PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Units and Measurements · Units and Measurements
Problem
Torque and work share identical SI units, yet they represent different physical effects.
(i) Define the term “dimensional formula” of a physical quantity.
(ii) The magnitude of torque is given by τ=rFsinθ, where r is the magnitude of the position vector and F is the applied force. Derive the dimensional formula of torque.
(iii) Work is defined as W=Fs, where s is the displacement of the point of application of the force in its own direction. Derive the dimensional formula of work.
(iv) Compare the dimensional formulas obtained in parts (ii) and (iii). Explain, with one reason, how two quantities having the same dimensions can still represent different physical phenomena.