Is this Expression Dimensionally Consistent?

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In summary, the equation v^2=2ax is dimensionally consistent, as the 2 is unitless. This equation is derived from the work energy theorem and states that work is the change in kinetic energy. While ft/s^2 and m/s^2 have the same dimensions, they are not correct by units and a conversion factor can be used to make the equation correct in both senses. The 2 in this equation is dimensionless and can be taken as M^0L^0T^0.
  • #1
tony873004
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Is this expression dimentionally consistant?
[tex]v^2=2ax[/tex]

where v is velocity, a is acceleration and x represents a length in meters.
[tex](m/s)^2=2*m/s^2 * m[/tex]
[tex]m^2/s^2=2*m/s^2 * m[/tex]
[tex]m^2/s^2 = 2 * m^2/s^2[/tex]

I'm not sure if the 2 makes the thing not dimentionally consistant. My guess is since the 2 is unitless, the expression is dimentionally consistant. Any thoughts?
 
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  • #2
m^2/s^2 = 2m^2/s^2 is correct both dimensionwise and unit-wise
Yes, 2 is dimensionless in this equation. The reason why we 1=2 is because this equation is very specific. By doing this we assume acceleration is constant and that the initial velocity is zero. In fact we we multiply both sides by the mass we have

mv^2 = 2max

F = ma

mv^2 = 2fx

if we assume the force is constant and in the direction of motion we can say
w = fx

im sure you see this now

mv^2/2 = w
KE = w, so the above equation that we started with is actually a derivation from the work energy theorem. And it basically states that work is the change in kinetic energy. more or less velocity squared is directly proportional to the product of acceleration and displacement. So now that the issue of the 2 has been addressed I just want to clear up something else

ft/s^2 is dimensionally correct with m/s^2 as the dimension are both L/T^2
however the equation is not correct by units, in order to make a dimensionally correct equation that has terms with different units into an equation that is correct in both senses, all we need to do is simply multiply by a conversion factor. If you take an advanced dynamics course your EOM's will often have several ugly terms and it is always a good idea to make sure all the terms have the same dimensions. This way if you know the dimensions on a term aren't correct, then you should just accept the fact that the equation in incorrect and there is a mistake in the previous steps, always a good time saver before finalizing any work!
 
  • #3
2 dimensionally constant and has no dimensions , can be taken as [itex]M^0L^0T^0[/itex]
 

1. What does it mean for a measurement to be "dimensionally consistent"?

Dimensional consistency refers to the concept that all units used to express a measurement must be compatible with each other. This means that when performing calculations or converting between units, the resulting units must have the same dimensions on both sides of the equation.

2. How is dimensional consistency important in scientific research?

Dimensional consistency is crucial in scientific research because it ensures the accuracy and validity of measurements. It allows for proper comparison and analysis of data, and helps to avoid errors and inconsistencies in calculations.

3. What happens if a measurement is not dimensionally consistent?

If a measurement is not dimensionally consistent, it can lead to incorrect or meaningless results. This is because different units represent different quantities, and mixing incompatible units can result in nonsensical calculations.

4. How do scientists ensure dimensional consistency in their experiments?

To ensure dimensional consistency, scientists use the principles of dimensional analysis. This involves breaking down a measurement into its fundamental units and checking that all units used in the calculation are compatible with each other. Any inconsistencies or errors can then be identified and corrected.

5. Can dimensional consistency be applied to non-physical quantities?

Yes, dimensional consistency can also be applied to non-physical quantities, such as mathematical expressions or equations. In this case, the dimensions of each term must be the same on both sides of the equation in order for it to be considered dimensionally consistent.

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