DIMENSIONS

AND
DIMENSIONAL
ANALYSIS
 Dimensio
ns of a physical quantity are the powers
Dimensions
to
which the fundamental quantities must be raised
to represent the given physical quantity. In
mechanics all
physical quantities can be
expressed in terms of
mass
(M), length (L) and time (T)
Example : Force = mass x acceleration
= or
 Dimensio
n
Dimensionless quantity
In the equation Unit and Dimension
and Measurement then the quantity
is called dimensionless.
then the quantity is called
dimensionless. Examples : Strain,
specific gravity, angle. They are ratio
 Dimensional
analysis
A. To change the value of a physical quantity from one
system to another :

In this way the conversion

factor for any derived physical
quantity can be calculated if
the dimensional formula of the
derived quantity is known.
 Application of
dimensional analysis

• To check the correctness of

physical equation
• To find dimensions of new physical
quantity
• To derive the form of a physical
equation
• To derive the relation between different units
of different systems of a physical quantity
B. Homogenity of Dimensions in an equation : On the
basis of this principle the accuracy of an equation can
be checked. In a physical equation every term should
have the same dimensions.

As in the above equation dimensions of both sides

are the same. Hence, this formula is correct
dimensionally.
C. Deducing Relation Among
the Physical Quantities : The
relation between different
physical quantities can be
established with the help of
dimensions. It will be
possible if we know the
quantities on which a
particular physical quantity
depends.
Example 2 The period of a
The period P of a swinging pendulum depends
pendulum
length
only onof the pendulum l and the acceleration of
the
gravity
g.
What are the dimensions of the variables?
t→ T
m →M
ℓ→ L
g → LT-2
Example : Einstein Mass-Energy Relation : When mass is
converted into energy, let the energy produced
depends on the mass (m) and speed of light (c) i.e.,
 Exampl
e

Example : To find the expression for the time period of a

simple pendulum which depends on the its length, mass of
the bob and acceleration due to gravity.

where K is a dimensionless constant and a, b and c are

exponents which we have to evaluate. Taking the
dimensions of both sides.
 Exercise
1

Show that the equations below are

either homogenous or
otherwise
sv =
= ut + ½ u + 2as
at2
 Exercise
2

In van-derWall’s equation Unit

and
Dimension = RT,
obtain the dimension of the constant a
and b, where P is pressure, V is
volume, T is temperature and R is gas
constant.
 Exercise 3

Assuming that the critical velocity of flow of a liquid

through a narrow tube depends on the radius of the
tube, density of the liquid and viscosity of the liquid,
find an expression for critical velocity.

where r = radius of the tube,

ρ = density of the liquid,
η = co-efficient of viscosity of the liquid
and a, b and c are the unknown powers to be determined.
Exercise
4
The viscosity force, F going against
the movement of a sphere
immersed in a fluid depends on
the radius of the sphere, a the
speed of the sphere, v and the
viscosity of the fluid, η. By using
the dimension method, derive an
equation that relates F with a, v
and η. (given that ) η = Fl/av
 Exercise
5

Find the dimensions of universal

gravitational constant, G in the
equation
where r = distance of separation,
m1 and m2 are masses,
F = force
.
SCALARS
&
VECTOR
S
 What
is
Scalar?
 Mass of gold bar is 1
kg
Time is 12.76 Physical magnitud
s quantity e

physical magnitud
quantity e
A scalar is a physical quantity
that has only a
magnitude.
Examples:
• Mass • Temperatur
• Lengt e
h • Volume
• Time • Density
 What
is
Vector?
A vector is a physical quantity that
has both a magnitude and a
direction.
Examples:
• Position • Acceleratio
• Displaceme n
nt • Momentum
• Velocity • Force
 USA China

Displacement from USA to China is 11600

km
physical quantity
in east
magnitude directio
n
Representation of a vector

Symbolically it is represented as
AB
 Representation of a vector

They are also represented by a single

capital letter with an arrow above
it.

