Strain = Change in dimension/Original dimension

Angle is an exceptional physical quantity, which though is a ratio of two similar physical
quantities (angle = arc/radius) but still require a unit (degree/radian/grade) to specify it
along with its numerical value.
Physical Unit (or Unit)
The standard amount of a physical quantity chosen to measure the physical quantity of the
same kind is called unit of that quantity. Any other quantity of that kind can be expressed as
a multiple of that unit of measurement. For example, a length is a physical quantity. The
metre is a unit of length that represents a definite predetermined length. When we say 10
metres, we actually mean 10 times the definite predetermined length called metre.
Desirable Characteristics of a Physical Quantity
 It should be well-defined.
 It should be of convenient size, i.e., neither too small nor too large in comparison with
the measurable physical quantity.
 It should not change with time.
 It should be internationally accepted.
 It should be easily accessible.
Fundamental (or Base) and Derived Units
The units defined for fundamental quantities are called fundamental units and those which
are obtained for derived quantities are called derived units. Every fundamental unit chosen
in any system has a name and symbol of its unit.
Some commonly used systems for fundamental units are as follows:
𝒄𝒈𝒔 system: It is a French system. It uses centimetre (cm), gram (g) and second (s) as the
fundamental units of length, mass and time respectively.
𝒇𝒑𝒔 system: It is a British system. It uses foot (ft), pound (lb) and second (s) as the
fundamental units of length, mass and time respectively.
𝒎𝒌𝒔 system: It is also a French system. It uses metre (m), kilogram (kg) and second (s) as
the fundamental units of length, mass and time respectively.
SI: It is the abbreviation as SI from its French name “Systeme Internationale d’ Unites”,
which is equivalent to “International System of Units” in English. It is the modernised and
extended form of mks system.
Note that:
(a) The 𝑐𝑔𝑠, 𝑚𝑘𝑠 and SI are metric or decimal systems of units. This is because the
multiples and sub-multiples of their basic units are related to the practical units by
power of 10.
(b) The 𝑓𝑝𝑠 system is not a metric system. This system is not in much use these days.

Guidelines for Writing SI Units in Symbolic form

 Small letters are used for symbols of units.
 Symbols are not followed by full stop, unless they appear at the end of a sentence.
e.g., m (not m.) ; mL (not mL.)
 There is always a space between the last digit of a number and the first letter of the
symbol. E.g., 25 kg (not 25kg) ; 6.7 km (not 6.7km) , however there is no space in 22°C
(not 22° C or 22 °C)
 The initial letter of a symbol is capital only when the unit is named after a scientist.
 The full name of a unit is always begins with a small latter even if it has been named
after a scientist.
 Symbols do not take plural form.
e.g., 65 g (not 65 gs) ; 15 km (not 15 kms)
SI Prefixes
These are used when magnitude of a physical quantity is very large or very small and when
it is expressed in SI system. These can be applied whether measurement of a physical
quantity is expressed in any of the above system.

Table: SI Prefixes
Power of 10 Prefix Symbol
18 𝑒𝑥𝑎 𝐸
15 𝑝𝑒𝑡𝑎 𝑃
12 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎 𝑇
9 𝑔𝑖𝑔𝑎 𝐺
6 𝑚𝑒𝑔𝑎 𝑀
3 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑜 𝑘
2 ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜 ℎ
1 𝑑𝑒𝑘𝑎 𝑑𝑎
-1 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑖 𝑑
-2 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖 𝑐
-3 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖 𝑚
-6 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜 𝜇
-9 𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑜 𝑛
-12 𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑜 𝑝
-15 𝑓𝑒𝑚𝑡𝑜 𝑓
-18 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑜 𝑎

