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# Introduction to Dimensions With Different Units and Formula for JEE

## What is a Unit?

Last updated date: 19th Mar 2023
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A unit is a specific mechanism to associate a numerical value with a quantitative dimension. Currently, there are three main unit systems in use:

• The International System of Units (SI units, from Le Systeme International d’Unites, more commonly simply called metric units)

• The English Engineering System of Units (commonly called English units)

• The British Gravitational System of Units (BG)

## Standard Units

We may measure length, height, weight, temperature, mass, and a variety of other quantities using standard units, which are widely used units of measurement. Since these units are standardized, everyone understands the size, weight, and other characteristics of objects and things when measured in these units.

## Characteristics of Standard Unit

The following characteristics should be included in every unit chosen to measure a physical quantity.

• It should have a distinct concept and be adequately defined.

• It shouldn't alter in response to changes in external factors like pressure, stress, or temperature.

• The size should be appropriate, neither too big nor too little.

• It shouldn't alter based on the location or time.

• It should be reproducible.

• It should be internationally accepted.

## Classification of Units

Two categories can be used to classify units.

• Fundamental: A physical quantity that does not depend on other physical values. The fundamental quantities of mechanics are mass, length, and time. These fundamental physical quantities are measured in units referred to as fundamental units. For instance, weight, length, time, etc.

## Unit and Symbol of Physical Quantities

 S. No. Name of Physical Quantity Unit Symbol 1 Length Meter M 2 Mass Kilogram Kg 3 Time Second S 4 Temperature Kelvin K 5 Electric Current Ampere A 6 Luminous Intensity Candela Cd 7 Quantity of Matter Mole mol

• Derived: A derived unit is derived from the fundamental units, for example, the unit of area, force, speed, etc.

## Supplementary Units

• Radian (rad): It is a supplementary unit for plane angles. It is the plane angle that a circle's radius-equivalent arc subtends at the center of the circle. It is denoted by $\theta$.

$\theta =l/r$ ; 𝑙 is length of the arcand 𝑟 is radius of the circle

• Steradian (Sr): It is an additional unit for solid angle. It is the angle that a sphere's surface area with a magnitude equal to the square of the sphere's radius forms at its center. It is denoted by Ω.

$\Omega =\Delta s/{{r}^{2}}$

## Dimensions

The unit of measurement used to express a physical variable quantitatively is called a dimension. The fundamental units of mass, length, and time, denoted by the letters M, L, and T, are raised to powers that consider both their nature and not just their magnitude. For example,

• Area = Length x Breadth

• Area= $[{{L}^{1}}]\times [{{L}^{1}}]=[{{L}^{2}}]=[{{M}^{0}}{{L}^{2}}{{T}^{0}}]$

The dimensions of area in mass, length, and time are designated by the power (0, 2, 0) of the fundamental units, respectively.

Dimensions and units are distinct concepts. A unit is a technique to give a number or measurement to that dimension, whereas a dimension is a measure of a physical variable (without numerical values). For instance, length is a dimension but is expressed in units of meters or feet (ft) (m).

## Dimensional Formula

An expression that describes how physical amount depends on fundamental physical quantity, together with the powers of mass, length, and time. Example,

Speed = Distance/Time

Speed$=[{{L}^{1}}]/[{{T}^{1}}]=[{{M}^{0}}{{L}^{1}}{{T}^{-1}}]$

It explains that L & T have an impact on speed. It is independent of M. Refer to the Dimension Formula PDF for a more detailed understanding.

## Dimensional Equation

A dimensional equation is one that is created by combining the physical quantity and its dimensional formula. The following is the area dimensional equation:

Area = $[{{M}^{0}}{{L}^{2}}{{T}^{0}}]$

## Physical Quantities

Physical quantities refer to any quantities that can be measured and in which the principles of Physics can be stated. For instance, consider distance, speed, mass, and force.

## Dimensional Formula for All Physical Quantities

 Physical Quantity Dimensions Force [M1L1T-2] Work [M1L2T-2] Power [M1L2T-3] Energy [M1L2T-2] Pressure, Stress [M1L-1T-2] Momentum [M1L1T-1] Moment of Force [M1L2T-2] Impulse [M1L1T-1] Strain [M0L0T0] Surface Energy [M1L0T-2] Modulus of Elasticity [M1L-1T-2] Surface Tension [M1L0T-2] Coefficient of Viscosity [M1L-1T-1] Moment of Inertia [M1L2T0] Angular Velocity [M0L0T-1] Frequency [M0L0T-1] Area [M0L2T0] Volume [M0L3T0] Density [M1L-3T0] Speed or Velocity [M0L1T-1] Acceleration [M0L1T-2] Pressure [M1L-1T-2]

## Dimensional Formula of Other Quantities

• Dimension of Light Year: [M0L1T0]

• Dimensional formula for Coefficient of Self-Induction: [M1L2T-2A-2]

• Force constant dimensional formula: [M1L0T-2]

• Dimensions of Permittivity of Free Space: [M-1L-3T4I2]

• Dimension of Stefan Constant: [M1L0T-3K-4]

## Conclusion

A few basic quantities or their combinations provide all of the physical quantities. These essential quantities units are known as base units, and combinations are known as derived units. The knowledge of dimensions and units will be beneficial for understanding several advanced concepts of science.

Competitive Exams after 12th Science

## FAQs on Introduction to Dimensions With Different Units and Formula for JEE

1. What are the different systems of units?

The following systems are frequently employed for measuring physical quantities.

• C.G.S system: In this system, the units of length, mass, and time are the centimeter, gram, and second, respectively.

• F.P.S system: This system uses the foot as the unit of length, the pound as the unit of mass, and the second as the unit of time.

• M.K.S: This system uses meters as the unit of length, kilograms as the unit of mass, and seconds as the unit of time.

• S.I System: The M.K.S system of units has been enhanced and expanded in this system. The international system of units goes by this name.

2. What are the advantages of the SI system of units?

The advantages of the S.I. system are as follows.

• The derived units of physical quantities can be easily determined by multiplying or dividing the fundamental units since it is a cohesive set of units.

• Its unit system is logical, using only one unit for each physical quantity. For example, it measures all forms of energies in Joules (J) (heat, light, mechanical).

• Its multiples and submultiples can be represented in powers of 10, as it uses the metric system of units.

• The S.I. symbols are not subject to modification regardless of the language; for example, the kilogram, which has the symbol "kg," must only be spelled this way.