A B P
 Representation of a vector

Some vector quantities are represented by

their respective symbols with an arrow
above it.

r v F

Positio velocit Force

n y
 Types
of Vectors
(on the basis of
orientation)
 Parallel Vectors

Two vectors are said to be parallel

vectors, if they have same
direction.
P
A
B Q
 Equal Vectors
Two parallel vectors are said to be
equal vectors, if they have same
magnitude.
P
A
B
Q

A= P=
B Q
 Negative Vectors
Two anti-parallel vectors are said to be
negative vectors, if they have same
magnitude.
P
A
B
Q

A= P=
−B −Q
Addition and Substation of
vectors
C

B
A
B
A
C=A+
B
 B A

A B
A B

A B C=A+
B
 A B
A

D C
E
B
D
C
E=A+B+C
+D
 Vector
Additio
n
(Geometrical Method)
 Commutative Property
When two vectors are added, the sum is independent of the order of the addition

A
C
B B
C
A

C=A+B=B+A

Therefore, addition of vectors obey commutative

law.
 Associative Property
When three or more vectors are added, their sum is independent of the order of the
addition
C C

D D
B B

A A

D = (A + B) + C = A +
(B + C)
Therefore, addition of vectors obey associative
law.
 Subtraction of vectors
A
B
−
A B
The subtraction of B from vector A is defined
as the addition of vector −B to vector A.

A - B = A + (−B)
 Vector
Additio
n
(Analytical Method)
 Unit vectors
A unit vector is a vector that has a magnitude of
exactly 1 and drawn in the direction of given vector.

A
𝐴

• It lacks both dimension and unit.

• Its only purpose is to specify a direction in
space.
 Unit vectors
• A given vector can be expressed as a
product of its magnitude and a unit vector.
• For example A may be represented as,

A=A𝐴

𝐴 = unit vector along A

A = magnitude of A
 Cartesian unit
vectors 𝑦

𝑧
−

𝑗
-𝑘
𝑖
-
𝑥
−
�
�
� �
� �

𝑗
-

𝑧
−
 Resolution of a Vector
It is the process of splitting a vector into two or more
vectors in such a way that their combined effect is same
as that of the given vector.

A
A𝑛
𝑡
A𝑡
Rectangular Components of 2D
Vectors
�
� A
A𝑦
𝑗

A 𝑥𝑖
A θ
A𝑦

θ
A = A 𝑥𝑖 +
�
O
A𝑥 �
A𝑦 𝑗
Rectangular Components of 2D
Vectors

sin θ = ⇒ A� = A sin
A A𝑦 A
θ�
A
θ
cos θ = ⇒ A� = A cos
A𝑥 A𝑥 A
θ�
Magnitude & direction from
components
A = A 𝑥𝑖 +
Magnitude:

A𝑦 𝑗 A= A2
𝑥
+ A2

𝑦
A
A𝑦

θ Direction: A𝑦
θ = tan−1
A𝑥 A𝑥
 Rectangular Components of 3D
Vectors
�
�
A = A′ +
A𝑦
A = A𝑥 + A𝑧 +
A
A𝑦
A𝑦
A𝑥
�
A = A𝑥 + A𝑦 +
A A𝑧
A = A 𝑥𝑖 + A 𝑦 𝑗 +
�
𝑧
�
A 𝑧𝑘
A′

�
Rectangular Components of 3D
Vectors

cos 𝛼
A𝑥
A
A
=
�
�

cos 𝛼
𝑥
�A � A =A
�
�
Rectangular Components of 3D
Vectors

cos 𝛽 AA𝑦
� A
A𝑦
�
=
A𝑦 = A
�

cos 𝛽
�

�
�
Rectangular Components of 3D
Vectors

cos 𝛾
A
𝑧A
� A =
�

A𝑧 = A
�

cos 𝛾
�

�
A�
�
�
Magnitude & direction from
components
A = A𝑥𝑖 + A𝑦𝑗 +
Magnitud
A𝑧𝑘
e:
A𝑦 A= A2 + A2 +
𝑥
A2
A
𝑦
Direction

� 𝛼= 𝑧
𝛽 =cos−1
: A𝑦
A𝑥

� ��
A A
cos−1
A𝑥
� �
𝛾 =cos−1
A𝑧
A�
A
�
 Adding vectors by components
Let us R = (A𝑥 + B𝑥)𝑖 + (A𝑦 +B𝑦)𝑗