Whenever these are used, the prefix is written before the name of the unit and respective
symbol is written before the symbol of the unit.
Examples:
1 meghaohm = 1MΩ = 106Ω 1milliampere = 1mA = 10-3A
-6
1microvolt = 1μV = 10 V 1kilometre = 1km = 103m
1decagram = 1da g = 10g 1nanosecond = 1ns = 10-9s
1centimetre = 1cm = 10-2m 1picofarad = 1pF = 10 -12F
The seven basic SI units are defined as follows:
Metre
1
It is the SI unit of length. The distance travelled by light in vacuum in second is
299,792,458
called 1m.
Kilogram
It is the SI unit of mass. The mass of a cylinder made of platinum-iridium alloy kept at
international Bureau of weight and measures is defined as 1kg.
Second
It is the SI unit of time. Cesium-133 atom emits electromagnetic radiation of several
wavelengths. A particular radiation is selected which corresponds to the transition between
the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of Cs-133. The time duration in 9,192,631,770
time periods of the selected transition is defined as 1s.
Ampere
It is the SI unit of electric current. It is the current which when flows through two infinitely
long straight conductors of negligible cross-section placed at a distance of one metre in
vacuum produces a force of 2 × 10-7 Nm-1 between them.
Kelvin
1
It is the SI unit of temperature. The fraction of of the thermodynamic temperature of
273.16
triple point of water is called 1K. The triple point of water is the temperature at which ice,
water and water vapour co-exist.
Mole
It is the SI unit of amount of substance. The amount of substance that contains as many
elementary particles (atoms, molecules or ions) as there are number of atoms in 0.012kg of
carbon-12 is called a mole. This number (number of atoms in 0.012kg of carbon-12) is called
Avogadro constant and its value available is 6.022 × 1023.
Candela
It is the SI unit of luminous intensity. It is luminous intensity in a perpendicular direction of a
1
surface of m2 of a black body at the temperature of freezing platinum under a
600,000
pressure of 1.013 × 105 Nm-2.
The two supplementary SI units are defined as follows:
Radian
It is the SI unit of plane angle. It is defined as the plane angle subtended at the centre of a
circle by an arc equal in length to the radius of the circle.
arc 𝑙
𝜃 (in radians) = = 𝑟
radius
Steradian
It is the SI unit of solid angle. It is defined as the solid angle subtended at the centre of a
sphere by a surface of the sphere equal in area to that of a square, having each side equal to
the radius of the sphere.
surface area
Ω (in steradian) =
radius2
Some Commonly Used Practical Units
(a) For measuring small distances:
 Fermi: It is the small practical unit of distance used for measuring nuclear sizes. It is also
called femtometre.
1 fermi = 1fm = 10-15m
 Angstrom: It is used to express wavelength of light.
1angstrom = 1Å = 10-10m
 Micron: It is the shorthand notation of writing micrometre.
1micron = 1μm = 10-6m
(b) For measuring large distances:
 Light year: It is the distance travelled by light in vacuum in one year.
1 light year = Speed of light in vacuum × 1 year
1 light year = 3 × 108ms-1 × 365.25 × 24 × 60 × 60 s
∴ 1 light year = 1ly = 9.467 × 1015m
 Astronomical unit: It is defined as the mean distance of the earth from the sum. It is
used in astronomy to measure distances of planets.
 1 astronomical unit = 1AU = 1.496 × 1011m
 Parsec (Parallactic Second): It is the largest practical unit of distance used in astronomy.
It is defined as the distance at which an arc of length 1 astronomical unit subtends an
angle of 1 second of arc.
𝑙 𝑙
As 𝜃= ∴ 𝑟=
𝑟 𝜃

1 AU 1.496×1011 m
1 Parsec = = 1 π = 3.08 × 1016m
1" × rad
3600 180

∴ 1Parsec = 3.08 × 1016m = 3.26 ly

Sun

1AU

1"
Earth
1 Parsec

(c) For measuring areas:

 Barn: It is used for very small areas, such as nuclear cross sections.
1barn = 10-28m2
 Acre: It is used for measuring large areas.
1 acre = 4047m2
 Hectare: It is also used for measuring large areas.
1 hectare = 104m2
(d) For measuring large masses:
 1 tonne or 1 metric ton = 1000kg
 1 quintal = 100kg
 1 slug = 14.57kg
 1 pound = 1lb = 0.4536kg
 1 chandra Shekher limit = 1 CSL = 1.4 times the mass of the sun
CSL is the largest practical unit of mass.
(e) For measuring very small masses:
1
 Atomic mass unit: It is defined as th of the mass of one atom of 126C.
12
1 atomic mass unit = 1 amu = 1u = 1.66 × 10-27kg
The mass of a proton or a neutron is the order of one amu.
(f) For measuring time:
 Solar day: It is the time taken by the earth to complete one rotation about its own axis
w.r.t the sun.
 Sedrial day: It is the time taken by the earth to complete one rotation about its own axis
w.r.t a distant star.
 Solar year: It is the time taken by the earth to complete one revolution around the sun
in its orbit.
1 solar year = 365.25 average solar days
= 366.25 sedrial days
 Tropical year: The year in which there is total solar eclipse is called tropical year.
 Leap year: The year in which is divisible by 4 and in which the month of February has 29
days is called a leap year.
 Lunar month: It is the time taken by the moon to complete one revolution around the
earth in its orbit.
1 lunar month = 27.3 days
 Shake: It is the smallest practical unit of time.
1 shake = 10-8s
(g) For measuring pressure:
 1 bar = 1 atmospheric pressure = 105pascal(Pa)
 1 millibar = 100Pa
 1 torr = 1 mm of Hg column
 1 atmospheric pressure = 1 bar = 760 mm of Hg column = 760 torr

