UNIT : 01 NATURE OF PHYSICAL WORLD AND MEASUREMENT

Higher Secondary – First Year

Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 1
 Learning Objectives:

In this unit, the student is exposed to

 Excitement generated by the discoveries in Physics.
 An understanding of physical quantities of importance.
 Different system of units.
 An understanding of errors and corrections in physics measurements.
 The importance of significant figures.
 Usage of dimensions to check the homogeneity of physical quantities.

Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 2
 DIMENSION OF PHYSICAL
1.8.1 QUANTITIES
The dimension of length can be expressed in
terms of base quantities as
In mechanics, we deal with the physical quantities [length] = M0 LT0 = L
like mass, time, length, velocity, acceleration, etc. Similarly, [area] = M0 L2 T0 = L2
which can be expressed in terms of three Similarly, [volume] = M0 L3 T0 = L3
independent base quantities such as M, L and T. Note that in all the cases, the base quantity L is
same but exponent (power) are different, which

For an example, [length] means dimension of means dimensions are different. For a pure

length, [area] means dimension of area, etc. number, exponent of base quantity is zero. For
example, consider the number 2, which has no
dimension and can be expressed as
⇒[2]=M0 L0 T0 (Dimensionless)

Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 3
Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 4
Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 5
 Dimensionless variables
1.8.2 DIMENSIONAL QUANTITIES
Physical quantities which have no dimensions,
Dimensional variables but have variable values are called dimensionless
Physical quantities, which possess dimensions and variables. Examples are specific gravity, strain,
have variable values are called dimensional variables. refractive index etc.
Examples are length, velocity, and acceleration etc.

Dimensionless Constant
Dimensional Constant Quantities which have constant values and also
Physical quantities which possess dimensions and have no dimensions are called dimensionless
have constant values are called dimensional constants. Examples are π, e (Euler’s number),
constants. Examples are Gravitational constant, numbers etc
Planck’s constant etc.

Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 6
Principle of homogeneity of dimensions APPLICATION AND
The principle of homogeneity of dimensions states 1.8.3 LIMITATIONS OF THE METHOD
OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
that the dimensions of all the terms in a
physical expression should be the same. For
This method is used to
example, in the physical expression v2 = u2 + 2as,
(i) Convert a physical quantity from one
the dimensions of v2, u2 and 2 as are the same and
system of units to another.
equal to [L2T−2].
(ii) Check the dimensional correctness of
a given physical equation.
(iii) Establish relations among various
physical quantities.

Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 7
To convert a physical quantity from one system of
To check the dimensional correctness of a given
units to another
physical equation
This is based on the fact that the product of the numerical
Let us take the equation of motion v = u + at
values (n) and its corresponding unit (u) is a constant. i.e,
Apply dimensional formula on both sides
n [u] = constant (or) n1[u1] = n2[u2].
[LT−1] = [LT−1] + [LT−2] [T]
Consider a physical quantity which has dimension ‘a’ in
[LT−1] = [LT−1] + [LT−1]
mass, ‘b’ in length and ‘c’ in time. If the fundamental
(Quantities of same dimension only can be added)
units in one system are M1, L1 and T1 and the other system
We see that the dimensions of both sides are
are M2, L2 and T2 respectively, then we can write, n1 [M1a
same. Hence the equation is dimensionally correct.
L1b T1c] = n2 [M2a L2b T2c]
We have thus converted the numerical value of physical
quantity from one system of units into the other system.

Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 8
To establish the relation among various physical Convert 76 cm of mercury pressure into Nm−2
using the method of dimensions.
quantities: Solution
If the physical quantity Q depends upon the quantities In cgs system 76 cm of mercury pressure
= 76×13.6×980 dyne cm−2
Q1, Q2 and Q3 ie. Q is proportional to Q1, Q2 and Q3. The dimensional formula of pressure P is [ML−1T−2]

Then, Q ∝ Q1a Q2b Q3c ; Q = k Q1a Q2b Q3c P1= P2 ; P1

M1 = 1g, M2 = 1kg; L1 = 1 cm, L2 = 1m; T1 = 1 s,

where k is a dimensionless constant. When the
T2 = 1s ; As a =1, b= -1, and c = -2
dimensional formula of Q, Q1, Q2 and Q3 are
Then P2 = 76 x 13.6 x 980
substituted, then according to the principle of
= 76 x 13.6 x 980
homogeneity, the powers of M, L, T are made equal
= 76 × 13.6 × 980 × [10−3] × 102
on both sides of the equation. From this, we get the
P2 = 1.01 × 105 Nm−2
values of a, b, c

Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 9
If the value of universal gravitational constant in SI is
6.6x10−11 Nm2 kg−2, then find its value in CGS System? Check the correctness of the equation
Solution
Let GSI be the gravitational constant in the SI system and G cgs in ½ mv2 = mgh using dimensional analysis method.
the cgs system. Then GSI = 6.6 ×10-11Nm2 kg−2 Solution
Gcgs =? Dimensional formula for
n2 = n1 ; Gcgs = GSI ½ mv2 = [M][LT-1]2 = [ML2T-2]
M1 = 1 kg, L1 = 1m, T1 = 1s ; M2 = 1 g, L2 = 1 cm, T2 = 1s The Dimensional formula for
dimensional formula for G is M-1L3T-2 ; a = -1, b = 3 and c = -2 mgh = [M][LT-2][L]=[ML2T-2]
Gcgs = 6.6 x 10-11 [ML2T−2] = [ML2T−2]
= 6.6 x 10-11 Both sides are dimensionally the same, hence the
= 6.6 × 10−11 × 10−3x 106 × 1 ; equations ½ mv2 = mgh is dimensionally correct.
Gcgs = 6.6 × 10-8 dyne cm2g-2

Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 10
Obtain an expression for the time period T of a simple pendulum. The time period T depends on (i)
mass ‘m’ of the bob (ii) length ‘’ of the pendulum and (iii) acceleration due to gravity g at the place where the
pendulum is suspended. (Constant k = 2π)
Solution
T;T=k
Here k is the dimensionless constant. Rewriting the above equation with dimensions
[T1] = [Ma] [Lb] [LT−2]c [M0L0T1] = [Ma Lb+c T−2c]
Comparing the powers of M, L and T on both sides, a=0, b+c=0, -2c=1
Solving for a,b and c a = 0, b = 1/2, and c = −1/2
From the above equation T = k. m0
T = k ; k ; Experimentally k = 2π, hence T = 2π

Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 11
 Limitations of Dimensional analysis:

1. This method gives no information about the dimensionless constants in the formula like

1, 2, ……..π,e, etc.

2. This method cannot decide whether the given quantity is a vector or a scalar.

3. This method is not suitable to derive relations involving trigonometric, exponential and

logarithmic functions.

4. It cannot be applied to an equation involving more than three physical quantities.

5. It can only check on whether a physical relation is dimensionally correct but not the

correctness of the relation. For example, using dimensional analysis,

s = ut + at2 is dimensionally correct whereas the correct relation is s = ut + at 2

Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 12
 Thank you !

Thursday, July 4, 2024 Nature of Physical World & Measurement – Hr. Sec. First Year 13