A = A𝑥𝑖 + A𝑦𝑗 +
have
+ (A𝑧 + B𝑧)𝑘
A𝑧𝑘 R𝑥𝑖 + R𝑦𝑗 + R𝑧𝑘 = (A𝑥+B𝑥)𝑖
B = B𝑥𝑖 + B𝑦𝑗 +

B𝑧𝑘 then
+ (A𝑦+B𝑦)𝑗 +
(A𝑧+B𝑧)𝑘
R=A+B R𝑥 = (A𝑥 + B𝑥)
R = A𝑥𝑖 + R𝑦 = (A𝑦 + B𝑦)
A𝑦𝑗 + A𝑧𝑘
R𝑧 = (A𝑧 +B𝑧)
+ B𝑥𝑖 + B𝑦𝑗 +
Multiplyin
g
 Multiplying a vector by a scalar

• If we multiply a vector A by a scalar s, we

get a new vector.
• Its magnitude is the product of
the magnitude of A and the absolute
value of s.

• Its direction is the direction of A if s is

positive but the opposite direction if
 Multiplying a vector by a scalar
If s is positive:
A
2A

If s is negative:
A

−3A
 Multiplying a vector by a vector

• There are two ways to multiplya vector by

a vector:

• The first way produces a scalar quantity

and called as scalar product (dot
product).

• The second way produces a vector quantity

and called as vector product (cross
product).
 Scalar product

θ
B

A ∙ B = AB cos
θ
 Examples of scalar product

W=F∙s P=F∙v
W = Fs cos P = Fv cos
θ
θ
P=
W = work
power F
done F =
= force
Geometrical meaning of Scalar dot
product
A dot product can be regarded as the
product of two quantities:

1.The magnitude of one of the vectors

2.The scalar component of the

second vector along the direction of
the first vector
 Geometrical meaning of Scalar
product
A ∙ B = A(B cos θ) A ∙ B = (A cos
θ)B

A
A
θ
θ B
A
B cosθ
Properties of Scalar
product
1
The scalar product is
commutative.
A ∙ B = AB cos θ
B ∙ A = BA cos θ
A ∙ B = B ∙A
 Properties of Scalar
product
2
The scalar product is distributive
over addition.

A∙ B+C =A∙B+A∙
C
 Properties of Scalar
product
3
The scalar product of two perpendicular
vectors is zero.
A ∙ B = AB cos 90 °
A∙B=0
 Properties of Scalar
product
4
The scalar product of two parallel
vectors is maximum positive.
A ∙ B = AB cos 0 °
A ∙ B = AB
 Properties of Scalar
product
5
The scalar product of two anti-parallel
vectors is maximum negative.
A ∙ B = AB cos 180 °
A ∙ B = −AB
 Properties of Scalar
product
6
The scalar product of a vector with
itself is equal to the square of its
magnitude.
A ∙ A = AA cos 0 °

A ∙ A = A2
 Properties of Scalar
product
7
The scalar product of two same unit
vectors is one and two different unit
vectors is zero.

𝑖 ∙ 𝑖 = 𝑗 ∙ 𝑗 = 𝑘 ∙ 𝑘 = (1)(1) cos 0 °
=1
Calculating scalar product using
= A𝑥B𝑥𝑖 ∙ 𝑖 + A𝑥B𝑦𝑖 ∙ 𝑗 + A𝑥B𝑧𝑖
components
Let us have
A = A𝑥𝑖 + A𝑦𝑗 + ∙𝑘
A𝑧𝑘
+ A𝑦B𝑥𝑗 ∙ 𝑖 + A𝑦B𝑦𝑗 ∙ 𝑗 +
B = B𝑥𝑖 + B𝑦𝑗 A𝑦B𝑧𝑗 ∙ 𝑘
A𝑧𝑥𝑘
𝑖+ A𝑦𝑗 + A𝑧𝑘 + A𝑧B𝑥𝑘 ∙ 𝑖 + A𝑧B𝑦𝑘 ∙ 𝑗 +
= A𝑥B𝑥(1) + A𝑥B𝑦(0) + A𝑥B𝑧(0)

𝑧B𝑧𝑘 𝑘 + A𝑦B𝑦(1) + A𝑦B𝑧(0)