Dimensions of a Derived Quantity (or Dimensional Analysis)

When a derived quantity is expressed in terms of fundamental quantities, it is written as a
product of different powers of the fundamental quantities. The powers to which
fundamental quantities must be raised in order to express the given physical quantity are
called dimensions in that base quantity. For example,
force = mass × acceleration
velocity
= mass ×
time
length/time
= mass ×
time
= mass × length × (time)-2
Thus, dimensions of force are 1 in mass, 1 in length and -2 in time. The dimensions in all
other base quantities are zero. Note that in this type of dimension calculation of a physical
quantity the magnitude of is not considered. Also note that the change in velocity, average
velocity, initial velocity, final velocity, speed all are equivalent in this discussion, since each
one is length/time and have the same dimensions in length and time. For convenience the
base quantities are assigned symbols as follows:
length = L, mass = M, time = T, electric current = A, temperature = T, luminous intensity = cd,
amount of substance = mol.
The physical quantity that is expressed in terms of different dimension powers of base
quantity now can be written by using the respective symbol of base quantity, along with
enclosing outer square brackets. Such an expression for a physical quantity is called formula
of that derived quantity. Thus, the dimension formula of force is MLT-2. The two versions
given below are equivalent:
(a) The dimension formula of force is MLT-2.
(b) The dimensions of force are 1 in mass, 1 in length and -2 in time.

Table: Dimensional Formulas and SI Units of some Derived Quantity

 S. Derived Formula of derived quantity Dimensional Formula SI unit
No. Quantity
Mechanical Quantities
1. Area length × breadth L×L=L2=[M0L2T0] m2
2. Volume length × breadth × height L×L×L =L3=[M0L3T0] m3
3. Density mass M kgm-3
= [ML-3T0]
volume L3
4. Speed or velocity distance L ms-1
= [M0LT-1]
time T
5. Acceleration change in velocity LT−1 ms-2
= LT-2 = [M0LT-2]
time T
6. Momentum mass × velocity M × LT-1 = [MLT-1] kg ms-1
7. Force mass × acceleration M × LT-2 = [MLT-2] N or kg ms-2
8 Work force × distance MLT-2 × L = [ML2T-2] J or kg m2s-2
9. Energy capacity to do work = amount [ML2T-2] J
of work = work
10. Power work ML2 T−2 W or kg m2s-3
= [ML2T-3]
time T
11. Pressure force MLT−2 Pa or Nm-2
= [ML-1T-2]
area L2
12. Torque force × perpendicular MLT-2 × L = [ML2T-2] Nm
distance
13. Gravitational force × (distance)2 MLT−2 L2 Nm2kg-2
= [M-1L3T-2]
constant ‘G’ mass × mass M×M
14. Impulse force × time MLT-2 × T = [MLT-1] Ns
15. Stress force MLT−2 Nm-2
= [ML-1T-2]
area L2

16. Strain change in dimension [M0L0T0] (dimensionless) _

original dimension
17. Coefficient of stress ML−1 T−2 Nm-2
= [ML-1T-2]
elasticity strain 1
18. Surface tension force MLT−2 Nm-1
= MT-2 = [ML0T-2]
length L
19. Surface energy work ML2 T−2 Jm-2
2
= MT-2 = [ML0T-2]
area L

