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Phy101 2024 General Physics 1 Lecture Note II

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106 views112 pages

Phy101 2024 General Physics 1 Lecture Note II

Uploaded by

Adetola Olamide
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PHY101: GENERAL PHYSICS I:

DIMENSION ANALYSIS
• We quantify the size and shape of things using Dimensional
Analysis.

• It helps us study the nature of objects mathematically. It


involves lengths and angles as well as geometrical properties
such as flatness and straightness.

• The basic concept of dimension is that we can add and subtract


only quantities with the same dimensions. Similarly, two
physical quantities can be equal only if they have the same
dimensions
• The study of the relationship between physical
quantities with the help of dimensions and units of
measurement is termed dimensional analysis.

• Dimensional analysis is essential because it keeps the


units the same, helping us perform mathematical
calculations smoothly.
Unit Conversion and Dimensional
Analysis
• Dimensional analysis is also called Factor Label
Method or Unit Factor Method because we use
conversion factors to get the same units.

• To help you understand the stated better, let’s say


you want to know how many metres make 3 km?
• We know that 1000 metres make 1 km,
• Therefore, 3 km = 3 × 1000 metres = 3000 metres
• Here, the conversion factor is 1000 metres.
Using Dimensional Analysis to Check the
Correctness of Physical Equation

• Let’s say that you don’t remember whether


1.time = speed/distance, or
2.time = distance/speed
• We can check this by making sure the dimensions on each side of
the equations match.
• Reducing both the equations to its fundamental units on each side
of the equation, we get
1.[T]=[L][T]−1 / L=[T]−1(Wrong)
2.[T]=[L]/[L][T]−1=[T](Right)
• However, it should be kept in mind that dimensional analysis cannot
help you determine any dimensionless constants in the equation.
Homogeneity Principle of Dimensional Analysis

• Principle of Homogeneity states that


dimensions of each of the terms of a
dimensional equation on both sides should
be the same.

• This principle is helpful because it helps us


convert the units from one form to another.
To better understand the principle, let us
consider the following example:
• Example 1: Check the correctness of physical equation s =
ut + ½ at2. In the equation, s is the displacement, u is the
initial velocity, v is the final velocity, a is the acceleration
and t is the time in which change occurs.
• Solution:
• We know that L.H.S = s and R.H.S = ut + 1/2at2
• The dimensional formula for the L.H.S can be written as s =
[L1M0T0] ………..(1)
• We know that R.H.S is ut + ½ at2 , simplifying we can write R.H.S
as [u][t] + [a] [t]2
• [L1M0T-1][L0M0T1] +[L1M0T-2][L0M0T2]=[L1M0T0]………..(2)
• From (1) and (2), we have [L.H.S] = [R.H.S]
• Hence, by the principle of homogeneity, the given equation is
dimensionally correct.
Check the correctness of the physical equation v2 = u2 + 2as2.
Solution:
• The computations made on the L.H.S and R.H.S are as follows:
• L.H.S: v2 = [v2] = [ L1M0T–1]2 = [ L1M0T–2] ……………(1)
• R.H.S: u2 + 2as2
• Hence, [R.H.S] = [u]2 + 2[a][s]2
• [R.H.S] = [L1M0T–1]2 + [L1M0T–2][L1M0T0]2
• [R.H.S] = [L2M0T–2] + [L1M0T–2][L2M0T0]
• [R.H.S] = [L2M0T–2] + [L1M0T–2][L2M0T0]
• [R.H.S] = [L2M0T–2] + [L3M0T–2]…………………(2)
• From (1) and (2), we have [L.H.S] ≠ [R.H.S]
• Hence, by the principle of homogeneity, the equation is not
dimensionally correcT
• 2. Evaluate the homogeneity of the equation when the rate flow of a liquid has a
coefficient of viscosity η through a capillary tube of length ‘l’ and radius ‘a’ under pressure
head ‘p’ given as
• Dv/dt=πpa4/8lη
• Solution:

dV/dt=πp4/8lη ( unit of viscosity is Nsm-2=m.a.t.m-2= M1L−1T−1)

• Pressure=F/A=ma/A=M1L−1T−2], (a)4=(m)4=(L1)4
•
[L.H.S]=[dV]/[dt]=[M0L3T0][M0T0T1]=[M0L3T−1] …..(1)
•
[R.H.S]=[p][a]4[l][η]
•
∴[R.H.S]=[M1L−1T−2][M0L1T0]4[M0L1T0][M1L−1T−1]
•
=[M1L−1T−2][M0L4T0][M1L0T−1]
•
=[M1L3T2][M1L0T−1]=[M0L3T−1] …….(2)
•
• From (1) and (2), we have [L.H.S] = [R.H.S]
Applications of Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional analysis is a fundamental aspect of
measurement and is applied in real-life physics. We
make use of dimensional analysis for three
prominent reasons:
• To check the consistency of a dimensional
equation
• To derive the relation between physical quantities
in physical phenomena
• To change units from one system to another
Limitations of Dimensional
Analysis
Some limitations of dimensional analysis are:
• It doesn’t give information about the
dimensional constant.
• The formula containing trigonometric
function, exponential functions, logarithmic
function, etc. cannot be derived.
• It gives no information about whether a
physical quantity is a scalar or vector.
1.2 Displacement-Average velocity

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