Difference Between Dimensional & Dimensionless Physical Constants

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Homework Help Overview

The original poster asks about the difference between dimensional and dimensionless physical constants, seeking clarification on these concepts within the context of physics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants suggest starting with examples of each type of constant. Others question the context of the original poster's question, noting that introductory physics typically has few dimensionless constants and suggesting the possibility of confusion with coefficients. There is also a mention of specific constants like π and e as potential examples of dimensionless constants.

Discussion Status

The discussion is exploring various interpretations of the question, with participants providing insights and raising questions about the definitions and examples of dimensional versus dimensionless constants. There is no explicit consensus, but several productive lines of inquiry are being pursued.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the potential confusion between physical constants and coefficients, as well as the limited presence of dimensionless constants in introductory physics contexts.

nishanth R
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Homework Statement


What is the difference between a dimensional physical constant and dimensionless physical constant?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Please fill all the templates.You will have to show some effort in order to get any help.In physics terms I would say
"The results you achieve is directly proportional to the effort you apply"
 
Maybe start out with examples of each type of constant?
 
What is the context of your question ? In introductory physics there are hardly any dimensionless physical constants, apart from ratios.
Are you sure you don't mean coefficients (e.g. for physical properties, friction coefficients and such) ?

If we leave out a whole lot of ratios (mostly dimensionless for obvious reasons),
when I look at a http://web.mit.edu/birge/Public/formulas/phys-const.pdf , all I see are physical constants with a dimension -- apart from a few very fancy ones such as ##\alpha## and g-2 .
 
I think they mean something like π or e
 
nR, what DO you mean ? I read physical constants.
 

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