+B
A∙B= then
∙(B𝑥𝑖 + B𝑦𝑗 + A+ A𝑦B∙𝑥(0)
B𝑧B𝑘)
A ∙ B = A𝑥𝑖 𝑥𝑖 + B𝑦𝑗 +
∙ + A𝑧B𝑥(0) + A𝑧B𝑦(0) + A𝑧B𝑧(1)
𝑘𝑖 + B𝑦𝑗 +
+ A𝑦𝑗 𝑧𝑥
A ∙ B = A𝑥B𝑥 + A𝑦B𝑦 + 𝑧A
B
B
∙+ A𝑧 𝑘 B𝑧𝑘 B𝑥𝑖 𝑧
B
+ B 𝑗 +B 𝑘
∙
 Vector product

θ
B

A × B = AB sin θ 𝑛 =
C
 Right hand
rule

A
θ
B
 Examples of vector
product
τ=r× L= r×p
L = rp sin θ 𝑛
F
θ𝑛
τ = rF sin
L = angular
τ= momentum r =
torque r = position
position F p = linear
 Properties of Vector
product
1
The vector product is anti-
commutative.
A × B = AB sin θ 𝑛
B × A = BA sin θ (−𝑛) = −AB sin θ 𝑛
A × B ≠ B ×A
 Properties of Vector
product
2
The vector product is distributive
over addition.

A× B+C =A×B+A×C
 Properties of Vector
product
3
The magnitude of the vector product of
two perpendicular vectors is maximum.

A × B = AB sin 90 °

A × B = AB
 Properties of Vector
product
4
The vector product of two parallel
vectors is a null vector.
A × B = AB sin 0 ° 𝑛

A×B=0
 Properties of Vector
product
5
The vector product of two anti-
parallel vectors is a null vector.
A × B = AB sin 180 ° 𝑛

A×B=0
 Properties of Vector
product
6
The vector product of a vector with
itself is a null vector.
A × A = AA sin 0 ° 𝑛

A×A=0
 Properties of Vector
product
7
The vector product of two same
unit vectors is a null vector.
𝑖×𝑖=𝑗×𝑗=𝑘×𝑘
= (1)(1) sin 0 °𝑛
 Properties of Vector
product
8
The vector product of two different
unit vectors is a third unit
𝑖 ×𝑗 𝑗×𝑖=
vector.
=𝑘 −𝑘
𝑗 × 𝑘= 𝑖 𝑘×𝑗=
𝑘 × 𝑖= 𝑗 −𝑖
Aid to memory
 Calculating vector product using
= A𝑥B𝑥𝑖 × 𝑖 + A𝑥B𝑦𝑖 × 𝑗 + A𝑥B𝑧𝑖
components
Let us have
A = A𝑥𝑖 + A𝑦𝑗 + A𝑧𝑘 ×𝑘
B = B𝑥𝑖 + B𝑦𝑗 + B𝑧𝑘 + A𝑦B𝑥𝑗 × 𝑖 + A𝑦B𝑦𝑗 × 𝑗 + A𝑦B𝑧𝑗

𝑘 A𝑥B𝑥(0) + A𝑥B𝑦(𝑘 ) +
×
then
A × B = A𝑥𝑖 + A𝑦𝑗 + A𝑧𝑘 B𝑥𝑘)× 𝑖 + A𝑧B𝑦𝑘 × 𝑗 + A𝑧B𝑧𝑘
=
A+𝑥BA𝑧𝑧(−𝑗
×+𝑘A B (−𝑘 ) + A B (0) + A
B𝑥𝑖 + B𝑦𝑗 + B𝑧𝑘
×
𝑦 𝑥 𝑦
+ A𝑧B𝑥(𝑗 ) + A𝑧B𝑦(−𝑖) 𝑧 𝑦
𝑧
+ A B
B𝑧 (𝑖)
A × B = A𝑥𝑖 × A𝑦B𝑧 𝑦𝑖 − A𝑧B𝑦 𝑖 + A𝑧B𝑥 𝑗
= (0)
𝑥𝑖 B
B𝑥𝑖B+ B𝑦+𝑗 B
+𝑦𝑗 +𝑧𝑘 − A𝑥B𝑧(𝑗 ) + A𝑥B𝑦(𝑘 ) −
A𝑧𝑘× B𝑧𝑘
+

+ A𝑦𝑗 × B𝑥𝑖 +
A𝑦B𝑥(𝑘 )
Calculating vector product using

A × B = 𝑖 A𝑦B𝑧 − A𝑧B𝑦 − 𝑗 A𝑥B𝑧

components

−A𝑧B𝑥
+ 𝑘 (A𝑥B𝑦 −

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
A𝑦B𝑥)

A×B A𝑥 A𝑦 A𝑧
= B𝑥 B𝑦 B𝑧
VECTOR ADDITION – If 2 similar vectors point in the
SAME
direction, add them.
Example: A man walks 54.5 meters east, then
another 30 meters east. Calculate his displacement
relative to where he started?

