A temperature difference can generate e.m.f. in some materials. Let $ S $ be the e.m.f. produced per unit temperature difference between the ends of a wire, $ \sigma $ the electrical conductivity and $ \kappa $ the thermal conductivity of the material of the wire. Taking $ M, L, T, I $ and $ K $ as dimensions of mass, length, time, current and temperature, respectively, the dimensional formula of the quantity $ Z = \frac{S^2 \sigma}{\kappa} $ is:
A quantity \( X \) is given by: \[ X = \frac{\epsilon_0 L \Delta V}{\Delta t} \] where:
- \( \epsilon_0 \) is the permittivity of free space,
- \( L \) is the length,
- \( \Delta V \) is the potential difference,
- \( \Delta t \) is the time interval.
The dimension of \( X \) is the same as that of:
A wooden block of mass M lies on a rough floor. Another wooden block of the same mass is hanging from the point O through strings as shown in the figure. To achieve equilibrium, the coefficient of static friction between the block on the floor and the floor itself is
In an experiment to determine the figure of merit of a galvanometer by half deflection method, a student constructed the following circuit. He applied a resistance of \( 520 \, \Omega \) in \( R \). When \( K_1 \) is closed and \( K_2 \) is open, the deflection observed in the galvanometer is 20 div. When \( K_1 \) is also closed and a resistance of \( 90 \, \Omega \) is removed in \( S \), the deflection becomes 13 div. The resistance of galvanometer is nearly:
Dimensional Analysis is a process which helps verify any formula by the using the principle of homogeneity. Basically dimensions of each term of a dimensional equation on both sides should be the same.
Limitation of Dimensional Analysis: Dimensional analysis does not check for the correctness of value of constants in an equation.
Let us understand this with an example:
Suppose we don’t know the correct formula relation between speed, distance and time,
We don’t know whether
(i) Speed = Distance/Time is correct or
(ii) Speed =Time/Distance.
Now, we can use dimensional analysis to check whether this equation is correct or not.
By reducing both sides of the equation in its fundamental units form, we get
(i) [L][T]-¹ = [L] / [T] (Right)
(ii) [L][T]-¹ = [T] / [L] (Wrong)
From the above example it is evident that the dimensional formula establishes the correctness of an equation.