Question Details

Of the following quantities, which one has dimensions different from the remaining three ?

Options

A

Energy per unit volume

B

Force per unit area

C

Product of voltage and charge per unit volume

D

Angular momentum

Correct Answer :

Angular momentum

Solution :

To determine which of the given quantities has dimensions different from the remaining three, we will find the dimensional formula for each of the options.

Let the fundamental dimensions be mass [M], length [L], and time [T].

1. Energy per unit volume:
Energy has the dimensions of work done, which is force multiplied by distance:
Energy = \text{Force} \times \text{Distance} = [\text{M} \text{L} \text{T}^{-2}] \times [\text{L}] = [\text{M} \text{L}^{2} \text{T}^{-2}]
Volume has the dimensions of length cubed:
Volume = [\text{L}^{3}]
Therefore, the dimensions of energy per unit volume are:
[ML2T2][L3]=[ML1T2]

2. Force per unit area:
Force has the dimensions:
Force = [\text{M} \text{L} \text{T}^{-2}]
Area has the dimensions of length squared:
Area = [\text{L}^{2}]
Therefore, the dimensions of force per unit area are:
[MLT2][L2]=[ML1T2]

3. Product of voltage and charge per unit volume:
The product of voltage (electric potential, V) and charge (q) is equal to electrical energy:
Voltage×Charge=Energy=[ML2T2]
Thus, the product of voltage and charge per unit volume has the same dimensions as energy per unit volume:
[Voltage×Charge][Volume]=[ML2T2][L3]=[ML1T2]

4. Angular momentum:
Angular momentum (L) is defined as the product of moment of inertia and angular velocity, or position vector crossed with linear momentum (r × p):
Angular momentum=Distance×Mass×Velocity
Angular momentum=[L]×[M]×[LT1]=[ML2T1]

Comparing the dimensions of all four quantities:
- Energy per unit volume: [ML1T2]
- Force per unit area: [ML1T2]
- Product of voltage and charge per unit volume: [ML1T2]
- Angular momentum: [ML2T1]

The first three quantities have the same dimensions of pressure/energy density, while Angular momentum has different dimensions.

Therefore, the correct option is Angular momentum.

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