54.5 m, E + 30 m, E Notice that the SIZE of

the arrow conveys
MAGNITUDE and the way
84.5 m, E it was drawn conveys
DIRECTION.
VECTOR SUBTRACTION - If 2 vectors are going
in
opposite directions, you SUBTRACT.
Example: A man walks 54.5 meters
east, then 30 meters west. Calculate his
displacement relative to where he started?
54.5 m, E
-
30 m, W

24.5 m, E
When 2 vectors are perpendicular, you must
use the Pythagorean theorem.
A man walks 95 km, East then 55 km,
north. Calculate his RESULTANT
The hypotenuse in Physics is Finish DISPLACEMENT.
called the RESULTANT.
c 2  a 2  b2  c  a2 
b2
55 km, N c  Resultant  952 
Vertical 552
Component
Horizontal Component
c  12050  109.8 km
95 km,E
Start
The LEGS of the triangle are called the COMPONENTS
In the previous example, DISPLACEMENT was asked
for and since it is a VECTOR we should include a
DIRECTION on our final answer.
N

W of N E of N
N of E
N of W
W E
N of E S of W S of E

NOTE: When drawing a right triangle that

conveys some type of motion, you MUST draw W of S E of S
your components HEAD TO TOE. S
 BUT…..what about the VALUE of the
angle??
Just putting North of East on the answer is NOT specific
enough for the direction. We MUST find the VALUE of
the angle.
To find the value of the angle
we use a Trig function called
TANGENT.
109.8 km
55 km, N

opposite side 55
 N of E Tan  adjacent side  

95 km,E 0.5789
95

So the COMPLETE final answer is :

  Tan1 (0.5789)  30∘
109.8 km, 30 degrees North of East
Suppose a person walked 65 m, 25 degrees East of
North. What were his horizontal and vertical
components?
The goal: ALWAYS MAKE A RIGHT TRIANGLE!
H.C. = ? To solve for components, we often use the trig
V.C = ? functions since and cosine.
25 65 m
adjacent side opposite side
cosine  hypotenuse sine  hypotenuse

adj  hyp cos opp  hyp sin

adj  V .C.  65 cos 25 

58.91m, N opp  H .C.  65sin
25  27.47m, E
Exampl
e
A bear, searching for food wanders 35 meters east then 20 meters
north. Frustrated, he wanders another 12 meters west then 6 meters
south. Calculate the bear's displacement.
23 m, E
- =

12 m, W
- =
14 m, N
6 m, S
20 m, N
R  142  232 
26.93m 14
35 m, E R 14 m, N Tan  .608
 23 7

  Tan1 (0.6087) 
23 m, E 31.3∘
The Final Answer: 26.93 m, 31.3 degrees NORTH or EAST
Example

A boat moves with a velocity of 15 m/s, N in a

river which flows with a velocity of 8.0 m/s,
west. Calculate the boat's resultant velocity
with respect to due north.

Rv  82 152  17 m /
8.0 m/s, W
s
15 m/s, N
8
Rv
Tan  15 


0.5333
 Tan1 (0.5333) 
28.1∘
The Final Answer : 17 m/s, @ 28.1 degrees West of North
Exampl
e
A plane moves with a velocity of 63.5 m/s at 32 degrees South
of East. Calculate the plane's horizontal and vertical velocity
components.

adjacent side opposite side

H.C. =? cosine  hypotenuse sine  hypotenuse

32 adj  hyp cos opp  hyp sin

V.C. = ?

63.5 m/s
adj  H.C.  63.5 cos 32  53.85 m /
s, E opp  V .C.  63.5sin 32  33.64
m / s, S
Exercise
1
Exercise
2
Exercise
3
Exercise
4
Exercise
5