Question Details

Let [ε₀] denote the permittivity of the vaccum, and [μ₀] denote the permeability of the vaccum. If M = mass, L= length, T = time and I= electrical current, then the dimensional formulae of ε₀ and μ₀ are

Options

A

[M⁻¹L⁻³T⁴I²] and [MLT⁻²I⁻²]

B

[M⁻¹L⁻³T⁴I²] and [M⁻³LT⁻¹I⁴]

C

[M⁻¹L⁻³T⁴I²] and [MLT⁻²I⁻²]

D

[M⁻²L⁻¹T²I³] and [M⁻¹LT⁻²I⁻²]

Correct Answer :

[M⁻¹L⁻³T⁴I²] and [MLT⁻²I⁻²]

Solution :

To find the dimensional formulae of the permittivity of free space (ε0) and the permeability of free space (μ0), we can derive them step-by-step from fundamental physical laws.

Step 1: Dimensional formula of Permittivity of vacuum (ε0)
We can use Coulomb's Law, which defines the electrostatic force F between two charges q1 and q2 separated by a distance r in a vacuum:
F=14πε0q1q2r2

Rearranging the equation to solve for ε0 gives:
ε0=q1q24πFr2

Now, let's write the dimensional formula for each variable in terms of basic dimensions:
1. Electrical current I=Charge(q)Time(T)[q]=[IT]
2. Force [F]=[MLT-2]
3. Distance [r]=[L]
4. The number 4π is dimensionless.

Substituting these dimensional formulae into the expression for ε0:
[ε0]=[IT][IT][MLT-2][L2]

Simplifying the expression:
[ε0]=[I2T2][ML3T-2]=[M-1L-3T4I2]

Step 2: Dimensional formula of Permeability of vacuum (μ0)
We can use the relation between the speed of light in vacuum (c), permeability (μ0), and permittivity (ε0):
c=1μ0ε0

Squaring both sides:
c2=1μ0ε0μ0=1ε0c2

The speed of light is velocity, which has the dimensional formula:
[c]=[LT-1][c2]=[L2T-2]

Substituting the dimensions of ε0 and c2 in the formula for μ0:
[μ0]=1[M-1L-3T4I2][L2T-2]

Simplifying the denominator:
[M-1L-3T4I2][L2T-2]=[M-1L-1T2I2]

Thus, we obtain:
[μ0]=1[M-1L-1T2I2]=[MLT-2I-2]

Therefore, the dimensional formulae of ε0 and μ0 are [M-1L-3T4I2] and [MLT-2I-2], respectively.

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