MHB According to Buckingham Theorem the rank of A should be 2

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The discussion revolves around applying the Buckingham Theorem to a physical system described by the equation f(E,P,A)=0, where E, P, and A represent energy, pressure, and surface area, respectively. Participants clarify that the rank of the associated matrix A is 2, indicating there are two linearly independent column vectors. The confusion between the concepts of "rank" and "order" is addressed, with rank defined as the dimension of the matrix's range. The conversation concludes with confirmation that specific vectors can indeed span the vector space of the matrix. Understanding these concepts is crucial for deriving dimensionless quantities from the physical law.
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Hello! (Wave)

A physical system is described by a law of the form $f(E,P,A)=0$, where $E,P,A$ represent, respectively, energy, pressure and surface area. Find an equivalent physical law that relates suitable dimensionless quantities.

That' what I have tried so far:

1st step:


Choice of quantities


Mass: $M$

Time: $T$

Length: $L$

So:

$$[E]=M L^2 T^{-2}$$
$$[P]=ML^{-1}T^{-2}$$
$$[A]=L^2$$2nd step:

Construction of dimonsionless quantities
The matrix of dimensions:$A=\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 1 & 0\\
-2 & -2 & 0 \\
2 & -1 &2
\end{bmatrix}$I tried to find the rank, determining the smallest $n$ for which $A^n=I$.$\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 1 & 0\\
-2 & -2 & 0 \\
2 & -1 &2
\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 1 & 0\\
-2 & -2 & 0 \\
2 & -1 &2
\end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}
-1 & -1 & 0\\
2 & 2 & 0 \\
8 & 2 &4
\end{bmatrix}$$\begin{bmatrix}
-1 & -1 & 0\\
2 & 2 & 0 \\
8 & 2 &4
\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 1 & 0\\
-2 & -2 & 0 \\
2 & -1 &2
\end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 1 & 0\\
-2 & -2 & 0 \\
12 & 0 &8
\end{bmatrix}$But I saw the solution and there should be only one dimensionless quantity, so according to Buckingham Theorem the rank of $A$ should be $2$.

Where is my mistake? (Thinking)
 
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Hey! (Smile)

evinda said:
I tried to find the rank, determining the smallest $n$ for which $A^n=I$.

Isn't that the order of $A$ instead of the rank of $A$? (Wondering)
The rank of $A$ is indeed $2$.
 
I like Serena said:
Isn't that the order of $A$ instead of the rank of $A$? (Wondering)

What is the difference between order and rank? (Thinking)
I like Serena said:
The rank of $A$ is indeed $2$.

Because of the fact that there are two linearly dependent rows? (Thinking)
 
evinda said:
What is the difference between order and rank? (Thinking)

In algebra the order of an element $a$ is the lowest power $n$ such that $a^n=id$.

The rank of a matrix is the dimension of its range. (Nerd)
Because of the fact that there are two linearly dependent rows? (Thinking)

Yes. (Nod)

More specifically, there are 2 linearly independent column vectors.
The range of the matrix is the span of those 2 vectors, meaning that range has dimension 2. (Emo)
 
I like Serena said:
In algebra the order of an element $a$ is the lowest power $n$ such that $a^n=id$.

The rank of a matrix is the dimension of its range. (Nerd)

A ok... (Nod)

I like Serena said:
Yes. (Nod)

More specifically, there are 2 linearly independent column vectors.
The range of the matrix is the span of those 2 vectors, meaning that range has dimension 2. (Emo)

So could we say that the following two vectors
$\begin{pmatrix}
1\\
-2\\
-1
\end{pmatrix} , \begin{pmatrix}
0\\
0\\
2
\end{pmatrix}$ span the vector space of the matrix? (Thinking)
 
evinda said:
So could we say that the following two vectors
$\begin{pmatrix}
1\\
-2\\
-1
\end{pmatrix} , \begin{pmatrix}
0\\
0\\
2
\end{pmatrix}$ span the vector space of the matrix? (Thinking)

Yes. (Nod)
 
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