Finding dimensions of partial derivatives of force with respect to distance

  • Thread starter Thread starter pyroknife
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Dimensions
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 2K views
pyroknife
Messages
611
Reaction score
4

Homework Statement


Let P represent a force and x, y, and z represent distances. Determine the dimensions for each of the quantities listed below.

I attached the problem I need help with. (it's a small picture)
So I'm a bit confused since the it involves both dx and dy.

The dimensions for P is (ML/T^2)
Where M=mass
L=length
T=time

Then I have to differentiate it twice but with two different variables. Since x and y refer to distances and the only distance found in that equation is L.

Would that mean the dimensions for dP/dx = M/T^2 ?

If so, would that mean the answer to the 2nd derivative still be the same answer since they're differentiating between different variables? (I'm not sure if I worded this right, but I remember from Calc III something similar)
On a side note. I took calculus quite a while ago so some of this I might have forgotten.
The picture I provided, that is not equivalent to (dP/dx)*(dP/dy) right?
 

Attachments

  • Untitled.png
    Untitled.png
    907 bytes · Views: 437
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
A derivative is the limit of a certain ratio. It has the same dimensions as the ratio. What dimensions does the ratio have?