What Unit is 4.8912e12 m2 kg/s^4?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the unit represented by the expression 4.8912 × 10^12 m^2 kg / s^4, which arose from a mathematical operation involving hertz and watts. Participants explore the implications of this expression and its relevance to calculations involving photons and radio transmitters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the existence of a known physical quantity corresponding to the dimensions m^2 kg / s^4.
  • Another participant confirms the correctness of the units derived from multiplying hertz and watts, suggesting it can be interpreted as Joules per second squared or Watts per second.
  • A participant later clarifies that they intended to divide hertz and watts, leading to a new expression of 2 122.91667 m^-2 * kg^-1 * s^2, prompting further inquiry into the meaning of this unit.
  • One participant challenges the purpose of the calculations, implying a lack of clear objectives in the mathematical approach.
  • A participant explains their goal was to determine how far a photon could travel in relation to a radio transmitter, but acknowledges insufficient information for such calculations.
  • Another participant states that there is no limit to how far a photon can travel, while expressing skepticism about deriving conclusions solely from dimensional analysis.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity and purpose of the calculations, with some questioning the mathematical approach and others focusing on the implications of the derived units. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the significance of the units and the calculations involved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the assumptions made about the calculations and the definitions of the units involved. The discussion does not resolve the mathematical steps or the physical implications of the derived units.

iphilosopher
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Change the forum if this is in the wrong place but I was doing some math (multiplying hertz and watts) and I came with 4.8912 × 10^12 m^2 kg / s^4, I don't know what unit that is, so can anybody tell me if there even is one?
 
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there is no known physical quantity with those dimensions.
 
iphilosopher said:
Change the forum if this is in the wrong place but I was doing some math (multiplying hertz and watts) and I came with 4.8912 × 10^12 m^2 kg / s^4, I don't know what unit that is, so can anybody tell me if there even is one?

[tex]Watt = Joule/s = kg*m^2*s^{-3}[/tex]

[tex]Hertz = s^{-1}[/tex]

So your units are correct. Basically it's Joules per s^2, or Watts per second.

But as pointed out, it is unusual to multiply power and frequency. What was the calculation for?
 
I meant to divide hertz and watts and I would get 2 122.91667 m^-2 * kg^-1 * s^2 so now I think my question truly is what is that unit
 
As asked, what are you trying to accomplish? It almost seems like you are doing blind math, hoping to stumble on something interesting.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I was trying to find how far one photon can go like with a radio transmitter, how far could one of those photons could go. And now I found I did not have enough information to do these calculations.
 
There's no limit to how far a photon can go. But I'm not sure you can come to a conclusion like that by doing dimensional analysis. Sometimes interesting things can pop out though.
 

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