20. Coefficient of force × distance MLT−2 ×L Nm-2 s

= [ML-1T-1]
viscosity area × velocity L2 ×LT−1 or Pa s
21. Angle arc L Rad
= 1 = [M0L0T0]
radius L
(dimensionless)
22. Angular velocity angle 1 rad s-1
= T-1 = [M0L0T-1]
time T
23. Angular angular velocity T−1 rad s-2
= T-2 = [M0L0T-2]
Acceleration time T
24. Moment of inertia mass × (distance)2 ML2 = [ML2T0] kg m2
25. Radius of gyration Distance L = [M0LT0] M
26. Angular mass × velocity × radius M × LT-1 × L = [ML2T-1] kg m2s-1
momentum
27. Trigonometric length L _
= 1 = [M0L0T0]
ratios length L
(sinθ,cosθ,tanθ) (dimensionless)
28. Time period Time T = [M0L0T] S
29. Frequency 1 1 s-1 or
= T-1 = [M0L0T-1]
time period T Hz

30. Planck’s constant energy ML2 T−2 Js

frequency = [ML2T-1]
‘h’ T−1

31. Relative density density of substance ML−3 _

= 1 = [M0L0T0]
density of water at 4℃ ML−3
(dimensionless)
32. Velocity gradient velocity LT−1 s-1
= T-1 = [M0L0T-1]
distance L

33. Pressure gradient pressure ML−1 T−2 Pa m-1

distance = [ML-2T-2]
L
34. Force constant force MLT−2 Nm-1
= MT-2 = [ML0T-2]
displacement L
Thermal Quantities
35. Heat or Enthalpy Energy [ML2T-2] J
36. Specific heat heat ML2 T−2 J kg-1 K-1
= [M0L2T-2K-1]
mass × temperature M×K
37. Latent heat heat ML2 T−2 J kg-1
= [M0L2T-2]
mass M
38. Thermal heat × distance ML2 T−2 ×L Js-1m-1K-1
= [MLT-3K-1]
conductivity area × temperature × time L2 ×K×T
39. Entropy heat ML2 T−2 JK-1
= [ML2T-2K-1]
temperature K
40. Universal gas 𝑃𝑉 ML−1 T−2 ×L3 J mol-1 K-1
= [ML2T-2K-1mol-1]
constant 𝑛𝑇 mol×K

41. Boltzmann’s energy ML2 T−2 JK-1

temperature = [ML2T-2K-1]
constant K
42. Stefan’s constant energy ML2 T−2 Js-1 m-2 K-4
area × time × (temperature)4 = [ML0T-3K-4]
L2 ×T×K 4

43. Solar constant energy ML2 T−2 Js-1 m-2

area × time = [ML0T-3]
L2 ×T
44. Mechanical 𝑊 ML2 T−2 _
𝐽= = [M0L0T0]
equivalent of heat 𝐻 ML2 T−2
(dimensionless)
Electrical Quantities
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.

Note that:
(a) The dimensional formula of a derived quantity is generally written in MLT form i.e.,
first mass then length and then time but this is not a compulsion.
(b) In physics, while finding area we use length × breadth unlike in mathematics where
we have different formulas for different figures.
Applications of Dimensional Analysis
Following are the three main uses of dimensional analysis
A. Homogeneity of Dimensions in an Equation (or Principle of Homogeneity of
Dimensions)
According to this principle, an equation will be dimensionally correct if the dimensions of all
the terms occurring on both sides of the equation are same. If the dimensions of all the
terms are not same, the equation must be wrong. This principle is based on the fact that
only the physical quantities of the same kind can be added, subtracted or compared. Thus,
velocity can be added to velocity but not to force. Let us check the equation,
1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡2
dimension of 𝑠 = L = [M0LT0]
length
dimension of 𝑢𝑡 = velocity × time = × time = length = L = [M0LT0]
time
1 velocity length/time
dimension of 𝑎𝑡2 = acceleration × (time)2 = × (time)2 = ×(time)2 =
2 time time
length = L = [M0LT0]
Thus the equation is correct as far as the dimensions are concerned.
Limitation of this method
1
Note that the dimension of 2 𝑎𝑡2 is the same as that of 𝑎𝑡2. Pure numbers are
dimensionless. Dimension does not depend on the magnitude. Due to this reason the
equation 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡2 is also dimensionally correct. Thus, a dimensionally correct equation
need to be actually correct but a dimensionally wrong equation must be wrong.
B. Conversion of Units
If 𝑢1 and 𝑢2 are the units of measurement of a physical quantity 𝑄 and 𝑛1 and 𝑛2 are the
corresponding numerical values, then from equation (1.1) we get the following
𝑛1 𝑢1 = 𝑛2 𝑢2
Let M1 , L1 and T1 be the sizes of fundamental units of mass, length and time in one system
and M2, L2 and T2 be the corresponding units in another system. If the dimensional formula
of quantity 𝑄 be MaLbTc, then
𝑢1 = M1a Lb1 T1c
and 𝑢2 = M2a Lb2 T2c
∴ 𝑛1 [M1a Lb1 T1c ] = 𝑛2 [M2a Lb2 T2c ]
M1 a L1 b T1 c
or 𝑛2 = 𝑛1 [ ] [ ] [ ]
M2 L2 T2
This equation can be used to find the numerical value in the second or new system of units.
for example, let us convert one joule into erg.
Joule is SI unit of energy and erg is the 𝑐𝑔𝑠 unit of energy. Dimensional formula of energy is
[ML2T-2].
∴ 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 2, 𝑐 = −2

