If the unit of force is 100 N, unit of length is 10 m and the unit of time is 100 s, what is the unit of mass in this system of units?
Dimension of force $F = [MLT^{-2}] = 100 N $ ... (i)
Length $(L) = [L] = 10 m $ ... (ii)
Time $(t) = [T] = 100 s $ ... (iii)
Substituting values of $L$ and $T$ from Eqs. (ii) and (iii) in Eq. (i), we get
$\begin{aligned}& \Rightarrow \frac{M \times 10}{100 \times 100} =100 \\\\ & \Rightarrow M =100 \times 1000 \mathrm{~kg} \\\\ & M =10^5 \mathrm{~kg} \end{aligned}$
Give an example of:
(a) a physical quantity which has a unit but no dimensions
(b) a physical quantity which has neither unit nor dimensions
(c) a constant which has a unit
(d) a constant which has no unit
(a) Plane angle $ \theta = \frac{L}{r} \text{radian}$
its unit is radian but has no dimensions
(b) Strain $ = \frac{\Delta L}{L} = \frac{\text{Change in length}}{\text{length}}$
It has neither unit nor dimensions
(c) Gravitational constant (G) = $6.67 \times 10^{-11} \text{N} m^{2} / \text{kg}^{2}$
(d) Reynold’s number is a constant which has no unit.
Calculate the length of the arc of a circle of radius $31.0 \text{ cm}$ which subtends an angle of $ \frac{ \pi}{6}$ at the centre.
We know that angle $ \theta = \frac{l}{r} \text{radian}$
Given, $ \theta = \frac{ \pi}{6} = \frac{l}{31 \text{ cm}}$
Hence, length $l = 31 \times \frac{ \pi}{6} \text{ cm} = \frac{31 \times 3.14}{6} \text{ cm} = 16.22 \text{ cm}$
Rounding off to three significant figures it would be $16.2 \text{ cm}$.
Calculate the solid angle subtended by the periphery of an area of $1\text{cm}^{2}$ at a point situated symmetrically at a distance of $5 \text{ cm}$ from the area.
We know that solid angle $ \Omega = \frac{\text{Area}}{(\text{Distance})^{2}}$
$= \frac{1 \text{cm}^{2}}{(5 \text{cm})^{2}}= \frac{1}{25} = 4 \times 10^{-2} \text{ steradian}$
(∵ Area = $1 \text{cm}^{2}$, distance = $5 \text{ cm}$)
Note We should not confuse, solid angle with plane angle $ \theta = \frac{l}{r} \text{ radian}$.
$y = A \sin(\omega t - kx)$, where $x$ is distance and $t$ is time. Write the dimensional formula of (i) $\omega$ and (ii) $k$.
Now, by the principle of homogeneity, i.e., dimensions of LHS and RHS should be equal, hence
$[LHS] = [RHS]$
$$ \Rightarrow $$$[L] = [A] = L$
As $\omega t - kx$ should be dimensionless, $[\omega t] = [kx] = 1$
$$ \Rightarrow $$$[\omega] T = [k] L = 1$
$$ \Rightarrow $$$[\omega] = T^{-1}$ and $[k] = L^{-1}$