Question Details

Magnitude of force F experienced by a certain object moving with speed v is given by F = Kv²,where K is a constant. Find the dimensions of K.

Options

A

[ML]

B

[ML⁻⁵]

C

[ML⁻³]

D

[ML⁻¹]

Correct Answer :

[ML⁻¹]

Solution :

The correct option is [ML⁻¹].

To find the dimensions of the constant K, we start with the given formula:
F=Kv2
Rearranging the equation to solve for K gives:
K=Fv2

Next, we determine the dimensional formulas for each of the quantities involved:
1. Force (F) is defined as mass times acceleration (F=ma). Its dimensional formula is:
[F]=[MLT-2]
2. Velocity or speed (v) is distance over time. Its dimensional formula is:
[v]=[LT-1]
Therefore, the square of the speed (v2) has the dimensions:
[v2]=[LT-1]2=[L2T-2]

Now, substitute the dimensions of F and v2 back into the rearranged equation to find the dimensions of K:
[K]=[MLT-2][L2T-2]
Simplifying the expression by subtracting the exponents of like bases:
[K]=[ML1-2T-2-(-2)]
[K]=[ML-1T0]=[ML-1]

Thus, the dimensional formula of the constant K is [ML⁻¹].

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