA system) and was devised by Prof. Giorgi.

1. Meter: A meter is equal to 1650763.73 times the wavelength of the light emitted in vacuum due to
electronic transition from 2p  state to 5d  state in Krypton-86. But in 1983, 17  General Assembly of
10 5 th

weights and measures adopted a new definition for the meter in terms of velocity of light. According
to this definition, a meter is defined as the distance traveled by light in 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 the 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  newtons per meter of length is known as one ampere.
-7

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 m  at the temperature of solidifying platinum under a pressure of
2

101325 Nm  is known as one candela.

-2

7. Mole: The amount of a substance of a system which contains as many elementary entities as there
are atoms in 12 × 10  kg of carbon-12 is known as one mole.
-3

8. Radian: The angle made by an arc of the circle equivalent to its radius at the center is known as
radian. 1 radian = 57 17 45 .
o l ll

9. Steradian: The angle subtended at the center 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  m. = -10

 Fermi is the unit of length used to measure nuclear distances. 1 Fermi = 10  meter.
-15

 A light year is the unit of length for measuring astronomical distances.

 Light year = distance traveled by light in 1 year = 9.4605 × 10  m. 15

 Astronomical unit = Mean distance between the sun and earth = 1.5 × 10  m. 11

 Parsec = 3.26 light years = 3.084×10  m 16

 Barn is the unit of area for measuring scattering cross-section of collisions. 1 barn = 10  m . -28 2

 Chronometer and metronome are time measuring instruments. The quantity having the same unit in
all the systems of units is time.

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 10  deci 10
1 -1

 hecta 10  centi 10
2 -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. Eg: newton, watt, ampere, meter
2. The unit should be written either in full or in agreed symbols only
3. Units do not take the plural form. Eg: 10 kg but not 10 kgs, 20 w but not 20 was
4. No full stop or punctuation mark should be used within or at the end of symbols for units. Eg: 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
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.

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 = M L T , then M L T  is called dimensional formula
a b c a b c

and the exponents a, b and, c are called the dimensions.

What are Dimensional Constants?

The physical quantities which have dimensions and have a fixed value are called dimensional constants. e.g.:
Gravitational constant (G), Planck’s constant (h), Universal gas constant (R), Velocity of light in a vacuum
(C), etc.

What are the 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.
e.g.: velocity, acceleration, force, work, power, etc.
What are the Dimensionless variables?
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 n  is its numerical value in a system in which the fundamental units are L , M  and T  and n  is the
1 1 1 1 2

numerical value in another system in which the fundamental units are L , M  and T  respectively then
2 2 2,

Limitations of Dimensional Analysis

1. Dimensionless quantities cannot be determined by this method. Constant of proportionality cannot be
determined by this method. They can be found either by experiment (or) by theory.
2. This method is not applicable to trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions.
3. In the case of physical quantities which are dependent upon more than three physical quantities, this
method will be difficult.
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 addition or subtraction of physical quantities, we cannot use this
method to derive the expression.

Some Important Conversions

 1 bar = 10  dyne/cm = 10  Nm = 10  pascal

6 2  5 -2  5

 76 cm of Hg = 1.013×10  dyne/cm = 1.013×10  pascal = 1.013 bar.

6 2   5

 1 toricelli or torr = 1 mm of Hg = 1.333×10  dyne/cm = 1.333 millibar.3 2 

 1 kmph = 5/18 ms -1

 1 dyne = 10  N,-5

 1 H.P = 746 watt

 1 kilowatt hour = 36×10  J 5

 1 kgwt = g newton
 1 calorie = 4.2 joule
 1 electron volt = 1.602×10  joule -19

 1 erg = 10  joule
-7

Some Important Physical Constants

 Velocity of light in vacuum (c) = 3 × 10  ms 8 -1

 Velocity of sound in air at STP = 331 ms -1

 Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.81 ms -2

 Avogadro number (N) = 6.023 × 10 /mol 23

  Density of water at 4 C = 1000 kgm  or 1 g/cc.
o -3

 Absolute zero = -273.15 C or 0 K

o

 Atomic mass unit = 1.66 × 10  kg -27

 Quantum of charge (e) = 1.602 × 10  C -19

 Stefan’s constant = 5.67 × 10  W/m /K

–8 2 4

 Boltzmann’s constant (K) = 1.381 × 10  JK -23 -1

 One atmosphere = 76 cm Hg = 1.013 × 10  Pa 5

 Mechanical equivalent of heat (J) = 4.186 J/cal

 Planck’s constant (h) = 6.626 × 10  Js -34

 Universal gas constant (R) = 8.314 J/mol–K

 Permeability of free space (μ ) = 4π × 10  Hm
0
-7 -1

 Permittivity of free space (ε ) = 8.854 × 10  Fm

0
-12 -1

 The density of air at S.T.P. = 1.293 kg m -3

 Universal gravitational constant = 6.67 × 10  Nm kg -11 2 -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 \OmegaΩ

Electric conductance siemen S

Electric capacitance Farad F

Magnetic flux Weber Wb

Inductance Henry H

Magnetic flux density Tesla T

Illumination Lux Lx

Luminous flux Lumen Lm

Dimensional Formulas for Physical Quantities
Dimensional
Physical quantity Unit
formula

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

Angle (arc/radius) rad MoLoTo

Angular displacement rad MoloTo

Angular frequency (angular displacement/time) rads–1 T–1

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

Calorific value Jkg–1 L2T–2

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

o
θ–1

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

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 siemen M–1L–2T3I2

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

Electric charge or quantity of electric charge (current x

coulomb IT
time)

Electric current ampere I

Electric dipole moment (charge x distance) Cm LTI

Electric field strength or Intensity of electric field

NC–1, Vm–1 MLT–3I–1
(force/charge)
Electric resistance ohm ML2T–3I–2

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

Entropy Jθ–1 ML2T–2θ–1

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

Force constant or spring constant (force/extension) Nm–1 MT–2

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
Or coefficient of self-induction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

o
θ–1

Pressure head m MoLTo

disintegrations per
Radioactivity MoLoT–1
second

Ratio of specific heats –– MoLoTo

Refractive index –– MoLoTo

Resistivity or specific resistance \OmegaΩ–m ML3T–3I–2

Specific conductance or conductivity (1/specific

siemen/metre or Sm–1 M–1L–3T3I2
resistance)

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

Specific gravity (density of the substance/density of

–– MoLoTo
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

Strain (change in dimension/original dimension) –– MoLoTo

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

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

Temperature C or θ
o
MoLoToθ

Temperature gradient Cm–1 or θm–1

o
MoL–1Toθ

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

 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

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 the 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

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 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
Hence,
F = m  v  r
a b c

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,

Frequently Asked Questions On Dimension Analysis

What is the meaning of dimension in physics?

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

What is the dimension of force?

We know, 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.

What is dimensional analysis?

Dimensional analysis is based on the principle that two quantities having the same dimensions can only be
compared with one another. For example, I can compare kinetic energy with potential energy and say they
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 not the same.

How to do demonstrate dimensional analysis with an example?

Suppose I have the following equation,
F = E .V . Tc
a b

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 ], E = [ML T ], V = [LT ] According to dimensional analysis the dimension of RHS should be
−2 2 −2 −1

equal to LHS hence,

[MLT ] = [ML T ]  . [LT ]  . [T]
−2 2 −2 a −1 b c

[MLT ] = [M  L  T ] Now we have three equations,

−2 a 2a+b −2a−b+c

a=1
2a+b = 1
−2a − b + c = −2
Solving the three equations we get,
a = 1, b = −1 and c = −1.