SI 𝒄𝒈𝒔
M1 = 1kg = 1000g M2 = 1g
L1 = 1m = 100cm L2 = 1cm
T1 = 1s T2 = 1s
𝑛1 = 1 (joule) 𝑛2 = ? (erg)

M1 a L1 b T1 c
𝑛2 = 𝑛1 [ ] [ ] [ ]
M2 L2 T2
1000 1 100 2 1 −2
=1 [ ] [ ] [ ]
1 1 1
= 1 × 103 × 104
= 107
∴ 1 Joule = 107erg.
C. Deducing Relation among the Physical Quantities
Sometimes dimensions can be used to deduce a relation between the physical quantities. If
one knows the quantities on which a particular physical quantity depends and if one guesses
that this dependence is of product type, method of dimension may be helpful in the
derivation of the relation. Taking an example, suppose we have to derive the expression for
the time period of a bob, attached to a string, which oscillates under the action of the force
of gravity. Thus, the time period may depend on the length of the string, the mass of the
bob and the acceleration due to gravity. We assume that the dependence of time period on
these quantities is of product type, that is,
𝑡 = 𝑘𝑙 𝑎 𝑚𝑏 𝑔𝑐 …………. (1.2)
where 𝑘 is a dimensionless constant and 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 are exponents which we want to
evaluate. Taking the dimensions of both sides,
T = LaMb (LT-2)c = La+cMbT-2c
Since the dimensions on both sides must be identical, we have
𝑎+𝑐=0
𝑏=0
and −2𝑐 = 1
1 1
giving 𝑎 = , 𝑏 = 0 and 𝑐 = −
2 2
putting these values in equation (1.2)
𝑙
𝑡=𝑘√ …………. (1.3)
𝑔
Thus, by dimensional analysis we can deduce that the time period of a simple pendulum is
independent of its mass, is proportional to the square root of the length of the pendulum
and is inversely proportional to the square root of the acceleration due to gravity at the
place of observation.
Limitations of this method
Although dimensional analysis is very useful in deducing in certain relations, it cannot lead
us too far. First of all, we have to know the quantities on which a particular physical quantity
depends. Even then the method works only if the dependence is of the product type. For
example, the distance travelled by a uniformly accelerated particle depends on the initial
velocity 𝑢, the acceleration 𝑎 and the time 𝑡. But the method of dimensions cannot lead us
to correct expression for 𝑠 because the expression is not of product type. It is equal to the
sum of two terms as
1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡2.
Secondly, the numerical constants having no dimensions cannot be deduced by the method
of dimensions. In the example of time period of a simple pendulum, an unknown constant 𝑘
remains in the equation (1.3). One has to know from somewhere else that this constant is
2𝜋.
Thirdly, the method works only if there are as many equations available as there are
unknowns. In mechanical quantities, only three base quantities length, mass and time enter.
So, dimensions of these three may be equated in the guessed relation giving at most three
equations in the exponents. If a particular quantity (in mechanics) depends on more than
three quantities we shall have more unknowns and less equations. The exponent cannot be
determined uniquely in such a case. Similar constraints are present for electrical or other
nonmechanical quantities.