Question:

The dimensions of universal gravitational constant are

Updated On: Jul 29, 2022
  • $ [{{M}^{-1}}{{L}^{3}}{{T}^{-2}}] $
  • $ [M{{L}^{2}}{{T}^{-1}}] $
  • $ [{{M}^{-2}}{{L}^{3}}{{T}^{-2}}] $
  • $ [{{M}^{-2}}{{L}^{2}}{{T}^{-1}}] $
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Key Idea : Substitute the dimensions for the quantities involved in an expression written for gravitational constant. According to Newton's law of gravitation, the force of attraction between two masses $m_{1}$ and $m_{2}$ separated by a distance $r$ is, $F=\frac{G m_{1} m_{2}}{r^{2}}$ $ \Rightarrow G=\frac{F r^{2}}{m_{1} m_{2}}$ Substituting the dimensions for the quantities on the right hand side, we obtain dimensions of $G=\frac{\left[ MLT ^{-2}\right]\left[ L ^{2}\right]}{\left[ M ^{2}\right]}$ $=\left[ M ^{-1} L ^{3} T ^{-2}\right]$
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Concepts Used:

Dimensional Analysis

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.
 

Using Dimensional Analysis to check the correctness of the 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.