Determine the units of the quantity described

[knotloved]

Homework Statement

Determine the units of the quantity described by each of the following combinations of units:
a. kg (m/s) (1/s)
b. (kg/s) (m/s²)
c. (kg/s) (m/s)²
d. (kg/s) (m/s)

Homework Equations

n/a

The Attempt at a Solution

I would attempt to solve the problem, but I don't even know what's being asked of me. I think I have reading comprehension problems I'm not asking you to do my hw, but I'd appreciate it if you a) dumbed down the question for me b) told me how to solve it. I'm assuming you probably don't get basic questions like this often... sorry. Thanks!

 

[Sakha]

This is called dimensional analysis.
For example, A Newton, the unit of force, is defined as the net force required to accelerate a 1kg mass with an acceleration of 1m/s². So N = kg*m/s²
With some algebra, you should be able to simplify the dimensions and end up with other units that are defined in terms of those units.

 

[Doc Al]

Several of those combinations of standard units have special names. Try figuring out what kind of quantity each is, then you might be able to come up with the name. (At least I think that's what they want.)

 

[JJBladester]

Homework Statement

Determine the units of the quantity described by each of the following combinations of units:
a. kg (m/s) (1/s)

For part (a),
$$1\frac{kg\cdot m}{s^{2}}=1N (Newton)$$

The SI system has 7 base units and the rest are derived. The question is giving you a combination of bas units (kg, m, s) and asking you to give the derived units based on those. Check out this wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SI_derived_unit

I think with that you can figure out the rest!

 

[rwisz]

No need to apologize, it's perfectly normal to have difficulty understanding a question at first. Let me break it down for you:

The question is asking you to determine the units of a quantity, or in other words, what are the units of measurement that would be used to measure this quantity. The quantity is described by different combinations of units, which means we are looking at different ways of expressing the same quantity.

a. The first combination of units is kg (m/s) (1/s). This can be simplified to kg•m/s², which is the unit for force (Newton) in the SI system. So the quantity described in this case is force.

b. The second combination of units is (kg/s) (m/s²). This can be simplified to kg•m/s³, which is the unit for power (Watt) in the SI system. So the quantity described in this case is power.

c. The third combination of units is (kg/s) (m/s)². This can be simplified to kg/s, which is the unit for mass flow rate in the SI system. So the quantity described in this case is mass flow rate.

d. The fourth combination of units is (kg/s) (m/s). This can be simplified to kg, which is the unit for mass in the SI system. So the quantity described in this case is mass.

I hope this helps you understand the question and how to solve it. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Good luck with your homework!